Setting sail on a cruise, but not sure what to expect? Debbie McTaggart shares her beginner’s guide to relaxing on a boat.
When the invitation to cruise for a night aboard the luxurious Celebrity Solstice crossed my desk, I was excited. Although the Celebrity Solstice sails all over the world, I was only going to be on board for one night, sailing around the heads off Sydney. However, having never cruised before, I was also a little nervous. What should I expect? Not about being at sea, but about the process of actually boarding the ship.
Before I even thought about packing, I read every bit of information I could find online about the Celebrity Solstice. I knew that I would have to take an adaptor as the plug points are the US standard and that there were plenty of smart restaurants, a pool and spa on board, so I packed my case secure in the knowledge I had everything covered.
Next I registered as a guest, filling in my passenger details, including required ID details and the credit card to which I would be charging my expenses. Now I was ready to find out more about my cabin. There are many websites which enable you to search for your actual cabin and find out what you can expect before you board. Before you book your cruise, you can also search the different cabin types on most of the ships in operation, which can be useful if you have mobility issues or are looking for the best value cabin for your money.
Arriving at the passenger terminal I was blown away by the sheer size of this city on the water; the next thing that bowled me over was the number of people waiting to embark. If you’re in one of the more luxurious cabins, such as a stateroom, then you can make use of the preferential boarding queues. Or maybe just drop your bag at the designated spot and go for a wander around your departure city until the line reduces.
At the check-in counter, I handed over my ID, credit card and my booking confirmation. I also had to have my photo taken, presumably for security purposes, before being handed my room key, which also doubled as a charge card while on the ship. It’s worth noting that while you should hold onto the receipts for everything you charge, you can keep track of your spending via the entertainment and message system on the television in your room.
Security is the same as at any airport, and although there isn’t the same restriction on liquids, I did have my bags scanned. Then I was up the gang-plank, to claim my welcome glass of champagne. I headed to my room to drop-off my hand luggage and was delighted by how airy it was. I was less pleased, however, to discover no hairdryer. Note to self: pack for all eventualities in future – never assume!
Rather than brag about the a fabulous time I had on my one-night cruise, here are some useful tips for your first day on board:
• Explore – find out what’s going on around the ship and where things are located.
• Plan – military precision is not required, but as some activities are only available while the ship is at sea, a rough plan is useful.
• Book – there are many speciality restaurants on board, but you will need a reservation to dine in them. A surcharge is also usually levied
• Pamper – take time for yourself by checking out the packages available at the spa and beauty salon. You may want to make an appointment towards the end of your trip so you disembark looking fabulous.
• Safety – there will be a mandatory safety briefing on your first day, so make sure you don’t miss it.
• Read – there is plenty of literature in your cabin about what’s going on during your cruise and although it’s tempting to put it to one side, it often contains special discounts, details of one-off events and maybe even an invitation to dinner. Read it up front!
And finally – ENJOY. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser, no trip should be wasted.
Resources
DeckPlanGenius.com
Celebrity Solstice
What to pack for a cruise
Frequently asked first time cruising questions
