Are you looking for tips for your first cruise? Next we are going to give you a bunch of tips and useful info!
We could say that everyone, sooner or later, dreams of traveling by cruise ship at least once in a lifetime. Although this call may have been expected: we never imagined embarking on one of these floating cities furrowing the seas, perhaps due to misinformation or lack of motivation (it is too expensive, it is for the elderly, it is not for us). But…
A few weeks ago we received a proposal that we could not refuse: check firsthand how this form of travel is, and we must say that it was much better than expected (now we understand when they told us that once you try a cruise ... it will not be the last ). We even thought about digging into the cabin on our last day, infiltrating a closet or mimicking the theater curtains, but finally we had no choice but to say goodbye for the last time Costa Neo Riviera.
We wrote this article because before boarding we didn't know where to start looking for information, so here goes our staff first-time cruise ship guide. It is divided into two parts: the first, where we will try to tell you if it is a trip that can be adapted to your tastes and budget, and a more useful second part, full of questions and answers (many of which came to us via instagram stories , Thank you!) That will be good for you your first cruise experience.
Do we start
PART ONE:CRUISE YES, CRUISE NO
The million dollar question: is it expensive?
It is not the cheapest trip you can find, but beware, people think that going on a cruise is a rich thing and no, definitely not! If you want to enjoy a cruise at low cost prices you can do it, yes, you will probably be touched by an interior cabin (look at it on the positive side: the nap is going to be great, without a little light lol) and obviously give up the coveted package there including drinks.
In addition there are many websites with offers, because sometimes the agencies have not sold all the places they had hired and took them out of price. Check out all cruise deals.
But then how much does it cost?
It depends. On our cruise with Coast Cruise on the Greek Islands For 7 nights (including flights) we met people who had paid about € 1,800 per person and others who had taken a super deal for less than € 1,000 per couple!
It is normal to pay about € 1200-1,400. It may seem like a lot but if you think of a week of August on vacation to any beach destination and calculate the price of accommodation, travel and food expenses, the thing doesn't change much: -S
The good thing about the cruise is that, once paid, if you want you should not worry about anything else.
Where to book?
You can do it directly with the shipping companies or look for online travel agencies or physical branches that have good agreements with them and take out very attractive packages. Although we recommend thespecialized cruise websites that gather all the offers of the market, like this one.
Worth?
You saw that we liked it a lot (and we are not exactly the classic cruiser prototype), but so you can see if it can adapt to what you are looking for, we will tell you what are the positive and negative things of a cruise:
Positive aspects:
- Waking up every morning in a different place is something magical!
- You can totally disconnect and relax to the fullest.
- You know nice people.
- The sunsets in the middle of the sea are absolutely amazing.
- There are thousands of activities designed so you don't get bored.
- And if you want to get bored, nobody will pressure you to participate in the activities.
- If you have drinks all inclusive, puff, you can have a father party!
- The food is to suck your fingers.
Negative aspects:
- The food is to suck your fingers and ... you're going to get fat.
- Many of the stops are short so you won't have time to fully explore a destination.
- Sometimes (usually when people return to the boat after excursions) the community facilities (pool, jacuzzi) are full.
- The 7 days go by too fast, you will be wanting more and more!
That said we will move on to the second part of the article, where we are going to tell you toooodo what you need to know for your first cruise.
PART TWO:USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR FIRST CRUISE
All the information that follows is, of course, based on our experience: the cruise we made was with the company Costa Crucero (Neo Riviera ship), through the Greek islands. These were the stages:
- Venice
- Split
- Corfu
- Santorini
- Heraklion (Crete)
- Rhodes
Well, we already have our tickets to start the cruise and now what? Well, the first thing is to take the plane to the boarding port ... that we will have to start somewhere 🙂
Airport check-in process
Cruise packages usually include flights from an important city (Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga ...) and transfers. We flew from Madrid to Venice with Air Europa (by the way, keep an eye on the data: the plane's wheel was punctured before leaving ... whatever does not happen to us XD). We leave with a charter flight hired by Costa Crucero from T2 (ask someone for information since to check a charter flight you should not go to the normal counters ... they are in a half-hidden corner: -S).
