Cruise 101
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Booking Flights
Plan to arrive by noon -- at the latest -- on embarkation day. The day before is even better. The reason: You need to factor in possible flight delays and other transportation glitches that could keep you from getting to the pier on time.
Up Next: Packing
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Cruise Packing
Carry-ons are key. Pack everything needed to get you and your family through dinnertime -- bathing suits, cameras, medications, sandals, sunscreen, a change of clothes and toiletries.
Up Next: Dress Codes
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Dress to Impress
Every cruise line has a specified dress code, even if it's all casual all the time. Typically, formal means tuxedo or dark suit for men, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for women. Informal, jacket and slacks for men, and a dress or pant suit for women. Casual could be slacks and a sport shirt or capris and a blouse.
Up Next: Muster Drills
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Muster Drill
These typically take place just before the ship sets sail. Since much of the crew is busy preparing for the drill, it is not the best time to try to make changes or reservation requests. Your attendance at the drill is mandatory and you should take it seriously.
Up Next: Explore the Ship
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Check It Out
After you board, grab lunch in the buffet restaurant, and be sure to book spa services, specialty restaurant reservations and popular shore excursions as soon as possible.
Up Next: Daily Newsletter
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Read All About It
Want to know about the port you're about to visit, what the show times are, what lectures are being held the next day or even what the drink of the day is? It's all in the ship's newsletter which is typically slipped under your door each evening (for the next day's events).
Up Next: Celebrations
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Live It Up
Celebrating a birthday, honeymoon or anniversary? Offerings range from rooms decorated with streamers, to specialty cakes, canapes, and renewal of vows packages. Check with your cruise line for pricing information and for booking deadlines, they vary from three to six weeks prior to departure.
Up Next: Excursions
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Get Out There
An updated list of available shore excursions is typically available a few months before your departure. Be sure to visit your cruise line's Web site to see if reservations can be made in advance online or by phone. If so, you might want to book your top two to three shore tours in advance since many popular ones do sell out.
Up Next: Packing for Disembarking
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Packing to Disembark
Many cruise lines require you to pack your bags the night before you disembark and place them outside of your stateroom to be collected. This procedure expedites the disembarkation process. Utilize your carry-on again for toiletries and any remaining items.
Up Next: Tipping
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Tipping
Gratuity policies vary widely. For example, Carnival adds the suggested gratuities (roughly $10 per person, per day) to your onboard account on embarkation day. Other lines provide envelopes toward the end of the cruise for you to put cash in and distribute to the appropriate waiters and room stewards. On many of the luxury lines, gratuities are already included in your cruise fare.
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Cruise Articles
Looking for more information before taking your maiden voyage? Check in with our partner, CruiseCritic.com, to find out what you expect.
- Cruise Packing 101
- First-Time Cruisers
- Best Ships for First Timers
- The Hidden Cost of Cruising
- Myths vs. Realities
- My First (Big Ship) Cruise
