Ten Thoughts About Travel Insurance

January 17, 2016

The whole topic of travel insurance is one that most people try to avoid as much as possible. For cruise travelers, about the only part of it all that is more boring is the passenger contract, something we found out recently, after the Concordia grounding is indeed worth reading. (We won’t say “I told you so” even though we have been for over a decade. Oh wait. I just did. Sorry.) So now all of the sudden there is a new interest in travel insurance with travel agents reporting a ten-fold increase in those adding the valuable coverage offered by a good coverage policy.

Some travelers make it easy and just add it on right at the start, when the booking is first made. They take the option offered by the cruise line and get excellent coverage. Others are firm believers that a third-party source is a good idea, some sound company separate from the self-insuring cruise lines. Those people might have had their argument taken down a notch post-Concordia as the Costa organization has handled refunds, reimbursements, medical expenses and repatriation of passengers without a penny out of their pockets, insurance or not.

So we add another element into the argument for or against buying travel insurance: Travel insurance is really not for a major, tragic cruise event like Concordia, much like it is not for hurricanes when cruise lines step in and take care of booked guests. Travel insurance is always a good idea. Having it during a major, unusual event may give confidence too. But is it real or perceived confidence? That’s what we need to know and that’s what we want to go into today in ten thoughts about travel insurance, ten things to think about before you don’t buy it. If you bought it already, reaffirm your good choice with this information or double-check to see if your policy measures up.

Above all, seek the guidance of a qualified, licensed travel insurance agent. That’s not us. These thoughts are just some ideas help with the decision to buy and make sure we ask the right questions along the way. Every travel insurance company has a toll-free 800-number that is commonly given out by travel agents to call with those “What if?” questions about travel insurance, what it covers and any specific concerns you might have . We need to call that number and make sure the travel insurance we bought covers our concerns for sure. If we have a medical condition that could cause cancellation, we need to hear that it is covered. There are plenty of unknowns coming up down the road. Let’s be sure that if Aunt Becky’s medical condition worsens and you don’t want to be away or your aging father has a sudden illness that you can cancel and be reimbursed or that if something happens on the way to the cruise, during it, or on the way back that you are covered for that too

Decide if you need it. You may or may not. We recommend it so if you fall of the ship you can’t come back here and say “Oh well you said I didn’t need it now give me your house”. Seriously though, it’s a good thing to have and you would be surprised at how many people actually do use it for one reason or another. More on that can be found on our website.
Check Sources- If you graduated from a University, check out AlumniAbroad.com. They offer alumni access to their comprehensive Travel Insurance Select policy which may be less expensive than some other policies depending upon your age and total cost of your trip. Along these same lines, check out STATravel.com. They offer insurance to student travelers. Rates are based entirely on the length (number of days) of your trip.
Pay With A Credit Card- Always pay for all of your travel arrangements (cruise, hotel, airfare, insurance) with a credit card. There are numerous benefits which include: (a) the potential ability to get back money if any of the travel arrangements failed to deliver, (b) some credit cards offer travel benefits when you use their card, and (c) a good paper trail when you need to make a claim. Check with your credit card company to get specific details on what they cover.
Which Policy Is Right For You?- Many companies offer two different policies. A premium policy with all the “bells and whistles” and a less expensive alternative with a little less coverage. Buy the policy that fits your needs.
Check The Coverage- Make sure your policy includes the following coverages: Trip Interruption, Trip Cancellation, Supplier Default (also known as “Financial Default“), a Trip Delay Benefit, and at least $25,000 worth of Air Evacuation in the event of a medical emergency.
Primary Or Secondary?- Make sure your insurance coverage is considered “Primary”. This way if your problem is covered by the policy, the insurance company pays you. Period. You do not want “secondary” coverage wherein you have to submit your claim elsewhere first (like to your Homeowners, Health, or other insurance.
You Get What You Pay For- Make sure “FREE TRAVEL INSURANCE” is actually insurance. It may not be or if it is, it may have less coverage than you need. Again, nobody gives away what they do for free and stays in business very long.
Don’t Buy From The Cruise Line- If possible, do not buy travel protection or insurance issued by your travel agency, airline, or cruise line. There is bound to be some contention here from fellow travels, but think about why you are buying the insurance. What good is insurance if the airline, travel agency, or cruise line you are traveling with goes under? You never know. (The one possible exception to this rule is if you pay with a credit card that covers financial default). Now, this is not to say you shouldn’t buy your travel insurance from any provider, like your Travel Agent. Just make sure the insurance is independent of the provider. This is one to really watch out for when buying online. Often, the online cruise brokers are “self-insured”.

