Dining Room Etiquette on Cruise Ships

If you're heading off on a fancy cruise, and you haven't been to a lot of formal dining occasions or upscale restaurants, you might be wondering if you'll make an embarrassing goof at the dining room table. Well, here's a short list of tips for proper dining room etiquette on a cruise ship:

• Make sure to arrive on time (the formal sit-down restaurants on board will have posted meal hours).
• If you order wine, offer to share it with others at the table (on many cruise lines, you'll dine with the same folks each night, and they'll probably return the favor).
• Don't start eating until everyone at your table has been served (this, of course, is a display of good manners no matter where you're dining).
• Use the correct silverware (if you start to feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, just remember to work your way from the outside in--use the first fork on the left for your first course).
• Dress appropriately for the evening (most cruise ships send around daily bulletins, which should let you know the evening's dress code)
• Don't smoke at the dinner table (most ships these days have non-smoking dining rooms, but if yours doesn't specify, be considerate to those around you).
  

Costs of Common Extras on Cruise Ships

You've probably heard by now that those "all inclusive" cruise price tags only include your basic meals, your cabin, and the cruise itself. That's actually a pretty good deal, as far as vacation packages go, but chances are you'll want to indulge in some of the extras.

So, if you're wondering how much that massage will cost you while you're on the ship, take a look over the list below.

Typical Costs of Cruise Extras

Food

Alternative Dining (meals in the special restaurants on the ship as opposed to eating at the buffets or in the dining hall) -- $10 to $30 per head.

Beverages and Spirits

Beer -- $3.50 to $6
Wine -- $15 to $300 per bottle
Mixed Drinks -- $3.95 to $6.75+
Soft Drinks -- $1.50 to $2.50 (or get an unlimited week-long soda card for $35-$40)

Services

Babysitting -- $8 to $10 an hour (for two kids)
Dry Cleaning -- $2.50 to $7.50 per item
Internet -- $0.50 to $1.50 per minute
Massage -- $99 to $128 (for 50 minutes)
Phone Calls -- $5.95 to $15.95 per minute (though you can often get cell reception on cruise ships nowadays)

Entertainment

Shore Excursions -- $30 to $400+
Casinos -- As much as you want to spend! (no cover charge to get in though)

There you have it. A list of many of the common extras that aren't included in the price of your cruise. So, even if your tickets have been paid for, you're going to want to bring along some spending money!

Source: Cruise Vacations For Dummies

What do the Dress Codes Mean on a Cruise Ship?

If you're preparing for a cruise, you may be wondering what clothes to take along. How do you have to dress on board the ship?

Different cruise lines have different standards (Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its freestyle cruising with relatively few requirements), but you'll always be able to relax in whatever you want for your daily activities. Where the dress codes come into place is with dinner dining.

Cruises may have formal nights, informal (or semi-formal nights), or casual nights. Here's the lowdown on each:

• Formal nights -- This is big-time dress up time. If your ship has these nights planned, take what you'd wear to a nice wedding, i.e. tuxedos or dark suits for men, or cocktail dresses, gowns, or other fancy digs for women.
• Informal/Semi-formal nights -- Think suits or sport jackets and ties for the men and stylish dresses or pants suits for the women.
• Casual nights -- Despite the implications of the word casual, this probably means more than a t-shirt and a swimming suit. Consider decent pants and collared shirts for men, and dresses, skirts, or pantsuits for women.

If you enjoy dressing up, you may choose to go to every dinner in fancy digs, but if you hate dressing up (something I can sympathize with) or just don't own a lot of formal clothes, you might want to sail with the freestyle cruise line (NCL), though they still provide opportunities for folks to dress up who want to.

Do You Have to Pay to Work Out on a Cruise?

A lot of things are included in the price of your cruise, but there are a lot of things you have to pay extra for too. If you're a first time cruiser with an interest in fitness, you may be wondering out if you'll have to pay to use the gym or go to fitness classes. Here's the lowdown:

Fitness/Gym Costs on a Cruise

The good news is that just using the gym (including weight equipment and cardio machines such as treadmills) is absolutely free.

