🦩 5 Things to Know to Avoid Troubles on Your First Cruise

I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine. – Caskie Stinnett

Hello there,

Time to go on an expedition. Maybe your first cruise? Not sure what pitlfalls to avoid, things to prepare for? No worries, Vasco got you.

What is in store for you today?

• 5 Things to know to avoid troubles on your first cruise

• The story of Anna, stuck in the air due to a hurricane

• Few highlights to stay on top of the latest travel news

5 THINGS TO KNOW TO AVOID TROUBLES ON YOUR FIRST CRUISE

Looking forward to your first cruise? Have you considered the below?

• Seasickness can strike anyone

• Pack for all weathers conditions

• Shore excursions can add up quickly

• Gratuities are expected

• Download the cruise line's app

While you may have thought of some of the above, some can easily surprise and turn an enjoyable experience into a less enjoyable one, so let’s make your first cruise is not your last.

Seasickness Can Strike Anyone

Even if you don't normally get seasick, the motion of the ship can be unpredictable. Be prepared with over-the-counter medication or talk to your doctor about prescription options. Ginger, peppermint, and acupressure bands can also be helpful.

A few preventive measure, if you forget the medication anyway:

• Avoid big meals and orange juice. Although appealing, these have a tendency to lead to see sickness, at least for me (coffee too for certain people)

• Don’t forget to drink water as much as you can (the minibar doesn’t count as hydration)

• Whenever you feel very bad and the sea allows, try to go outside and stare at the horizon (also easier if you’ve reached the critical point and need some room if you see what I mean 😉)

Pack for All Weather Conditions

While you'll likely be spending most of your time in warm climates, don't forget to pack for cooler temperatures too. The sea can turn cold pretty quickly if you don’t necessarily want to spend your entire time inside. Moreover, some ports of call may be chilly, and there's always a chance of encountering rain, wind, or worse depending on the cruise area & season.

Shore Excursions Can Add Up Quickly

Shore excursions can be a great way to explore each port, discover different things, make a few purchase, grab amazing food, but they can also get expensive pretty quickly. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of excursions when budgeting for your trip, and consider booking them independently for potential savings.

 Gratuities Are Expected

Most cruise lines add automatic gratuities to your bill each time you order something. You can pre-pay these gratuities when you book your cruise, or you can adjust the amount onboard. Tipping additional staff members for exceptional service can also be appreciated.

Download the Cruise Line's App

The cruise line's app will have important information about your ship, including deck plans, daily schedules, menus, port information, and basically any major/key info relating to the cruise. It can also be used to book shore excursions, make dining reservations, and communicate with other passengers. If possible, try downloading it beforehand as reception onboard can sometimes be subpar.

TRAVEL DIARIES

The story of Anna, stuck in the air due to a hurricane

“We flew from Ohio to Charlotte, NC. During the flight, a hurricane suddenly headed inland. As a result, all air traffic was not allowed to land, was backed up as far as possible and flights were forced to circle the airport until they could land.

Unfortunately, we arrived late and air traffic at 30,000 feet was completely jammed. Instead of landing, we were forced to circle around the airport below these flights, which was in the heart of the hurricane.

We circled for an hour and ten minutes, with incessant lightning on both sides of the plane and turbulence that would have frightened a 70-year-old sailor.

The turbulence threw everything in the plane. People were crying and terrified. When we finally landed, nobody wanted to get out of the plane. The applause lasted until the captain came out and spontaneously started crying. He told us how sorry he was that we'd all had to go through this.

He told us how happy he was to have had the privilege of bringing us safely back on the ground, then hugged an elderly lady who kissed him until we forgot about the hurricane and began to feel bad for him. This happened years ago, but the trauma remains engraved in my memory.”

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