Highly Rated- Make sure the insurer is rated “A” or higher by AM Best. The highest rating is “A++”. Note that A.M. Best only rates the company’s financial wherewithal to pay your claims. They do not rate the company’s level of service. Ratings and coverages can also differ from state to state.

Pre-Existing Conditions Covered? Buy the policy within the first 14 days (or so) from when you make your first trip payment, so that all Pre-Existing Conditions are covered. Check your company’s policy on this time window. This way you never have to prove that a pre-existing condition didn’t exist. I used to think “Why buy it before final payment if we’re healthy?”

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

11 Things To Know Before Travel To Europe

By
Chris Owen
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January 17, 2016

International travel offers the opportunity to experience interesting places, cultures, customs and more…if we want to. In reality, Americans can fly ‘across the pond’ to Europe without learning one word of a local language and do just fine. If trying the cuisine of a foreign country is a red flag, forget it: there are American food franchises in nearly every major European city we might visit. Want to see the iconic landmarks but not mingle with the (scary) locals? There is a hop on, hop off bus tour of most major European cities that will hit all the hot spots. So, don’t want to connect with the destinations? No problem; you do not have to. Oh, but what if you did? It’s not as difficult as one might imagine and the benefits are huge. Making that happen can be as easy as learning a few little customs, things to know before visiting Europe.

50 Cents To Use The Restroom

Something as simple as using the restroom in a European country can be daunting without the right information in advance. €.50 is the going rate to get into a very clean restroom (aka water closet, WC, or some derivative of the word ‘toilet’). At a restaurant, one might be dining in: no charge.

Time Is Different

It is common for European nations to use a 24 hour time where 6:00 PM is 18:00 which really does take the guesswork out of when places open and close.

Multiple Currencies Often Accepted

While €Euro is the official currency of European Union member nations, there is often a local currency as well. Most places that cater to tourists accept both.

Easy And Efficient Public Transportation

It’s one of the parts of international travel that embarrasses me about being an American. They do public transportation far better in Europe. Easy, affordable public transportation is available and everyone knows how to use it. Ask a tour guide, hotel front desk worker or waiter in a restaurant, they all know how to do it.

Take A Moment To Learn Exchange Rates

If this were $dollars, 1880 of them would seem like a lot for dinner. Converted from Czech Koruna that’s actually $76.25.

Bonus tip: take a photo of every receipt you get. It’s good information to have later, especially if paying with a credit card.

Allow Time For Sunrises And Sunsets

They will be different in a part of the world you are not accustomed to. Something we might take for granted at home, all of the sudden has new meaning while traveling internationally.

Embrace All Of The Experience

On a recent sailing of Azamara Club Cruises, we enjoyed what they call an Azamazing Evening at a lovely opera house in Venice, Italy. An included part of each Azamara voyage, most passengers look forward to the experience. Arriving back at Azamara Journey after a lovely night on the town, I followed a lady back on to the ship who remarked to the security guard “Finally! Air conditioning! Everywhere we have been tonight had no air conditioning”, proving she absolutely did not ‘get it’ or appreciate the fact that we were at a centuries-old opera house that had been carefully restored to its original elegance….which did not include air conditioning.

Ask Your Guide

Local guides that take us on tours of the places we visit are a fountain of knowledge just waiting to be tapped. Ask where to go for a nice lunch, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Already aware that you only have a limited amount of time at the destination, some of the best recommendations can come from the local guide we often don’t pay nearly enough attention to.

It’s Better Shared

Visiting places of interest around the world brings memories that will rank anywhere between ‘interesting’ and ‘fabulous’. Visiting those places with others makes the experience even better. One-stop on the Seabourn Food And Wine Cruise was Amalfi, Italy. I could have simply walked off the ship, stopped at one of a dozen sidewalk cafes for an espresso and that would have been a good day. Doing that with a number of Seabourn chefs and invited guests turned a memorable day into an epic event I will never forget.

Bank ATM’s Are Your Best Bet

We find the best exchange rate and most secure situations around bank ATM machines in Europe. One at an actual branch of a bank is the best bet but those in airports and public places are usually safe also. Also important: Notify bank and credit cards that you will be out of the country so your cards will work when you want them to.

Research Airports In Advance

Most airports have smartphone apps which include a complete directory of services if not a quick way to access the airport’s wi-fi system. That’s important when accessing a WiFi system that is not the official one can compromise your security, even before you are out of the airport.