Fitness classes, on the other hand, can be a different story. Many of the basics are free on a lot of the ships (i.e. stretching and basic aerobics classes), but expect trendier programs to come at a price.

For classes such as spinning, yoga, boxing, tai chi, self-defense, or Pilates, you can expect to pay $10-12 per session. If you're an avid exerciser, you may want to save money by buying a week-long unlimited-fitness-classes pass (available on many cruise lines).

If you're a novice to the gym (or it's been a while since you changed your fitness routine), you may even want to hire a personal trainer. (Hey, you never know when those huge free meals will convince you that it's time to start working out!)

Costs for a personal training session run around $75 to $85. (Now, there's a job I wouldn't mind having... personal trainer on a cruise ship; that's gotta beat working at 24 Hour Fitness.)

So there you have it: while classes and personal trainers cost money, you can hit the gym for free. There's no excuse to gain 5 pounds on your cruise!

Cruise Myth #10: Cruising is Only for the Wealthy

Do you only get to cruise if you're rich?

Heck no.

According to the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), fully half of today's cruisers have household incomes under $60,000 a year.

Prices are very competitive, especially considering cruises are all-inclusive, meaning your cabin, entertainment, and meals are included. This makes cruising more affordable than other vacation options. In many cases, you may even spend less than you would taking a road trip and renting a cabin by the lake (just consider the price of gasoline these days).

Today, cruises are departing from more ports than ever as well, so if you live near the coast, you may not even have to pay for airfare.

In other words, you definitely don't have to be rich to take a cruise.

If money is a concern, know you can get some great deals by booking well in advance (as soon as the cruise is opened up for bookings) or at the last minute (great for people who can pick up and leave on a moment's--or at least a couple weeks'--notice).

Cruise Myth #9: Cruises Only Go to a Few Places Like Alaska and the Caribbean

Not true!

You can find cruises that travel all over the world. Sure the Caribbean is popular in the U.S. (it's tropical and close to home for anyone on the east coast or in the South) and Alaska is an awesome destination where you can see glaciers and whales in one trip, but these are by no means the only cruise vacations out there.

Think of a place and if it's close to a seaport, there's probably a cruise that stops there. Shoot, some cruises these days even include land tours where everyone disembarks the boat for a few days and takes a train inland to visit a landlocked sight. Also, you can find river cruises floating along interior waterways.

Here are just some of the places you can visit on a cruise:

• The Mexican Riveria
• Antarctica
• South America
• Southeast Asia
• New England
• Scandinavia
• The Mediterranean
• The Missippippi River
• Tahiti and the South Pacific
• Australia and New Zealand
  

For more cruise destination ideas, visit my earlier post on "5 Exotic Cruises Your Friends and Family Haven't Been on"

Large Resort Cruise Ships: Pros & Cons

We've talked about small and boutique cruise ships, and we've covered mid-size cruise ships. Now it's time to look at the big boys of the cruise scene: large resort ships.

If you're planning your dream cruise, might one of these large mainstream ships be for you?

If you like the big-city environment, you want lots of entertainment options, plenty of places to eat any time of the day or night, and you don't mind being social, then a big ship might be your best bet.

On the flip side, these ships lose a lot of the intimacy of the smaller ones, and their schedules tend to be highly programmed with less flexibility. Anyway, let's break it down further into pros and cons...

Passenger amount = 1,200 and up

Advantages of Large Resort Cruise Ships

• They have the largest variety of public rooms and facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools.
• They often feature wraparound promenade decks outdoors.
• More space overall (but lots more people too) to explore.
• They sail well in open seas and poor weather.
• More dining options available close to or around the clock.
• More programs and activities for children.
• Newer ships feature state-of-the-art gadgets and technology (computers, wi-fi, etc.)

