“Land was created to provide
a place for boats to visit”

— Brooks Atkinson

Are cruises safe?

When it comes to cruising, safety is definitely a top priority.

Cruise lines take many precautions to ensure the safety of their crew and passengers, such as regular safety drills and inspections, and having trained staff onboard to handle any potential emergency. Like everything in life, there are always some risks associated with travel of any kind, but with proper planning and adherence to safety protocols, you can minimize those risks and the number of incidents.

Prior to travel, it’s also a good idea to research all ports of call on your itinerary.

Be sure to look at things such as crime rates or natural hazards, and be aware of any potential safety risks.

In recent years, overall cruise ship safety incidents decreased by more than 15%, however…

‘one bad apple can spoil the bunch’

In recent history, only two instances made international headlines

Costa Concordia, 2012
Carnival Triumph, 2013

When addressing safety onboard, we have to consider four key areas.

Ship Safety

If you’ve cruised before, you’ve likely heard the term SOLAS.
Safety Of Life At Sea
This set of international rules monitor and regulate things like navigation, fire safety, and maritime security.
When visiting countries outside the US, ships must also abide by each governments regulations.
Personal Safety

Statistically speaking, incidents involving personal safety are very rare.
One thing potential cruisers fear is the idea of falling overboard.
But in reality, this almost never happens.
Most are suicides.
Few are foul play.
Pool Safety

Most ships have pools, and with them come safety rules.
We highly recommend going over those rules with your children before setting them free.
Remember, you're on vacation, so the idea of watching over your kids 24/7 is likely not your idea of ‘relaxing’.
And lifeguards, although often on duty, have a lot on their hands.
Pirates

Your first thought is likely ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, and would never imagine something like this on your cruise vacation.
But the threat of a pirate attack, although extremely rare, is very real.
With its staff & crew prepared for the worst, cruise ships have only seen 6 pirate attacks in the last 10 years.
None of them were successful.

Be safe out there...

Each cruise line works very hard at maintaining cruise safety, with best practices in place, security officers, and cameras.

Always know your surroundings, and that includes the people with you. Control your alcohol, don’t accept drinks from strangers, and be mindful
who you let into your room.

As a general rule, act responsibly,
and don’t be stupid.

**What about COVID?**

February 2020, cruising Southeast Asia as Covid-19 quickly evolved into a global pandemic.
The option of coming home to our family and friends was enough to make us smile…behind masks of course.
*Cruises then, at the forefront of the news with daily headlines; outbreaks, mass quarantines, stranded guests, crew members, but….*

Cruises are sailing again and things are
“back to normal…?”

Even in 2023, still some conflicting messages out there regarding what is required prior to boarding.

For example:

Must provide negative test results?
Double vaccination, and must be same brand?
Mixed vaccines may not be accepted in all ports, so…
No vaccines required at all

For travellers in the US you can find the latest warnings, travel advisories, and recommendations specific to cruise travel at U.S. Centers for Disease Control cdc.gov/travel/notices

For the latest updates from the Canadian Government go to: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/cruise

We recommend doing as much research in advance before your trip.

What is included in the price of my cruise?

Typically the price includes accommodations, meals, and all onboard activities and entertainment

Some cruises may include drinks, shore excursions, and other amenities

What is the best time to cruise?

Cruising allows you to explore new destinations and relax, while enjoying a variety of onboard activities and amenities.

However, like many things in life, the timing of your cruise is the key to ensure you have the best possible experience.

4 reasons why timing is so important

1 Weather conditions

One of the most important factors to consider when planning a cruise is the weather. Cruising during the off-season or during a rainy season can result in unfavorable weather conditions, which will impact your ability to enjoy outdoor activities and excursions.

For example, if you're planning a Caribbean cruise, hurricane season runs from June through November, so you may want to avoid cruising during this time to avoid any potential weather-related issues.

Are you planning a cruise to Japan for the cherry blossoms, in February?