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts

11 Costs That Might Not Be Included In Your Cruise Fare

By
Chris Owen
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January 17, 2016

Cruise lines try hard to give travelers what they want. Compared to other ways to travel, ocean cruising vacations can offer great value due to their more inclusive nature. Visiting a land resort or hotel, we pay for the room and often the price turns out to be more than what we anticipated. Once there, we have to eat, find things to do and get around the city we’re visiting. On most ocean cruising vacations, all that is included in the price. Still, there are other elements of the cruise experience that while desirable, cost more and can add up fast. Here is a list of the most common optional expenses

Gratuities

In the early days of cruising, this was done on the last night of the cruise when passengers would show their appreciation for a job well done, handing appropriate crew members envelopes with cash inside. Today, cruise lines break this down for passengers in advance adding between $10 and $12 or more per person, per day on to their onboard charge account. On a seven-day sailing for a family of four, that’s about $300 more to the total price of the cruise.

Shore Excursions

Most major cruise lines charge extra for shore excursions, the organized tours that go ashore. The cost per person on these can vary widely from $30 per person for a quick bus tour of a port of call in the Caribbean to hundreds for flightseeing in Alaska. The good news is that most cruise line websites have detailed information and pricing on these shore excursions available in advance, to help budget what can be a big ticket item, not included in the price. High-end cruise ships sometimes include shore excursions in the price but that cruise fare price is much higher.

Spa Treatments

Every cruise line has a spa, usually connected to their exercise center. Onboard treatments can include everything from a haircut to a manicure or a variety of massages, skin treatments and lifestyle classes. All cost extra and often up to twice the price that the same service might be offered for on land. On a recent sailing we saw a manicure and pedicure combination advertised for $95. That was a sale price available only when the ship was in port. On land, we pay between $20 and $40 for the same treatment. Still, there’s something to be said for a massage at sea to get that cruise vacation off on the right track.

Casino Action

On cruise ships with casinos on board, like casinos on land, this is an item that can add up fast too. Savvy cruise travelers budget a certain amount to play with for each day of the sailing. Gaming lessons, available on board most cruise ships, as well as other complementary casino events can help lower this extra expense.

Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks

Many cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages but pricing is available online that can help with budgeting. High-end cruise lines like Azamara Club Cruises, Viking River Cruises and others, include soft drinks and paired wines with meals as part of the deal. Passengers in upper accommodations on some cruise ships get an initial bar setup included. Princess Cruises includes a fully stocked mini-bar setup for past passengers that have sailed enough to reach their Elite level. Carnival Cruise Lines is experimenting with an alcoholic all-you-can-drink package, which can have value for heavy drinkers. Most cruise lines have unlimited soda packages that can be added on in advance of sailing or once onboard.

Travel Insurance

An optional charge on any cruise vacation, travel insurance of some kind is always a good idea. Where we buy it is another matter altogether. Cruise lines all have their versions, which can be added to the cruise fare and paid along with the price of the cruise. Third-party sources like TravelGuard, recommended by experts as the way to go, can be both cost efficient and provide customizable coverage. Comparing cruise line coverage to third-party sources on a cost and coverage basis, older travelers often come out ahead buying via the cruise line while younger travelers get a better value with third-party sources.

Spending Off The Ship

Other than the price of Shore Excursions, cruise travelers often choose to go ashore for shopping, which is often duty-free and can offer some good savings compared to U.S. land-based shopping options. A stop by a sidewalk cafe for coffee, a drink or two or maybe lunch should also be considered.

Optional Dining Venues

Generally included in the price of the cruise is an upscale main dining room experience, a buffet of some kind and 24-hour room service. In addition, some optional dining venues, called “alternative dining,” are available for a nominal charge for those who want something different. Those can run anywhere from $5 per person to $50 or more but, to many cruise travelers, offer one of the best values of all the optional charges. All can be researched in advance and many can be reserved in advance too. Royal Caribbean, for example, has 150 Central Park on their Oasis-class vessels that offers one of the best dining experiences ever on land or sea for $40 per person additional.

Parking

Cruise lines have made it easy to sail, deploying ships at home ports scattered around the United States. In the olden days of cruise travel, most ships sailed from a Florida port, making airfare a serious consideration in the total cost of a cruise vacation. Driving to the port eliminates that cost but parking can add up too. Storing your car in a secured, covered lot at the cruise port can cost between $15 and $20 per day, an extra $100 to $150 on top of the fare paid. Satellite lots at most cruise ports with a shuttle to and from the ship are available at reduced prices.

Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays

Experienced cruise travelers know that coming in to the embarkation port where the sailing begins a day early is a good idea. This is especially true when flying from a northern U.S. location to a southern U.S. embarkation port in the winter, when flight delays due to weather are a real possibility. As airfare prices rise and more cruise travelers look for ways to save, flying stand-by is becoming more popular too, demanding travel a day or two in advance of sailing, just so they don’t “miss the boat.” Most cruise port-oriented hotels have Cruise and Snooze, Fly and Cruise, or Drive and Cruise specials that include transfer to and from the cruise port.

Internet Fees

This one can add up really fast. Internet access on cruise ships can cost up to $.75 per minute. The best value will be on the largest packages available and can cut that cost in half on a per-minute basis. Equally important to consider when budgeting for Internet access at sea is the reliability and speed of the ship’s Internet system. In other words, it is often not how much you pay but what you get out of it that counts. To get the most out of your Internet access dollars, pick a new ship or recently remodeled ship with the latest satellite system installed. Also, stop by the ship’s Internet cafe and ask the crew members working there one simple question: “What do I need to do on this ship to get the most out of your Internet connection?” A frank answer will greatly maximize your online experience.

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Countdown to Koningsdam Episode 3: World Stage

By
John Shallo
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January 11, 2016

https://youtu.be/rDa6eVgpjiQ

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The World Stage on the Koningsdam, with many innovative new shows produced exclusively for this venue!

Cruise Line Discounts Bring Same Experience, Lower Price

By
Chris Owen
-

January 11, 2016

When shopping for cruise travel, we tend to trust the same reliable source we may have used in the past. That might mean contacting the cruise line directly, booking online or using a travel agent. Regardless of how we go about making our reservations there are nearly always discounts or special promotions available. Frankly, it has come to the point where not considering possible promos and discounts is a lot like buying a car and paying the sticker price on the window. Not many do. Still, we can’t ask for what we don’t know about so here is a listing of currently common cruise line discounts that may or may not apply.

Resident Discounts – These are most commonly given to states from which the cruise lines are not drawing a lot of clients. The contagious satisfaction of going on a fabulous cruise is what they want to spread. In a virus-like manner, cruisers like to talk about their cruise. They’ll tell anybody about it. If the topic comes up in the office, the grocery store, church or with a complete stranger, everyone who has done it has a story to tell. Most all of them (95%+) are happy stories. If the cruise lines can get people talking in a state or country where they don’t do a lot of business, those people will sell it for them.

Royal Caribbean is the king of Resident Discounts, offering them most often. Princess comes in second with “regional discounts” . Others are hit and miss but none of them offer a resident discount all the time. Most common state to get a resident discount: Florida.   There are a lot of ships and a lot of people who like to cruise and can do so often in Florida.

Senior Discounts – The basic rule of thumb is that at least one guest in a cabin must be 55 or older to get a senior discount. Be aware though, this is not like the movie theatre; not every cruise line gives senior discounts. Those that do don’t all the time. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity commonly give a discount for seniors when they need to fill up a ship. That’s not only as they get close to sailing either.

Often, when a sailing first opens up for booking, a senior discount comes along. Later, if a sailing is not selling as well as the cruise lines had anticipated, they may offer a senior discount again

Last-Minute Deals – Don’t count on them. They exist for those who can sail with as little as 30 days notice. As recent as several years ago you could bank on last minute deals being there to the point where you could almost book airfare for a particular cruise on a given date but NOT buy the cruise until 30 days before sailiing at a reduced rate.   That really never was a very good idea as the ship could sell out then you would be stuck with airfare to nowhere. Now, its a stupid move as the majority of ships DO sell out early.

Military Discounts – Again, filling up the ships is good for business.   If they can do it and benefit those who may have put their own lives in harms way to protect us, all the better. Carnival offers this most often but others do as well. Again, none of the cruise lines offer it all the time on all sailings but do ask your travel agent if you qualify. Active or retired as long as you have proper ID, you can get it for your entire cabin. Sometimes you can get it for more than one cabin.

Past Guest Discounts – This is a very popular, common and appropriate discount. The cruise lines want to keep you coming back and will often make it worth your while to sail again and again with them. Perks, amenities and even pricing in some cases are afforded to repeat guests. After you’ve sailed a line, you are then a past guest. Record your past guest numbers and be sure they get entered into your bookings. Your good travel agent will keep these on file and use them to your advantage. Your Discount Internet cruise broker will most often fail to apply them to your booking even if you have them available.