Disadvantages of Large Resort Cruise Ships

• They've been likened to floating hotels or "retail parks surrounded by cabins."
• Frequent ship-wide announcements, often in several languages.
  
• Lots of lines to wait in for buffet meals, fast food grills, the information desk, elevators, tendering ashore, security checkpoints, immigration, and disembarkation.
• You'll always feel like "one of the crowd" even if you pay for a big expensive suite.
• Dining room staff are trained to get you in and out efficiently rather than let you linger.
• Food can be bland and cafeteria-like.
• Phoning for room service frequently means dealing with automatic telephone answering systems.
• Signs aren't always clear, and sometimes it's hard to find what you're looking for.
  

As you can see, because large resort cruise ships are designed to be efficient and provide a decent (but rarely excellent) experience for everyone, they tend to lose the great service and special attention you can expect on smaller ships. However, if you don't mind the big-city feel, there is plenty to see and do on these ships.

Source: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships

Back to "What Size Cruise Ship Is Right for You?"

Mid-size Cruise Ships Pros & Cons

Mid-size cruise ships can still visit some of the small ports , as small and boutique ships can, but they are roomier with accommodations ranging from "penthouse" suites to small interior cabins. They offer more facilities, entertainment, and dining options than smaller ships. Also, due to their increased size and draft, they tend to be more stable at sea.

Passenger amount = 500-1,200

If you're thinking you might like to book a cruise on a mid-size ship, let's take a look at the pros and cons to help you decide:

Advantages of Mid-size Cruise Ships

• They're more traditional (ship looking) than large resort vessels with their boxy shapes.
• It's still easy to find your way around (as with small ships).
• They sail well in rough weather.
• They offer more to do than small ships (though still not as much as large resort ships).
• Lines are more frequent than with small ships, but nothing compared to what you see in the large ships. When lines do form, they tend to be short.

Disadvantages of Mid-size Cruise Ships

• They don't offer as many and as large of public rooms as on large resort ships.
• They rarely have large show lounges for large-scale productions, so think "cabaret variety" for the entertainment.
  

Many consider mid-size ships a happy medium between small ships and large ships, sort of a porridge juuuust right type of cruise ships.

Source: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships

Back to "What Size Cruise Ship Is Right for You?"

Boutique/Small Cruise Ships, Pros & Cons

Boutique and small cruise ships give you a much different vacation experience than the large resort ships.

Passenger amount = up to 500

If you're thinking of going small, here are some of the pros and cons of these ships:

Advantages to Cruising on Small/Boutique Ships

• They're cozy, more like "small inns" than giant resorts.
• It's easy to find your way around.
• They often have an open bridge policy, which means you can head up to the navigational bridge most times of the day to see what's going on.
• They usually provide open seating in the dining room, so you're not assigned to certain tables.
• Small ships can go to smaller and more off-beat ports, which larger ships are too big to visit (this means less crowded and touristy ports).
• When the ship anchors, you don't have to deal with huge lines of people waiting to be tendered ashore.
• These ships often offer better, fresher foods that are cooked to individual standards.
• You'll find no or almost no ship-wide announcements disturbing your peace.

Disadvantages of Boutique/Small Cruise Ships

• Since they have less bulk, they don't sail as well in open seas in poor weather conditions.
• They have fewer public rooms and open spaces than large resort ships, so there are fewer options for entertainment.

As you can see, the pros generally outweigh the cons when it comes to small cruise ships, so if you're looking to avoid the mainstream, you may want to consider booking passage on one of these for your cruise vacation!

Source: Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships

Head back to "What Cruise Ship Is Best for You" for information on other size ships.

What Size Cruise Ship Is Best for You?

If you're a first time cruiser, you're probably just familiar with the large mainstream ships that are advertised by the big well-known cruise lines. You know, the ships that have everything from casinos, to shopping malls, to pools, to theaters, to gyms, to multiple eating venues. If you want all that, and don't mind lots of people on board, that may be just fine, but it's certainly not your only cruise option.

