Cruise Tips To Become A Better Cruiser

This article is a "must read" for anyone planning to go on a cruise vacation.  These cruise tips can save you lots fo money and unheard of frustration.

Title: Cruise Tips To Maximize Your Cruise Vacation

Author: Mary Hanna

Article:
You are getting ready for your much anticipated cruise vacation.
The best way to maximize your cruise travel is to have some of
these cruise tips about the little things you should know. Many
cruisers have questions about phoning home, seasickness, laundry
facilities, and photography while on their cruise vacation.
These are not big items that should concern you during your
cruise travel but helpful hints nonetheless.

Phoning home always gives one peace of mind when they are on
vacation. It is natural to want to check on your children, or
check into the office, just remember that ship to shore phone
costs can be very hefty. They can cost up to $15 minute, so I if
you must, keep it brief. You can use your cell phone but be
aware that in some areas roaming charges will apply. Your cell
phone will not work in Europe unless you have universal service.

It is very important that you leave the information on how to
contact you at home in case of an emergency. When you receive
your cruise packet there will be contact information included.
Make sure you leave the name of the ship, the cruise line you
are traveling with, and the itinerary that you plan to follow.
Make it very clear that it is for emergencies only.

There is a way to get around this expense and that is to buy a
phone card and call home from your ports of call. The connection
will be far greater and your savings too. Be aware that this is
where the crew members make their calls home so you may want to
venture further from the dock to find a not so busy public
phone.

 All of the modern ships are wired for the internet so you can
stay in touch with email. This is a much easier and cheaper way
to but your mind at ease. On some ships if you are a frequent
cruiser the internet time is free. If you are not, connections
can run from fifty cents to a dollar a minute. Just keep in mind
that they are not high speed hook ups so they will be slow.
Compose offline and then send your message. Some ships will
offer you package deals to save a little money. Here again, if
you can wait until you get to port, internet cafes ashore are
relatively inexpensive.

Seasickness is almost a moot point on today's cruise ships. They
are so large that you don't even know you are moving unless you
look out the window or you are up on deck. With today's
technology for weather tracking the cruise lines know in advance
if any storms are approaching and therefore can avoid the area.
Earlier cruise ships had stabilizers but nothing compared fo
today's technology which enables them to counter act any motion
the sea has to offer.

If that doesn't calm your fears about seasickness and cruise
travel there are a number of ways to ensure a very comfortable
cruise. Take a cruise vacation in an area of the world that has
calm waters on a modern ship with the aforementioned
stabilizers. It is best to book a cabin in the middle of the
ship on one of the lower levels. If just looking at a horizon
that is moving sends you into a tizzy, book an inside cabin. A
little known cruise tip is to arrange your beds in alignment
with the ship, bow to stern. Rocking is always easier to handle
than a rolling motion. Once, you've got yourself situated on
board go up on deck and stare at a fixed position on the horizon
to get your body use to the motion.

Your doctor may have some medication you can take, or try the
acupuncture bracelets that go around your wrists. If you do feel
queasy eat crackers and green apples to settle your stomach.
Ginger capsules have been said to work wonders and are available
in your health food store. By all means avoid any alcoholic
beverages which will only make your symptoms worse.

On board laundry services are very expensive. Book a ship that
has an onboard laundry room for passengers so you can do your
own. These laundry rooms will be equipped with an iron and an
ironing board. An alternative is to pack a small bottle of
laundry liquid and a few clothes pins in you luggage, hand wash
them in your stateroom and hang them from the shower line
provided.

Photography is always a big question. Should you bring a camera
or rely on the ships photographer? The answer is to bring your
own. If you don't want to worry about your expensive digital
camera, buy a lot of the throw away types. Pick up a few
waterproof ones too for when you take you snorkel adventure.
Take twice as many as you think you need. If you don't use them
on this cruise vacation you can always use them at the next
holiday or birthday celebration.

You could also opt to pick up a cheap digital. You can buy them
for about $20.00 and you won't have to worry about losing it
since your expensive one is at home. These are usually smaller
than the pricey ones so they are easier to carry around.

On formal nights you will want to get your picture taken by the
ships photographer. These pictures are wonderful memories of
your cruise but they are expensive. The ships photographer will
take pictures of you all through the cruise. Getting on and off
the ship, on deck, in the dining room at your table and when you
enter the dining room on some nights. Although these pictures
are fun, you are not obligated to buy them. If you are on a
cruise vacation for a special occasion like a honeymoon or an
anniversary, splurge and buy them, they will be more than just
memories.

These are just a few cruise tips for the little things you
should know about cruise travel. Having this knowledge before
your cruise vacation will help you on the way to clear sailing.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in
your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice,
links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing
eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet
Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites
at: http://www.CruiseGold.com
http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and
http://www.CruisingTips.com

These are great tips for the first time, as well as for  the experienced cruiser!  Don't you just LOVE cruising?  WE DO!!