Interline Discounts – Available to full time employees of airlines, cruise lines, Amtrak, Federal Aviation Administration, International Air Transport Association, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Sabre, Worldspan/ Airline Pilots’ Association, Civil Aviation Authority, Cargo companies and Travel Agents. Next to military rates, on cruise lines that off it, the Interline rate is usually the lowest when offered.

How To Be Informed

Sources: Add your name and email to every cruise line and travel agency mailing list.

Information: Get an email address other than the one you use for your regular daily email. Using an email address like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com keeps the junk mail you eventually will get as the cruise lines sell your email address to others.

Secret Weapon: Your Travel Agent has access to fares this week that will be advertised by cruise lines next week and/or fares the public will never see.

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

Choosing Luggage For Your Cruise

By
Chris Owen
-

January 11, 2016

Over the years I learned that pretty much any job was made easier when the right tool for the job was used. If you cook, you know that the right pot or pan is often a key ingredient in the success of a recipe. Cutting a piece of wood? There are a number of saws that can be used. Dog owners know that all leashes are not alike. Taking the same view about cruise luggage makes just as much sense.

Consider Where Travel Is Taking You

First, consider the application. You are going on a cruise, not an jungle safari. I never really understood that until we did a Transatlantic sailing several years ago. We had always cruised round-trip from North American ports before. On that sailing we began in New York, ended in the UK and had to fly back home.   No way were we going to be able to bring 3 or 4 suitcases per person as we had in the past, pre-airline luggage fees.

Taking a lesson from flight attendants we had seen in the airports, we noticed that many of them had luggage that was slender enough to fit through an x-ray machine, but longer than normal to accommodate much more inside. So we searched online to find something like that which would work for us.

Image- Victorinox

At www.ebags.com we found just what we needed in a Victorinox Duffel bag boasting a large u-shaped opening for the main compartment and dual side pockets, among other benefits.

But what turned out to be the best benefit was not so much being able to carry everything in one bag, but being able to do the self-disembarkation offered on most cruise lines.   As opposed to waiting around for the normal disembarkation process when leaving the ship, passengers who can carry all their own luggage off the ship without assistance walk off the ship pretty much as soon as it is possible to do so.   This is a real time-saver for those with an early flight or those driving to and from the ship.

So now we sail with one of these bags, a carry on and maybe a purse or briefcase. It’s easy to do and forces us not to take everything including the kitchen sink.

Consider Where Travel Might Take You In The Future

Maybe your currently-planned cruise vacation take you to familiar ground. In that case, luggage used in the past might work very well. But future travel plans might take you to interesting new places on longer sailings that require more or different luggage.

If flying to the embarkation port, a first stop after booking airline tickets should be the airline website to find out their requirements for luggage they will accept both as checked and carry on pieces. Recently, airlines have become more strict on these requirements and ‘close to the standard’ might not work, taking a carry on piece of luggage and turning it into a checked bag. This may or may not be convenient but knowing in advance avoids surprises at the airport.

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

7 Ways To Make Your Cruise Photos Better

By
Chris Owen
-

January 11, 2016

Regardless of the cruise line sailed, the places visited along the way or who is sailing with us, we want to capture the moment with photos. We might do that with the camera in our smartphone, use an easy point-and-shoot camera or invest in professional-quality equipment. However we go about it, what counts are the cruise photos we end up with and will share with friends and family or just keep for our own amusement.

Focusing our attention first on some basic image-capturing guidelines then on the subject can make all the difference in the world.

Shoot Wide, adding more border around a shot than is necessary is a good idea that gives us more to work with later. While we may be focusing on a person, place or thing, the camera sees it all and might see something we missed at the time but are happy to have later.

Take Two Shots of everything to be sure you have captured what you intended. Holding down the shutter just a little longer gets the second photo which can also be sharper because your finger is not moving.

Back It Up. Have a way to back up photos, either by syncing a smartphone with a laptop, copying them on to an external drive or, if the at-sea Internet situation allows; sending up to a cloud-sourced backup supply. Using multiple memory cards can also be helpful here.

Be Aware Of The Sun and where it is located. In most cases, your best bet is to have the sun at your back, shining on the subject. Still, don’t be afraid of the sun either. Some of the most amazing photos can be had at sunrise and sunset, a golden time at sea as on land.

