Cruise Ship Vacations — 10 Secrets Experienced Cruisers Know That Will Make Your Cruise Better
Cruise ship vacations are a great way to travel, relax and visit exotic lands. Every cruise I take I learn something new that makes my next trip more enjoyable. Here are 10 secrets that will make all your cruise ship vacations memorable.
1. Most cruise lines offer special discounts for past guests, police officers and firefighters, military personnel (active duty, retired, and sometimes even veterans with as little as 2 years service), senior citizens, airline employees and more. I had already been on several cruises before I found out I was eligible for a military discount. Don’t rely on your travel agent to point it out. In fact, it was a fellow passenger who gave me this hot tip. You can find this information on the cruiseline’s website, but it might take a little digging. (Hint: start at FAQ or search for ’special cruise pricing.’) It’s worth the effort — the military discount I received applied to both me and my wife and was very generous.
2. When you’re booking your cruise, you may be able to choose where you want your cabin — toward the front of the ship, the rear or the middle; upper decks or lower. Generally, the higher the deck, the more expensive the cabin. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your location:
~ being close to the elevators might be convenient, but it can also be noisy. This is especially true of service elevators.
~ avoid being under the disco or gym because you’ll hear people partying late into the night or working out early in the morning.
~ the front and rear of the ship can be noisy from anchors and propellers.