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5 Cruise Tips to Keep In Mind for Your Next Voyage

20 April 2021 by Katie Hart

If you're eager to take a cruise, you'll want to do everything that you can to make your time away as enjoyable as possible. With the right preparations and knowledge, you can take your tour with greater peace of mind while hopefully avoiding obstacles along the way. You'll be doing yourself a big favor by keeping these five cruise tips in mind.

1. Find the Cheapest Time to Travel

The time of year that you take your cruise can have a major influence on how much you'll spend. Tours and cruises are often cheaper when taken between the middle of January and early February. The beginning of May after the Spring Break season and right after Labor Day weekend are other good times when cruise prices are generally lower.

2. Pack a Small Fan 

Your room may not have the best ventilation depending on where it's situated in the ship, and bringing a small fan will allow you to keep your room cool and avoid overheating. Any compact portable fan will do. Another advantage of bringing a fan is that you'll be able to muffle out loud sounds aboard the ship with it for some extra peace and quiet.

3. Bring Your Own Alcohol 

Most cruise ships allow passengers to bring a limited number of bottles of alcohol per cabin aboard, and you can save some money by bringing your own. If you're flying to the location where your cruise is set to depart, you can find good deals on alcohol at the airport's duty-free shop. Some cruises offer drink packages that can be purchased in advance and allow you to order drinks from the onboard bars and eateries without having to pay additional fees, but you'll still likely save if you bring your own alcohol and drink sparingly during your cruise.

4. Be Mindful of Seasickness

You might get seasick aboard the ship because of the waviness of the water, and there are things that you can do before you depart that may decrease your chances of feeling ill. A room with a view of the outside that's situated in the ship's center can be your best option if you want to prevent seasickness. Bringing some medication with you that's formulated to combat seasickness will also be to your advantage.

5. Try to Avoid the Lines

From dining and entertainment to disembarking the ship at ports for tours, chances are that you'll have to wait in some long lines during your time on the ship. If you need to go to Guest Services, it's best to go in the middle of the night or early in the morning when lines are generally shorter or nonexistent. Dining during off-peak hours can also reduce your time waiting in line. Some cruise ships also allow passengers to pay additional fees to receive priority treatment and wait in shorter lines. 

You can have the time of your life the smart way during your cruise if you follow these tidbits of advice. These helpful tips for tours and cruises can help you make the most out of your adventure.

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