Keen on cruising away from winter? Wendyl Nissen has some handy tips for beginners.
There are many reasons people take to the sea on a cruise ship. Some do it for the hotel-like atmosphere, others favour a no-fuss way of seeing the world, and others just like being on the sea. I'm a relatively young cruise fan, being in my late 40s, and I call it tapas travel.
In a matter of a few weeks you can pop into various locations around the world for a day and see if you like them. Later you can go back for longer. On my return list are Morocco, Mexico and the Caribbean, all visited on a cruise. It is also the most relaxing of holidays on offer, as you unpack once, settle back and wake up each morning in a different location without the drama of missing trains and planes and arriving at your hotel to find no one has heard of you. Although you can email and phone from a cruise ship, it is expensive, so you are out of contact for the time you are away - a relief for busy people.
But before you embark on a cruise, there are many shortcuts, pitfalls and clever sidesteps newcomers can take to make their holiday even more enjoyable. Here is my do and don't list for successful cruising.
Clip this and take it with you next time you cruise:
DO
* Book as close to your departure date as possible. Many cruise lines throw out last-minute specials to fill up their boats, so hold off as long as you and your confidence in airline schedules will allow.
* Pay the extra for an outside cabin, and preferably a balcony. The whole point of being at sea is rather lost when you are stuck in the middle of a ship with no windows. And some cruise lines are now building ships with the emphasis on balcony cabins, so moving up can cost as little as $500 for the whole trip.
* Check out your ship before booking. Many ships do the same cruise, but some are better than others. A good ship should have lots of balcony cabins, plenty of outside spaces and plenty of cafes and restaurants. If your ship isn't full, finding some space to yourself won't be a problem, but if it is chocka you will be grateful for the refuge of the bar at the back no one knows about.
* Look at the number of passengers the ship can take. A smaller ship may be more your style if you don't like lots of people, or perhaps a larger ship with more people is your thing. I prefer smaller because fewer people means fewer queues getting on and off. Before you book, look at the extras. Cruise lines charge tips for your steward and restaurant staff, which can add up. Some lines include this charge as part of your package, so opt for that if you can.
* Check alcohol arrangements. Most ships won't let you take on alcohol. They say this is because of concerns over drunken behaviour _ warranted on some Pacific cruises I have been on _ but in Europe and America I've never encountered this. Actually the cruise lines want you to spend money at their bars. Some lines overseas will let you take on wine and beer, which can be a saving.
* Buy an electric travel jug to use in your cabin, and make sure it has an auto off switch. Most cruise lines will let you have a jug, but because of the fire risk it needs to turn off automatically. You need this jug to make some decent coffee or tea in the morning. Ships serve the worst coffee in their restaurants but will make you an espresso in the cafe if you pay. So take along some coffee, a plunger and an electric jug.
* Check your itinerary for the number of sea days. Two to three days at sea in a row are about right, any longer and you will climb the walls.
DON'T
* Log on to cruisecritic.com and believe everything you read in the reviews. There is useful information there about your ship and shore excursions, but most of the contributors are grumpy Americans with a sense of entitlement. By the way, if you take a cruise out of America, expect to meet lots of them - and be prepared to dodge mobility scooters at every turn, even in the dining room.
* Feel the pressure to book tours ahead of time through the cruise line. Most experienced cruisers do their own research into a destination, find a local taxi driver or tour guide, pay cash and do their own thing, thereby saving a lot of money. But you have to make sure you are back before sailing, because if a cruise line tour is late, they will hold the boat, but if you have made your own arrangements, too bad. Sometimes passengers team up and this makes the taxi/tour even cheaper.
* Forget that everything you buy on the ship adds up. You do not use cash - instead the ship issues you with a card and it all goes on there. You can ask for a daily printout and I advise this, as sometimes you can be unaware of charges that are being put on your account.
* Feel that you have to participate in the stuffier traditions of cruising, such as formal nights or sitting with strangers every night for a six-course dinner. Many ships now do anytime dining and will seat couples on their own in a choice of locations, so look out for that with your cruise line. Many people love cruising for the organised fun and chance to meet new people, but others appreciate the time alone and like to dine with each other rather than meeting new faces every night.
* Limit yourself to one area of the ship. Spend the first day at sea discovering every nook and cranny. Often there are lovely little bars or deckchairs hidden away and you can have them almost all to yourself.
* Rely on email. All ships have computers and email capability, but it is dependent on satellite coverage which can be intermittent when at sea, it is expensive and there are always too many people for too few computers available. If you can live without it, that's a good idea, or use internet cafes on shore at the ports you stop at to save money. Most cruise ships will also allow you to hook into the net with your laptop, but it is still expensive.
* Forget to go to the gym. Everyone eats too much on a cruise as the food is usually of a very high standard and there is plenty of it. All ships have a gym, so get there early or late for a quick workout, or walk one of the deck tracks to keep healthy.
TOP DESTINATIONS
Western Mediterranean - Spain, France and Morocco, all in one holiday.
Panama Canal - The Caribbean and Mexico are highlights. The canal itself lasts nine hours and will fascinate men who like feats of engineering.
Scandinavia and Russia - Try to get two nights in ports such as St Petersburg and Stockholm so you get a good chance to have a look around.
Antarctica - Suited to adventure travellers and popular with Kiwis.
South Pacific - A great destination for first-time Kiwi cruisers, but there are long sea days getting up and back, which can be rough. Also check that the boat is fairly new - some cruise lines send their old ones here.
