I’ve been on 30 cruises – the sneaky way to avoid the queues onboard…and snag the best sunlounger
MOST cruise ship passengers plan to spend their port days at a new destination, but it turns out this might not be the best idea.
One woman, who has been on nearly 30 cruises, has revealed the holiday tips she wished she’d known about sooner.
Jordana Comiter is a freelance lifestyle and entertainment writer from South Florida, America.
In an article in Business Insider, Jordana shared the cruise ship tricks she has recently used on her most recent voyages.
One thing Jordana wished she’d clocked sooner was making the most of the cruise ships during port days.
Jordana wrote: “My favorite days are port days, even when I’m staying on the boat.
“The buffet is less crowded, the lines for slides are shorter, and there’s less competition for spots on the pool deck.”
Cruise ships are generally quieter during port days because passengers are out exploring the destination, which means there’s less competition for onboard services.
For passengers who want the best of both worlds, Jordana encouraged holidaymakers to explore the destination early in the morning.
She added: “For those who want to explore the port and savor the tranquility of an uncrowded ship, consider booking excursions as early in the morning as possible.”
By exploring the port, and other on-land attractions early in the morning, passengers will still be able to make the most of the quiet cruise ship in the afternoon.
Jordana also encouraged holidaymakers to steer clear of all-inclusive beach excursions, which can often be pretty pricey.
Instead of opting for an all-inclusive package, Jordana recommended splitting taxi fares with other passengers and renting out sunloungers and parasols individually, as this can often save money.
Jordana isn’t the only cruise ship expert who’s been sharing her tips and tricks online.
Former cruise director Christine Kesteloo revealed why holidaymakers should pay for a drinks package, especially if a few bar visits are planned.
While alcohol packages may seem steep at first, they’re nothing in comparison to the prices on board, according to Christine.
She told Insider: “The prices of drink packages are typically shocking, but you might feel worse if you skip the deal and see your alcohol bill at the end of the cruise.”
The former cruise director also shares her tips and tricks on TikTok.
In a recent video, Christine, who is known as @dutchworld_americangirl on the social media platform, explained why passengers should arrive at the port with plenty of time to make sure they’re on board when the ship sets sail.
This is because some passengers risk missing the boat by flying in on the same day they’re due to leave.
Christine said: “I would never fly in the same day that my cruise is leaving. So many people miss the ship just because they booked their flight for the same day that the ship’s leaving. Don’t do that.”
Meanwhile, Ashley Kosciolek and Katherine Alex Beaven have put together a list of the foods you should avoid from the cruise buffet, if you want to dodge the tummy bugs.
Their list included the likes of pre-prepared sushi, scrambled eggs and ice cream buffet stations.
Meanwhile, this couple missed their cruise after making a very simple passport mistake.
And this is the secret code word you never want to hear when you’re on board a cruise ship.