In the info that the shipping companies send with the reservation come some labels with your name, last name and cabin number that you will have to put in your suitcase before checking in at the airport. You can do it with cellophane or with staples (we were helped by an assistant before check in).
As soon as we arrived in Venice, Costa Cruise staff took care of picking up the luggage and taking it directly to the cabin, so you don't have to worry about it. Leaving the airport you will receive some Costa employees who will show you the way to the bus that takes the boat. Come on, impossible not to see them: it is a total anti-dummies system!
And you know that check out is also very easy: in the Abordo Journal comes all the info and all you have to do is follow the instructions ... you know, anti-dummies system 2.0
Cruise check-in process
Fast and easy. Take your passport and all the documentation of the cruise with you and the employees will be in charge of registering you. Some tail may touch you since, obviously, you will not be the only one on board :-p
Then they will let you embark and you can take possession of your new houseboat. You will find your bags at the cabin door and inside you will have more useful documentation about the boat and the procedures.
What is the cabin like?
Many will think that it is small, but we found it larger than expected (especially the bathroom!). It is well used, has a double bed (super comfortable), drawers, closets (no space problems), a desk, minibar, TV, safe and bathroom with sink, shower and all the necessary amenities (shampoo, after sun, shower bath ...). If you are also lucky to have an exterior cabin with a balcony, then congratulations! Although this depends on each boat, in ours the lateral exteriors only had a window, except those of the rear part that did include a balcony (yes, we will have to see the prices!).
By the way, do not worry that you will not miss: the boat is big but it is easy to understand how it works and at a bad time you will always find someone from the staff willing to help you.
The first day you will find something very important in bed: the card that will be your new best friend in the next few days.
What is the coast card?
This card should always go with you (or you always with it!). It will serve you as an identification when you get off / on the boat, as a means of payment (the first 48 hours you must link it to your credit card at the information points) and even if you have a package of drinks (which will allow you to drink toooodo whatever you want) you must present it as proof every time you ask.
Emergency drill on a cruise
By law, an emergency drill must be carried out in which all travelers must participate. It is usually the first day of navigation and the time is indicated in the daily board that they distribute every night. The process is simple, when the alarm sounds you will have to put on the lifejacket and go to your meeting point, which is marked with a letter both on your vest and on your cruise card. These points are on the deck of the ship, on ground floors, where lifeboats are placed. The process has no more, just meet with the crew. It takes about 20 minutes.
How is the landing process?
To be able to visit the different cities, you must obviously disembark. How does the landing work? Easy: all you have to do is follow the instructions of the staff and do not forget your cruise card or passport. In our case we always disembarked by bridge 4. You will pass an identity check on the cruise itself and then maybe another one at the terminal. It is a very fast process.
On the way back the control of the terminal is more strict, passing your things through the lightning machine and you through a safety arc. The same depends on the ports ... for example in the first port in Venice it was more 'thorough' than in the rest and in Rhodes there was not even a terminal building. Before boarding the boat you will also pass another check with your card. Summary: do not worry about anything, follow the instructions and always carry the coast card.
Can excursions be done for free?
Without a doubt, in fact it is what we recommend. The excursions organized by the cruise seemed very expensive to us and if you do not want to do it yourself (remember that there is toooda the world info on the internet), an intermediate option is to hire excursions with other online companies or once you arrive at the port.
There are many options to take advantage of the visit by reducing costs: for example there were several cruise passengers who organized among themselves and took community taxis to visit the main tourist spots or we ourselves in Rhodes decided to rent a motorcycle and visit the island on our own. Come on, looking for information on the net, you can organize your visits yourself and save yourself a little money.
The only port where we decided to pay for an 'excursion' was in Santorini, although in reality it was rather a transport package ... we'll tell you about this in the Santorini article. But for you to see: hiring it from a local agency cost us € 15 per person, and the boat trip cost more than € 60.
We also read that they have priority for disembarking people who have excursions contracted with the company itself. We don't even worry about lowering the first ones in the ports, so this is not a major problem. Except in places where the landing is not done at the port, but at a certain distance in the sea and you have to take boats to the mainland (in our case Santorini), in other places the landing is very fast.
Are the ports near the cities?
