CHILDREN

If you have children brings in some boats that meet kangaroos as well as exclusive entertainment areas with swimming pools, swimming teachers, activities designed exclusively for them … Walkie Talkies are the order of day in the big ships and between parents and children. It is the only way to have their young children more controlled during the day. They are renting a rising or order at time of booking in a travel agency.

WATER SPORTS

If water sports are your passion you can practice what you want in all ports of call in the Caribbean and Polynesia. Note that these optional services must be paid either on board, if teachers use the boat and jet skis or rent the diving suit, either on land if you opt for the specialty shops of the ports. The best part? It depends: if you want to lose fast, do not waste time queuing outside stores, pay at the cruise. If you want to save some $, do it in port.

DAILY ACTIVITIES BOARD

Shippers print a guide to daily activities on board who will give him the previous night in his cabin. Read it carefully if you plan to do anything special the next day activities ranging from ballroom dancing, singing and cooking, sports, parties and special meetings, where to leave your children, what movies they see and, above all, what you will find in the next port of call.

BAGGAGE

The great advantage of cruises is that they move luggage but not a matter of charge with all the cabinet house is only 7 to 12 days away from home and the return can be very hard because it will bring memories and purchases many ports. A small backpack will help you when making excursions in the scales.

In any cruise need little clothing … depending on your tastes at the time of dressing, of course. Note that most of the day, both cruising and land-use trips comfortable casual wear and swimwear. At night, take risks to bring one or two gowns if you want to be the star of the main restaurant. In the case of luxury boats, real estate, the dinners are usually spectacular and must adapt to them … elegance is the keynote in these boats. Always put in your suitcase, even in summer, a warm garment: walking the deck at night is very romantic but you can catch a bad cold. Flat shoes! Do not wear high heels during the day, save for down to dinner. In colder locations like Alaska, South America, North Sea and Baltic, some tights are not too many, not a jacket to go down to the glaciers, forests or go smoke a cigarette on deck after dinner. Sunscreen and hat.

PHOTOGRAPHIC material

Always carry reels of slides, you do not use digital camera to the Caribbean! There will not find this material as American tourists have opted to digital. You’ll only find pictures of paper reels and the full range of existing chips … but not one slide.

Remember that everything necessary on board a cruise costs more … and the hotels.

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

How not to be left stone to the account of your credit card at the end of a cruise? For control yourself in the cost of telephone and internet, for example. Call from payphones port, use the internet as soon as and ask how much the minute. You should always pass your credit card to access it.

All Royal Caribbean ships have internet service in the cabin for carrying your personal computer.

TIPS

All expenses will arrive one day before landing to his cabin in a neat white envelope, plus the respective envelopes of tips: waiters and cabin attendant. Are set between $ 8 and $ 12 daily per person per day for each of them. Europeans are not used to tipping, it is true, but are part of the routine of cruising and good accounting for these costs as fixed. If you are not satisfied with the care provided, cannot afford it, but it is always best to clarify in the reception of the ship. Gratuities are excluded from the ships that are “all inclusive”. A common problem in disbursing the money all along, although I have paid on your travel.

BEVERAGES

Except when you buy a cruise all inclusive Silversea Cruises, for example-you should always pay for drinks on board. How? Very easy: every time you offer a drink, a cocktail at the pool or on any site, we ask for your card passenger: and you are charging. The same goes for dinner drinks and lunch. The wine can book a meal to another, as they always sit in the main restaurant at the same table and waiter will serve the same: If you consume your drink, keep it labeled with your name until next time.

Care to temptation! You will always have heat in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, is unclear. Drink lemonade: it is the only drinks that give free board. If traveling willing to throw overboard the house find the best cocktails for 24 hours anywhere in the boat, including in his cabin. You can ask all the eccentricities that you feel hungry, certainly never say no.

