Arrive at the port the day before your departure
So much can go wrong with airport delays, interstate traffic, cancelled flights, etc. Isn’t it worth the cost of a hotel room to know for sure that you will be boarding that ship before the crowds? Don’t get too drunk
No one enjoys having an obnoxious drunk by them on the lido deck or at their dinner table. Just because you CAN drink a bucket of beer before lunch doesn’t mean you SHOULD. New beverage packages make it even more tempting to over-drink. Pace yourself! Your body will thank you later! Cruising without travel insurance
Cruising without travel insurance is like playing with fire. There are a wide range of policies offered that include coverage for medical (your medical insurance most likely won’t cover you out of the country), travel delays and interruptions, and cancellations. Cruising without a passport can be a disaster
If you have to fly home from any of your ports-of-call because of a family emergency, an illness, or injury, you could be totally out of luck. A passport is a small investment to insure that you can return home hassle-free. Forgetting to turn data roaming off on your cell phone
Before stepping foot on the ship, you should go to the settings on your phone and make sure that data roaming is turned off. This will keep your cell phone from racking up huge charges and using data even when it is in your pocket. Putting your phone in airplane mode will also keep you from racking up additional charges. Getting left behind in port
When the captain says that the ship is leaving port at 5:00, he means it. He isn’t going to wait around for those who lost track of time. If you get left behind in port, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port or back home. The costs can be several thousand dollars each and will be even more complicated if you are traveling without a passport. My advice? Plan on arriving back near the ship one to one and a half hours before you are scheduled to leave. This not only gives you some time to shop in the port area, but also gives you plenty of leeway if you run into traffic or your taxi or bus has a breakdown on the way back. Eating only at the buffet
While newer ships have great buffets, the best food on a cruise is almost always in the main dining room or specialty restaurants. By eating only at the buffet, you miss out on the great food and service that you can experience if you slow down and enjoy it. Stiffing the crew
While most cruise lines automatically charge a daily gratuity or service surcharge to your stateroom, you can have the charges removed by going to guest services. However, just because you are allowed to have them taken off doesn’t mean that you should. You wouldn’t go to a restaurant without tipping and you shouldn’t go on a cruise without tipping the staff that work so hard to make your trip a pleasant one. Treating the crew like 2nd class citizens
We all have bad days, but how many would you have if you worked 7 days a week and were away from your family for 6-9 months at a time? Kind words to the crew will go a long way. Treat them with the same respect that you give to your spouse or partner or maybe even a little bit MORE! Don’t book an early flight on disembarktion day
Cruise lines recommend not booking flights before noon on disembarkation day. Just because your arrival time says 7:00 a.m. there is almost no chance of catching an 8:30 flight. There have been times I’ve walked right through security, and other times it has taken over an hour to get through the line. Don’t end your vacation with a stressful travel day!
($50 PER CABIN FOR GROUPS OF 8 CABINS!!)
