Top 10 Ways to a Successful Cruise

Because ship lines want to fill to 90% or more of their cabins for it to be profitable, last minute bookings often have great deals

However, if you want a certain cabin location, or are limited by when you are available, or cruising with a group, or have special needs, it is recommended you book as soon as you line up the date and people who are going.

If you book far enough in advance, there is a chance you may be bumped up to a better cabin.

Do the people speak your own language? Generally this is not a problem, especially if you are on shore with the ship's chosen tour guides. However, learning some phrases of the native tongue is welcomed.

What special products are know in this location? Handcrafted items are always best. If it is a toy mass produced in a different country, why not buy it at home?

The ship itself will have a barrage of opportunities available at each port, but do your own research as well. They research well to find the best and most interesting and most popular things to do.
What places around the port are most popular or well-known? Are there museums, pristine beaches, historical sites, or activities only available on a trip such as the one you are on?

1. On a spare bed, lay out all the clothing and items you plan to take on your trip, allowing for all possible occasions and weather conditions. Think light. Think less. Ships usually have laundry machines or services on board.

2. Let your clothling lay on the bed a week, like contestants.

3. Go back and pick half of those which are absolutely necessary for your journey. Put away the rest and don't think about them.

4. If the remaining items cannot fit into one suitcase, go back to 1-3.

Most ships have their own banking system, so there is no need for cash while aboard the ship. Your ship's boarding pass is like a credit card. This is used for shopping the ship's stores, for special drinks, for booking services like massages or additional shore leave trips.

However, cash will be necessary for tips and souvenirs and other on-land purchases. There is often a room safe provided in each cabin. Check on this ahead of time.

Both the ship line and the crew are not only there to please you, they want to please you. It is the way they earn their money (and good tips). They attempt to provide needs for many.

There are daytime and evening events and activities. There are daycamp type activities for kids, and teen rooms for that age group. There are Of course, there are many the massages (for $), the gym, the pools and the foods. There are group activities and early shows for the general audience and late shows for R-rated audiences.

Meals are included in the cruise cost. Evening dining in the dining room are by table assignment. However, on most ships, there is food available 24-7. A food court is open from early morning through evening. The ships may vary in what they provide, but they range from the simple and familiar, like pizza and ice cream, to specialty restaurants, usually including a five star restaurant.

While on shore, there are local eateries waiting to serve you with their local flair.

Keep both your ship's boarding pass and your passport with you while visiting countries.

Passport and other ID
Especially if visiting another country, keep your passport and other form of identification on you at all times. There are safety pouches you may purchase to keep this information close to you without being seen or easily grabbed.

*Be sure you return to the ship from shore leave by ship's departure time.
It will not wait for you. If you are left behind, you will have to make your own arrangements to get to the next port.
If you are on a ship's designated activity (v.s. going off on your own), they will be sure to return you in plenty of time.

*To make the cruise unique and interesting, choose to do things you wouldn't normally do at home.

The cruise was a slice in your life. How do you remember your cruise? Is it sharing or eating that specialty food you bought? Or looking at the unique item purchased?

Gather your top 30 photographs from your trip and make them into a (photobook - check the proper name for this)

One seasoned cruiser buys a magnet from every port he visits. He says just looking at that small item on his refrigerator sparks the memories experienced at the place.