What could be better than setting sail on the open sea on a luxurious cruise ship with food, entertainment, shopping, and exciting shore excursions at your fingertips?! Cruises are pure adventure, and it’s easy to see why many people get addicted to them.
A cruise offers so much in one neat and tidy package, but even the best vacations can include occasional SNAFUs. Cruise companies do their best to ensure everyone has a safe and fun time, but you still could experience a few challenges along the way.
To help minimize any discomfort or hassle, we have put together this toolbox of suggestions so you can sail confident and happy no matter what happens.
Too Good to Be True Cruise Rates
It seems like everyone you know has a story about someone who has been scammed by a deal that sounded “too good to be true.” There are plenty of nefarious types offering discounted rates on cruises that don’t exist or are not what they were advertised to be.
When spending your hard-earned money on a well-deserved vacation, the last thing you want is to lose money or be swindled. Using a trusted travel agent is a great option to avoid any these types of illegitimate deals. By spending a little more now using an agent, you save in the long run.
Not only will your travel agent help book your cruise and take care of all the little details but they can also help out in a big way if anything goes wrong. If you miss your flight, get caught in bad weather, or lose your luggage, they have a built-in customer care team at your disposal ready to jump in and assist. They can even advise you on whether or not you need a visa or any special inoculations when visiting specific countries.
“Of Course the Offseason is a Fine Time to Visit”
The land-loving vacationer might think you crazy for wanting to take a cruise during hurricane season. However, modern cruise ships are well-equipped with very high-tech equipment to alert the crew of any dangerous weather. Plus, a cruise ship can move to avoid a hurricane, unlike land-based vacation destinations which must hunker down and get through it.
Cruising offseason is a great way to save some money. Additionally, the cruise lines have passengers best interests’ at heart and do all they can to ensure the safety of everyone. Even in severe storms, cruise ships are so large and well-built, they can weather most anything gracefully and safety.
There is always a contingency plan for bad weather when cruising. Before you leave port, talk to your travel agent and the cruise company to find out how they handle bad weather and emergencies. You should also ask how family members can get in touch with you while you are on board, should anything arise at home or someone be worried about you.
Dealing With Local Authorities
It’s exciting exploring other countries and cultures during stops along your cruise. However, just like at home there is a risk of injury or crime while on vacation. If you get hurt or have your wallet stolen, you should immediately contact the U.S. Embassy in the country you are visiting to find out all the ins and outs.
They also remind you to stay within a “sanctioned tour booked through the cruise.” If you don’t know the area well, the risk of injury or victimization could increase, and you want to have specialists on-hand to help with anything you need. Offshore excursions add some adventure to cruise vacations, but you also want to be cautious.
If the ship breaks down or you experience something else that ruins your cruise vacation, you have the option of proceeding legally against the cruise line, but you must do so quickly. Read your cruise contract carefully and comply with the legal requirements so you can get restitution quickly and put your bad experience behind you.
SCUBA Diving and Finding Treasure on Shore Excursions
Want to take your SCUBA diving adventures to the next level? Consider purchasing an underwater metal detector to look for buried treasure while SCUBA diving off the coast of whatever romantic country you are visiting while on your cruise.
You will have to choose between a couple of different types. First, apulse induction metal detector works great for finding precious metals in deep water. However, this one can’t discriminate between junk and real treasure. However, a very low frequency (VLF) metal detector can rule out junk easier and is perfect for coins and jewelry. Pulse induction models are best for saltwater diving.
You will want to check with local authorities before taking home any treasures you find. Regardless of the make and model you choose, imagine finding rare coins or fabulous gold jewelry once lost at sea on your diving adventure while on vacation. That sure would make your cruise memorable!
Other Ways to Stay Safe and Find Adventure on Your Cruise
Cruises are great fun, but you will want to take a few necessary precautions, so nothing interferes with your good time. First, have your passport with you at all times, even if they tell you that you won’t need it. Do a little research on the countries you will be visiting so you can ensure you know all about the food, accommodations, laws, and local customs.
Before leaving, check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered if you get sick or hurt while on vacation in another country. You might also want to consult your doctor if you have any medical issues and need to bring special equipment. Some prescription medication is illegal in other countries; you will want to check on that also.
A few other common-sense items are: Always lock your doors while on vacation. Don’t drink too much alcohol, so you can remain vigilant about your whereabouts and what is going on around you. Use the ship’s safe to store any valuables. Keep a paper copy of your passport photo and prescriptions with you at all times. Be sure to comply with all local laws in foreign countries. Contact the U.S. Embassy or the ship’s security personnel if you are the victim of a crime and most of all, remember to have fun!
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