On Royal Caribbean ships, the Caribbean, you can purchase the first day all the Coke you want. That is, you pay $ 30 when shipped and may take the world’s most famous drink hanging from his neck in a kind of heat, during the 7 days cruise. Every time they run out, asks to be filled. Do not ever switch to another beverage of another color and taste … will have to pay another $ 30. That is, think through what you want to take … or each family member choose a different drink. Will have covered the entire spectrum of drinks for $ 90 in the case of three family members, for example. The price of a can of beer or soft drink on board, outside the clubs, varies between € 1.80 and € 2, depending on the boat. In the store

SHOPPING IN PORTS

You can buy all you want you and your budget, and upload it to the boat. There is only one exception: the alcoholic beverages of any kind pass by the office of the ship. You can upload, but not eat them on board. How to save not prevent you from drinking in his cabin? Simple: they are stored very carefully until you get off the boat. At that point you the calls and deliver them. Drink the great rums of the Caribbean ports of call or at home, when you return. Do not forget that on board there is everything to buy and this is a key slogan of all carriers in the world, without exception.

Nor let you buy fresh-in this case a matter of hygiene and sanitation. It is not advisable to consume these products in places not known. Can ruin the trip and banish him to his cabin with the family doctor at his side … and charge you for each day and for each drug consumed. The medical service on a ship is paid separately and is very expensive. Choose restaurants ports in the Caribbean, Asia and Africa who see with tablecloths on the tables, though more expensive, and choose the food is well cooked. In Europe and South Seas theme is different: safety and food hygiene and service is very controlled.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Relax before choosing a wide range of activities offered almost all carriers in ports. But first, decide how much you are relaxed also willing to spend on each. Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, one of the most luxurious in the world shipping, we offer for example, nights in private resorts in Africa, hiking through the Amazon, for the glaciers of Argentina and Chile, Pisa and Florence from the port of photo safaris or get Cancun and from there move to the ruins of Chichén Itzá, for example. If you want to feel the spirit is just Maya, do not be overwhelmed with so much traveling and enjoy the stunning Caribbean Sea and the music festival in the area and the stands that surround it (Watch the prices!).

Such is the variety of tours offered by carriers today is best to study well the way that make your boat, your budget and travel expectations. Note that many of them have limited places so book them well is better when you pay your first cruise or day trip.

If you decide to make yourself remember some good travel guide to visit the city near the port in the case of Mediterranean or the same port-city you are in the Caribbean. In the Caribbean and Italian ports the most common and practical case of not very large distances is to rent a Vespa or similar in a few hours let you tour the site, have lunch and to enjoy the best beaches clear of the port. We rent on the same port. Be sure to stay tuned to the clock: the ships and planes do not wait and leave with or without you at the scheduled time.

To disembark in ports of call to choose between it earlier or later than the scheduled time. Avoid long lines at the bridge landing. And if not lower, is the day I have more room in the ship’s pools and restaurant bufett noon and will be available.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE

Always go to your travel agent long enough. Do not accept the first catalog to give you, ask for the full range of cruise itineraries and prices according to what you previously decided at home: Mediterranean? Caribbean? Polynesia? Baltic? … What family? ¿Honeymoon? Friends? … Cultural Are You? Entertainment? Health? …

Having decided at least possible destination more or less secure and available budget, look at the offers. Remember it is always more expensive to travel between July and mid-September that between March and June, and October and March, the tour operators launch great deals on all destinations worldwide. Consider Polynesia cruises, Caribbean and Asia are wonderful from every point of view, except from one: the price of air travel and hotel room that will surely be reserved for the night before or after the cruise. The whole package is what sells your travel agent.

TIPS

- Do not buy luxury cruises if they are not. You will always see luxury cruise, but the luxury and elegance are always more expensive, it is impossible to give a week of luxury for 500 €, or on a cruise or a hotel.

- If this is your first time traveling on cruise ships visit your trusted travel agent, take your time: there are few luxury shipping, very good level and there are many more mediocre as well. It all depends on your budget, but will be the best way not to feel disappointed when they return.

- If you want to save in the cabin but not in the service, book an inside stateroom on a good shipping. Sacrifice the sea view for personalized services, excellent cuisine and quality entertainment.

- Beware of offers “kids free” New Year or Easter, if you travel without children and want to rest up. Think! The children of strangers can ruin your trip.

- If traveling with family consider the family staterooms: they are spacious and have up to three and four bedrooms.

- Make sure at the time of booking what the costs should include (shore excursions, laundry, medical, drinks …), what is the cancellation policy of the shipping costs, early booking price or other incentives .