8 Things You Must Do in Cruising

Do Plan Long Enough Ahead of Time
Booking well enough ahead of time for your cruise can save you a good bit of money. But, you would have to be willing to do it as much as a year in advance. On the other hand, waiting until the very last minute can help you snag excellent deals on boats that aren't completely booked, but still want to sell out. Whichever time frame you opt for depends on how strict your vacation schedule is.

Do Make Your New Home Comfortable
Your room is probably not as large as your bedroom at home. (Perhaps it’s larger, if you’re one of the lucky ones.) But, it is going to be your home for the next week, so why not get comfortable there? Take your time unpacking, and setting up and arranging things as if you were home. This will make your room far more comfortable after you spend the day in the sun and the sea. Although, I don’t suggest painting the walls!

Do Combine Numerous Dining Experiences
When you book your cruise you may be given dining time options for the ship’s main dining room--early or late seating, usually 6 or 8:30--but you are not required to eat there. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend skipping the main dining room altogether. The food really is great there, and the service is very well-qualified. Just remember, though, that every cruise ship has numerous other dining options including buffets, stand-alone restaurants, specialty restaurants, and room service. Take your pick for a change. Actually, you can usually find out what the main dining room has on the menu for that night, and make your dining decision accordingly.

Do Enjoy the Ship's Amenities
One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is discovering all of the activity options onboard. And with the massive size and scope of activities, most modern cruise ships are like floating cities. With everything from ice skating to trivia, waterslides to rock climbing, miniature golf to karaoke, the possibilities are practically endless! Take some time and enjoy as much of the ship’s offerings as possible. After all, you will spend more time on the water and in the ship than you will at the ports!

Do Go on Shore Excursions
The best time to book your shore excursions are actually when you make the reservations for your cruise. Many of the most popular options get booked up even before the cruise sets sail! Check your cruise line website, or consult your travel agent to help you find out which short excursions are offered for your particular cruise. Also, there are a handful of independent shore excursion companies which should have a few options that the cruise ship website just doesn’t know about! Port visits are usually less than 10 hours, so be sure to find the best-timed shore excursion option. The best shore excursions give you tastes of the local color and friendly lifestyles of the areas you visit. Some shore excursions options include snorkeling, biking, guided tours, horseback riding, sailing, hiking, and local food experiences.

Do Remember the Port Spa Specials
To avoid the massive exodus or arrival of your fellow passengers on port days, why not book a ship spa visit for port time. Sea days make the spas rather expensive, but port visits make the spas considerably less expensive, often by 50% or more! However, appointments on these days fill up fast, so book your spa visit first thing when you board, if you can’t do it ahead of time.

Do Make Time to Do Nothing
With all of the amazing amenities, dining options, and exciting activities on board, not to mention the incredible port of call you visit during your cruise, you can easily be solidly booked up from embarkation all the way through to debarkation! But, I have a feeling, you will not be able to handle the 24/7 activities, and will require some type of relaxation. Of course, there is your room, which is actually quite comfortable. Despite the least expensive rooms having that “stigma” of sub-par bedding and décor, they are still very comfortable. (Naturally, the penthouse suites use the highest-quality bedding, which is often worth the extra expense!) Instead of your room, however, why not try relaxing along side of the pool. There are always lots of beach chairs on deck near all of the pools. Perhaps, you can find a nice, quiet corner inside. Or listen to a bit of classical music while you nibble on cucumber sandwiches and lounge in your soft leather club chair. Even a stand on the promenade deck, and overlooking the water is more to your liking. The Caribbean waters are known for their relaxing and mesmerizing abilities. So, don’t try to do everything in the daily planners. Make some time for yourself!

Do Book Another Cruise
If you seriously enjoyed your cruise, by all means, book another one as soon as you can! In fact, if you can book your next one while you’re still onboard, you can get quite a few dollars off of your next cruise right then and there! By booking another cruise, you will be able to do everything you loved on your first cruise, and finally get to do all the things you missed on there too!

So, when you're ready to follow these examples, and make more of your own, on a VERY exciting cruise ship, go to http://kingarthur.traverustravel.com/index.asp