Bring a day bag – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

First-time cruisers are sometimes surprised to find that their luggage may not be immediately available upon boarding the ship. It can sometimes take a few hours for your luggage make its way to your stateroom. So that you can get started enjoying your cruise right away, be sure to pack a day bag to carry with you.

Include things like a book, swimsuit, sunscreen, medications, your MP3 player, and even dinner clothing for your first night, just in case.

Pro tip: you’ll need a similar bag on your final morning, after your bags have been collected.

BYOB – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Cruise lines are notorious for unlimited food and fun, but what’s not unlimited? Drinks.

Beverages are pushed more than anything else on a cruise, and of course, the bill can add up quickly — especially after seven days of alcoholic indulgence.

One way to bypass this system is to fill some water bottles with some of your favorite spirits, throw it in your checked luggage, and there you go — potentially hundreds of dollars saved. With mixers on the ship usually being incredibly cheap, just go to the bar, order a can of tonic, and your mixed drink will cost you about 50 cents, instead of 6 bucks.

Use ginger – Cruise trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Pack ginger.

Have you tried wrist bands and/or patches to soothe a queasy, seasick stomach and found they didn’t work? Here is a tried-and-true herbal remedy:

  • Thirty days before the cruise, start taking 2 ginger tablets every day.
  • Seven days before the cruise, begin taking 1 non-drowsy Dramamine along with the ginger tablets.
  • During the cruise, continue taking the ginger and Dramamine.

This should help resolve any sea sickness during a cruise. Happy Sailing!

Choose a themed cruise – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Large and small cruise companies alike have come to realize that creating opportunities for like-minded individuals to come together on a cruise is a really good thing. Thus, the “themed cruise” was born.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to themed cruises; if you can imagine it, it probably already exists. Movie fans can dress like their favorite characters; Harley Davidson aficionados can bring their bikes; scrapbookers have cruises of their own; and golfers have a range (no pun intended) of cruises to choose from, as well.

In the world of theme cruises, the most popular seem to be music-themed cruises. And, in the classification of music, the theme cruises offered are inclusive of all genres ranging from country and western, to classical — even hard rock!

Remember: if one of your traveling group happens to love only classic rock and roll, they will be miserable on a ship full of several thousand crazy jazz aficionados. So be sure all members of your group are “on board” with the chosen theme.

Use two-way radios – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most cruise ships today are multi-deck mini-cities carrying as many as 5,000 passengers. And, unless you’re traveling alone, you may find yourself separated from your traveling party at some point during your cruise. How to reconnect… or stay connected in the first place?

Give each member of your group a two-way radio, all programmed to the same frequency to help keep you organized and in touch. These handy radio sets, priced from about $40, offer features like rechargeable batteries and programmable ring tones.

Remember: your cell phone may not work on a cruise ship, and even if it does, the roaming charges may be crushing.