Summer is in full swing and if you're like nearly 400,000 other Americans, you might be spending your summer vacation embarking on a cruise. Traveling aboard cruise ships is more popular than ever, and between the casinos, Broadway-quality entertainment, fine dining, and full service spas, spending a couple of weeks on the high seas is like having multiple vacations in one spot. At one time, cruises were relegated for grandma and grandpa, or honeymooning couples, but nowadays cruises are outstanding options for all types of vacation-bound people. Single folks, couples, families and even professional colleagues all have packages suited for their needs--including the kids!
But like any trip, it's important to know the ins and outs of traveling. We checked in with some of our pals who are travel agents, cruise line employees, and avid cruise goers to find out their best advice for getting the most out of your holiday.
Sheryl Ann, Cruise Line employee since 2003
"With all of the electronics everyone carries around with themselves these days, most people find that cruise ship outlets can often be rather insufficient. But you can bring your own charging station or a power strip, as long as you check to see if they are legal on your particular cruise line. However, you might want to check with the cabin steward since sometimes there's an extra outlet hidden behind the TV or under the bed. And speaking of cabins, most of them don't have natural light--I always tell guests to turn their TV to the bridge cam station so they can see the scenery."
Carlyle, cruise guest since 1998
"There isn't any sort of open beverage restriction onboard. This means you can bring drinks from any bar or buffet to your cabin or anywhere else on the ship and no one will try to stop you. The same goes for snacks, which means you can enjoy a meal and drinks wherever you like. If you do like to drink, it's usually more cost effective to buy a bottle of wine than just a couple of glasses. And if you don't finish the bottle, ask the waiter. They can mark it with your name and cabin number and set it aside for another night!"
Boone, travel agent specializing in cruise ships
"I always tell my clients to make the most out of their first couple of days. Many cruise lines offer discounts on first and second day activities, such as spa services. They also offer discounts on port-day treatments, so if you aren't interested in a particular port then check around to see what is available on board. Another great thing to check out on the first day is specials on Internet usage. If you buy an Internet package, you'll likely get free time or discounts on other services."
Kim Lee, Cruise Line employee since 2010
"Okay, most people don't advertise this, but the buffets? Those are a waste of time. They are always crowded and even though the food is great, you can eat at so many other places on board without the wait. If you do go to the buffet or have prefix menus, you should know that you are not limited to one of each appetizer, entree and dessert. You can order two entrees or four desserts if you want to. You can also order smaller appetizer-sized portions of entrees or grab a few appetizers for your main course. It's a great way to try new foods or to share, since you aren't stuck with just one option. This is particularly great for kids, who don't eat as much as adults and might be fussier about meals."
Jackie, travel agent specializing in cruise ships
"Most people choose to dine in the main dining room or hit up the buffet on the first night of the cruise. It seems like the place to go, and it is fun, but I encourage you to discover the specialty restaurants! If you decide to book an alternative dining venue for the first night of the cruise, you might just get a discount on certain lines or have an easier time getting a reservation for a popular venue that will inevitably be full later on your trip. I know that Carnival Cruise Line guests who dine in their steakhouse on the first cruise night get a free bottle of wine, which is such a nice treat."
Rachael, cruise guest since 2002
"My favorite part of cruises, as silly as this is, is finding the free ice cream! Yes, FREE! So, most cruise lines have brands like Ben and Jerry's or Dryers, but they also almost always make their own on board and it's complimentary. There are also soft-serve machines around the ship with complimentary topping bars--in fact, some cruise guests will leave notes on their cabin door with the day's flavors and where they found them. It's a fun, silly way to explore the ship and have a nice snack, too!"
