How to Have More Fun and Save Time On a Cruise

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Passport

The first time saving step is to make sure you have the appropriate travel documents. If you are traveling on a cruise from America to a place abroad, then you may be able to get away with a state issued drivers license. However, it is recommended that you travel with a US Passport; which is required for all international travel. Make sure your passport is at least six months or more from expiration. Due to increased travel restrictions, you may have to wait an extended time for your passport. As such, it is best to order a passport 2 or more months ahead of your planned cruise date.
Step 2

Cruise Lines

The next time saving tips is to go to the cruise line website to check out the ship, the accommodations, amenities, and ship deck plan. Register for the cruise line's loyalty program, weather or not you plan to take another cruise (you never know right). This is true if you use a travel agent or not. Many cruise lines will require you to log-in to take care of some of your travel details. You will be able to review cruise documentation requirements, pre-register a credit card, and even order special amenities. This will save you time and speed you through the check-in process on departure day. Also, having an idea of where your room is on the cruise liner will help you find it later, especially after a few cocktails.
Step 3

Cruise Excursions

Plan your off ship excursions in advance. Take some time to look at the ports of call and see all there is to see and do. You may not want to book the excursions through the cruise line, especially if you are traveling on a budget. However, have an idea what you want to do in order to get right to it on days at port. This will save valuable time, since your cruse will be at port for 10-12 hours.
Step 4

Cruise Carry-on

Pack a cruise carry on bag with some stuff to get you by for a few hours. Although is is unlikely that your luggage will get lost while on a cruise, you will want to pack a carry on with some flip-flops, sun screen, and a swim suite. Also pack any items you will immediately need, such as medication, a tooth brush, hair brush, etc. When you get to the ship, your luggage will generally be taken to your cabin for you, and will not be able to go to your cabin for a few hours. More on this in the next few steps.
Step 5

Travel Documents

Place all of your travel documents in an envelope and put into an outside, easily accessible pocket on your carry on. This would include cruise and plane reservation numbers, travel documentations, loyalty cards, passport, and any other items needed for check in. This will ensure you can speed past the cruise check-in line without having to dig deep into your bag.
Step 6

Carnival Cruises

This is a cruse time saving step must: Plan to arrive early.... REAL EARLY! Note the time you can board the cruise liner, and get there as close to the start time as possible. You may even be able to score a cheap flight by arriving early. In some cases, the cruise liner may even specify an early boarding time. This is a great time saver, and a huge fun maximizer. This is vacation right? You wanted a longer cruise right? Get there early, get on the boat, and have some fun! Early boarding means you can generally walk right up to the cruise check-in counter without waiting in line, walk onto the boat, and right up to the pool bar. Generally, you will not have access to your cabin during these early hours (thus the reason for a swim suit in your carry on). However, you can generally check out upper decks, order your first cocktail (or three) and start the relaxation process. If you need to take an earlier flight... do it! You will be very happy, as during later during check hours there will literally be hundreds of people waiting in line. I am generally the first one in the pool, about 20 minutes after early check in starts.
Step 7

Cruise Pool

After you board, check out the restaurants and other onboard attractions on the cruise liner. This will give you some idea of what you will and will not want to do later, as there will likely be a crowd later when they activities are open. You may also want to by a beverage card (if offered) for non-alcoholic drinks. This will save you time and money later, and they are only sold on the first day of the cruise.
Step 8

Cruise Pool Party

If you have been to the port of call before, and don't care to see it again... stay on board! International cruises are fun, but some cities are simply seen it once and move on. About 80% of the passengers will go off the ship when in a port. Thus, it is a great time to avoid the crowd and relax in the sun. On my last cruise, there was a group of about eight of us that stayed onboard the cruise liner all afternoon drinking Pina Coladas in the pool... one of the best experiences ever!
Step 9

Plan your Activities

If you disembark the cruise liner, have an idea what you want to see and do.... especially if you are in a big group. Choose a path for the group, and run your plan to save valuable vacation time. I have been on several cruises when I get stuck waiting for the group chooses a direction, then change it, then changes it again. International ports may seem fun on the surface, but some attractions are all hype. You can have a great time going to some of the lesser tourist spots of the beaten path, and you will avoid the crowds another time saver. This is great for travelers on a budget, as you will often have more fun and save money too.
Step 10

Cruise Director

Another cruise must: Meet the cruise director and pick his or her brain. While it is the cruise director's job to promote the shows and attractions, he or she will generally tell you the must see and do's for entertainment on the cruise. Then you can plan your day and night around these activities. On my last cruise, the cruise director kept telling me you gotta play "The Quest." It started at midnight, and was for adults only. My group was front and center early, the best seats in the house. The room was standing room only, and night was one of the highlights of the trip.
Step 11

Formal Dinner

For formal dining, choose the early seating to save time for night activities. This is often the less desired meal time while on the cruise. The meal is the same, just earlier. However, it is better as you can generally get to other shows and activities later in the night and avoid the crowds. This will be especially true for the comedy shows, bands, dance clubs, and late night adult entertainment.
Step 12

Dirty Laundry

Take care of your dirty laundry. In the past, I have thrown my dirty socks, underwear, etc, into a corner of the closet or just under the bed. However, I have learned to use the laundry bag in the closet as a make shift hamper. When packing on the last day of the cruise, I just move the full bag to my luggage for easy packing.
Step 13

Cruise Luggage

Pack up early on the last night of the cruise. The night before you return to your home port, you will want to pack up your luggage early and take advantage of the baggage pick up. This is absolute must in order to ensure that you will speed through the check-out process. You will also want to maximize your fun on the last full cruise day, but pack first then run out to play. Early bag pick up is generally sometime in the wee hours of the AM, so you will have to be packed up and leave your bag outside your room. A huge time saver and well worth it!
Step 14

Disney Cruises

Take advantage of early check out, and get off the boat! Generally, every cruise line will have an early check out. This is one way to speed through the lines and get off the cruise ship in record time. This does mean, however, you will likely have to be be up and ready to leave no later than 8am. Despite your hang over, get up early, take some aspirin, shower, and get off the boat. You can then hit a local restaurant, have a bloody Marry, and watch as 100's of people wait in line for hours to get off the boat. This is a huge time saver, and will ensure that you leave your cruise experience in a speedy, stress free way.

Comments

ethoslogos said

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on 3/1/2009 Great advice for maximizing fun time on a cruise. 5*

e-Rambler said

on 2/23/2009 Lots of good info. Thanks for sharing. 5 cruise stars!

chrismil15 said

on 2/23/2009 Wow very detailed. I wish I would have found this article before I went on my cruise, but great advice for the future. Thanks 5*

on 2/22/2009 One of my favorite time savers for a cruise is to carry on my bags. No more checking them and having them in the hallway at sometime later - and, getting off is a breeze when you don't have to go through the stampede to find your bag! Much nicer!