First off, prepare everything ahead of time. If you are planning on taking excursions, you are much better off booking them prior to the cruise then you are when you board the ship.
You can either book and excursion directly with the cruise line or you can check out private excursions for each island you plan to visit. A good hint: if opt for the private excursion, make sure they are familiar with your cruise line. A good excursionist will know exactly the ships schedule and what time to have you back prior the ship leaving dock. As well, do not pre-pay if they ask you to do so most will ask for payment at the end of the excursion. However, you can pre-pay if you are booking with the ships excursion.
Embarking: You will have to provide ID for each family member. As cruise lines are cashless, you will have to provide a credit card or a cash deposit before you embark. As well the gratuities are pre-paid so you will have to have enough cash or room on your credit card for purchases on the ship. Your room card is used for purchases and you can restrict or limit the cards for your children to any amount you want set.
Gratuities are based on the number of traveling with you. The going rate is about $70.00 per person per week. So for a family of four your will need to set aside $280.00 Trust me when I say that will be money well spent. The staff is trained to wait on their guests hand and foot and the treatment you will receive is second to none.
Don't worry about your luggage; it will be waiting outside your room upon arrival. If your luggage does not happen to be at the door, don't panic, it will get there.
Booking a late dinner time may be a good idea, if you are planning excursions every day.
You won't have to rush to change into your dinner clothes if you have an early dinner time
This way you can get back to the ship and relax on the deck prior to eating.
If you opt for the buffet everyday, then you have no worries. (Quick note: you will gain weight cruising, it's inevitable as there is an endless array of food everywhere)
As well, you can order more then one entrée at your evening meal if the mood strikes you. And be ready to loosen the belt a few notches afterwards.
Taking young kids and teens? Each cruise has kids and teen clubs designed to make it a memorable experience for them. It's a great way for them to meet other kids and it can give you and your spouse some much needed alone time.
Budget how much you want to spend per day and stick to it. It is easy to rack up a huge bill at the end of the cruise, and if you go over your limit or what you put in for deposit, you will have to pay when leaving. Good Hint: Each morning pay off what you spent the day before at the purser's desk.
The Island excursions can be a wonderful experience, however take give yourself some time in the morning to get ready. If you book an early excursion, make sure you have time breakfast as you don't want to be rushed and miss your booking time.
An excursion and also be very tiring as well as you are on time constraints and you want to see and do as much as possible in the time allotted.
Our last cruise took us to four islands, two of which we did an excursion and the other two we took for time to relax on the beach, do some island shopping and site seeing. Ask the cruise director for tips on the best beaches, shopping and restaurants, you will find their information very useful.
Remember most of all to take the time to have fun, enjoy yourself and make the most of everything the cruise ship has to offer you.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.