6 ways to take the stress out of your next cruise
Want a hassle free cruise? Here are 6 ways to take the stress out of your next cruise.
1. Be smart on an embarkation day
The day has come! You’re about to board your cruise – do you want embarkation day to be smooth sailing or a high stress shipwreck? Make sure you have all your documentation in order, print it out and keep it handy (not packed away at the bottom of your carry on). Have your photo identification with you and remember that photocopies won’t suffice. Put tags on your checked luggage. Be aware of what you can and cannot take onboard, so security doesn’t have to rifle through your bags. There’s no such thing as being too organised.
2. Leave some room in your schedule
Do not, we repeat do not, try to time your flight for just an hour or so before your cruise. Airlines are famously unreliable and just a short delay could mean your dream holiday is sailing off into the sunset without you. Same goes for when you disembark – a frantic dash to the airport makes for an inelegant end to a trip.
3. Unpack on day one
Yes, we know you just want to fling your bags down and get out onto the pool deck. But while this seems like the best option, it’s worth taking the time to unpack and organise your cabin. Cabins are snug and having your belongings strewn everywhere is a sure fire way to drive you mad. Put your clothes away, sort out the bathroom and then store your suitcases under the bed. You will thank us by day four, we promise.
4. Make your bookings early
With potentially thousands of other cruisers onboard, it can be surprisingly hard to get a seat at that fancy specialty restaurant or an indulgent massage at the spa. If there is something you really want to do, it can be a good idea to book it on one of the first days of the cruise. That way you can sit back and enjoy your time onboard, knowing that you won’t miss out.
5. Don’t try to do everything
This is a sure fire way to ruin any kind of holiday. You don’t want to spend your days running laps around the ship in a vain attempt to fit everything in. A good cruise is all about balance, so make sure you leave some time for relaxation in between all of your activities. Make a list of priorities with your ‘must dos’ at the top. Then, anything else you fit in will just be a bonus.
6. Remember to laugh
Things will go wrong, we can guarantee it. But they key to a stress-free cruise is learning not to sweat the small stuff. There’s no point getting yourself worked up over things you can’t change, so laugh it off and get on with enjoying everything else.
Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. To arrange a quote, click here. For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.
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