What size cruise ships are out there?

Glad you asked. Cruise ships are divided into four categories:

• boutique ships -- up to 200 passengers, measurement of 1,000-5,000 tons
• small ships -- 200-500 passengers, 5,000-25,000 tons
• mid-size ships -- 500-1,200 passengers, 25,000-50,000 tons
• large resort ships -- for over 1,200 passengers, 50,000-160,000 tons

All cruise ships provide the same basic amenities: accommodations, entertainment, unlimited food, good service, and a variety of ports of call to visit. However, the size ship you book can very much influence what kind of vacation you receive...

Visit the more in-depth posts, which cover the pros and cons of each type of ship, to learn what's best for you:

Boutique/Small Ships, Mid-size Ships, Large Resort Ships

Cruise Myth #8: Cruises Aren't for Singles

No matter where you go in the world, it's a hard fact that traveling solo isn't as cost effective as traveling as a couple or in a group. You can't split the cost of hotel rooms with anyone, and a lot of the entertainment out there is geared toward couples.

The preference is for couples in the cruise industry too: the rates they give you are based on the assumption that two people will occupy your cabin. If it's just you, expect to pay one and a half to twice as much.

So naturally you might assume cruises just aren't good vacation options for singles.

But actually, there are plenty of ways you can cruise solo in an affordable way. For instance, some cruise lines will match you up with other singles (same sex) to have as a cabin mate.

Since you probably won't spend much time in your cabin anyway on a cruise, it doesn't matter too much about who the other person is, but who knows--you may hit it off and then you'll have someone to dine and take shore excursions with.

As a perk, if the cruise line can't find a single roommate for you, you'll get the cabin at the same price (no paying double for that unoccupied bunk) and have it all to yourself. (Make sure to check if your cruise line has a program like this before you book. Some do and some don't.)

If you've already booked a cruise, or the cruise line you want to travel with doesn't offer a singles match program, head over to the Cruise Mates message board and check out the "Seeking Cruise Companion" forum. You can post your needs and browse posts from others who are looking to save money by finding a cabin mate.

Some cruise lines specialize in cruises just for singles. Others offer activities for singles about mainstream cruises, to help you meet others who are traveling solo.

So don't assume that all the activities are meant for families and couples. There are lots of cruises out there where the solo traveler can have a good time.

Cruise Myth #7: You Can Get the Best Deals on the Internet

The Internet is a great way to learn about cruises (especially if you visit cruise blogs like this one!) and get a feel for what's out there and what price range various trips fall into, but it's not necessarily the cheapest way to book a cruise.

It's certainly the most convenient--you can book your whole trip without leaving your house or even calling anyone on the phone--but you can often find better deals elsewhere...

Believe it or not, travel agencies can often get you a better deal.

You'd think that because they're getting a percentage this wouldn't be the case, but agents are well-connected, often receiving daily faxes and e-mails from cruise lines and tour operators. This means access to deals that change faster than websites can.

In addition, a lot of travel agencies belong to travel consortiums such as Ensemble or Virtuoso. These guys book blocks of cabins to get cheaper group rates from the cruise lines, and then they pass along the savings to their clients.

Also, if you've cruised with a certain line before, you're often eligible for discounts because you're a repeat cruiser. It can be hard to figure out how to take advantage of that over the Internet, but your travel agent will know just who to call.

So, just because websites promise great deals on last minute cruises, don't assume they're listing the best possible deals out there for everyone. Often, those who plan ahead and book with an agent can get even better deals than folks who book online!

Cruise Myth #6: You'll Get Bored

If a cruise sounds boring to you, you may be imagining some transatlantic crossing where you're looking at nothing but ocean all day every day.

