Are you going on a cruise this summer?
The Sun’s travel director Lisa Minot has a wealth of experience sailing across all continents on some of the most famous cruise lines.
She shares her top tips for sailing here:
INFORMATION BEFORE BOOKING
With such a wide variety of cruises on the sea right now, making sure you get the right cabin is vital.
I would always opt for a balcony or an outside cabin with a window to have the perfect place to relax in private, perhaps to enjoy a cocktail at sunset or a fabulous breakfast at sunrise.
It is also ideal when you are sailing somewhere like the Norwegian fjords, as you will pass through amazing landscapes.
However, if you want to see the Northern Lights, make sure you book at the right time.
It’s not known as the Land of the Midnight Sun for nothing – in summer it’s daylight for many hours, so book in autumn or winter to ensure it’s dark enough to see the lights.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A little planning before boarding can greatly improve your experience.
Most cruise lines will allow you to book parts of your cruise in advance, whether it’s a wellness treatment at the spa or a sumptuous dinner at one of the specialty restaurants.
And of course, there are those all-important excursions for the days you are in port.
If you have something you absolutely must see or do, booking a tour in advance will save you the stress of arriving at a new destination.
One mistake I made on my first cruise was trying to see and do too much, especially in the Caribbean islands.
You’ll end up exhausted and drained – the best option is to choose one or two exclusive experiences that you’ll really have time to immerse yourself in.
ALL ABOARD
One of the joys of ocean cruising is having your bags carried for you before you board, but my best advice is to pack a small bag to bring on board with all your essentials, such as passports, medications and chargers.
A change of clothes is a great idea if you’ve flown from cold England to the scorching temperatures of the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the ship on the first day – make note of any restaurants or facilities you want to explore further.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
One of the most daunting things for first-time cruisers is dealing with the dress code on board.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but in general, cruises are not as formal as in years past.
During the day, think summer vacation wear and general swimwear, and in the evening, think smart casual wear for main dining rooms and specialty restaurants.
Formal evenings are the perfect time to dress up, from cocktail and evening dresses for women to black tie for men.
Keep an eye on your cruise itinerary to see if there are special theme nights – do you need to pack clothing in certain colors, for example?
It is also worth checking whether you will need any specific clothing for your shore excursions, such as a shawl for religious temples.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Cruise ships generally do not accept cash to pay for onboard purchases; in most cases, your stateroom key card will be linked to your personal cruise account.
You will be asked to link a bank card to your account and it is advisable to ensure you use a credit card and not a debit card for this.
Most cruise lines will offer you the ability to check your account from your stateroom TV or an app on your phone so you can keep track of what you’re spending.
Of course, cruises take you to amazing destinations, so it’s worth having some local currency with you, too.
Buying your currency online and having it delivered to your door usually ensures you get the best rates – never fall into the trap of changing your money at the airport, the exchange rates are always among the worst.
CRUISE AND STAY
When planning a cruise, savvy travelers will include a stay on land along with their sea voyage, perhaps in port before or after the cruise.
If the worst happens and your flight is delayed or cancelled, there is still room to get to your destination before the ship sails.
But there is another good reason too.
Many Mediterranean cruises depart from fabulous cities like Barcelona or Rome and if you head straight to the ship you’ll miss out on the chance to explore.
It is also worth thinking about the days you will be in port during your cruise.
Unless you’re on a pre-booked excursion, I always recommend getting off a little later to avoid the initial crowds and spend a little more time on board enjoying a leisurely breakfast.
Cheers to Beer
Simply sitting and admiring that incredible ocean horizon with a drink in hand is one of my favorite pleasures on a cruise.
And that’s why it’s worth exploring the beverage options onboard your chosen ship before you set sail.
There are many different ways to enjoy not only alcoholic beverages, but also premium coffees, smoothies and more.
Depending on how much you like to indulge, it may be worth purchasing a drinks package in advance, as some cruise lines offer incentives when you first book.
It’s also worth looking into what you’re allowed to bring on the cruise in terms of alcohol – most lines will generally allow you to bring one or two unopened bottles of wine or champagne.
Some lines will also allow you to bring the bottle you brought on board to dinner, for a small corkage fee.
FAMILY FAVORITES
Cruising with kids couldn’t be easier – I first went on board with my kids when my youngest was just 18 months old.
It’s a safe and secure environment with non-stop entertainment and fun, often far more than at any land-based resort, and of course you have the added benefit of exploring all those amazing ports.
There are some great deals for families sharing a cabin and some lines even allow children to travel for free.
No matter what you say, enrolling your kids in the onboard kids’ club is THE way to help them make friends.
I will never forget returning to our room on the first night of a cruise before picking up my two children from the kids’ club and finding a note on the door saying they were going to see a magic show on deck 9 with their new friends.
With that freedom, it makes sense to agree on times and places where everyone will meet at regular intervals — some cruise lines even have apps that help you track your family members on the ship.
