Cruising
Hidden luxury cruise secrets
Luxury cruise lines do not sell out every trick that their cruise offers whether that be special treats, experiences or freebies. Find out what you are entitled to but do not know about.
Food Secrets
- On luxury cruise lines, you can request whatever food you want whenever you want and requested meals are generally complimentary unless you’re requesting something extravagant. You just have to place the request in advance so give a complicated request 90 days in advance but only 24 – 48 hours for simple ones.
- On most luxury cruise ships, you can order off the main dining room dinner menu from room service. This is also complimentary and butlers or stewards will serve your meals in courses.
- You can also order your appetizer, salad, intermezzo, entrée and dessert in any order. Don’t feel you need to abide by the traditional sequence but feel free to order an entrée as a first course.
- On formal nights, some luxury lines serve complimentary caviar as a starter and it is acceptable to ask for a second serving but don’t push it after that.
- If you are craving food outside of your cabin, you can still order room service from anywhere on the ship. Just get any passing crew to pick a phone and place your order.
Drink secrets
- Sommeliers present one complimentary white and one complimentary red wine for dinner. However, if you don’t like what the sommelier is pouring, ask them to open another bottle and they will be happy to bring something else out.
- Wine is included on luxury ships but if you feel like you want to choose one from the fancy wine list then you can have some that night and get the server to save it for another night. They will even bring it to a different dinning venue for you.
- Cocktails are complimentary but often bartenders will reach for the most basic spirits without giving you a choice of the brand. Ask if your favourite spirit is available when you place your order.
- You can ask your butler to replace any beverages that you don’t like in your mini-bar.
Cabin secrets
- If you don’t like the bathroom toiletries ask a stewardess or butler for a different brand and luxury shops often have hyper-allergenic options as well.
- If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary let a stewardess or butler know. Some luxury lines will decorate your suite while you are away with cake and balloons.
- If your luggage is overtaking your cabin, ask a stewardess if a piece can be stored somewhere else on the ship.
Entertainment secrets
- Luxury cruise liner offer various complimentary enrichment activities like language and dance lessons and wellness seminars. Read the daily chronicle to find out what is free and whether or not you need to sign-up in advance.
- If you didn’t remember to pack your favourite book be sure to visit the onboard library where hundreds of hardcover books will be available to you.
- In most port stops, complimentary shuttle service will be available to you. If the ship doesn’t stop in town, the shuttle service will take you to a central location.
Have you ever been on a luxury cruise? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.