Essential Cruise Tips

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioPassenger Restrictions: Who Cannot Cruise And WhyAlthough your agent is likely to guide you when booking, you should check if your cruise line has any restrictions in types of passengers they will carry. For example, some lines do not allow:

• Unwed or unrelated couples under 18 to be booked in the same stateroom.
• Children under six months of age to travel and may restrict the number of those under three years of age.
• Children under eighteen to travel without being accompanied by an adult over the age of twenty-one.
• An adult who is not a parent of a child under 18 to travel with them without a "Parental Consent Guardianship Form" signed by a parent or legal guardian and received a month or more before sailing.
• Guests under eighteen to share a cabin without an adult.
• Disabled or special needs passengers to travel without someone to assist them in port and on board. The Captain can also refuse to let them disembark in any port or when tendering if he or she feels it is too risky.

They also usually have the right to request a certificate from a medical professional about your ability to take the cruise.Make sure if you have any unusual factors that you are 100% sure the line will let you cruise - and the way you want to

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioCruise Contract Watch-out: CancellationThe cancellation policy for a cruise varies by line and you must understand what you are agreeing to when you make a booking. Always ask your agent what the terms are, or check the cruise line conditions online or in their brochure. You will usually find deposits are non-refundable and only sometimes are even transferrable to an alternative cruise if you change your mind. A name change on a booking is often also counted as a cancellation and significant fees can apply.You usually have to pay the full balance of a fare 90 days before a cruise, and in full if booking within this timeframe. Some lines stagger the cancellation charges the closer to the departure date while others will keep it at the full fare after paying this balance.As deposits are usually lost if you cancel your cruise before the 90 days and full fare if after this time frame, you should consider taking out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover you incase you need to change your plans. The terms can be very strict and even illness will still see you loosing your deposit or fare if you have to cancel. So insurance is the best way to cover yourself against this eventuality.When making a booking do not let the excitement of the idea of cruising cloud you making sound financial decisions to cover yourself against lost.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioUsing Foreign Cruise Agents To Save MoneyI always recommend using a cruise specialist agent when booking a cruise, as they can guide you on the right line, cabin and find the best fare for your needs. However, you may find that the best fare comes from an agent in a different country to the one you live in.I have met and corresponded with many cruisers who have got better prices by using a foreign travel agent. Although prices are managed globally in most cases by the lines, there are many occasions when people I know have saved hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars on the price of a cruise. It seems to be mostly on longer cruises such as world cruise segments or extended voyages. You may not have to use an agent in your local market when getting quotes and making a booking. If you are looking at a longer trip, going on an expensive cruise or travelling in a luxury suite, why not get estimates from agents in other markets? First check if they are able to do a booking for you, my own agent in the United Kingdom has been able to make bookings for people in United States, Canada and Australia and save them money.If you want to try this out contact my agent at gocruisewithjane.co.uk as one option

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioBad Habits To Avoid : Fixed Dining If you are on fixed dining on a cruise, there is an etiquette to follow when it comes to time keeping. Fixed dining is still very common on most cruise lines. It means you are allocated a set table and time for your evening meal. You will dine with the same people and have the same serving team each evening.It is important to arrive at your table as close to the starting time for the meal as possible. Some lines offer up to a 15-minute window before they will, in theory, not allow you to join your table. If you arrive late you hold up the meal for everyone at your table. The servers aim to ensure that everyone receives the starter, main course and dessert together. So they will wait for everyone to arrive before taking orders or, if they have started serving, they will then stop serving the courses until everyone has caught up. This is to make their work load more manageable and reduce the number of times they have to go to and from the kitchens.If you are on fixed dining it is courteous and good habit to be on time.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioCruise Ports Not GuaranteedWhen you book a cruise the ports of call are a planned itinerary, not a guaranteed one. You need to understand that you may never get to some of them, so never make absolute must-do arrangements in any destination based on a cruise you book. So, for example, do not plan and book your dream wedding in one of the port you are due to visit. You may never make it there.In the cruise contract or terms, you are agreeing that the line can make changes to the ports at their discretion. While changes are unusual they can occur for any of the following reasons:Weather preventing the ship docking. This has happened to me fairly often, with the ship either spending a day at sea or diverting to another nearby port.Operational issues, such as too many ships going to be in port. I have had a port dropped and other put in its place once on a Caribbean cruise.Security issues. This happened in 2015, for example, following an attack on cruise passengers in Tunisia when ships due to call there all called on Malta instead.Mechanical problems. Delays caused by equipment issues may mean the ship skips ports to keep on track in reaching its disembarkation port on time.When you book a cruise, assume the ports are a guideline. Which ion most cases will be delivered - but may not be and so plan accordingly.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioGetting To And From Your Ship: Flight TimesIf you are making your own flight arrangements to get to and from your ship, there are a few key guidelines that I recommend you follow.If you can, aim to get to the embarkation port the day before your cruise leaves and stay overnight. This means that if there are any flight delays, cancellations or other issues you should have time to make other arrangements. If you miss departure and are travelling independently, the cruise line will not assist you if you get to the ship too late.If travelling in on the day, double check what the latest time you can embark. Ensure your flight arrives in plenty of time and allow generous amounts of time for collecting your bags, clearing immigration and customs if required, and ensure you know how and how long it will take to get to the port - even in bad traffic. Booking a transfer is a good idea.On disembarkation day make sure you know what time the ship is due in and only book flights that leave from lunchtime and onwards. The ship may arrive late, there may be delays in clearing the ship and then you have to wait for your allocated time to leave the ship. Leave yourself time to make your flight.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioGetting To And From Your Ship: Flight TimesIf you are making your own flight arrangements to get to and from your ship, there are a few key guidelines that I recommend you follow.If you can, aim to get to the embarkation port the day before your cruise leaves and stay overnight. This means that if there are any flight delays, cancellations or other issues you should have time to make other arrangements. If you miss departure and are travelling independently, the cruise line will not assist you if you get to the ship too late.If travelling in on the day, double check what the latest time you can embark. Ensure your flight arrives in plenty of time and allow generous amounts of time for collecting your bags, clearing immigration and customs if required, and ensure you know how and how long it will take to get to the port - even in bad traffic. Booking a transfer is a good idea.On disembarkation day make sure you know what time the ship is due in and only book flights that leave from lunchtime and onwards. The ship may arrive late, there may be delays in clearing the ship and then you have to wait for your allocated time to leave the ship. Leave yourself time to make your flight.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioHow To Avoid Being Surrounded By Old PeopleCruises have a reputation, especially among people who have not done one yet, of mostly being for old people. However, if you chose the right cruise line you will be surrounded by people just like you. The profile of people on board differs based on a combination of the destination, time of year and the line itself. Selecting the best match for you is essential. For example, you can cruise around the Mediterranean and Caribbean on the following:

