Whether it’s to complain, praise the staff or to give fellow passengers advice- we want to hear every single cruisers’ review.
These very reviews (which you can read over here) are all completely unedited by us or the cruise lines; you have your say and we listen- no matter how positive or negative the verdict really is.
We’ve sifted through the many reviews our site has in to pull out the best tips for new and existing cruisers so you can have a smooth holiday no matter what…
1-Beware Of Belts At Airports
One passenger told us that he bought a special metallic free belt so that he wouldn’t have to remove it at the airport, but once arriving he was asked to remove it anyway as it was the airports policy!
His advice? Don’t waste your money on a non-metallic belt- just stick with your old one!
2-Remember To Pick Up Any Photographs
One passenger found out the hard way that if you don’t go and get your photographs from your time onboard your cruise, it’s too late!
Few cruise lines post these photos online, and you will have lost out if you wait until you leave as your pictures won’t follow you home (even if you’ve already paid for them).
3-Don’t Panic If You Can’t Book
If you haven’t booked speciality restaurants or shows in advance on a Royal Caribbean cruise and want to do so on the Royal IQ app (and then find you don’t know how to make it work), do things the old fashioned way!
Reeve from Halifax told us that the staff at Guest Services or the Booking Desk can be much more helpful and a little easier to use! So if you are technophobic and still prefer to do things in person, you don’t need to worry.
4-How To Make New Friends
If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, you will probably want to make some new friends! But what exactly is the best way to go about meeting new people?
Our cruisers told us that even if you are travelling as a couple, you should ask to sit at a table of 6 to meet interesting like-minded cruisers to enjoy your holiday experience with!
5-Double Check What’s Included
Sounds like an obvious tip, but you’d be amazed by how many passengers are taken by surprise when they find out what’s really included.
Double check if things such as water are included if you haven’t opted for a drinks package and find out its price on-board to see if your choice is actually the best option!
6-Don’t Be Afraid To Go It Alone
One passenger told us her heartfelt account of going it alone for the first time after becoming widowed. Despite being worried her disability would hold her back she managed to have a great holiday.
Her advice? Set yourself a daily routine to increase a feeling of stability on-board.
“I felt a stronger person for having achieved this break on my own. So to all those people reading this who might be wondering if they could manage a holiday on their own then I’d say go for it and to all of the people on the ship who went out of their way to talk to me and offer support then I give them my heartfelt thanks.”
7-How To Mingle As A Solo Traveller
After reading her account, another solo passenger left us with this advice in the comments:
“Ask for a place at first or second sitting on a circular table for six – all solos – and preferably without a ‘drinks package’ amongst them… & Attend the solos gatherings. You won’t remember the names but you will get a free drink and no doubt meet at least one soulmate.”
8-Be Careful With An Upgrade
We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve read a review where a passenger has had an upgrade they didn’t like! One passenger told us that they were upgraded to a balcony, but the room they were given was actually smaller than their original cabin.
9-Watch Out For Port Taxi Drivers
Many cruisers recommend hopping in a taxi rather than taking a shore excursion with a cruise line; whilst this can save you a lot of money, you need to be careful.
Haylett from Southampton told us about their experience of being driven a mere 200 yards down the road as the taxi driver drove them around in a large circle to rip them off!
Our advice? Always check how far you need to travel in your taxi before you get in it so you know if you are being taken for a ride, or whether the location could actually be in walking distance.
10-Bring A Tea Bag!
As our customer advised us, sometimes you just can’t beat a perfect cup of tea! The problem is that you can’t always guarantee that your cruise will provide you with your favourite bag, particularly if you like speciality teas or have a fondness for earl grey.
Solve this by packing a few of your favourite tea bags in your suitcase. Then you only need ask for hot water (much easier)!
11-Go Behind The Scenes
You may have heard of behind-the-scenes tours on cruise ships and dismissed them as a waste of time. But again and again we hear from passengers who have raved about their tour!
Have you ever been on a behind-the-scenes tour yourself?
If you’re interested in reading more reviews or want to write your own review to help your fellow cruisers- click here!
So there you have it! Have you heard any of these tips before? Will you be trying them on your next cruise? Let us know in the comments below!
What are your thoughts on our random best top tips for cruising? Do you swear by any of these already or will you be taking some onboard? What’s the best tip you can give fellow travellers? Leave us your comments below!
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