Learn How To Edit your photos using built-in programs and downloadable apps for your smartphone and software for your camera. Practice this before going to sea so you get past the learning curve and have a working knowledge of how to manipulate/fix images while sailing.

The Rule of Thirds is a basic composition rule that photographers use, dividing a picture into thirds, horizontally and vertically. Placing important parts of the picture on the lines or at the intersections will make your photo more interesting than a catalog view, centered photo.

Consult An Expert, On Board- Applying all of the above can improve your photo skills in a hurry. To go further, consider onboard programs that might help teach passengers how to get the most out of their camera, hosted by the ship’sphotographers. Consider the source: those people are at sea all the time; its their job to take good photos. Why not take advantage of their knowledge?

Get Your Eyes Checked- This seems so simple but can make a huge difference in photos. If what we see through the camera viewfinder is out of focus, what we see in the photo most likely will be also. Duh. Many thanks to Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown for pointing that out a few events ago…which leads to the next tip

Be Honest When Asked Your Opinion about the photos of others, especially if the person taking the photos is serious about it. Don’t hold back your comments and you might very well help that person bring home some stunning images.

Use Camera Pre-Sets when available is a tip Whitney has been telling me for quite some time. After using the Autumn Colors setting on my camera for our Fall Foliage cruise with Crystal Cruises, I’m sold.

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

Traveler Friendly Cruise Vacations

By
Chris Owen
-

December 27, 2015

I read an interesting article the other day about how travel agents are being schooled in different, updated ways to sell cruise travel. Previously, notable benefits* of cruising started the conversation and caught the interest of those who have traveled other ways around the world. Today, natural evolution of the cruise industry, security issues around the world and an evolving cruise industry brings a different meaning to each of these qualities, effectively redefining each. The result: The best way to sell cruises nowadays? Don’t mention the ‘C’ word.

John Honeywell (@CaptainGreybeard) is a UK travel writer that we run into from time to time and have come to trust as a good source of cruise travel information. In a recent Mirror post, Honeywell reports Lynn Narraway, UK managing director of Holland America Line and Seabourn and the chair of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) would also like to get rid of references to to the ‘C’ word (Cruise) as it pertains to nautical terms like ‘port’, ‘starboard’ and ‘decks’ in favor of more traveler-friendly terms that will appeal more to those who have not sailed before.

“There is a load of baggage associated with the word ‘cruise’ which sends many people into hands-over-ears mode because they are so convinced this is not a holiday for them,’ travel agent Edwina Lonsdale of Mundy Cruising told Honeywell.

OK, I get the idea, but there are still a bunch of nautical terms that are fairly difficult to replace out of necessity. Surely, if the idea is to make cruise travel more comparable to land travel, interchangeable terminology might indeed help. Further, to those who have not sailed previously, changing terminology might direct the attention of potential cruisers to more traveler-friendly words might address the objection some have about cruises in the first place; ‘they’re just not for me’.

That’s a bit of an unfair assumption that is based on headline-grabbing negative events that have occurred in the cruise industry. Extremely rare but real events like the sinking of the Titanic, the grounding of Costa Concordia put a largely immovable roadblock between travelers and those who sell and promote cruise travel. Perhaps more difficult to overcome; dated assumptions fueled by those who do not care for cruise travel like ‘get ready to stand in line a long time to get on the ship’‘.

Embarkation is one of the elements of cruise travel that has improved greatly in the last decade to where today’s cruise traveler might not wait in line at all to board. Unless something goes wrong. When the embarkation process is slowed down, there are a number of reasons why, all nautical.

Technical Issues- A computer malfunction preventing the cruise line from checking in guests.

Coast Guard Inspection- This is rare. The Coast Guard usually boards the ship well before it reaches port and takes care of whatever business they have on board.

Surprise Health Department inspection- simply slows things down. Most all cruise ships score high in this area but the process can take hours.

US Customs Inspection- if they suspect something bad is on the ship, this can also take hours.

FBI Inspection- if a crime or tragedy happened at sea you can bet the FBI will be called in, again another safety-related event that we should welcome

Traffic Jam- they happen at sea too. It is not uncommon to see ships lined up in the morning to dock at a particular port of call.

So while dummying down the terminology might very well make for an easier side-by-side comparison, the thought of eliminating nautical terms in an effort to make cruising more friendly to first-timers is full of holes. Doing so might make it easier to sell cruise travel, but also brings the risky chance of leveling the playing field; granting (unworthy) land based travel options the differentiation cruise lines have worked on for years to set their cruise product apart from others.

