Give Us Your Cruise Tips Here

[Paul Motter]

Time to bump this thread to the top again... look at all the views it has had!

Anyone have any new tips? I know David Beers has replaced his laptop with an iPad.

These days you have to say cellphone with charger, since you can use them on all ships now no matter where in the world.

Has Carnival changed its policy on power strips again?

[Bernie by the sea]

Visit the dollar store. the small plastic trays are just the right size to throw change, wallet, keys etc in at night ... easy to find the next morning and they fit in the drawers.

also travelling anywhere, the collapsible hampers are GREAT! good place to throw the dirty clothes without having them all over the cabin floor and when collapsed, you can take 2 or three in very little space.

night light is a necessity and the new LED ones are very bright.

Highliter for planning your activities

[Lakers Fan]

We research every area we cruise to in advance .We don't want to spend ship time figuring out what to do when we are in port .

We board with our notes ,maps ,etc .

[Artrina]

Last month I went on cruise number 13. It was the first time I had brought a shelf with suction cups for the shower. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! That tiny shower didn't seem nearly so bad.

[Paul Motter]

Thanks for the tip, Artrina. Sounds like extension storage devices are a big hit. Cool.

[Alive&Cruising]

I was introduced to Port Canaveral Webcam - A Cape Canaveral Cruise Ship Web Cam They just changed it so now Every Sat afternoon at 4pm i am glued to my PC watching LIVE feed of Carnival Dream Sail away on another wonderful cruise. The Camara zooms in on the top deck and can watch the people wave. I'll be up on deck waving to my Grandmother and uncle Back home when we leave in a couple of months...There is also a link to click on porteverglades Every Friday at 5pm Ships start to leave the Harbor, and it's all LIVE feed...This is 1 great web site and i hope others will enjoy the same thing i'm enjoying watching the Ships sail by......

[Alive&Cruising]

Thats a good idea never thought of doing that., Wonderful idea.......

[Thomas]

About 5 years ago we started naming our cruises, i.e. the Angelfish Cruise, the Flamingo Cruise, etc. and buy a refrigerator magnet depicting that creature to stick on the cabin door.

Makes it real easy to find your room after drinking 10 Bloody Marys and 5 Martinis in the casino.

Regards,
Thomas

[evie]

We always make a photo copy of our passports. Keep in different place than original. Could come in handy if you lose your passport.

[Fieldmouse]

Great idea's...especially putting something (picture, magnet etc) on the front of your cabin door to make it easier to find coming down those long hallways...

We always leave copies of our vacation and cruise itinerary with at least one family member and close friend...it list the cruise lines emergency number, the name of our ship and cabin number. (We remind them this is never for chit chat but so that in a REAL EMERGENCY we can be reached) We also list the date of our disembarkation and what our travel plans are after we get off ship. (Sometimes we extend our 'cruise'...with a short 'land' cruise.)

[Paul Motter]

It amazes me who few people do not think to notify their relatives what ship and stateroom they are in.

We have a "customer service" email address, and I cannot tell you how many people writge to me every day to ask questions we can't answer.

A very common one is "My mom & dad are celebrating their anniversary on a cruise this week, can you tell me how to send them flowers?"

Well, the first step would be to call their travel agent and find out what ship they are on, and have that travel agent send the flowers.

[stuart.hobs]

I can advice you to get a good alarm clock and not to forget the information about your health insurance.

[Bobhob]

I found something very useful on my last trip to Rome. I lost my passport during the day and had no idea it was missing. Fortunately, I had taken the advice of a friend and put a tracer tag on my passport. These tags come from a company called Okoban. A waiter where I ate lunch found it and entered my Okoban tracker number on the Okoban website. I was sent a text message (and an email) before I ever even knew my passport was missing. Lucky for me because I was leaving in the morning for Germany and getting a new passport would have been impossible. I found them at www.mystufflostandfound.com. They saved my trip and are now on just about everything I take with me. Bob Hobson, Chicago, IL

[Paul Motter]

