Cruising (first time tips)

CRUISING

Check in at the cruise terminal early. Most ships will let you board the ship at 12 noon. You may not be able to go to your cabin yet but you can have lunch, swim at the pool (without anyone else), use the hot tub if it is on deck, explore the ship and have lunch on board.

You should also make your special dinner reservations as soon as you get on the ship if there is a separate dining restaurant option. These will fill up very quickly. Surcharge usually runs about $10 to $15 extra. It will usually be an Italian, Steak or special chief’s restaurant. Even at the extra charge restaurants you can order more than one appetizer, more than one entry and more than one desert. You can also share food with your party. If you have a group of 6 share all of the appetizers and dinner options with in your group. Let your waiter know that you are sharing amongst your group. Ask him to have the chief prepare an appropriate serving size for your group. You should tip the waiter EXTRA above the normal extra dining room charge for this type of service.

Don’t book special restaurant dinners on the Captain’s Formal night in the main dining room. Usually there is better food on this night in the main dinning room. Sometimes however there are also special dining menus in the different restaurants on Captain’s night.

To get a window seat at dinner.
Ask the head waiter when you first get on board. Offer him $20-$40 and ask him if he can help rearrange your seating so the you get a nice window seat. It is really nice to look out the window while eating if you are on the early dinner seating.

Early of Late Dinner Seating:
If you have children early is usually better. Otherwise dinner could be as late as 8:00 or 8:30pm. If you have early dinner, you do need to be aware of what time the ship leaves port. Dinner could be right after the ship sets sail. If this is the case you might be rushed into getting ready for dinner, almost as soon as you return from your shore trips.

Discount Dinning.
Some alternative restaurants have a discounted night on slow evening. These nights tend to be when the ship is in port late since many people will be doing evening shore excursions. Also you can ask the restaurant’s host if there are typically special nights or offers or read the daily newsletter for dinner or spa specials.

Bring or buy bottle water or a six pack of soda
Before you get on board or at the first port. This way you can have it in your cabin. Saves you some money. Better yet skip the soda and the calories.

Bring your own wine or liquor aboard. Many lines will allow one bottle of wine. There may be a corkage fee at the dinner table, however it is still less expensive than purchasing their wine. Or you can have a drink in your room for free.

Room Service:  
Makes a nice lunch break without having to rush to the dining room.

Spa reservations
Should also be done on this day. For the SPA you can usually view the spa treatment options on line before you go. Check for SPA specials on the first day or when the ship is in port.

For more exercise. Skip the sodas. Walk up and down the steps instead of taking the elevator. Walk around the deck after dinner or even before dinner. Skip or share the deserts. Use the gym or steam room.

Hairdresser: You should also make your reservations for formal night as soon as you can.

Shore excursions
Book before you leave on line or as soon as you get onboard if you know which tours you want to take. You can also walk off the ship and get tours just off of the ship at most ports for less money than the ship charges. This works if you are flexible and not totally set on one particular tour.

Most of the time a general city tour and highlights tour is very easily booked just off shore. You can also share a cab with other families of people you meet on the ship.

TIPS
Remember to tip your waiters and cabin helper their full tips. They work 6-9 months 7 days a week. They do not get paid U.S. wages. They are paid very little. Most of their income comes from your tips. Most of the time the cruise companies now automatically charge your account for these tips at the end of the cruise. Also all beverage and food purchases usually will include a automatic 15% tip. The tip line will still be printed on the receipt that you sign. Be careful not to tip twice.

SHOWS:
Usually two (2) major shows on a 7 night cruise. Show up to your assigned dinner time early so you can finish dinner ahead of everyone else. You can then be the first to get seats for the show. You might even want to skip desert and head over to the showroom to get seats. Bring a jacket to save seats for the other member of your party. Sometime there is an early 3:30 or 4:00 pm show (Disney Cruise).

SEAT SELECTION
Always try to get seats looking down an isle. For a family of four select 2 sets of isle seats back to back. ie Row D seats 1 & 2 and Row F 1 & 2. This way both kids or two adults will get an unobstructed views down the isle. It makes no sense to sit four in a row. You never know who is going to be sitting directly in front of you. Also once the show starts you don’t talk to each other. Also may want to look for seats that have a drink table in front of you.

Shuffle Board:
Great after dinner game and exercise on deck.

THE POOL
Bring Swim goggles and swim toys for the kids. Most pools are salt water. The Jacuzzi is always fresh water. Except on the Disney Ships. Good day to swim is the first day right after you arrive on board. The pools are not crowded yet. Keep a change of clothing in your roll on bags.

Extra Bags:
Pack an extra duffle bag or tote bag if you are going to be doing any major shopping. Better to plan ahead for all the nick nacks. Rather than a large suitcase pack suitcase that stack within one another or that have a soft side so you can hide it under the bed or in the closet.

Safety: Remember that outside of 12 miles you are outside of U.S. waters. The laws of the United States do not apply at sea. Since the ships are flagged in foreign ports, they do not have to follow U.S. law. Be careful of your environment. For women traveling alone must be especially careful. Also the staff of the ships come from many different parts of the world. Drinking alcohol is encouraged, since the ships make a lot of money off of alcohol. Use good judgement.

Returning Home:
Luggage and the ability to leave the ship is done in an order. If you have an early flight or need to get some where quickly you should ask your cabin stewart for the early disembarkation luggage tags. This works really well if you do it before you give out your final tip envelopes. If you are not in a rush you can take a last stroll around the ship after breakfast.

