18 Things To Know When You Travel on the Seas

Are you thinking about taking a cruise? If you’ve never taken one before, you might be wondering what’s in store once you set foot on that ship. A cruise is a great way to get away from it all for a few glorious, exciting, sun-filled days. It is an experience that you will never forget, but in order to get the most out of it you might want to know what you can expect. Here are 18 things to know before you head off on that dream vacation!

1. You Don’t Have To take a Long Cruise (Unless You Want To)

If you are itching to get out of town and have some fun but just can’t take more than a couple of days, weekend cruises are a great option. These shorter cruises do a great job of packing all the fun, excitement, and luxury into a few days. It’s a great way to get away from it all, at those times when you can’t stay away for too long.

2. You Won’t Have To Worry About Anything

There aren’t many vacations you can take where you don’t have to worry about a thing. On a cruise, everything is taken care of for you. Delicious meals, a nice comfy bed, lots of options for entertainment, and lots of ways to relax without doing much at all. You won’t have to think about anything you don’t want to.  And, don’t forget – not only are you on vacation, but you’re on a ship and you don’t have to worry about driving home. All of this means that you can have a few mai tais without the guilt. Turn off the phone, and your brain, get away from it all for awhile, and enjoy your time at sea.

3. You Don’t Have To Sacrifice Your Exercise Routine

For some of us, vacation means nothing but relaxing. But if you are one of those people who hates to have a break in their exercise routine, not to worry. Cruise ships have state-of-the art gym equipment, as well as various exercise classes to choose from. Or, if you’d rather, take a nice, early morning jog on the deck and take in the amazing ocean view as you exercise.

4. You Can Have Fun Even If You Bring The Kids

Cruise ships provide opportunities for the whole family to have fun. There are things you can do together as a family and things that your kids will have fun doing on their own as you do your own thing. Many ships have programs for kids and teens, run by counselors, so that you can be sure they are having fun while staying safe. They may be able to take part in video game competitions, arts and crafts, and parties – there are many options to choose from, and one of them is sure to be of interest even for the pickiest kid. You can always meet up later for dinner and then some family time, like fun in the pool or a movie night on deck.

5. You Don’t Have To Do Anything (If You Don’t Want To)

You can be as active (or inactive) as you’d like to be on a cruise. Take a swim in one of the pools, take a walk around the deck, play a board game or croquet – or just sit in a deck chair and read or watch the ocean. If you are one of those people who feels the need to get the most out of your relaxation time, head for the spa for an expert massage, a facial, or a luxurious body treatment (one that you didn’t even know existed but is now your favorite thing).

6. You’ll Never Go Hungry

What is the one thing that is better than not having to cook? Not having to cook because you get to indulge in the amazing food available on a cruise. Many people who come back from a cruise report that the favorite part of their vacation was the food. You’ll have many, many restaurants to choose from, from restaurants that are the very height of elegant dining to restaurants where you can grab a quick but tasty lunch when you are taking a break from the pool.  

If you have some dietary concerns you can still enjoy some delicious food. The expert chefs know what they are doing, and they want to make sure you get the tastiest meals no matter what.

7. You Can Try Out Your Newest Gaming Strategy

Whether your aim is to pay off your entire vacation (or your mortgage) or maybe just make a few dollars so you can buy some souvenirs, many ships have gaming tables and slots where you can try your luck. And many times, ships offer classes that you can join in on to learn how to play games. Whether you are an expert gambler or brand new but have always wanted to learn, gaming is a great way to add some fun to your vacation.

8. You Probably Won’t Have To Worry About Getting Seasick

Cruise ships are so large, and they are built in such a way that the odds are very good you won’t even notice the swaying motion of the ship. However, if you find that you are feeling a bit seasick, you don’t have to suffer in silence in your cabin. Try eating crackers or drinking lots of water. Ginger is also used to fight nausea, so if you are worried about seasickness you might want to stock up before your trip. And, if you do end up getting seasick, ask the ship’s medical staff for help. They have seen it all before and are sure to have a few tips to make you feel much better so you can get back to having fun.

9. You’ll Enjoy Your Stateroom, Too

Those who design ships figure you’ll be spending most of your time outside of your stateroom, and most likely you will. But just in case, staterooms are designed to be relaxing and stylish, the perfect place to recharge with a nice nap. Book a room with a balcony for the maximum cruise experience – imagine falling asleep while looking up at the stars going by.

10. You Can Take a Cruise Even If You Have Special Needs

Cruise ships nowadays can easily accommodate guests whether they are in a wheelchair, need the help of a service animal, or have vision, hearing, or other issues. The staff will go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy your cruise. It’s your vacation too!

11. You Can Become a Wine Expert

If you’ve always enjoyed wine and have always wanted to learn more about it, a cruise might just be your chance. Cruise ships are stocked with the best of the best when it comes to wine, and sommeliers who are happy to give you an education about it. Or, just grab a glass of your favorite and relax for awhile.

12.You Can Explore a Whole New Place

From Bermuda to Galapagos, there is sure to be a cruise destination that excites you, and one that you have either never been to or can’t wait to go back to. Cruise ship staff work hard to make sure you have authentic local cultural experiences, not just the touristy things you often find when you go on vacation.

13. You Will Be Pampered

The staff of a cruise ship lives to serve. They understand you don’t get to take a vacation every day, and that you want to get your money’s worth when you are on vacation. They are there to pamper! Get a massage or head to the salon for a new hairstyle to wow the folks back home. Let your waiter treat you to a special dessert that he just knows you’ll love. Give in to the pampering, and let someone take care of you for a change!

14. You’ll Be Impressed at the Ship Itself

Many first-time cruisers are surprised to find just how beautiful cruise ships are. They are designed to impress, with architectural finesse that will amaze you and having you sending pics to the folks back home even before the ship leaves port.

15. Your Fun Will Continue Off the Ship As Well

Yes, as they say, getting there is half the fun, and cruise ships were made to provide fun and relaxation every minute. But don’t forget that you are cruising to a fun destination as well! Go snorkeling, relax on a beach, or soak in the local culture. Take a private or group tour, or head off on your own to find excitement.

16. Your Cruise Staff Can Fill You In

If you do decide to head off on your own when the ship docks, it is a good idea to get some good information from the staff beforehand – after all, they have likely traveled to this port several times. Ask them for tips on where they like to go when they are in this part of the world: what restaurants you simply must eat at, what pubs you can’t miss, and what little shops have the best local art that will look fantastic on your wall at home.

17. Your Safety Is Important

On the surface, a cruise is all about guests enjoying themselves. But behind the scenes, the cruise staff works hard to make sure that all the passengers are safe. Before the fun really begins, you’ll take part in a muster drill so that you know what to do in case of an emergency. And, each ship has both a security and a medical team, to handle any problems that might come up.

18. You Won’t Want To Go Home

Pampering, fun, amazing food, a relaxing atmosphere, gorgeous views, and a staff that sees to your every need. The odds are very good that you are not going to want to leave the ship and go back to your normal life. Unfortunately, the end of vacation is a part of vacation as well. But you will always have the memory of that time you spent at sea, and you can always start looking forward to your next cruise as soon as your vacation ends.

Perhaps out of all the things to know when you are wondering about taking a cruise is that you’ll never run out of things to do, whether you just want to relax or whether you have to move every minute or you consider your vacation a waste. There is so much to see, on excursions and on the ship itself, that you’ll never get bored. And through it all you’ll enjoy being pampered as you never have before. A cruise may just be the ideal vacation for you and your family!