Vacation Cruising

These are general tips to enhance your cruise experience. They have been compiled from input given by those who have been on-board many ships and found these tips make their cruise easier.

Take colorful post-it-notes to leave messages on the doors of cruise mates or even in your own cabin for other members of your group. You can also use these to leave messages for your cabin steward or housekeeping.

Buy plastic clothes pins from a dollar store and use them to clip wet bathing suits and other clothing to your balcony chairs in the daytime so they would not blow off. You can also use them to hang hand washed laundry in your bathroom to dry.

The number 1 item you should bring with you, many say, is one of those cheap, over the door shoe racks. These are the ones with the plastic pockets in them. Cruisers report these are excellent for organizing often used items. They say once you use it you will know why it’s so important.

If you’re a smoker, buy cigarettes after getting onboard to save money as they are a lot cheaper. You can bring your own from home, but if you run out, buying them on the ship is cheaper than in ports of call.

When on shore, bring along a backpack with a tote bag stuffed inside. The backpack is easier to carry, and you’ll have the extra bag in case you end up with more purchases than you expected.

Use a 5-pocket check holder/organizer for all of your documents while traveling. Label the pockets with categories like: airline docs, cruise docs, cards (phone cards, insurance cards, etc) mail, stamps, addresses and money where you can keep all of my singles for tipping along with travelers cheques. The advantage to this is they are often wallet size and can be easily carried along with you.

Bring baby wipes. They can serve a couple purposes. If you get a stain on your clothing, rub it with a baby wipe. It will either remove the stain or pre-treat it for the wash. Restrooms in ports of call may be lacking the toilet paper. Use your baby wipes!! They’re great for cleaning up sticky hands and faces after eating.

If you’re cruising with friends or family, bring walkie-talkies to keep in touch with each other. They’re small, compact and a lifesaver if you get separated on shore or on the big ship!