Sail Away!
by Dana Donovan
If you think cruising isn’t for you, think again. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vacation or one that gets your adrenaline pumping, cruising has something for everyone.
I’ll admit I was a skeptic. I love traveling, but for some reason cruising wasn’t high on my list. Call me officially converted.
For my first cruise, I sailed with Royal Caribbean on one of their Voyager Class ships. The Mariner of the Seas sails out of Galveston and alternates between two 7-night Western Caribbean tours with different ports of call. Depending on the time of year, cabin size, and destination location, prices start at about $499 per person. Keep in mind that that price doesn’t include your drink package, gratuities, or any excursions you may decide to take. When you consider that the price does include all your food and your “hotel” for prices that start at about $71 per day, you begin to see why cruising is so popular.
Once you’re on board, the number of activities available to you is mind-blowing. Luckily, all the activities for the following day are listed in a newsletter that gets delivered to your cabin each evening. Energetic travelers can participate in activities that range from basketball to miniature golf and ice skating to rock climbing. For travelers with something a little mellower in mind, the ships offer luxurious spas and plenty of poolside space for lying around in the sun and people-watching. Young kids will enjoy Adventure Ocean, where parents can safely drop off their kids and know that they aren’t just being looked after—they’re also having fun. Teenagers will enjoy the video arcade and the teen-only disco and club (no adults allowed).
Of course, my favorite activity was eating. If you don’t want to get off the ship weighing 101 pounds more than when you got on, I recommend taking the stairs whenever possible.
The most fun part of the adventure for me was planning our excursions. From zip-lining and swimming with stingrays to cooking classes and guided tours, the hardest part was choosing what to do. My suggestion: make sure you leave a little time to experience the local flavor. As exciting as the excursions are, you don’t want to leave a city/country without getting a feel for their culture or the amazing people who live there.
Here’s where I love cruising. After a fun-filled long day in port, you don’t have to spend time finding a hotel or a good restaurant. Just walk back on board, and everything is taken care of for you. Your room attendant cleans your room twice a day, so everything is always nice and tidy. Your waiter will greet you by name, and by the end of the week will know your likes and dislikes. It’s pretty close to heaven.
Of course, nothing is perfect. Getting on the ship the first day can be a little hectic, and disembarking can be frustrating, but knowing that in advance will help you relax throughout the process. Think about it: over 3000 people trying to get on and off the ship at the same time. It’s amazing it goes as smoothly as it does.
The moral of the story is just this: cruising is for everyone. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family vacation, taking a cruise can be as economical or extravagant as you choose. Take it from the skeptic—the hardest part is coming back to reality.
Excursions
For me, the excursions make the cruise, but they can also push the trip well over budget. Walking tours start around $20 per person while a helicopter tour is around $170 per person. For a family of 4, that’s almost $700 for only one excursion! So you don’t get hit with a massive bill at the end of you trip, know your budget and book your excursions in advance.
Beverage Packages
You can purchase water to be delivered to your room, a soda package and you also have a choice of several different wine packages. For example, the soda package was $6.50 per day for adults and $4.50 per day for kids. The package comes with a keepsake beverage cup that can be refilled at different locations throughout the ship. Cocktails are pay as you go.
Specialty Dining
Dining in the main dining room, along with several other restaurants on board, are included in the cost of your trip. But, there are a few specialty restaurants on board that will charge a cover charge to dine in the restaurant. For example, Johnny Rockets has a $4.95 cover charge, but you can order as much as you want for the flat $4.95. Portofino charged $20 per person; which does not include wine or cocktails.
Spa and Salon
Going to the spa or the salon can cost a pretty penny when you are out at sea. A standard massage runs about $195 with haircuts coming in around $59. I have to admit, as much as I wanted a massage, I decided to wait until I got home!
Internet Charges
Staying connected with friends and family can be expensive. Whether you bring your laptop and use one of the “hot spots” or go to one of the internet work stations, internet access will cost you about $.65 per minutes. There are packages you can purchase based on volume that will allow you to save a little bit, but it is still expensive. The computers run slow and every time I logged on to email home, it cost between $10 and $20.
Tipping
Royal Caribbean recommends the following; which adds up to about $19 per day per person. For a family of 4 on a 7 night cruise, that’s another $500. Again, not bad when you break it down, but definitely something you need to account for when planning your trip.
Waiter: $3.75 a day per guest
Assistant Waiter: $2.15 a day per guest
Head Waiter: $.75 a day per guest
Stateroom Attendant/Other Housekeeping Services: $5.00 a day per guest
In Room Childcare
Of course there are group options for childcare that are either free are have a minimal cost, but you can also schedule in room babysitters for about $19 per hour. The hourly rate includes 2 sitters for up to 3 children in the same family. There is only a limited number of staff on board authorized for child care and they book up fast.
7 Tips for First Time Cruisers
1. Make sure you bring a medium to large size tote bag. Because your luggage can take several hours to be delivered to your room, pack a tote bag with any essential you’ll need on your first day. Whether it’s a bathing suit for the pool or medications you absolutely need, think through the first day and pack accordingly. Secondly, the tote bag will come in handy during any excursions you decide to take. For one excursion I used mine to pack a towel and other beach supplies. Of course, I also used it to carry all of the souvenirs I purchased in port. And finally, you’ll need it you last night on board. All luggage must be tagged and placed outside your cabin by a certain time; ours was midnight, as the staff will come around to collect all bags. Your bag will be waiting for you inside the terminal the next morning, but it can be inconvenient. Having a tote bag with your toiletries and clothing for the next day will help.
2. Make sure you contact your cell phone carrier before you leave. The cost per minute can be significantly higher at sea versus in port. You’ll want to know what you are dealing with before you go. Also, make sure your data roaming feature is turned off during your trip; otherwise you could come home to a cell phone bill in the thousands of dollars.
3. I know this sounds wasteful, but when you are dining and you can’t make up your mind…order both! It’s actually encouraged. Did I mention you should take the stairs?
4. Really, take the stairs. For one thing, it’s the only way you will be able to wear the same clothes at the end of the trip that you were wearing at the beginning of the trip. Secondly, it really is faster than waiting for the elevator.
5. Pre-book your excursions. Take the time to go the website and look at everything available in each port. For one thing, the line can get quit long on the ship. Also, the amount of time you have in each port is limited, sometimes only 8 to 10 hours. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out your day. Make sure you hit the ground running. But, be aware, sometimes booked excursions cannot be canceled or changed.
6. Bring a jacket. When you are picturing yourself on that beach in Cozumel, you are probably seeing yourself in a sundress or bathing suit. Well, believe it or not, it can be pretty cold and windy on the ship. My wrap saved me more than once.
7. If at all possible, splurge for the balcony. I loved sitting on the balcony each morning and night, it was amazing.
*Prices are subject to change and can vary between ships and cruise lines.