Don’t go throwing away the Cruise Terms list anytime soon, odds are you will need to know them.

*Solid, Notable Benefits Of Cruise Travel:

Easy Travel: Unpack Once, See Multiple Destinations

Value: Compared To Land, Travel At Sea Brings More

Something For Everyone: A Broad General Appeal To All

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

Cruising Etiquette: No Belly-flops Into the Jacuzzi

By
Chris Owen
-

December 24, 2015

Even though your cruise ship may be bigger than your hometown, it’s still one place where many people must coexist harmoniously. Be courteous and respectful of others by following these cruising etiquette guidelines.

5 Key Cruising Etiquette Guidelines

Dress Properly – Even if you’re allergic to dress codes, do not show up to a formal dinner in worn out jeans and flip-flops. The ship will have a code for each day, so learn it. While cruise lines are moving toward a less formal experience, many do still have nights designated as ‘formal’. A tie is not required, but a jacket might be. Save space, satisfy dress code police and get a travel jacket that doubles as your ticket into a formal setting and has an abundant amount of pockets. Want to know exactly what the cruise line dress code translates to? Follow your cruising friends on Instagram or Facebook and take a look at the images they capture in the dining room.

Keep Your Children Close – Kids, we all love them, except when they’re someone else’s. If you travel with children please keep them under control, especially around pools and while passing through more adult-centered areas such as the casino. Better yet, stick them in the kids program where they will be out of the way of adults and might actually have a good time with other kids in a supervised, controlled environment.

Learn the Ship’s Language – Your vessel is a ship and never a boat, and the ship is always a she or her. Left is port, right is starboard. Aft means rear or stern, while the bow is the front of the ship. The bridge is where the Captain and his crew control the ship and only some ships have open bridge policies. Google ‘sailing lingo‘ for more.

Save One Seat, Not All – While it’s okay to save a seat for your companion, it’s poor form to save a row of seats for your entire table. The same goes for deck chairs. What was once reason to get junior up before the crack of dawn to claim chairs for sleeping adults has become less of an issue these days, mainly because cruise lines don’t put up with it anymore. Now, they will take your 20 cent paperback bought at a garage sale for the specific purpose of holding chairs and (gasp) remove it, making way for people who are actually there on deck and need someplace to sit.

Follow Jogging Rules – Most ships post hours when running is allowed because passenger cabins are often located under the jogging deck. Some people prefer to sleep at 6 a.m. rather than listen to your footfalls.

None of the above falls outside of common sense one might adhere to in any public setting. Still, for some reason these hot button cruising etiquette issues continue to come up and are the subject of discussion among frequent cruise travelers.

The First Day Of Your Big Ship Cruise

By
Chris Owen
-

December 24, 2015

Travelers unfamiliar with the experience of cruise travel wonder what it will be like when on the ship. Rightfully so, compared to just about any land-based travel option cruise travel is quite unique. First-time cruise travelers already bought into the big picture; unpack once but see multiple destinations, much of what happens is included in the price and memories will be created. But what exactly to expect? Once the planning, packing, and anticipation are behind them, veteran cruise travelers sometimes view embarkation day as anticlimactic. However, for first-time cruise travelers, embarking on their first ship can be exhilarating.

The First Day Of Your Cruise- Turnover

First of all, keep in mind that your embarkation day cannot officially begin until the ship is clear of departing guests and their luggage. The process of moving the exiting passengers off the ship and getting the new ones on the ship is called ‘turning over the ship’. While the previous weeks’ passengers make their way reluctantly down the gangway, the staff and crew are busy readying the ship for the next sailing. By the time the last straggler departs, trucks are already arriving at the dock with provisions and a lot of heavy work is going on behind the scenes. Staterooms and public lounges are thoroughly cleaned and readied and a steady stream of supplies and luggage are brought aboard. There can even be an exchange of crewmembers, with some leaving and others arriving.

The First Day Of Your Cruise- Arrival On Board

Cruise line shoreside staff are on hand to point passengers in the right direction. They will be easily recognizable in official looking uniforms with nametags. Once inside the terminal, new arrivals might encounter a check-in line. Actual boarding time is often scheduled for around Noon but some cruise lines will begin processing early arrivals and then direct them to a “holding” area. During check-in, those boarding will be asked to produce travel documents and any forms they were sent to complete ahead of time. Prove citizenship, produce a credit card to pay for on board charges not included in the price, have your photo taken for identification purposes and travelers are issued a boarding card that often also doubles as a stateroom key and shipboard charge card.