Expect nothing less than magical during Springtime in Japan, as its iconic cherry blossoms (sakura) cover a nation in a soft pink hue. But cherry blossom season happens between late March and early May.

An study by Kansai University found that an estimated 63 million people travel to and within Japan to see the bloom,
generating approximately $2.7 billion [301 billion yen] in the process.

2 Crowd levels

Peak season means larger crowds, longer lines, and more limited availability for popular activities and excursions. On the plus side, off-season cruising means smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.

3 Special events

Throughout the year, you will ecounter festivals, holidays, or sporting events as you arrive in foreign ports . Keep an eye out!

4 Pricing

Cruising during the off-season often means lower prices, making it more affordable for many travelers. Additionally, booking your cruise in advance or taking advantage of last-minute deals can also result in significant savings.

Where | When?

Alaska

June - August
Asia

November - March
Baltic

July - August
Bermuda

June - August
New England

September and October
Caribbean

December - April
Europe

April - June
September - October
Hawaii

Late December - April
Mediterranean

April - November
Norway Fjords

June - August
October - March
South America

November - March
South Pacific

Late November - March

What is the tipping policy?

Most cruise lines have a recommended tipping policy for the staff.

Some cruise lines automatically add gratuities to the onboard account, while others may allow guests to tip individually

Be sure to look into this in advance

Will I get seasick?

Dizziness, nausea, headaches….these can all be symptoms motion sickness. On a ship, we call this ‘seasickness’.

For starters, you’ll be happy to know that modern cruises are all equipped with stabilizers.

What are stabilizers?

Think of the wing flaps on an airplane, they prevent the vessel from excessive rolling due to wind or waves.

And because of this…you will wander your way from 4pm trivia to 5pm ballroom dancing, between the pool and the hot tub, back to the casino, and back & forth to/from the buffet…

And all throughout, forgetting you were floating on a giant boat in the middle of the ocean.

First-time cruiser?

Maybe you’re thinking of trying your first cruise but you’re prone to or concerned about motion sickness.

Book a lower level stateroom in the middle of the ship (mid-ship), preferably with a balcony.

Hope you’re ready, because we’re about to drop the anchor on seasickness…

To fight seasickness, we began using our silicone earplugs, the ones we use for swimming. We learned that apparently this is an old sailors trick…

Seasickness is the result of conflicting signals to the brain.

By inserting one earplug, this tricks the brain to ignore signals from your ears and instead focus on signals sent by your eyes.

10 Tips to beat seasickness

Take control of situation
Face towards front of ship
Get some air
Keep eyes on horizon
Insert ear plug into one ear
Drink ginger ale
Hydrate lots
Eat a green apple
Snack on water crackers
Change positions

And if the problem persists…

The Pill

Well, the other pill…
Dimenhydrinate, sold over the counter as Gravol and Dramamine, is a drug used to treat motion sickness and nausea.
Available in the Medical Department onboard
Sea-Bands

Sea-bands are elastic acupressure wrist bands.
They exert pressure, and are clinically proven to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

Available in the Duty Free Shops onboard
The Patch

This should really be your last resort…
But be careful, these patches release chemicals (Scopolamine) into your system, which can cause adverse reactions or side effects.
Requires a prescription from a physician.

Do I need a visitors visa?

It should be no surprise that each country has their own unique entry requirements.

While most cruise lines will provide assistance in securing the necessary visa documents, let’s also do our own homework and not learn a lesson the hard way.

It is wise to do this in advance, as waiting times to process varies and can sometimes be quite lengthy.

This process can often include making appointments, securing passport/visa photos, submitting forms, fees, etc.

Take the time to research specific countries on your itinerary for visa guidelines.

Don’t get stuck on the ship because you don’t have the proper documents to get off in a port.

Just go online and…Google: wikipedia visa requirements for citizens of “enter your country here”.

Visa requirements US citizens

What is the dress code onboard?