The majority of cruises sail in small areas, and visit new ports almost every day (on a weeklong cruise, expect to spend four of your six full days in a port with only two days where you're onboard the ship all day as you sail to the next destination). Every new port is an opportunity to sightsee, explore new cultures, take an exotic shore excursion, or shop until you drop.

Tons of Things to Do on Board

Even when you are at sea, there's so much to do on board (especially the big mega ships), it's unlikely you'll have time to be bored.

Head to a show, take in a movie, hit the pool, gamble at the casino, listen to an educational lecture, take a cooking class, work off all that good food at the gym... Chances are the big ships have more to do than your hometown, and everything is within walking distance!

Some people take those transatlantic crossings on purpose, just because they enjoy all the activities on board a cruise ship.

Boredom? Not likely!

Cruise Myth #5: Cruise Ships are Crowded

If you hate crowds and don't like strangers constantly brushing up against of you, you may have dismissed a cruise vacation out of hand. After all, those cruise ships jam hundreds--or thousands if you're going with the big mainstream lines--of folks on board.

Doesn't sound very peaceful and tranquil, does it?

Well, there are certainly times when the ship is going to feel crowded, but experienced cruisers tell me they've always been able to find little nooks to get away from the crowds and just enjoy a book or do some writing.

Many cruise ships--especially the big ones--are actually designed specifically so they won't feel crowded, even with all those numbers on board.

If you want to get an idea of how crowded a ship will feel (and you like math), you can divide its tonnage by its total passenger capacity. This gives you passenger-space ratio (and a number with which you can impress friends and family members with your cruise-trip-planning knowledge).

Or, you could just book a cruise aboard a small ship.

These lines rarely have more than 100 passengers on board. Of course, you won't find as many diversions, but all those shows and activities can add to the lots-of-people-in-one-spot busyness factor, so you probably won't miss them if you're an anti-crowd person.

Cruise Myth #4: Last Minute Cruise Bookings Offer the Best Rates

It used to be a given that if you waited until the last minute to book a cruise, you'd often get the best rate. Cruise lines know they'll lose money if they sail with empty cabins, so they are eager to get passengers aboard.

This is still true, and you can get excellent rates by booking a last minute cruise, but you have the poorest choice in cabins, since all the best ones have naturally been taken. It can also be tough to get a last minute airfare deal. Oh, and those who book last also are last in line when it comes to getting cabin upgrades.

Also, though you can get a good rate, you're not likely getting the best rate when you book at the last minute.

In fact, the people who book as soon as the cruise becomes available (those who reserve the first 20%-40% of the cabins) usually get the best rates of all.

Most cruise lines even have policies these days that would require them to go back and issue discounts to passengers previously booked if they slashed their prices drastically at the last minute.

So, while it's certainly possible to find a good deal if you can travel on a whim and leave at the last minute, you're actually better rewarded by booking early.

How Cruises Are Different from Other Vacations

If you're trying to decide whether or not to book a cruise, you may want to look at all the ways cruises are different from other vacation options. Those differences are likely what will make you a fan (or convince you that cruises just aren't for you).

1. The most obvious difference is that on a cruise you sail from destination to destination instead of hopping a plane, train, bus, or renting a car.

Most people don't get excited about traveling by plane, bus, etc. since it involves being squeezed into a seat next to a) squirming kids b) someone who hogs the arm rest or c) someone who wants to chat with you the whole time. You have little to do but read, daydream, and try to ignore your obnoxious seatmates until you arrive at your destination.

With a cruise, you have your own private cabin to call yours, and--better yet--the whole ship to wander through and explore while you are in transit. There are tons of things to do to keep you entertained, such as casinos, swimming pools, fitness centers, fine dining, massages, comedy shows, classes, and more.

2. With cruises, you're usually limited to coastal destinations.

Though some cruise lines offer excursions that will also take you inland for part of your vacation, for the most part, you're not going to be climbing any Alps to look for mountain goats. It is possible, however, to find river cruises in many parts of the world. For example, there are a couple outfits that sail the Mississippi River in the U.S. using replicas of the
old steam-powered paddle boats that Mark Twain rode on.

