A cruise is one of the best way to take your mind off work. Once on a cruise ship, there is little else you can do except to thoroughly enjoy yourself. So be sure not to bring any of your work along if you are going on a cruise! And remember to bring these important items so as to make your trip more enjoyable.
1) Personal pillow.
Some people can't get to sleep without their personal pillow. If yours is a pillow that is small enough, you may wish to bring it along.
2) Oral hygiene items.
Oral hygiene items like electric toothbrushes, floss, etc. should be brought along as well. Usually, toothbrushes are provided on the cruise ships, but then again, you may be more used to your own gear.
3) Personal medication.
If you are taking some kind of medication, remember to bring it along. For instance, you may be recovering from a flu and may be on a course of antibiotics. Surely, you don't want the flu virus to affect your cruise trip!
4) iPod.
There may be pockets of time where you find yourself with nothing to do. Your iPod can help keep you company. In the event that you can't get to sleep, you can always listen to some soothing music on your iPod.
5) Personal identification documents.
Always carry your personal identification documents with you. If there is an emergency, others will be able to help you if they can identify who you are.
6) A pack of cards.
A pack of cards can provide hours of entertainment for a family or a group of friends. You can play card games late into the night and enjoy one another's company.
7) Personal grooming items.
Even if you are out at sea on a cruise ship, that doesn't mean you should dress shabbily all the time. There are still places to visit, and people to meet. So bring along essential personal grooming items such as hair gel, make up, aftershave and so on.
8) Swimming wear.
There will be occasions when you are required to wear your swimming trunk or costume. For example, you may want to go for a swim with friends. Or you may wish to spend a couple of hours reading by the poolside. It's always a good idea to have something ready.
9) Travel adapter.
This is another essential item that you must remember to bring along. You never know if the power sources available on the cruise ship will be suitable for your electrical gadgets. Remember that you will be spending a few days onboard ship. So if your iPod or electric shaver can't be recharged, you are out of luck!
10) First aid kit.
It's always wise to bring along your very own first aid kit. It doesn't have to be a huge kit. Just a simple one with aspirins, bandages, muscle rub, and a small scissors will do.
When you have all the above items ready, you are better prepared to have an enjoyable cruise trip. Have fun!
No matter the time of year -- spring, summer, fall or winter -- there are cruise vacations for every taste and budget. Of course cruise lines, like most businesses, set their pricing by supply and demand, so the season you choose will affect the cost of your cruise vacation. For example, if you book a cruise during the busiest vacation seasons, which are usually over the holidays an during early spring and summer, the price will be higher than at other times of year. Conversely, if you book during the slower cruise periods, i.e. in fall, late spring and after popular holidays, the price will usually be lower.
Year-round destinations
The Caribbean islands, Hawaii and French Polynesia (Tahiti) are blessed with a warm, tropical climate all year long, so it's almost always a good time to visit these destinations. There are some seasonal considerations, however. For example, Tahiti and Hawaii have a rainy season that typically extends from November through March; that's probably not the best time to visit, especially if you are thinking of trekking through the rain forests!
Similarly, some travelers may wish to avoid the Caribbean during hurricane season, especially during the most active period, from late August to early October. Does this mean you shouldn't cruise during September? Not really. Some of the best cruise rates are offered during this period. And one of the benefits of traveling by cruise ship during this season is that the storms are constantly monitored and alternative courses are charted away from the inclement weather. When a hurricane begins to blow, cruise ships simply transit to calmer waters.
Europe's Mediterranean region used to be a seasonal cruise destination, but that changed with the advent of newer cruise ships that offer such season-lengthening amenities as retractable domes and solariums that allow guests to use the pool and enjoy the sun all year round. The Mexican Riviera is now a year-round cruising destination, too, though you might want to rethink cruising to the Baja region during the summer months, when desert temperatures reach into the 100s!
Seasonal destinations
Other destinations are seasonal for cruise lines. You can cruise to Alaska and Europe's Baltic region only between May and September; to Bermuda between May and October; through the Panama Canal between September and April; to Canada and New England during September and October (the peak season for the region's spectacular fall foliage); and to Asia and Oceania during the winter months.
Some of the best times of the year to take an Alaska cruise are during the 'shoulder months' of May and September. If you do cruise during these months, it is advisable to pack extra warm clothing, as the temperatures can fall into the 40s at night and on cooler mornings; high temperatures are generally in the 50s.
Value season
During the spring and fall, cruise lines move their ships from one seasonal port to another in a strategic fleet movement that's called 'repositioning.' Of course, those ships don't move around empty; instead, they embark on a 'repositioning cruise' - a unique, one-way itinerary that is available only once a year.
In spring, the most common repositioning itineraries are from the Caribbean to Europe and from the Caribbean to Alaska; in fall, these itineraries are reversed. Repositioning cruises are long and sometimes leisurely. For example, repositioning cruises to Alaska commonly include popular stops on the cruise line's eastern, western, and southern Caribbean itineraries and stops along the Mexican Riviera, as well as a transit of the Panama Canal. Repositioning cruises can offer good value. They may cost less per day than other sailings on the same ship. This is partly because longer cruises do not suit everyone's schedule and partly because these cruises sail during the shoulder seasons, when fewer people travel and demand is correspondingly lower.
In the end, the best time to cruise is when you are ready to go. Consider all the factors, plan ahead and plan well, then enjoy your cruise vacation, whatever the season.
Both Gen Wright & Anita Dunham-potter are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Acne Treatment and Lose Weight. Carly Jones is a travelling enthusiast with a keen interest in cruises and beach holidays. She has written on behalf of Cumbria Cruises who offer a comprehensive range of. Gen Wright's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.
Anita Dunham-potter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dental Practice, Cruises and Travel and Leisure. Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in cruise travel. Anita is a weekly travel columnist for