Advantages of traveling by cruise ship
One of the advantages of this type of travel is that you can see many destinations at once in one country or different ones. Because the ship travels at night, and in the morning or after a day or two you are in another place and have time to explore it. Buses await you at the port to take you on a tour. Or you can organize a day trip yourself. It's full of waiting taxis.
It's fun! If you love fun and are going on vacation, you've come to the right place.
Onboard Entertainment: From Pools to Variety Shows
There are many temptations on the ship:
- At least two swimming pools on deck;
- Casinos, roulette wheels;
- Variety; with performances every evening;
- Animators; for children and adults;
- Competitions are held for just about anything you can think of—and even things you can’t;
- Several restaurants with different types of cuisine. With culinary delights from all over the world.
Every evening, a newsletter is left in your cabin—featuring upcoming excursions, entertainment, and contests. It includes the variety show schedule and suggestions for other places to visit. All events are free. But be sure to set aside some „tips“ for the staff; these are a set amount per day, which is listed in your offer. That’s exactly why they’re given at the end of your cruise.
What to wear on a cruise: dress code importantes.
And something very important: bring appropriate outfits. The evenings require formal attire or a certain dress code – there's even a specific color that's good to wear to dinner or the variety show.
For example, on Captain's Night, the Captain himself recommends that you wear blue and white.
From observation and reading recommendations, wear clothes in basic colors: white, blue, red, beige... And accents, how to combine them. Well, there are plenty of stores, you can always buy something else.
It's also nice to wear hats - not only against the sun, but also in case the dress code requires it. Appropriately combined with the outfit. If you want to be chic. ☺
Of course, no one is going to turn you away. But if you’re dressed inappropriately—say, in sneakers when the dress code calls for „shoes“—you’ll feel out of place. Or they might even ask you to go back and change into something appropriate.
So, it's good for men to have a neat pair of pants, a belt, and shoes. Shirts.
How to Beat Seasickness: Effective Medications and Tips
If you feel sick, bring motion sickness pills because you won't be able to enjoy the trip.
Recommended: „Dimenhydrinate“50 mg. It’s available over the counter. We didn’t wait until we started feeling sick; we decided in advance to rule out any possibility of discomfort. And once you get seasick, it’s a miserable experience—you’ll be stuck in your cabin for the entire trip…”
Cheap, effective, Bulgarian medicine: take it a few days before the trip. Half in the morning and half in the evening, once you are on board.
Safety Rules: Check-in and Safety Instructions
Ships are usually huge—with crews of 2,000 and 3,000 passengers. You’ll meet people from all over the world.
There is order and discipline on the ship. It departs at precisely the scheduled time and doesn't wait a minute. Therefore, you need to be early, because there is a special check at every entrance.
More serious than an airplane.
The first check-in upon arrival is especially impressive – you need to be at least two hours early to have your luggage checked and put on the conveyor belt, and you'll receive it right at your cabin... You won't be waiting for an entire huge ship.
Therefore, organize your transfers well and don't be late! Familiarize yourself in advance with your entrance number.
Better to be a little early than to hear the ship's horn as it sails away.
There is a safety briefing during the first hour after departure. When you set sail. All passengers are mandatory taken to the deck – in every cabin there are life jackets and vests for the number of passengers – everyone takes one.
The entire procedure is responsible and strict, so be attentive during the briefing. Memorize the boat you need to board in case of an emergency and the exact spot on the deck where you must arrive as quickly as possible when an alarm sounds. The instructions will be broadcast over the loudspeakers and through the cabin radio in at least six languages.
How to Choose the Right Cabin: Noise and Location
And something very important: pre-purchase of the desired cabin. Be careful here. You can go online and look up a floor plan of the ship to get an idea of where the cabin the agency is offering you is located. Of course, it depends on the price. There are windowless cabins—which are in between cabins with portholes. If you have claustrophobia, don’t choose one of those. They’re also the cheapest, but don’t be fooled by the price. It’s important where the engine room is located, because even if you get a cabin or suite on a high deck—the noise from the engines is constant and loud. These are massive engines that start up, pick up speed, and begin a rumbling… So do your research and book a spot as far away from the engine room as possible.
Something essential: Your cabin floor. For example, do you want the waves to splash right up against the porthole? Now imagine what will happen when the sea gets rough. Are you ready for that?! So, depending on your preferences, choose your deck carefully.
Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
Cruises usually take place in the summer. But be sure to pack accordingly, depending on the continent and the season. It goes without saying, but be sure to bring:
- Dark sunglasses;
- Sunscreen;
- What - on the deck and all open spaces the wind is strong;
- Hats, scarves; summer scarves and a few heavier ones, hats.
- Comfortable hiking shoes.;
- Official: for evenings, according to outfits;
- Flip-flops;
- Disinfectants. Onboard hygiene is exceptional! Especially when entering the dining area. All parts that a passenger touches with their hands are constantly disinfected. Despite this, tourists and staff come from all over the world: Brazil, Australia, USA, Canada – many travel on cruises. Bring your hand gel too.
- Your own medicines. Everything is provided on the ship: a pharmacy, a doctor, a hair salon, a gym... whatever exists in a city, only floating. But you are in no man's land and it's unclear what the equivalent will be for your medicines.
Fair winds and following seas! We look forward to hearing from you ☺
See more Slav Yanev's author here