At some point, either before you enter the check-in area or before proceeding to the ship, you and your hand luggage will have to pass through a security procedure, somewhat like that at airports.

Everyone is anxious to get on board and begin their vacation, but this isn’t the time to get cranky if there is a wait. Keep in mind, no one can board until the ship has been cleared by authorities and the ship passenger count has reached zero. Once boarding begins, passengers will likely have their first experience with a ship’s photographer and be asked to pose for an embarkation picture. It only takes a second, so smile. You are under no obligation to purchase any photos taken of you during the cruise and they are a nice souvenir.

The First Day Of Your Cruise- Ten Important First Day Activities

Walking On To The Ship– Congratulations! Your cruise has begun. Procedures vary somewhat between cruise lines but on a big ship cruise, but embarking passengers will have to produce their boarding card for the security officer. Depending on cruise line, you will be directed to your cabin or a steward will relieve you of your carry on luggage and accompany you. Stewards on high end cruise lines not only show you the way, but hand you a glass of champagne as a welcome aboard gesture.

Stop By Your Cabin- Check out your cabin to make sure that everything is in order. You should find life jackets on the bed (ready for the muster drill later) and a copy of the ship’s daily schedule. Take a few moments to look over the schedule-you’ll want to know what time the muster drill takes place (a placard on the back of your cabin door will indicate directions to your emergency station), as well as meal hours and the schedule for various activities and entertainments.

Check Special Requests- In the old days, many passengers rented tuxedoes and would find them either hanging in the closet or delivered sometime during the afternoon of the first day on board. Bon Voyage gifts sent by your friends or travel agent usually appear as well. Be patient if you are expecting deliveries, particularly on large ships. Cabin stewards participate in the ship’s turn-around and are extremely busy, although yours will no doubt introduce himself at the first available opportunity.

The First Lunch- It will also be a while before your checked luggage arrives, so your initial order of business is usually the welcome aboard buffet. Bring along the daily schedule to peruse while you eat. While making your way to the buffet, no doubt you’ll notice bar waiters offering trays of colorful and exotic “Bon Voyage” drinks, often in souvenir glasses that you can keep. Beware-they are not complimentary! If you choose one, you’ll be asked to sign for it. Again, like the photos, you’re under no obligation to purchase; however, the glasses are fun souvenirs.

First Choice Of Tours And Treatments- Do your plans for the cruise include booking shore excursions and indulging in spa treatments? The most popular tours sometimes sell out and spas can be very busy during sea days, so your next stop should be the Shore Excursion Desk to book tours and the Spa to make appointments.

Dining Room Table Assignment- Your dining room seating assignment may be another matter for consideration. Some people like to check the main dining room to see where their table is located. If it’s not to your liking, or if you requested a large table and find yourself assigned to a small one, you will want to see the Head Waiter. He will be stationed in a lounge with his table charts handy to make changes-the daily schedule will indicate where and when.

Introductory Activities, Or Not- For the rest of the afternoon and into the evening you may find other introductory activities such as tours of the spa and fitness center, port and shopping talks, and casino gaming lessons available. There will be a safety drill, followed by sailaway festivities on the pool deck.

Luggage Matters- By late afternoon or early evening, your luggage should arrive and you can unpack and settle into your cabin to prepare for dinner. A few words of advice… just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive before dinner, as sometimes is the case when you’re dining at the early seating, it’s a good idea to have toiletries and appropriate attire in your carry-on so you can freshen up and change. Dress codes are always casual on the first evening of cruises.

The First Dinner- A highlight of embarkation day is that first dinner in the main restaurant where you’ll meet your waitstaff and tablemates. Order whatever you like from the menu of appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees, but save room for dessert. Other than iced tea, coffee, hot tea, and water, beverages in the dining room are not complimentary.

A Full Evening Ahead- After dinner you’ll find the entire ship alive with action! The casino, shops, and lounges will all be open to greet guests and the Cruise Director usually introduces his staff at a Welcome Aboard show in the main theater (shows are scheduled to coordinate with dining seating’s).

Whenever the day ends, returning to their cabins, first time cruise travelers find their steward has straightened things up while they were away, filled the ice bucket, provided fresh linens in the bathroom, turned down the bed, left the next day’s schedule of activities, and perhaps placed a chocolate on their pillow.

This article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

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