Cruises are a favorite area of work at our Premium Travel Company. We love it so much that we study all the cruise news on a daily basis, fly to different countries to get acquainted with new ships, definitely go on cruises ourselves, and finally, we just really love our job.
Premium Travel Company is a Kazakh multi-profile tour operator, we have been working since 2005. Sea cruises are our main area of work. We know everything about cruises. Our website www.vkruiz.kz and the annual printed catalog “Cruise Atlas” provide travel lovers with a lot of useful information about cruises. We will find your cruise wherever there is ocean J and take you there.
With so many years of experience and a wealth of cruising knowledge, we share useful information with cruisers. We know for sure that life on a cruise ship is always full of secrets that no cruise company will tell you about.
The more you travel, the more you learn secrets that give you more options, save money and generally have a better time on board.
For example, did you know that your concierge… can bring you to your cabin something that is not on the bar menu or the main restaurant menu?
It seems to me that you shouldn’t wait for the cruise, it’s better to find out everything right now. I want to share with you a set of the most unexpected secrets of a cruise: about food, about drinks, about cabins and entertainment on board. Whether you’re new to cruising or an old sea dog, I think you’ll be able to find something you definitely didn’t already know. So let’s begin!
1. In the main restaurant you are not limited to the standard set of 3 courses, salad + main course + compote. You can always order, for example, two main courses or three desserts if you want. You can also order mini portions of main courses or several types of appetizers. And it’s a great way to try new foods, especially if you’re not sure you’ll like them. How about snail escargot?
2. On most ships you can have breakfast not only at the buffet or in the main restaurant, but, for example, in various lounges or cafes by the pool.
3. Almost all passengers on the ship go to the main restaurant for lunch on the first day, since many have not yet explored specialized restaurants. I recommend booking a table on this particular day at an alternative restaurant, as you can get a great discount on the drinks menu, really have some privacy and relaxation, and have a better chance of finding the right booking time.
4. Coffee in the onboard cafe often costs an additional fee, but pastries, sandwiches and other snacks are free. All you have to do is ask the bartender!
5. Love ice cream? Of course, there will be a charge for ice cream from famous brands on the ship. But there are free ice cream machines in the buffet and also on the open deck!
6. On embarkation day, most people head straight to the buffet to grab a bite to eat and wait for the cabins to open. But you should know that there are alternative spaces where you can relax and eat in peace. Just ask a crew member or check the daily brochure for a suitable restaurant location. For example, on Princess Cruises this is International Cafe and Pizzeria Alfredo’s, on Royal Caribbean – Sorrento’s, the Solarium and Park Cafes, Giovanni’s Table, Cafe Promenade and, of course, Starbucks.
7. You don’t know when is the best time to go to an a la carte restaurant? The menu in the main restaurant is planned for the week and posted on a board for visitors. By studying it, you can understand which days are less attractive in terms of culinary delights, and when something delicious is served, and you don’t want to miss the chance to try it.
8. In the buffet on the ships of the Celebrity cruise line you can find very tasty ice cream with a topping (of your choice) in a waffle cup. Mmm… completely free!
9. Holland America Line is offering $10 off lunch at The Pinnacle Grill and free chocolate truffles every evening at the Explorer Lounge.
1. You can always bring drinks from the bar or buffet to your cabin or anywhere else on the ship without anyone batting an eyelid. (The same goes for food.)
2. It’s often cheaper to buy a bottle of wine on a ship than a few glasses – but what if you don’t finish it? Rest assured, cruise ship waiters can mark the bottle with your cabin number and save it for the next day.
3. Beer lovers can save big by ordering a “bucket” of beer. You get four or five beers in a souvenir bucket for a lower price than ordering individual bottles of beer.
4. Most cruise ships charge for non-alcoholic drinks, such as iced tea or juice. Save on soft drinks by purchasing a drink card that offers a fixed price for unlimited soft drinks. Onboard Oceania Cruise Line, for example, all soft drinks are included, even mango smoothies.
5. Most cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing beer or spirits on board, but do allow the occasional bottle (or two) of wine or champagne.
6. Royal Caribbean’s Cafe Promenade serves high-quality complimentary coffee. Yes, it’s not Starbucks, but it’s a step above what you’ll find at the buffet.
