We have made it easy - you can take advantage of these tips now on your next cruise. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran you might find a tip or trick that will make your experience onboard one of the best ever.
Room service is free of charge, except for late-night hours on certain lines, such as Royal Caribbean. It's recommended you tip your delivery person.
You are not limited to one of each appetizer, entrée, and dessert in the main dining room. You can order two entrees or three desserts if you choose. You can also order appetizer-sized portions of entrees as starters or order a few appetizers for your main meal. It's a great way to try new foods you're not sure you'll like. We often order both the Lobster and a Steak for our own Surf N Turf. Our oldest will even order two lobster tails.
If you book an alternative dining venue for the first night of the cruise, you may get a discount on select lines or have an easier time getting a reservation for a popular venue. Carnival Cruise Lines passengers who dine in the Steakhouse on the first night get a free bottle of wine.
Most cabins are made of metal…and therefore they're magnetic. Bring along some magnets and you can keep all your cocktail party invites, alternative dining reservation notices, and daily planners hung up on the walls and doors.
Specialty coffee at the designated coffee shops onboard comes with an extra fee, but the pastries, sandwiches and other food at these venues are often free. While some specialty items (like chocolate-covered strawberries) will have a charge, don't assume all them do.
Inside cabins have no natural light. Turn your TV to the bridge cam station, turn off the sound and you’ve got an instant nightlight and a way to see if the sun is up. Although some of the newer ships have inside staterooms with virtual portholes and virtual balconies!
On embarkation day, most people head straight to the buffet to have lunch and wait for their cabins to open. But many cruise ships have alternative venues open -- the main dining room or a mini-buffet in the solarium or atrium area. Check your daily newsletter to find an alternative for a calmer first meal.
With all of the electronics we have these days, most people find cruise ship outlets to be insufficient. You can bring your own charging station or power strip. Sometimes there is also an extra outlet hidden behind the TV or under the bed.
It's often cheaper to buy a bottle of wine than a few glasses -- but what do you do if you don't finish the bottle? Cruise ship waiters can mark the bottle with your room number and save it for another night, even for dinner in another onboard venue.
Many lines offer free minutes if you sign up for an Internet package on the first day of the cruise.
Celebrity's buffet secrets include delicious ship-made hard-serve ice cream (for free) in the buffet and made-to-order waffles with a choice of toppings. You can also order a cup of candy toppings with no ice cream if that's your treat of choice.
Most lines let you bring a reasonable amount of nonalcoholic drinks onboard. Save on pricey shipboard sodas and bottled waters by bringing your own.
Happy Cruising!
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