If you are planning to go on a cruise vacation with your family then the first thing that you should do as a cruise planner is to look for different types of ships.
Different ships are available, from small yacht like ships to mega-liners. keep the following things in mind while planning a cruise vacation.
A small ship can accommodate an average of 500 passengers. Small ships have fewer programs for entertainment so you will be have more free time. It is good for those who want to spent time with their loved ones.
A mid size ship can accommodate 500 to 1000 passengers. The local groups and piano player come to play on these ships. One advantage of going to vacation on mid size ship is that the lines seldom forms.
The mega liners ships have many different entertainment activities that are going on all the time. If you are going on this ship then make sure that you have pocket size layout of the ship so that you are not lost. One disadvantage of going on mega-liners ship is that they are crowded and you might have to stand in long lines. The other thing is that you will have to go in tenders from the ship to the shore. Tenders are small life boats.
Cruise Tip: make sure that you are going on the tender that goes to your ship. There may be many tenders on the shore, so you might get confused and make a mistake. This will ruin your trip so always check that you are going in the right tender.
When planning a cruise vacation ask yourself different questions. Check that whether the ship has all the facilities that are necessary for you like healthy exercise, spa packages etc.
Cruise Tip: it is better to book a mega-liner if you are seasick. While traveling on big ships you will hardly notice that you are moving.
Before booking the ship keep in mind to book ship on which you can have maximum enjoyment. It is obvious that the larger ships will have more facilities and the smaller ones will have fewer facilities and are more personalized. On smaller ships you will have more time to spend with your loved ones.
The other thing that you should consider before hiring a ship is the number of ports that you will visit. If you hire a ship that stops at the port every day, then this can be tiring for you.
If you are going on the port that you have visited before then the best option is to stay on the ship. In this way you can spent some time in the gym or spa treatment. This can be very relaxing If the trip is longer than the possibility is that older people are on that ship because they have more time to spend. Going on a cruise vacation is different experience.
With all this information you will surely be able to pick an ideal ship for your vacation. so don’t waste time and book the right ship for your vacation. When you are done with the booking, the time has now come to pack for your cruise vacation.
The cruise will give you guidelines for packing at the time of booking. Seven day cruises usually have two formal nights. You will need a tuxedo for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or gown for ladies. Most ships have tuxedo rentals but it is better that you buy your own tuxedo. Ten day cruise have three formal nights.
On the informal days you will have to wear a jacket and a tie, and a dress or pants suit. The remaining days on the cruise will be resort casual. You cannot wear jeans, tee shirts or shorts in the dining room at the dinner time. Some people also wear kilts and sporran on the cruise.
Some cruise lines do not have formal lines, so if you are not in the mood of dressing up then tell your agent to hire a ship that does not have formal nights. Some cruise lines have theme nights. Make sure that your agent informs you of all such activities that will happen on cruise before time so that you can prepare for it.
If you are planning to go to a warm climate area then it is better to keep two bathing suits. If you have two suits then you will not have to wear the wet suit when you are going to swimming for the second time.
Don’t forget to take sun block, a hat and a pair of glasses with you. these things will save your skin from the sun rays and the harsh weather of that area. I always take several pairs of prescription glasses with me in case if one gets lost.
It is a good idea to keep the bathing suit and cover on the top of the luggage so that you can easily take them out when you get on the cruise without wasting any time.
Cruise Tip: always pack a light sweater for day time and a shawl for evening so that you can wear it whenever you feel cold. At night you might feel cold because of the cold wind that blows at night.
If you are travelling on the cruise for the first time then after dropping the luggage to your room, go to the buffet and then have a short tour of your ship so that you can have an idea about the ship.
This is very important if you are travelling on a mega-liner. Some cruise lines give a tour of the ship on the first day, so don’t miss this opportunity. Check your daily sheet for the time so that you can be aware of what is going on in the ship.
The day you arrive at the ship, after you’ve gotten the layout, make any appointments you want; hair, nails, or massages, appointments sell out very quickly for formal nights and days at sea. If you are using the traditional dining option make sure it is correct, if it isn’t go see the Maitre d’. He will try very hard to accommodate you. Keep these points in mind
1. Don’t over pack
2. Bring one pair of casual shoes and one pair of dressy shoes.
3. Buy travel size appliances i.e., curlers, irons and blow dryers .
4. Tape a copy of your itinerary on the inside of your suitcase so if it gets lost the airline will know where to send it.
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