7. Also, my advice is to keep an eye on events on board, where they often offer free drinks or welcome drinks from the captain. Gala nights always offer free champagne, but get to the party early to enjoy it to the fullest.
8. The liquor packages you purchase are always cheaper than similar packages that include cocktails. How to save money if you love cocktails? You’ll have to be your own bartender, take each ingredient separately, mix, but don’t shake 😉 Using my favorite Aperol Spritz as an example: fill the glass with ice, order 100 ml prosecco + 100 ml Aperol liqueur, mix . Voila, the cocktail is ready!
1. Surely, you guessed that the cabins of the liner are made of metal… and therefore their walls are magnetic. Bring a few magnets with you (or buy them as souvenirs) and you can keep all your cocktail party invitations, restaurant reservation notices, and daily brochures. Tested, very convenient!
2. There is no natural light in the interior cabins. Not a bit. My life hack – tune the TV to the bridge cam station (camera on the captain’s bridge), turn off the sound and voila! – you have both a night light and a way to see that the sun has already risen, and even feel like the captain of a ship :).
3. Spa cabins can be a smart financial decision for avid spa lovers. For example, MSC Cruises has YACHT CLUB Suites that offer exclusive spa amenities and services, including direct private access to the MSC Aurea Spa. The spa has two massage/treatment rooms reserved specifically for YACHT CLUB passengers.
4. We often don’t have enough outlets in our cabin to charge our equipment. Of course, you can bring your own charger with you. But “he who seeks will find” an additional outlet, which is hidden behind the TV or under the bed. You can also charge phones and other gadgets via a USB cable by plugging it into the TV into the USB port.
5. If you are picky about bedding, then on some ships, upon special request, they can provide orthopedic mattresses, bedspreads and a menu of pillows. Feel free to ask before or during your cruise.
6. I don’t think you knew how much storage space you could have in your cabin. Do some research or ask your steward for a tour. You might be surprised to find extra space under a bed or sofa, inside an ottoman, or behind a mirror. And no more tripping over your suitcase! 😉
7. If you suddenly feel seasick and feel nauseous, do not immediately run to the pharmacy. You can get motion sickness medicine at the ship’s medical center for free.
8. How to be beautiful at gala parties if you can’t bring irons on board? There is a way out: take a hanger, turn on the hot water in the bathroom/shower stall, hang a shirt or dress next to it, close the door, and after 20 minutes everything is ironed. And Princess Cruises ships have free ironing rooms.
1. Information for those who like to watch a good movie in the evening, before going to bed, in their cabin. On Princess Cruises ships, for example, dozens of films of different genres in several languages, including Russian, are downloaded directly into the ship’s television system. You just need to find them in the menu, and an evening of watching new movies is guaranteed to you!
2. For those who love great discounts: purchase an Internet package on your first cruise day and you will receive additional free minutes!
3. Spas often offer discounts on treatments on the first day of a cruise or on layovers. Visit there or check the daily information brochures for discounts and great deals.
4. Missed the live show? Don’t worry! These shows are often shown on the ship’s channel on your in-room TV. You can catch him in the recording!
5. Want to see one of the big shows on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian (like “Mamma Mia” or “Rock of Ages”) but it’s sold out? Don’t worry. Sometimes people reserve free tickets (usually before boarding) through a special mobile application, but do not come to the show, so if you are on the waiting list, the ship’s staff will let you through if there are free seats.
6. If you would like to take a ride in The North Star capsule on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class ships, the best time is during sunny days at sea. That’s because the enclosed glass capsule, which can rise up to 90 meters (300 feet) above sea level, has restrictions in port, during storms and in bad weather.
7. On Costa Cruises ships there are wonderful saunas in the locker rooms at fitness clubs, and, yes, completely free!
CONCLUSION
I sincerely hope that this information was useful to you, and the secrets of cruise companies added to your treasury of cruise knowledge and tricks. Don’t be modest and use them on your travels, share them with friends and acquaintances, get benefits and pleasure. And just love cruises, like us!
If you, in turn, have something to share with me, and you also know interesting secrets that cruise companies are silent about, write to me! I will be only glad and grateful to you.
See you on board!
Evgenia Khokhlenko, General Director of Premium Travel Company
