Travel Tips
How To Book And Board Cruises - This week we continue our tips for booking the perfect cruise for you and your family. In addition, we will discuss cruising etiquette.
Hurricanes - Will They Blow Your Vacation Off Course? - Hurricane season lasts from June through November throughout the Caribbean. Prices tend to drop during this time, attracting new and seasoned cruisers with great deals, especially in late August to mid December. And while the chances are very slim that a hurricane will affect your plans, the best advice is to step on board with the right attitude.
Cruise ships are exceptionally safe, they possess sophisticated weather-tracking systems to steer clear of danger and stay in calm waters. If you plan a cruise during hurricane season, keep track of the weather in the area you are planning to sail. If it begins to turn nasty, keep in touch with your travel agent for updates and advice.
If a strong weather pattern does wander into your vicinity, your ship will simply change course. If your itinerary is set for the eastern Caribbean, then your captain will switch over to the western Caribbean port schedule, remain a few days longer at sea enjoying the calm waters or simply change the order in which the ports are visited.
Travel Insurance - Better Safe Than Sorry - Travel insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind. A policy is not only for trip cancellations but also can cover missed connections, lost or delayed baggage, emergency medical and dental expenses and emergency legal assistance.
Some cruise lines offer cancellation waiver insurance, which is different than trip cancellation or interruption insurance. Waivers apply to cancellations made several days prior to the scheduled start of the trip. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance will cover you from the time that you purchase your cruise until you return from the trip.
You can purchase travel insurance through your travel agent, the cruise line or through your usual insurance provider. If you're not sure if travel insurance is right for you, please consult your travel agent for advice.
What's Free and What Costs Money? - The price of your ticket will include your cabin, on-board entertainment and food. Other items to consider when budgeting your trip include: Taxes, surcharges and fees, including airport fees, handling fees, departure taxes and port charges. You should verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate. Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and occasionally soft drinks. Some ships offer soda packages that feature unlimited sodas during the cruise for about $15-$20. Cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked as part of the package, shuttle service or in-port parking fees, if not included. Cost of staying at port before or after the cruise, such as hotel, transportation and meals. Shopping purchases made both on and off the ship. On board extras, such as gambling, spas, massages and ship-to-shore calls. Tipping - Some cruise lines include this in the cruise package. Most cruise lines use a billing system for your convenience. They will take an imprint of your credit card and set up a tab for the cruise, presenting you with the total bill at the end. Keep all the little receipts you sign to verify the tab's total.
Proper Cruising Etiquette - Even though your cruise ship may be bigger than your hometown, it's still one place where many people must coexist harmoniously. Be courteous and respectful of others by following these guidelines. Dress Properly - Even if you're allergic to dress codes, do not show up to a formal dinner in jeans and flip-flops. The ship will have a code for each day, so learn it. Keep Your Children Close - Kids, we all love them, except when they're someone else's. If you travel with your little ones please keep them under control, especially around pools and while passing through more adult-centered areas such as the casino. Learn the Ship's Language - Your vessel is a ship and never a boat, and the ship is always a she or her. Left is port, right is starboard. Aft means rear or stern, while the bow is the front of the ship. The bridge is where the Captain and his crew control the ship, and only some ships have open bridge policies. Save One Seat, Not All - While it's alright to save a seat for your companion, it's poor form to save a row of seats for your entire table. The same goes for deck chairs. Follow Jogging Rules - Most ships post hours when running is allowed because passenger cabins are often located under the jogging deck and some people prefer to sleep at 6 a.m. than listen to your footfalls