Originally Posted by Bobhob

I found something very useful on my last trip to Rome. I lost my passport during the day and had no idea it was missing. Fortunately, I had taken the advice of a friend and put a tracer tag on my passport. These tags come from a company called Okoban. A waiter where I ate lunch found it and entered my Okoban tracker number on the Okoban website. I was sent a text message (and an email) before I ever even knew my passport was missing. Lucky for me because I was leaving in the morning for Germany and getting a new passport would have been impossible. I found them at www.mystufflostandfound.com. They saved my trip and are now on just about everything I take with me. Bob Hobson, Chicago, IL

I think this is a great idea. I was just at Atlanta airport and found a phone (I find stuff in airports all the time, I have an eye for it). It was in a phone store. I was thinking "surely there is a standard way to pick up a phone and find out who it belongs to?" But I realized that if there was, the people at the store (who I gave the phone to) would do it immediately.

Thanks for the tip and I hope it is inexpensive. For that matter though, there is no reason why you couldn't put a sticker on your own passport saying "here is my cell number, call me if I lose this."

And yes, I realize the possibility that someone will find your passport and also have your cell number, but they don't have your phone.

[Dannyboy]

Cancellation penalties can and will change, so always request the most current policy updates to include all of the services/products reserved or purchased.
Remember to verify all booking made outside of the cruise lines on hotel, flights, tours etc. These penalties can and will be in addition to the cruise line penalties.

Holland America and Norwegian, treat name changes as a cancellation. Making a change to an existing reservation, will impose penalties, always verify in writing before you make any Changes. However upgrades generally are acceptable with most cruise lines.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean, start the penalty period on the day prior to embarkation, flight or hotel package, which ever start first.. In other words, if the penalty is 120 days before first reserved service, the cancellation has to be made 121 days before that service is due. It is your responsibility to verify before you make your deposit/payment on the booking.
This applies to flights, hotels, transfers, pre/post excursions and any other products or services offered and ordered at time of booking through the cruise lines.



Azamara Club Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include shore excursions, which are refunded if cancelled 48 hours in advance of tour local time. Hotel costs are refunded if cancelled at least 31 days prior to cruise departure date booked through Azamara.
Cancellations may be made via telephone. Written cancellation is recommended.

All Cruises
91 days: $25
90-60 days: 20%
59-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Carnival
NOTE: Penalties include Air, hotel, transfers & shore excursions booked through Carnival. 100% PENALTIES apply to most promotional bookings. Cancellations may be made via telephone. Written cancellation recommended.


Europe, Panama Canal and Transpacific Cruises of 7- Nights
90-56: Deposit
55-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 6- Nights Plus
75-56 days: Deposit
55-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises 2 to 5-Nights
60-46 days: Deposit
45-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Celebrity Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include air, hotel & shore excursions booked through Celebrity. Cancellations may be made via telephone. Written cancellation is recommended.

Holiday and Galapagos Cruises of 6-Nights Plus
89-64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-22 days: 75%
21 days: 100%

Holiday and Galapagos Cruises of 5-Nights
89-64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 6-Nights Plus
74-57 days: Deposit
56-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 5-Nights
59-43 days: Deposit
42-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Costa
NOTE: Penalties include (Air, hotel & shore excursions, each are treated different and have a window period) booked through Costa Cruises. Cancellation must be made in writing.


World or Grand Cruises
90 days: 15%
89-57 days: 25%
56-45 days: 50%
44-30 days: 75%
29 days: 100%

Caribbean Cruises
75-57 days: Deposit
56-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


All Other Cruises
89-57 days: Deposit
56-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Crystal Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include air, hotel & shore excursions booked through Crystal. Written cancellation required.

World Cruises of 53-Nights.
150-76 days: 20%
75-45 days: 50%
44 days: 100%

World Cruises of 52-Nights
90-61 days: 10%
60-31 days: 50%
30 days: 100%

All Other Cruises
75-45 days: 10%
44-15 days: 50%
14 days: 100%


Cunard Line
NOTE: Penalties include air, pre/post hotel, transfers & excursions booked through Cunard. Written confirmation mandatory.
Cruises of 30-Nights
120-91 days: 25%
90-64 days: 50%
63-43 days: 75%
42 days: 100%

For Cruises of 29-Nights
90-61 days: 25%
60-31 days: 50%
30-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Disney Cruise Line
NOTE: Penalties include air, hotel & shore excursions booked through Disney cruise lines. Guarantee (GTY) bookings are 100% penalty. Cancellations must be in writing.