Internet use.
If you are using the internet to send message for work you should compose your messages before you sign on. Then when you log on you can just send the messages. Also if you plan to use the internet a lot sign up for a internet package. You can check weather before you arrive at your port. Talk to the kids at home or other family member house sitting. You can also stop in at an internet café IN port and pay a few dollars for internet access. Just be careful with your credit card information .

Formal Portraits
This is a wonderful opportunity to take a nice formal portrait with no obligation. On formal picture night there will normally be 4-5 separate areas where you can take formal portraits. These different areas have different backgrounds and props. Make sure you get the portrait area EARLY to beat the crowds and to make it to your dinner on time. On different nights they have casual or theme night photos also. If you are in a large group they can take a picture of the entire group, individual families, just the adults and just the kids. Just ask the photographer for the different combinations. You end up spending a lot of money on the photos but memories are priceless. You can usually swap out photos if you buy one on the first night and then take a better picture a couple night later. Also ask about specials if you purchase more photos over the course of the cruise. Sometimes they will give away a photo of the ship or a frame for the picture.

Join the cruise lines frequent cruising members club. Usually no cost and get extra perks the next time you sail with them. Or you can buy stock in the company. This will also get you a saving or special perks.

Kids Clubs
On most ships the kids club will have special events of nights. Ask the staff working at the kids clubs what are the highlight night, activities or events that the kids should try not to miss. Also at most kids clubs they GIVE away a T-Shirt or some type of other kids club items or pack on the last day or night. Ask if there are any special gifts for the kids. Even if you don’t go on the last night you can stop by and get the kids their gift. On Disney they give away T-Shirts, Hats, and mouse pads. On Carnival they give away a small duffle bag with Carnival goodies.

Disney Cruise Line:
Perfect for families with kids. Look for the best kids clubs on the ocean. Even if your children do not participate in all of the activities check the schedule for special give away nights or times. Usually the last night they give out Free T-shirts or kids stuff to the children that have been participating in the different programs. Read the daily guides for the times.
Disney will often have an early show of the major productions. Good if the kids are having a hard time staying awake at night. See all of the major production shows (3) they are really outstanding. Broadway caliber Disney show.

Disney’s Palo
Adult only Northern Italian Restaurant. We did brunch, high tea and dinner here. Highly recommend that you try all three. Ask for a tasting menu of the different selections on the menu. Share and order extra. Worth the extra few dollars.

Best Disney Cruise Souvenir:
Bring a picture frame 8 x 10 or a 5 x 7 with a LARGE WHITE MAT. Drop off the picture frame at the Front Desk of the Ship and Ask to have the picture frame MAT signed by the characters. You can also have Pillow cases for the kids signed in a similar fashion. They will deliver the signed picture frame with about 12 signatures to your cabin on the last night of the cruise. You should include a zip lock bag of multicolored sharpie pens for them to sign with. Place you cruise picture with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the frame when you get home.

Holland America
On board Art IPOD audio tours. Can download before going on your ship or can check out a free IPOD on board and take the 45 minute audio tour of the different art work.

Royal Caribbean:
Rock climbing wall. Best time is early in the morning or day. One of the best values is the 4 night cruise out of Los Angeles. Really low year round rates. Not too exciting ports of call but great cruising value.

Carnival:  
Good kids club on most ships. Younger crowds.

www.cruisesonly.com You can look at cabin locations for a lot of different ships and see exactly where your room will be located. Try to select rooms away from the main elevators and stairs. Also select rooms that are not directly over or under a disco, show room or the kitchen. However you might get incentive by booking with an agent. Always ask for a on board room credit of some sort. Many travel agents can give you $50 to $100 on board credits for booking with them.

Mexico trips from LA and Caribbean cruises from Maimi are especially affordable. However remember the hurricane season is from June to September. Especially bad in August and September depending on the year.

St. Thomas Virgin Islands    
www.godfreytoursvi.com  
godfrey@godfreytoursvi.com

Fly One Day Ahead
Fly into your starting port or city one day ahead to avoid flight delays or cancellations. This also gives you one day of rest before the start of your cruise. This also helps to avoid LOST luggage. Image going on a one week cruise with no luggage, evening dress or swim suit.

Airports to Avoid    
Avoid airports on the East Coast and Mid-West during the winter months on connecting flights to avoid weather related delays or cancellations of your flight. If you have an option pick an airport connection in the Southern part of the United States. Especially avoid Chicago, JFK and Boston airports. However Dallas and Atlanta can also have traffic/storm problems. Better yet aim for a direct flight.

Hurricane Season
Avoid the Caribbean during the months of July until October to avoid the hurricane season. Living in California you really don’t think about seasons in the same way as people living in these areas. If there is a hurricane during your trip you will miss ports of call and have rougher sailing.

Have a wonderful trip. Please share our tips with your friends and family. Thank you for telling your friends and family about our office we greatly appreciate referrals. Tip sheets for Disneyland, New York City, Las Vegas, Italy, Spain, London, Paris, Washington D.C., Seattle, Puerto Vallarta Mexico, Monterey Bay, Big Island of HI, Maui, San Francisco Bay Area, Bay Area Restaurants are also available online at www.LumOptometry.com under patient forms. This sheet and updated information in on-line.

Randall T. Lum, O.D.    (650) 589-7198    More Tips online @ www.LumOptometry.com