3. You get to visit several cities, but only have to unpack once.

This may very well be the coolest part of cruises, at least in my eyes. Speaking as someone who did one of the big Rick Steves see-all-of-Europe-in-three-weeks tours, packing and unpacking every two days can get a little old!

4. Prices are "all inclusive" and cover the majority of your expenses.

When you pay for a cruise, the ticket prices includes your cabin, meals, entertainment shows, and of course the cruise itself. However, you can expect the cruise lines to try and sell you lots of extras. And, for example, drinks and shore excursions aren't included (but you can explore on your own if you want to save money).

5. You don't get to spend a lot of time in any one place.

If you like the idea of staying somewhere for a week or more and really getting a feel for that one town, then you may not enjoy a cruise. Cruises are all about visiting one destination for a day and then moving onto the next place.

These are just some of the ways cruises are different from most other types of vacations. Let's hope this helps you decide whether the cruise life is right for you.

Cruise Myth #3: You'll Get Seasick

You may not have considered a cruise vacation because you're worried you'll get seasick and be miserable all the time.

As someone who is prone to getting carsick, I completely understand. While it is possible you might get queasy on board a cruise ship, most people report that they have few problems.

Today's ships, especially the large mainstream ships, have stabilizers that keep the rocking of the sea to a minimum. After all, they wouldn't want you sitting down to a fine meal in the dining room only to have your plates skidding off the table!

Most of the time, you'll barely be aware you're in the water.

Also, a lot of cruise itineraries stay in relatively calm waters such as protected seas and inside passages. If you think seasickness might be a problem for you, consider a trip that hugs the coast or skirts through something like Alaska's inside passage for your first cruise.

But chances are seasickness will be the last thing on your mind, and you'll have a wonderful time on board.

Hey, you can always take some Dramamine along for emergencies.

Cruise Myth #2: You'll Get Fat!

Well, there can be some truth to this cruise assumption, so maybe it's not entirely a myth. There is plenty (and I do mean plenty) to eat on a cruise. If you go in with the mindset that you want to get the most for your money, even if that means eating until you explode (or at least suffer gastrointestinal distress), then yes, you may very well gain 5 pounds in the week you're on board.

However, this is not a requirement.

Today's cruise ships have changed with the changing attitudes of many health conscious vacation goers. There are food options for everyone. Yes, you can get the French fries and deep-friend chicken sticks, but there are also lighter portions of healthier foods, including vegetarian options.

Also cruise ships have lots to do besides eating, and all of the large, mainstream ships have fitness centers. Expect weight rooms, fitness classes such as yoga or pilates, and lots of cardio machines such as treadmills all available for your use 24 hours a day.

Also, just about all ports you visit offer shore excursions for the physically active. You can go for hikes, go kayaking, go mountain biking, or sign up for a horseback riding adventure.

If staying in shape is important to you, it's absolutely something you can do while on your vacation. In fact, you'll have lots of time for physical activities since you won't be at work!

Cruise Myth #1: Only Retired People Take Cruises

Back in the day, when cruises first made their appearance, they did cater to the wealthy and retired, but that is definitely not the case any more. People of all ages are cruising, including families with children (Disney cruise lines are popular with this group) and singles.

There are cruises for virtually anyone no matter what your interests.

Short cruises in the Caribbean or down to Mexico (often wrapped around a long weekend) are particularly popular with young adults who want to get away and party, party, party for a few days. If you want adventure, you can find ships that will make stops in the perfect spots for SCUBA diving, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, and other active pursuits. If the idea of learning something new on vacation excites you, you can find educational cruises featuring guest lecturers who will share the history of the region or even help you become a pro at digital photography.

By now, you should see that this cruise myth is definitely false. There are plenty of things to do on cruises for people of all ages, and cruising is one of the best vacations you can get for your money (and you don't have to spend a ton to have a really good time).