Some cruise lines have a dress code, at least for certain areas of the ship, such as formal nights in the dining room.

The dress code can vary significantly depending on cruise line and itinerary

Check with the cruise line before packing.

What should I pack?

You should pack comfortable clothing and shoes, as well as any necessary documents, medication, and toiletries.

Depending on the cruise itinerary, you may also want to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and formal attire for any dress-up events.

Always prepare for the worst…

For example, if you’re going to the Caribbean, yes you’ll be packing those sexy pineapple pattern swim trunks, sunscreen and a gallon of aloe vera, but….

As tropical showers are common, a light rain jacket or windbreaker is a good idea.

Also, the open decks onboard can get quite windy at night, so not a bad idea to take something a bit heavier.

Did you know?

There’s no question that luggage gets mishandled during travel…And the numbers don’t lie

Delays 77%

Damages 18%

Lost 5%

Pack Light Travel Heavy

Let's break it down

When it comes to packing, this can be one of the more stressful moments of your journey, if you leave it for last minute.
When should you start packing?
2 - 3 days before your trip.
And just to be clear, you don’t need to be fully packed by then, but that’s when you start packing items you won’t need in the coming days, and making lists of others you don’t want to forget
Packing can be classified into two simple categories; checked luggage and carry-on.
Delayed, damaged or stolen

Well, sometimes…
We’ve been quite lucky in this area, but you should always mentally prepare yourself for the worst when sending luggage under.
If you’re able to travel with simply a carry-on, we’re huge proponents of this.
But it’s often impossible.
In any case, you should always prepare with a complete carry-on.
Plus, what you’re wearing on the day of travel, and that too needs to be somewhat strategic.
10 Point Checklist
These are the 10 most important items.
And as such, they go in my carry-on without fail
1. Passport & travel documents
2. Cell phone + charger
3. Toiletries [toothbrush, paste]
4. Battery pack + all charging cables
5. Headphones [wired & wireless]
6. Climate appropriate gear
7. Credit cards & some cash in each of the local currencies
8. Vitamins and/or meds
9. Compression socks [for long flights]
10. TriggerPoint GRID foam roller and massage ball. We don’t leave home without them.

Packing 101 two of our secrets

Whether you’re a ‘folder’ or ‘roller’, packing cubes are the way to go.

Special thanks to Carnival Cruises for these cubes.

Different sizes to compartmentalize items, making it easy to find them later
Easy to pack and repack, never having to unpack; simply move the cubes to the drawers and back
Separate clothing from electronics and liquid, for obvious reasons
Keeps things in tact during those surprise security checks and inspections

Next time you wear through a pair of socks, maybe consider keeping them around as shoe covers.

Nothing worse than packing dirty shoes into a suitcase. Well…

These beauties were purchases from Busan, South Korea.

Hard to hide our personalities now that you’ve seen our socks

A couple more items you may want to add…

If you enjoy walking, running or swimming

Always prepare for the worst and pack your running shoes,
swim goggles or snorkel set.

Often overlooked, packing runners and goggles will not only allows for you to enjoy the onboard pools and fitness facilities, but they’ll be key when you arrive in some of those Caribbean ports.

The underwater beauty beyond those shorelines is something else…

What can I do in port?

In short, there are many things to do in port.

Depending on your interests and preferences, the options come down to a few factors:

Money also known as budget, There is an abundance of options when there is an infinite amount of money. But for those of you on a budget, less of course.

Interests or what you prefer to do on your vacation. Are you someone who wants to explore the place to its fullest, walking tens of thousands of steps, trying every local dish, etc…? Or would you rather find a beach to relax and take in the rays?

Mobility and/or desire to walk, ride a bike and be active. The more you can do on your own two feet, the less you will need to rely on Ubers, taxis and public transportation.

One of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its food. Take the opportunity to try some local cuisine at a restaurant or food market.

