5 Top Tips For First-Time Cruisers
There’s nothing quite like going on a cruise. The sounds, the sights, and the strange feeling of watching a never-ending expanse of water as you cruise along the waves is a feeling that cannot be replicated by any other vacation.
However, if you’re a first-time cruiser, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed by the sophistication of the Egypt river cruise. As a result, you might have some queries about what to take with you, what to do while you are on board, and what things you simply cannot miss.
If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve narrowed down our top tips for first-time cruisers to guarantee a stress-free experience.
1. Pack Light
The best rule of thumb for going on a cruise for the first time is to pack light. In terms of your clothes, you will want to prioritize the essentials including underwear and socks.
While it’s always great to prepare yourself for just about any type of weather, packing minimally and bringing a wrinkle-releasing product will enable you to wear an outfit more than once.
You can also save some valuable space by using your smartphone to take photographs instead of relying on a bulky top-of-the-range camera. Your cabin on the cruise may also have toiletries and a robe for you which means you’ll also save on space in this way.
You can also visit familycruisecompanion.com for more guidance on how to organize your cruise holiday.
2. Turn On Airplane Mode
Turning on airplane mode is a crucial tip for first-time cruisers. So, whatever phone you have, switching on airplane mode is essential!
There are many horror stories of cruising newbies racking up thousands of dollars of mobile phone charges as they enjoy their cruising holiday. This can occur when you leave your phone on and decide to watch your favorite show on a streaming platform.
As a result, you will pay extortionate roaming rates! Even if you don’t make any calls, switching on airplane mode is a surefire way to save some money on your next phone bill.
If you would like to keep your phone on, however, contact your cell carrier and inquire about roaming or travel-specific data plans.
3. Consider Travel Insurance
Much like any other type of travel, it’s important to note that cruising isn’t always smooth sailing.
For example, you may suffer an illness in advance that causes you to cancel the cruise, or you may miss the vessel’s departure due to a delayed or canceled flight. You might even fall ill while on the ship and require emergency medical attention.
These types of events could happen to almost anyone and are the type of situations where it will greatly benefit you to have some travel insurance in place. Again, it is your choice, but as a first-time cruiser, it may help to ease your worries in case something goes wrong.
While we’re at it, make sure to have the ship’s contact details noted down at all times in the case of an emergency.
4. Pre-Book Activities Before Boarding
Cruises are busy, especially during summer break and in the holiday season. This may mean that you miss out on a particular activity.
Some cruise lines will let you sign up for activities and shows in advance.
So, if you want to enjoy a specific show or off-ship excursion, want to get a seat in the best restaurant on board, or want to book a spa service, we’d advise taking full advantage of any pre-booking opportunities!
You may also be able to budget a little if you book earlier as opposed to paying higher prices in the spur of the moment.
5. Don’t Feel Like You Need To Do It All!
As great as it is to sign up for lots of different activities and sightseeing opportunities, you must be careful not to overwhelm yourself with the things you do.
Simply put, you don’t have to do it all! In fact, you should try forcing yourself not to do it all.
It’s important to remember that you’re on a holiday and should treat it as such. Take some time to relax and destress from reality. If you have a balcony, why not sit on it and watch the ocean for a period?
Final Thoughts
As a first-time cruiser, the key to a successful vacation is organization. From pre-booking activities to maximizing every second on the ship, there are so many ways for you to enjoy your vacation. However, you must pencil in some relaxation time!
