Bill's Top Ten Tips for Cruising

We've done a lot of cruising and I thought I would share some tips.  I hope some prove helpful.  However.I once read this about advice, "Wise men don't need it- and Fools won't heed it"!   Read on for the 10 tips!

Cruising Tip # ! Get off the Beaten Path

This tip is not for the faint-hearted.  Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living" and I follow that to some extent.  I like to see how the people live-not just the glitzy shops and bars near the port ( Senior Frogs, Hooters, etc) Over the years we have little local bars that we frequent.  In Falmouth, Jamaica we walk to a "questionable area" of town to visit the Fambly Bar.  We know Winston the owner and try to bring him some Phila. Eagles memorabilia as he is a fan.  The locals love us as we are the only ship people that have

ever visited there.  We drink Red Stripe and "Jaw" with them.  Apparently the bar is the "In Spot" for it is always crowded. I couldn't believe that Winston was wearing the shirt we got  for him last year.  Other "things" go on-I don't wish to comment-but it is quite an interesting place to frequent.
   So, if you have a curiosity, find these spots-kick it up a notch!!!

Cruising Tip # 2 Booking Tours

    T,he cruise ship offers dozens of tours-to ruins, swim with the dolphins or stingrays, etc.  I rarely book a tour from the ship.  They inflate the price about 50% so I usually go ashore and negotiate.  There is one exception to this!  I will not book a tour myself , that travels deep into the countryside-perhaps to see Aztec Ruins.  Here is why:  if you book a tour from the ship-and the bus breaks down (which it might if you saw some of the buses) the ship will wait for you.  Book yourself and you could miss the boat (no pun intended).

Cruising Tip # 3 Booking Cabs

    You will need a cab and there are hundreds to choose from.  My advice is to leave the port area and walk to the end of the long cab line.  Here you will find a driver that knows it will be a long time to get a customer-he is willing to negotiate.  Talk to him and get a feel for how he speaks English.  I want someone to answer questions as we ride.  Sometimes I have him take us touring

, or a beach, or local bar where there are no tourists.  I buy him a beer and we have some jerk chicken.  He appreciates the kindness!

Cruising Tip # 4-Be Prepared

I am an old boy scout-be prepared.Most of you know the rules-don't  drink tap water in poor countries, eat carefully, etc.  One tip I use is having a second wallet.  I never take my regular wallet (charge cards, medical cards, etc) on trips to third world countries.  I have a second wallet that has an expired Pa. Drivers License that I use as a photo ID (required), the ship's ID Pass plus twenty dollars.  If my wallet is stolen, I haven't lost anything.  We had our wallets stolen in Spain many years ago and it is a pain to cancel all your cards!
     You might want to invest in a pair of walkie-talkies.  They are great for keeping in touch with each other plus they save you roaming fees on your phone

Cruising Tip # 5 Get Involved

Do everything-read the daily newspaper (Compass for NCL).  Attend the Broadway Shows, the ice carving and cooking demos, the dance classes (I am not a good dancer but neither are the other husbands-we bond, have a good time and go for drinks later). Have a good time-you will probably never see these folks again.  If you are with old friends, they know you are Lame-but still like you anyway. Play miniature golf, surf the Wave Rider, climb the wall, or walk with the "Make A Wish" folks.
   I highly recommend having a fixed time and table in the main dining hall.   The food and elegance is superior plus you get to know your waiter and shipmates (many time we sail as a twosome).  Don't worry about the two formal nights-regulations have been greatly relaxed-a sport coat is fine for men and you can shed it during dinner.

Cruise Tip # 6 Loyalty

    We have cruised many lines and prefer Celebrity and Royal Carribean.  RCL is our favorite and they promote loyalty by giving you "perks" .  I believe you start out as Gold or Emerald and work up-we are high in the ranking (Diamond) with only two above -Diamond Plus and Pinnacle.  Diamond Members enjoy a private lounge with complimentary cocktails from 4 to 8 every evening.  There are other perks such as by passing many lines (boarding, embarking, tendering, etc)

Crusing Tip # 7 Parking

If you drive to the port-which we always do, parking can be a slight problem.  Sometimes  we book a hotel that provides a free shuttle to the ship.  Other times we check rates online and park our car near the port.  We paid $45 for seven days in Galveston.

Cruising Tip # 8 Tipping

     Tipping on Royal Caribbean is easy-they deduct about  $12 per day from your charge card.  This tips everyone, waiters, cabin people, etc.  Drinks have a tip built in to the cost.  However, I like to tip our evening waiter extra and early in the cruise.   You would be amazed at the results.  I won't go into details 'cause you might  think gluttony! 

Cruising Tip # 9-Agressive Shop Owners

    If you travel around port or off the beaten path, you will often encounter somewhat aggressive shop owners.  They all ask for you to "see their shop".  Some travelers are intimidated and others are annoyed.  My advice-smile and say , "no thank you"!  They are just trying to make a living.  After all, they see cruise people as either:

A. newlyweds
B overfeds
C. nearly deads

Cruising Tip # !0

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