If you're looking for souvenirs to bring back home, many ports offer local markets or shopping centers where you can find unique items.

If you're interested in history or art, many ports have museums and art galleries that are worth a visit.

Participate in shore excursions: Many cruise lines offer shore excursions, which are pre-planned activities that take place off the ship. These can include activities like hiking, snorkeling, or zip-lining.

Fancy a Wander?

Can’t be bothered to book a shore excursion?

Go for a wander, maybe rent a car or a bike and venture out to see the sights at your own pace. But know this, many cruise terminals are like airports in the sense that Top Sights are rarely within walking distance.

Ways to explore

Independently
Shore Excursion
Private Tour

Shore Excursions

Learn about the history and culture of the region on an organized tour. Many cruise lines offer shore excursions, which are pre-planned activities that take place on shore.

When booking onboard, your excursion is guaranteed by the cruise line.

If your ship organized shore excursion arrives later than planned, the ship is required to wait for the tour.

If you book ashore, that’s not the case so be prepared to say goodbye to your ship and meet it at the next port.

Self-Guided Tours

Explore Top Sights and highlights with our FREE Self-Guided Tours.

Follow along, and you won’t miss a beat. You’ll even be back onboard before sailaway ;)

What is NOT included

Transportation
Admission | Entry
Travel insurance

5 FREE Activities

If your cruising on a budget, here are some FREE'ish activities:

Go for a run, a personal favorite
Grab a coffee and people watch
Check out the markets
Tour the city
Beach day

Regardless of what you decide to do or where you go,
do not carry passports ashore unless instructed by the ship.

And don’t leave the ship without these must-have items

ship card + photo i.d.
cash + credit card
mobile phone

What happens if I miss the ship's departure?

You will need to contact the cruise line immediately to arrange transportation to the next port of call

You will be responsible for any any costs incurred.

Port & Ship Information

Can be found in your Daily ‘Cruise Planner’

Cruise Compass, Chronicles, Patter, The Daily, Fun Times

These are all examples of a cruise planner.

Yes, the one that’s waiting for you in your stateroom
or on your door the night before the port.

Besides listing all the activities and events for the day, it also highlights key information relating to the ship and your ports of call.

We highly recommend paying notice to these little gems.

You notice how others just seem to know something about the ship, daily activities and events, except you?
Ever wonder why?
How?

Check your Cruise Planner, a wealth of relative information is all up in there!

Quantum of the Seas with the Flamengo | GO Sea Beyond.jpeg

Regent Seven Seas Passages | Frequently Asked Questions | GO Sea Beyond.jpg

Quantum of the Seas with the Gorilla | GO Sea Beyond.JPG

Silversea Chronicles onboard Silver Shadow | GO Sea Beyond.jpg

Carnival Fun Times | Frequently Asked Questions | GO Sea Beyond.jpg

Download the App

These apps, historically allowing you to check daily activity schedules and onboard accounts, now allows for so much more.

The pandemic forced cruises to implement even more technology, and offer most onboard services through apps.

From cruise check-ins, to dining reservations and shore excursion bookings, all done virtually, eliminating many unnecessary touchpoints.

Download the cruise app as soon as you board

Some of the these ship apps even give cruisers the ability to use their smartphones as room keys.

These apps are free to use without data or WIFI plan.
Just connect to ship WIFI and voila!

Should I take cash or credit cards?

In short, both. Many places only accept cash, so you always want to have cash in hand.

Yet you can just never know when a credit card would be handy in case of an emergency.

…yes, shopping emergencies included.

Cashless Payments
aka Digital Wallets

Did you know?

40 countries now accept one
of these payment methods.

Is it safe to travel alone?

Just because cruises are sailing into these ports does not qualify them as safe. You should always know where you’re going and do a bit of light research before traveling.

We’ve made things a little easier by adding the Global Peace Index for each Port City, specific to the country.

This is a great starting point in understanding how each rank when it comes to personal safety, terrorism, etc.