So much can go wrong with airport delays, interstate traffic, cancelled flights, etc. Isn’t it worth the cost of a hotel room to know for sure that you will be boarding that ship before the crowds? Don’t get too drunk
No one enjoys having an obnoxious drunk by them on the lido deck or at their dinner table. Just because you CAN drink a bucket of beer before lunch doesn’t mean you SHOULD. New beverage packages make it even more tempting to over-drink. Pace yourself! Your body will thank you later! Cruising without travel insurance
Cruising without travel insurance is like playing with fire. There are a wide range of policies offered that include coverage for medical (your medical insurance most likely won’t cover you out of the country), travel delays and interruptions, and cancellations. Cruising without a passport can be a disaster
If you have to fly home from any of your ports-of-call because of a family emergency, an illness, or injury, you could be totally out of luck. A passport is a small investment to insure that you can return home hassle-free. Forgetting to turn data roaming off on your cell phone
Before stepping foot on the ship, you should go to the settings on your phone and make sure that data roaming is turned off. This will keep your cell phone from racking up huge charges and using data even when it is in your pocket. Putting your phone in airplane mode will also keep you from racking up additional charges. Getting left behind in port
When the captain says that the ship is leaving port at 5:00, he means it. He isn’t going to wait around for those who lost track of time. If you get left behind in port, you are responsible for your own transportation to the next port or back home. The costs can be several thousand dollars each and will be even more complicated if you are traveling without a passport. My advice? Plan on arriving back near the ship one to one and a half hours before you are scheduled to leave. This not only gives you some time to shop in the port area, but also gives you plenty of leeway if you run into traffic or your taxi or bus has a breakdown on the way back. Eating only at the buffet
While newer ships have great buffets, the best food on a cruise is almost always in the main dining room or specialty restaurants. By eating only at the buffet, you miss out on the great food and service that you can experience if you slow down and enjoy it. Stiffing the crew
While most cruise lines automatically charge a daily gratuity or service surcharge to your stateroom, you can have the charges removed by going to guest services. However, just because you are allowed to have them taken off doesn’t mean that you should. You wouldn’t go to a restaurant without tipping and you shouldn’t go on a cruise without tipping the staff that work so hard to make your trip a pleasant one. Treating the crew like 2nd class citizens
We all have bad days, but how many would you have if you worked 7 days a week and were away from your family for 6-9 months at a time? Kind words to the crew will go a long way. Treat them with the same respect that you give to your spouse or partner or maybe even a little bit MORE! Don’t book an early flight on disembarktion day
Cruise lines recommend not booking flights before noon on disembarkation day. Just because your arrival time says 7:00 a.m. there is almost no chance of catching an 8:30 flight. There have been times I’ve walked right through security, and other times it has taken over an hour to get through the line. Don’t end your vacation with a stressful travel day!
Plus Receive up to $900 Onboard Credit!!!
I will be aboard the Celebrity Summit October 20th -26th. You can take advantage of my trip and receive Celebrity’s Future Cruise Offer!
DEPOSITS START AT $100 PER PERSON!($50 PER CABIN FOR GROUPS OF 8 CABINS!!)
I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on the Celebrity experience:
- Modern Luxury on one of 12 State-of-the-Art Ships
- Outstanding Cuisine created by a Michelin-starred Chef
- Transformational Global Destinations on 7 Continents – 71 Countries – 189 Nights in Port – over 300 Destinations
- Freedom to pick and choose where and when you go and receive Celebrity’s BEST OFFERS in the BEST CABINS
The benefits of taking part in Celebrity’s Cruise Program:
For October Only
- The Best Things in Life Sail Free – Kids Sail Free
- You receive up to $900 onboard credit per stateroom (based on stateroom category)
- Deposits start at $100 per person (and $50 per cabin for groups!)
- Super flexible – not sure where you want to go? No problem!
- Low risk – all Future Cruise Vacation bookings are fully flexible and refundable WITHOUT penalty up to final payment (except for non-refundable fares) AND you may change your reservation up to final payment WITH NO FEES
- Maximum savings and value with Sail Your Way (including inside staterooms!)
Choose from over 255 itineraries on 12 Celebrity ships.
Looking to celebrate in 2020? Graduation? Anniversary? Life in General? Celebrate with Celebrity.
Here are a few ideas:
- Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise – 8 nights starting at $889 per person double occupancy (kids are free)
- Hawaii Cruise – 10 nights starting at $1,299 per person double occupancy (kids are free)
- Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao Cruise – 9 nights starting at $884 per person double occupancy (kids are free)
- Western Caribbean Cruise – 6 nights starting at $789 per person double occupancy (kids are free)
Have you been thinking of a business cruise for your employees, clients, or tribe?
Look at these ideas:
- Western Caribbean Cruise – 5 nights with 2 days at sea starting at $549 per person double occupancy (bring the kids for free)
- Bahamas Cruise – 4 nights with 1 day at sea starting at $559 per person double occupancy (bring the kids for free)
- Pacific Northwest Cruise – 5 nights with 2 days at sea starting at $749 per person double occupancy (bring the kids for free)
