9 Helpful Tips For First Time Cruisers

There are numerous tips that can be shared about cruising. Some tips are standard and could apply to cruising in general while others may be specific to a particular cruise line.

Good tips can give you insight from the experiences of others and help you put things into perspective as you embark on your first time journey.

Listed are 9 tips that are general in nature although relevant to Carnival Cruise Line passengers set to embark on their first sailing.

1. Arrive a day ahead of your cruise departure

If you are an international traveler or live outside of the state where your cruise will be departing from, its best to make plans to travel to the port area at least a day prior to your sailing. Doing this helps ensure that you do not miss your sailing as result of flight delays, transportation issues in general, or any other factors that could cause you to be late.

2. Consider purchasing travel insurance

This tip is essential for travel planning in general. You may want to have some type of coverage in the event that everything does not go according to plan. Sometimes unexpected things happen. Travel insurance helps you avoid losing too much, or anything at all, in the process.

3. Select a suitable cabin

When you make your booking and choose your cabin, you may want to take a few things into consideration. Things to consider include the cabin’s proximity from elevators, night clubs or event areas that are usually populated and could get noisy. Additionally, if you are a person who is prone to seasickness, a midship cabin may be best so that the rocking of the ship is less felt.

4. Complete the online check-in process prior to your departure date

Completing the online check-in process prior to your arrival at the port could save time and allow for a quicker and more seamless process in the terminal. During Carnival’s online check-in process passengers will update personal information, set dining preferences, and can also purchase shore excursions or make spa appointments among other things. Upon completion of this process, you are also issued your cruise documents which includes your boarding passes and luggage tags to be printed before your arrival. Handling the check-in ahead of time can get you onto the ship faster so that you can get the fun started!

5. Purchase a Wi-Fi package

Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi package if you want to stay connected during your sailing. Most cruise lines including Carnival offer Wi-Fi packages at different costs. If you purchase a package in advance of your sailing date, you could be offered a pre-sailing discount.

6. Advise if you have food allergies

If you are a person with food allergies, its best to let your travel agent know, or notify the cruise line so that the kitchen staff can prepare food for your needs. Note however that this might apply mainly to meals served in the dining room which are served to you. If you opt to visit the buffet, its best to ask the attendants about the ingredients in the various dishes before partaking of them. Carnival Cruise Line is equipped with a Menu Mate food ingredient program to accommodate guests with food allergies to help mitigate the risk of allergic reactions. The program can be accessed via touch-screen tablets at food venues across its fleets.

7. Bring a carry-on

On sailing day, one can only imagine what the baggage for hundreds if not thousands of passengers will look like before embarkation. Baggage inspection and delivery could take some time. It is very possible that you could get into your stateroom ahead of your luggage. Bringing a carry-on bag allows you to have your essential items with you while you wait on your luggage. A change of clothing for the afternoon, toiletries and medications are a few items that you should pack.

8. Attend the safety briefings

Safety briefings are referred to as the ‘muster drill’. While attending, passengers are taught what to do in the event of an emergency and they have to abandon ship. This includes details on where life jackets and lifeboats can be located. On Carnival Cruise Line, your boarding pass, sign & sail card or cabin key will tell you which station you should go to for your drill. Its best to do this as soon as you get on the ship to get it out of the way. This is requirement for a Carnival cruise. A passenger’s failure to attend the muster drill could delay the ship’s departure or cause them to be kicked off of the ship.

9. Know what to pack

Many cruise lines have guidelines and restrictions regarding packing. General items such as clothing, shoes and accessories are usually fine although the cruise line may recommend an appropriate amount of luggage per passenger based on your number of sailing days. Other items such as alcohol and other beverages, tools and weapons, to name a few, might have restrictions. It is best to visit the cruise lines’ website or contact customer service ahead of your sailing date to get all the necessary details beforehand. Failing to do this may result in your items being confiscated.

There you have it.

Hope these 9 tips help get you off to a good start. While there are other aspects that may go along with sailing, these tips give you beginners insight to help you navigate your first cruise experience.

Happy sailing!

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