Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---10-Things-Every-Boomer-Needs-to-Know
Nancy Parode
Life after 50 should be all about following your passions
and exploring the world. One of my favorite ways to do both
is to take a cruise to a far-off location. Not only does
cruising allow you to see the world from a completely new
perspective, but, it is also a fantastic way to make new
friends. In addition, unlike the stereotypical lounge-in-the-sun-drinking-cocktails
cruises of the past, modern cruises offer so many ways to
learn new things and explore your passions.
Cruises are fun and relaxing,
especially if you think ahead and reduce your pre-cruise
stress. Women travelers, in particular, also need to consider
personal health and safety issues when planning a cruise
vacation. As you prepare for your upcoming cruise, consider
these ten essential cruise tips and tricks.
Read the Fine Print Before
You Book and After You Board
Before you pay your cruise
deposit, take time to read your entire contract so that
you understand your cruise line’s policies. Pay particular
attention to cancellation and refund policies.
Once your cruise begins,
you’ll receive one or more daily bulletins in your
stateroom. Read them carefully so that you will know what
to wear to dinner, which special events take place each
day and what schedule changes you should know about.
Buy Travel Insurance
Your travel insurance policy
should include travel medical insurance, medical evacuation
coverage, trip delay and trip cancellation coverage, at
a minimum. Travel medical insurance is essential if you
are a U.S. citizen covered by Medicare, as Medicare does
not pay for any health care expenses incurred outside the
United States.
For maximum flexibility,
consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage;
if you are worried about hurricanes, illness or some other
issue not covered by a traditional travel insurance policy,
you can use this coverage to recoup most of your prepaid
trip costs. CFAR coverage is expensive, but it does not
cost as much as canceling your cruise and forfeiting all
of your payments. You can read our other article on how
to find travel insurance after 60.
Leave Your Valuables at Home
For true peace of mind, bring
costume jewelry with you on your cruise and leave your valuable
pieces at home.
Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---2
Bring a Carry-On
Bag
Your carry-on
bag should contain not only your prescription medications
and other essentials, but also anything you might need to
make the first few hours of your cruise more enjoyable.
Pack a swimsuit, towel and book and head to the pool while
you are waiting for your checked baggage to arrive in your
stateroom, or toss in a pair of walking shoes and get some
exercise on the main deck.
Create Multiple
Outfits from Basic Pieces
De-stress
your cruise by packing black, navy blue or neutral bottoms,
colorful or sparkly tops and a couple of light, dressy throws
or jackets to wear to dinner. Choose a similar color scheme
for daytime wear. Choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle
easily. Combine pieces in different ways, add a scarf or
necklace to your outfits and enjoy your day. No one will
notice if you wear the same pair of black trousers two or
three times during the cruise.
Bring enough
clothing so that you won’t have to do laundry for
at least a week, and try to choose wrinkle-free fabrics.
Standing in line at the ship’s laundromat is never
the highlight of a cruise vacation.
Arrive at
Your Embarkation Port One Day Early
Your cruise
ship will depart on time, whether or not you are on board.
Avoid problems resulting from late flights, highway traffic
and bad weather by getting to your embarkation port the
night before your ship sails. Book a hotel room, have the
front desk clerk arrange a taxi ride to the cruise terminal
and enjoy a quiet evening before you head to the ship.
Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---3
Secure Your
Stateroom
Always lock
your stateroom door, and never assume that you are safe.
Some crew members have universal keys that give them access
to all staterooms, and fellow passengers may try to enter
your stateroom without your permission. Bring a safety device,
such as a door stop alarm, that will alert you to unauthorized
entry. Be sure to keep valuables in the ship’s safe,
not in your stateroom.
Wash Your
Hands
Washing your
hands frequently is your best defense against norovirus
and other shipboard illnesses. Wash your hands in hot, soapy
water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing well. Using hand
sanitizer is helpful, but does not replace proper hand washing.
Go Ashore
With a Group
There’s
safety in numbers, as the old saying says. Don’t strike
out on your own in an unfamiliar port. Instead, find a few
people who share your interests and go on a shore excursion
or independent journey with them.
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Don’t
Overindulge
You’ll
enjoy your cruise vacation more if you eat and drink in
moderation. You’ll be safer and healthier, too.
Do you have
cruise tips or tricks to share with your fellow travelers?
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