A cruise line veteran has shared her top tips for getting the most out of a cruise.
Jacqui Nobile, who is currently senior destinations services operations manager at Marella Cruises has worked in cruising for 28 years, since 1994.
She used to work as a shore excursions manager before becoming the key onboard representative onboard ships.
She explained: “In my time I’ve had the privilege of looking after our guests onboard and taking them on their own exciting holidays, while also being able to visit hundreds of destinations around the world.
"Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or debating your first sailing holiday, these simple hacks will help give you some great insight into life at sea.”
Jacqui's top tips are as follows:
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Publicity Picture)Get the most out of your cruise
One of the best things about opting for a cruise is that travellers will get to explore multiple destinations in one holiday.
To get the most out of the time you have, it’s worth working out in advance which ports of call you want to discover more of, and if there’s any excursions you’d like to experience. Your cruise line will have a range of options to choose from which you can book, and onboard our ships.
I’d also recommend thinking about what you want to do while onboard the ship. On cruises, customers are spoilt for choice with the range of restaurants, bars, activities and classes available – so it’s a good idea to read up online beforehand to work out what you don’t want to miss out on.
The crew onboard will also be able to tell you all about the ship, what there is to do, the restaurants that you should try, venues to swing by and what entertainment is on offer.
Don't get lost
First time cruiser? Do not fear. If the ship you’re on has an Atrium, that can always be a great meeting point if you are worried about getting lost.
A good tip is to remember forward, mid and aft decks (in layman’s terms: front, middle and back of the ship).
Most ships have clear markers to differentiate the various parts of the deck, including wayfinding signage and colour-coded stairwells – so on our ships you just need to make a mental note of the carpet colour of your nearest staircase.
Image:
Getty Images/EyeEm)Maximise your chances of seeing a dolphin
The Mediterranean Sea has an array of wildlife but spotting them can be hard.
Dolphins normally like to play near the bow of the ship just before sunset, so keep your eyes peeled if you head out on deck to watch the sunset.
If your itinerary takes you to the South of Spain then you’re already on to a winner! If our Bridge Officers sea anything exciting, they’ll make an announcement to let you know where to look.
Choose the right cabin
On some cruises, including Marella, you can select which cabin you stay in before you travel for a small fee.
It’s worth doing this if you’d prefer to be close to a particular venue or if you’re travelling with friends and family.
All of our ships also have a small number of adapted cabins for less mobile passengers and you can book these in advance at no extra cost.
Make sure you pack right
An EU adapter, this one may seem obvious but even in the Caribbean EU plug sockets are used.
Sensible shoes if you’re planning to explore ashore – cobbled streets, ancient sites and long days on your feet are no match for flip flops or heels.
A light jacket or blazer is always handy too, once the sun goes down it can sometimes get a little chilly on the outside decks.
Don't fear about icebergs if you spot the captain
If you see Captain out and about, it doesn’t mean there’s no one at the helm – there will be a team of Senior Officers and Watchkeepers that man the Bridge around the clock.
Make sure you head to the Captain’s Introductions. The bonus is, you put more names to faces of the friendly people delivering you a great holiday.
Figure out the best time for a cocktail and dinner
If you fancy a relaxing drink before dinner, 6pm is the perfect time to head for that pre-dinner cocktail.
People tend to have come in from the pool deck to get ready for dinner so the bars are quieter and, most importantly, this’ll give you time to plan out what food restaurant, food cuisine from the choice onboard.
When it comes to a la carte dinner, book before you travel if you can, or as soon as you get on board.
A la carte dining always tends to be really popular and there’s often limited space, so book early to avoid disappointment.