On our route (Venice, Split, Corfu, Santorini, Heraklion and Rhodes) we always walked less in Corfu (we caught a bus to the center that cost us € 1.7) and in Santorini (we disembarked in boats to the port of Thira) . In all other ports we walked. Always, always, there is always a public transport option ... we do not advise you to hire buses with the shipping company (in Corfu, for example, what they were selling for € 8 could be done for € 1.7).
Is water included?
Yes and no. We explained, on the ship there were 3 restaurants: a buffet with ice and water vending machine (free), another with a waiter service with paid drinks (a liter and a half of water € 3.50) and another restaurant with more pijillo I paid for everything, even the food (that is not even XD). So if you don't have a drink package you won't have to pay any water (if you don't want to).
Eye: in theory you can not refill plastic bottles with water from the vending machine (although everything is said, we saw people doing it). It is simply for a hygiene issue: we were told that if you use a plastic cup to refill the bottle there is no problem ...
I travel alone, what do I do?
If you have not convinced any friends to accompany you on this trip, do not worry: there is a website, Singles Travelers that is responsible for uniting people who travel alone to make friends and, something very important, to reduce cost! You will know that traveling alone, many times, you must pay the dreaded individual supplement. Well, in this case what they do is 'pair up' with other lonely travelers and save you a pasture (in addition to winning new friends).
And if you travel well accompanied do not lose sight of the same website: in many cases they take out super attractive and cheaper packages than those of the shipping company, with up to 80% discount at the last minute ... we met two married couples traveling like us with Single Travelers 🙂
What can be done while browsing?
Eat. And no kidding hehe. But if you do not want to be confused by a buoy and run the risk of an employee throwing you in the water or by a clueless whale in the middle of the sea ... you can do other things: enjoy the sun, the bar, the pool or the jacuzzi . Stroll along the ship (it is huge and that our Neo Riviera is one of the smallest in Costa), buy (yes, there are some shops), dance (do not see the choreography that some were mounted), read, write , napping, watching TV or even going to the theater! In addition, the boat's entertainment service plans activities almost throughout the day. Come on, you're not going to get bored.
Is there a lot of retiree? Will I feel out of place?
The idea of the retired cruise ship has remained in the '80s! Eye, that retired (and super pizpiretos also) there were, but there were also many families, couples and groups of young friends. There were people of any age and social class and you will have no problem finding people with your same interests and hobbies.
So if that is something that creates doubts when it comes to hiring your first cruise ... don't worry at all!
Are restaurants paid?
Before we already anticipated it: there was a paid restaurant, another one where you only paid for drinks and a completely free buffet, as well as a pizzeria and a paid hamburger only at night (at noon they were free). We usually went to the buffet at noon and at night to the restaurant (with paid drinks) but there are people who sign up for the buffet and do not have to spend a penny. Very important: for dinners in the restaurants there are shifts (not so for the buffet or for the restaurant at noon). How do you see that turn has touched you? It is written on the Costa card.
Hi. Take my picture. But don't talk to me until I drink coffee. I have bad awakening. It is genetic. It's not my fault. Poor steal.
Can I change the meal shift?
Yes! We actually did it: there are two shifts (at 20.00 and 22.30). We had the second and we decided to advance ... no problems, you just have to talk to the maitre the first night and he points you. The next day you will be notified of the change in your own cabin.
In addition to the turn, you also have an assigned table, which can be two, four or more! The first one that touched us was 8, the second one of 4. Although we believe that it can also be changed, or at least speak with the maitre.
Dining early ... which is much better, man!
Is the buffet always full? It's over?
You won't die of hunger, that's for sure! There was only one day when we decided to go down to the restaurant to eat since the buffet was really full full. Of course, with a little patience someone would have risen but hey, we were born hungry not with patience! To find it with fewer people it is best to go at the time they open it.
The buffet is very good, there were always 4 types of pasta, 2 types of meat, 2 fish, side dishes, cheeses, charcuterie, thousand types of salads and mmm dessertitos. Many little dessert. Very rich and varied, although a lot of Italian food. And what do you want us to say ... Olé!
What is that about tips?
This point is curious. At the beginning it may even bother a little: in Spain (and Italy) we are not used to the culture of tips and paying a service and we do not understand why you have to pay an extra. Peeeero, after having spent a week with the more than 500 crew members (man, we didn't all know them ehhh), we realized that they work hard and deserve it! Tips are charged directly to your credit card that you already linked in the information terminal (€ 10 per day / person).
