KAZ AND NIGE TOP TIPS -YOU'VE BOOKED A CRUISE
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OUR NUMBER 1 TIP
Yay you've booked a cruise. Now its time to panic! OK hold on, not really, it's time to explore your itinerary and plan those fun filled days ashore. You will want to make the most of your time in port and have an idea what you would like to see. Google each stop before you travel and discover the places of interest and how to get to them. If you explore independently don't be that person on our YouTube videos that misses the ship, leave plenty of time to get back for sailaway.
YAY! YOU'VE BOOKED A CRUISE
WING IT OR PLAY SAFE
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
It might be too early to dust off the suitcases and see if the mankini still fits but there is a list of exciting things to do. Now you know when and where you are going and you have made a list (see number 1 tip above) of what you want to see in each port. It’s time to make a decision. Wing it or play safe? The cruise line will tempt you with adventurous excursions in each port. Promising to whisk you to some exotic location with a guarantee of getting you back to the ship on time. Booking with the ship has the advantage of peace of mind but you pay for it. We recently visited Lisbon and the cruise wanted around £120 for a football stadium tour. A quick google later and even adding in the taxi it cost us around £35 independently – and we got back to the ship on time. We almost always choose the independent option, tour companies are well versed in getting you back to the ship. You can also often book a tour as you walk off the ship, each port will have tour operators competing for your custom.
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
Perhaps the biggest decision of your life! OK we might be exaggerating just a touch. Do you buy the drinks package or pay as you go? Some cruise lines are all inclusive but many still have drinks as an extra expense with an option to purchase an upgrade to all inclusive. The choice is usually between an alcoholic or non alcoholic package. With prices often as high as £70 a day or more. A package on a two week cruise can cost as much as another holiday. It’s a personal decision and depends on how drunk you plan to get. Drinks prices are similar to UK pubs with cocktails around £11 and wine from £6 a glass. Keep in mind prices change and special offers are abundant, often the math on these offers are questionable. What happens if you decide the price is right for you and have taken out a second mortgage for the drinks package and then see it has been reduced? Simply cancel the original order for a refund and buy it again at the cheaper price. TAH DAH! You’ve saved some money. This by the way is the same for any pre cruise purchase, shore excursions, spa treatments etc. Keep an eye on the price.
@KAZANDNIGE
BLAME THE DRINKS PACKAGE
@KAZANDNIGE
This must be the most important tip! We should have put it first. Click the link below and subscribe to Cruise With Kaz and Nige!! OK enough plugging the channel, back to the tip. With a list of shore excursions booked and your drinks package in hand now it’s time to plan your days at sea. Most cruises have a mix of port and sea days. Treat the later as an enforced relaxation or run around like a crazy chicken experiencing everything your multi million dollar floating resort has to offer. Personally Nige has to see everything on the ship, yes even the gym gets a visit. The larger ships provide entertainment from bumper cars to rock climbing, ice skating and deck quoits. Some of these activities you need to pre book whilst other you just join a queue. Some also come with an additional charge. Check out your cruise personaliser (provided on booking) to see what is available and what can be pre booked. Don’t over worry though there will be opportunity once on the ship to make changes to your booking and add anything you might have missed.