10 Nights + includes cruises outside of the USA
45 days: Deposit for suites and concierge staterooms
119-45 days: Deposit for all cabins except suites and concierge
44-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

9-Nights & all Cruises R/T in the USA
45 days Deposit on suites and concierge staterooms
75-45 days: Deposit for all cabins except suites and concierge
44-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

[Dannyboy]

Holland America Line
NOTICE: Penalties include hotel & shore excursions booked through Holland America. Cancellations must be made in writing.

All Segments on Grand World or Grand Voyage Cruise.
120-90 days: Deposit
90-76 days: 60%
75 days: 100%

All Holiday, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, Asia. “Prinsendam bookings in Europe” and all South America & Antarctica Cruises.
90-64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-22 days: 75%
21 days: 100%

All Other Itineraries
75-57 days: Deposit
56-29 days: 50%
28-16 days: 75%
15 days: 100%


MSC Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include Air, hotel & shore excursions booked through MSC. Written cancellation mandatory.

All Cruises
75-46 days: Deposit
45-16 days: 50%
15 days: 100%


Norwegian Cruise Line
NOTE: Cancellation penalties include hotel & shore excursions booked through Norwegian. Cancellations may be made via telephone, written cancellation recommended.

Haven and Norwegian Suite Bookings on All Cruises
119-90 days: 25%
89-56 days: 50%
55 days: 100%

Holiday Cruises of 6-Nights
90-56 days: Deposit
55-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 6-Nights
75-56 days: Deposit
55-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Holiday Cruises of 5-Nights
75-45 days: Deposit
44-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 5-Nights
60-45 days: Deposit
44-30 days: 50%
29-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%­­


Oceania Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include hotel & shore excursions booked through Oceania. Cancellation must be in writing.

Cruises of 20-Nights
150-121 days: Deposit
120-91 days: 50%
90-61 days: 75%
60 days: 100%


Cruises of 19-Nights
90-76 days: Deposit
75-61 days: 50%
60-31 days: 75%
30 days: 100%


Princess Cruises
NOTE: Cancellation penalty include hotel & shore excursions booked through Princess. Special promotions are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations required in writing.

Cruises of 30-Nights
119-90 days: Deposit
89-64 days: 50%
63-43 days: 75%
42 days: 100%


Holiday Cruises of 29-Nights
89-64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-22 days: 75%
21 days: 100%


Non-Holiday Cruises of 6 to 29-Nights
74-57 days: Deposit
56-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Non-Holiday Cruises of 5-Nights
59-43 days: Deposit
42-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Regent Seven Seas Cruises
NOTE: Penalties include hotel & shore excursions. All cancellation must be made in writing. Back-to-Back bookings penalty is based on the combined length of both bookings. Cancellation of a cruise within the first penalty window on your booking, may allow the deposit to be used within 12 months of cancellation date for a future cruise. After first window expires, NO CREDIT ALLOWED!

Cruises 25-Nights
151 days: $500
150-121 days: 25%
120-91 days: 50%
90-76 days: 75%
75 days: 100%

Cruises of 25-Nights
121 days: $200
120-91 days: 15%
90-61 days: 50%
60-31 days: 75%
30 days: 100%


Royal Caribbean International
NOTE: Penalties include air, hotel & pre/post excursions booked through Royal Caribbean. Suites are double penalty on deposit. Cancellation must be in writing.