Does the ship move a lot?
No. In fact, we felt more dizzy on land than on the high seas: -S Only one day we caught some marejadilla and there were several people who were not well. In my case (Lety) I did not suffer from na, Rober who is a little more delicate in this aspect took a biodramina and ready. So you know ... just in case take a package of biodramina with you (and if the sea gets very bad you can set up a black market for antimareo pills ... if it works well you can even pay for the next cruise). What is broooma? Or not.
Are there doctors on board?
There is a doctor service on board, yes, if you have a better cold or come near because it is not free. Not cheap
How to dress?
This point gave us a few headaches before leaving. What if the gala night, that if the informal night, that if the white night ... well in the end without any problem! There were people who followed the indications (every night you receive a diary on board with the program of the next day, where they also tell you the type of clothing that is preferable to wear for dinner) and others who on the white night went green jijiji, So don't get in trouble. Take something comfortable for the excursions, a pair of medium elegant dresses for dinner and the rest informal (girls have it easier, with dresses we manage, for boys the best are jeans, shirts or polo shirts).
It is safe?
After what happened with the Costa Concordia little joke on this issue: before leaving a simulation is conducted where all the emergency procedures are explained ... but do not worry, luckily Schettino (the captain of the Costa Concordia) there is only one. After the accident they imposed some new safety regulations to keep everything well tied.
Prices type
We leave you some photos with some of the types of drinks, so if you want to know how much a cocktail, a coffee, a beer or a glass of wine costs on a cruise ... here they go:
Is it worth paying the drink voucher?
We do not pay and a little if we regret it. Anda we would not have liked to enjoy a mojito (or two or three) with each sunset. And from a Strawberry Daiquiri. And from a Cosmpolitan. And from a beer. And ... well stop, I start to look like Barney of the Simpsons. We regret it, but now that we had a good time we are having € 400 more in the account!
Because if you decide on the voucher, know that it costs € 30 per day per person in the cabin (and you are obliged to hire both, so forget that one pays it and the other enjoys it for the pin). I mean it's about € 60 a day per cabin ... isn't that a little huh? although if you are one of those who have a coffee after each meal, have dinner with wine, have a beer before lunch and want to drink a couple of cocktails on the disco ... well worth it!
Here you can see all the packages, what they include and the price.
How do I buy the drink voucher?
You can do it online, before the cruise or at any boat bar using your Costa card. Easy!
Can I upload bottles of alcohol?
We did not even try it but we read that it is forbidden to bring alcoholic beverages on board (in case of doing so they review them and return them on the last day). On the other hand with other drinks (water, coke) there are no problems ... man, do not buy a box of cans of coca, with a couple per day ok right?
Is there wifi on the boat?
There is wifi and no, it is not free. We hire a pack of social networks, which only allows you unlimited access to a few RRSS, no internet or gmail ... it cost us € 19 for 7 days, plus € 3 fixed for the service. There were limited data packages (from 250 Mb to 3 Gb) that cost from € 23 to € 90. Anyway, in each scale you can easily find Wi-Fi… so if you are not a fan of snapchat, instagram stories, whatsapp or facebook, you better not hire anything. And if you are a fan follow us jolines!
If you don't want to spend lereles ... bring a good book!
Do I have to bring towels from home?
No. There are towels in the bathrooms, which change (if you want) every day. Also in the cabin you will find two towels for the pool (which you can get off at the stops in case you feel like a dip in a beach). Also in this case they change (if you want) every day ... there is always someone from housekeeping going around the cabins so you won't have any problems. Just don't lose them or they will charge you € 30 per towel!
Do they clean the cabin?
Yes, even too much! They clean twice a day so we used to put the 'do not disturb' sign in the afternoon: they make us the beds twice a day, really, like not ...
So far our super guide for the first-time cruise ship Have more questions? Leave us a comment, we will love to help you 🙂
By the way, so far we have told you about all the doubts and questions we had before boarding ... but since we have returned, in a few days we will publish our travel diary (and that trip!).
Small spoiler of what's coming 🙂
You need more info or tips for your first cruise? Leave us a comment and we will gladly help you!
