By Juan Cruz
Thinking about taking your first-ever cruise holiday but feeling a bit nervous about the unknown? 1Cover's Cruise Guide is here to help, providing you with all the details you need to know to ensure a safe and happy holiday on the high seas.
Let's start with the room. Picking the right cabin is often one of the most daunting tasks for the novice cruiser. Cruise ships love spoiling you for choice, and some ships have up to 30 different cabin categories. This begs the question: how do you choose the cabin that’s right for you?
To begin with, don’t let the brochures overwhelm you. Take those 30 cabin categories and cut it down to four:
1 Inside Cabins: Generally, the smallest-sized and least expensive cabin on the ship. Of course, being the least expensive, inside rooms are in the interior of the ship and as such do not have a window.
2 Oceanview, or Outside Cabins: In Oceanview rooms the devil is in the detail. While not much bigger than an Inside Cabin, these rooms come with a view. The view, it turns out, is everything. Choose from a floor-to-ceiling window, picture window or porthole window. The type of window on offer also depends on the deck level of the room.
3 Oceanview, or Outside Cabins: In Oceanview rooms the devil is in the detail. While not much bigger than an Inside Cabin, these rooms come with a view. The view, it turns out, is everything. Choose from a floor-to-ceiling window, picture window or porthole window. The type of window on offer also depends on the deck level of the room.
4 Suite: Suites offer a wide variety of benefits (think hot tubs and butler services). They can range from
At the end of the day choosing the right cabin often comes down to how well you know yourself. Do you just want a spot to sleep? Do you prefer to lounge about in luxury? Do you pine for
There are two must-haves you should never leave your room without when onboard a cruise - your key, and the ship’s daily program.
All the essentials to take on your next cruise.
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Don’t forget a suit or evening gown (a cocktail dress is also fine). Most cruise ships still run formal nights for the ladies and gents on board. The level of glitz and glam you go to is entirely up to you, but expect to see some groups dressed to the nines.
If you want a good night’s sleep you need to avoid high-traffic areas. It’s a common misconception that the higher you are, the better off you are. Not so. Trading up a few floors might give you breathtaking views, but it also places you closer to the deck, late night parties and busy public spaces. Your best bet is to choose a cabin that is in between passenger decks.
Shore excursions can often be pricey. If you’re the type of traveller who likes to make his or her own rules, then consider paying for a local guide, or opt to wander the city centres and beaches on your own. However, while the ship will wait for passengers that are on a tour run by the cruise company, they won’t wait for a passenger that has wondered off on their owns.
Always be careful if you've been drinking. If in a bar or club, watch your drinks and if you have a bag, always keep it on your body or looped around your foot if sitting, and never leave it unattended.
If you enjoy the occasional holiday
If your cruise is playing host to an award-winning musical, or must-see entertainment event, don’t assume that lining up for hours to make a reservation is the only way in. Cruise liners like to reward impulsive buyers with a standby line. Standby lines
Double Check Your Doors
Shore excursions can often be pricey. If you’re the type of traveller who likes to make his or her own rules, then consider paying for a local guide, or opt to wander the city centres and beaches on your own. However, while the ship will wait for passengers that are on a tour run by the cruise company, they won’t wait for a passenger that has
Don't Drink Too Much
Always be careful if you've been drinking. If in a bar or club, watch your drinks and if you have a bag, always keep it on your body or looped around your foot if sitting, and never leave it unattended.
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