• Cunard or Holland America which offer a more formal and traditional cruising experience and is likely to have more older couples of 60 and above.
• Royal Caribbean which provides high-energy resort attractions like rock climbing, ice skating and water slides and will be more full of families and young couples.
• Seabourn, Crystal and Silversea which sail smaller ultra-luxury ships offering all-suites and butler service and attracts honeymoon couples, young and middle-aged professionals.
• MSC Cruises and Costa that provide a youthful and multi-lingual experience and attract families and groups of young travellers from around the world.
• Carnival Cruise Line which provides on-stop fun around the ship and attracts 20- and 30-somethings, dressed in shorts and t-shirts.

The best way to ensure you are surrounded by people like you is to do your research and chose the right line that matches you!

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn Radio.Non-clothes items to packMost people focus on what clothes they need to take on their cruise. If a fancy one with dress codes there is lottos angst about the right mix of gowns, suits and more casual clothes. If a mixture of weather then layering dominates the packing. But you should spend as much time thinking about non-clothing items to bring. Here are some things I recommendHere are a few helpful items to take:

• Electrical plug adaptors. Cruise ships usually mostly have American two-pin plug sockets, using 110-120 volts and so bring adaptors as needed if from other countries.
• Extension cord. Many cabins have limited number of plugs and so an extension cord enables charging and use of multiple items at one time.
• Chargers for your electrical items like mobile phone, laptop and tablet.
• Earplugs and eyeshades are often useful.
• Personalised First aid kit. Bring remedies for you usually use for ailments such as seasickness, headaches and diarrhoea, along with a pack of plasters.
• Guide books and maps if you are planning to self-tour in some ports.
• Entertainment (e.g. iPod, Tablet, eBook reader, or books).
• Small backpack to use when on excursions, to carry your camera, identification, water, and something warm, if needed.
• Magnets. Many cruisers use these to pin daily programs and other materials on the walls, which are all metal.

Gary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn RadioCruise Resource: CruisableThe newest cruise resource launching online and as an app is called Cruiseable.com.It is designed to be both a cruise community and a travel resource. Right now you have to go to one site for reader recommendations, another site for cruise itineraries, another site to book it. Cruiseable is an all-in-one solution that provides the information you need and connects you with travel advisors who really know cruises.There are five main features which are:

1. Cruise discovery. You can browse through thousands of images of ships and destinations — accompanied by trustworthy travel journalism instead of marketing hype.
2. Technology: filters atop any page help you zero in on the cruise that fits your style and budget.
3. Photo sharing. They spent a year downloading organizing and optimizing more than 10,000 photos from the cruise lines and tourism organizations to help travellers find a travel experience that speaks to you. And they make it easy for them to be shared on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.
4. Travel guides. Their travel writers and editors, of which I am one, have put together dozens of smart travel guides, port guides and ship overviews.
5. Visual Lists. The innovative Visual Lists let people share their cruise and travel experiences through photos and text

Visit cruiseable.com to sign up and discover more