Holiday Cruises of 6-Nights
89- 64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-22 days: 75%
21 days: 100%

Holiday Cruises of 5-Nights
89-64 days: Deposit
63-43 days: 50%
42-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Cruises of 6-Nights Plus & All Cruise-tours
74-57 days: Deposit
56-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%

Cruises of 5-Nights
59-43 days: Deposit
42-29 days: 50%
28-15 days: 75%
14 days: 100%


Seabourn Cruise Line
NOTE: Penalties apply on hotels, shore excursions & airfare booked through Seabourn. Cancellations must be in writing.
Cruises of 32-Nights
120-91 days: 25%
90-76 days: 50%
75 days: 100%

Cruises of 31-Nights
90-46 days: 25%
45-31 days: 50%
30 day: 100%


Silversea
NOTE: Cancellation fees apply to hotels, shore excursions, airfare reservations made through Silversea’s. Cancellations must be in writing. Passengers booked on the full world cruise who choose to cancel any portion of the cruise (while still sailing on other portions), will effectively have their entire cruise canceled and rebooked subject to availability, and passengers booked in Silver Suites or higher will forfeit their suites.


World Cruise Segments, Totaling 56 to 115-Nights
121 days: $500
120-91 days: 20%
90-75 days: 50%
74 days: 100%

Cruises, Including World Cruise Segments Totaling 55 Nights
120-91 days: 15%
90-46 days: 50%
45-31 days: 75%
30 -days: 100%

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by CaptainEdwardJohnSmith

No wonder you look absolutely dashing, Anne.
I'm gonna have to get the Mrs one of those and see if it helps.

Captain

If your flying coach, NOISE CANCELLING HEAD-PHONES are the only way to reduce all ambient noise, plus you can listen to music to block all other noise!
Ear plugs are good for sleeping next to somebody sawing logs (SNORING), but they don't block all sound.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by Bobhob

I found something very useful on my last trip to Rome. I lost my passport during the day and had no idea it was missing. Fortunately, I had taken the advice of a friend and put a tracer tag on my passport. These tags come from a company called Okoban. A waiter where I ate lunch found it and entered my Okoban tracker number on the Okoban website. I was sent a text message (and an email) before I ever even knew my passport was missing. Lucky for me because I was leaving in the morning for Germany and getting a new passport would have been impossible. I found them at www.mystufflostandfound.com. They saved my trip and are now on just about everything I take with me. Bob Hobson, Chicago, IL

Placing your passport in a sealed flexible plastic type container that is water proof/resistant with your e-mail address & the statement inside the plastic pouch "REWARD if RETURNED".
Having your hotel itinerary and mobile number would assist in the tracking.
Remember, the PASSPORT may need to be delivered to an EMBASSY via air-mail to your next point of travel.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by Lakers Fan

We research every area we cruise to in advance .We don't want to spend ship time figuring out what to do when we are in port .

We board with our notes ,maps ,etc .

You are one step ahead of many travelers.
Another suggestion:


SMART PHONES & TABLETS are the key to having everything at your finger tips.
Using a smart phone (minimum of 2-core processor) enables you to check-in with a BAR CODE and eliminates printing your airline ticket.
You can also remove the SIM Card & use as a internet devise exclusively while over seas or the Caribbean using free WiFi provided at places like coffee shops. NOTE: AT&T & T-MOBILE have smart phones with the ability to change a SIM card, which can be used outside the USA.


SPECIAL NOTICE: All Countries require two addition devices to operate your US phone/tablet, A regulator to reduce the voltage/cycles & adaptor to fit into the plug-outlet.


Walmart sells a complete kit includes 3 or 4 Continents for about $20


Sprint & Verizon are two US carriers that are not compatible outside the USA, you must verify with your carrier. The US virgin Islands, Alaska & Puerto Rico are often included with many current US plans, always verify.


Using your smart phone to access the internet will allow you to perform many functions including the following:


GOOGLE TRANSLATE will allow you to speak into your smart device and it will write in the language of your choice & provides audio too. This can also be reversed to read & listen to the foreign language allowing you to effectively speak or write to a foreigner.


The GOOGLE MAPS application will allow you to use the GPS feature and locate everything from restaurant, public transportation, hotels ect. then direct you to that specific locations with detailed directions either walking, driving, bicycle or bus with bus number.



Getting back to the original post.


The following information should be researched well in advance and printed for use while ashore.


1) Public transportation with maps.
2) Museums, Galleries & monuments.
3) Churches, famous buildings & architectural structures, such as bridges, especially in Europe.
4) Events and national holidays.
5) Tours