First-time cruisers can feel overwhelmed when considering a voyage. Here’s a selection of expert tips to help ensure your virgin cruise clients enjoy smooth sailing all the way.
Value vs price
Many first-time cruisers are unaware of the complexity of fare structures and what is really included in the fare. Your job is to advise them about choice and value, to make sure they find a cruise that suits their budget and expectations – and come back to book another one.
Things like specialty restaurants not being included and drinks packages can leave first-time cruisers with a shock at the end of the cruise when it comes to paying their bill.
Bicton Travel, Assistant Manager, Byron Horne, who is on a mission to share the “magic of cruise” says when well educated, clients are often surprised by the value some cruise lines can offer compared to “cheap” fares.
“There’s nothing worse than booking and paying for a cruise to find that your onboard account ends up being more than your cruise fare.”
Robyn Sinfield, Home Travel Company’s co-founder, highly regarded travel advisor and regional chair of Virtuoso’s Cruising committee, also warns against buying a cruise outside your country of residence.
“Cruise lines call this cross-border selling, and you can be denied boarding if you can’t provide a residential address in another country,” she explains.
Buy travel insurance with cruise cover
Even if your clients are young and fit, travel insurance with cruise cover is essential for several scenarios other than medical.
For example, missing the ship because a connecting flight has been delayed or cancelled, or luggage going astray en route to the ship.
Insurance can help defray some expenses if a client has to cancel a cruise before it even starts because of, say, a sudden illness, and medical expenses incurred onboard can be massive.
And, if medical evacuation is required, you’re talking many thousands of dollars – and cover for medical evacuation is mandatory on expedition cruise lines. Another thing first-time cruisers often don’t realise is that treatment from a ship’s doctor or medical centre when cruising in Australian waters is not covered by Medicare.
Passports and visas
Robyn Sinfield says you should remind first-time cruisers to check that their passport is up to date and has at least six months left before the expiry date – rules around validity often change.
“Also check if visas are required. If they are visiting several countries in one cruise, find out if the cruise line organises blanket visas for officers, crew and guests.”
Arrival at departure port
Advise first-time cruisers to arrive at least a day before embarkation, or preferably two days if you’re taking a flight to join a ship overseas.
Flight delays and cancellations have become more common worldwide since the pandemic and if you don’t factor some extra travel time into your plans, you could end up (literally) missing the boat.
I speak from experience. Only a few weeks ago, my flight from the UK to Australia was delayed by several hours at Heathrow, which led to missing the connecting flight in Doha and having to spend 24 hours in a local hotel.
Thank the travel gods this did not happen on my way to Europe to board a much-anticipated river cruise – even with a night’s pre-cruise accommodation booked in advance near the port, that unwanted 24-hour layover would have involved extra travel to catch up with the ship, not to mention a very stressful start to the trip.
Interstate flights in Australia are also subject to delays and cancellations, so allow more time than you think you need in port before boarding the ship. Book a hotel and enjoy an extra day and night relaxing or exploring your departure town or city.
Pack light
Storage space is limited in most ships’ staterooms, so advise first-time cruisers not to overload suitcases with clothes and shoes you don’t need.
Ocean ships often have self-service laundrettes and all offer laundry service if you need to recycle outfits.
Check out Karryon’s essential packing guide for more info, plus our list of what you should take onboard in your hand luggage.
Research ports of call and book excursions
Popular ship-run shore excursions often fill up quickly, so it’s important to book your place as soon as possible.
If the key attractions of a port are close by, cruisers can explore independently on foot or use local transport to get around if group tours don’t appeal.
If booking an independent tour with companies such as Viator or Tours by Locals, make sure your client is fully aware that timing is vital – if they’re late back to the port the ship won’t wait for them, while if they’re on a ship-organised excursion it will wait.
And going ashore is not compulsory – skipping a port here and there means you can enjoy a quiet day onboard.
Book speciality dining in advance
If dining in a particular specialty restaurant is a priority, it’s advisable to make a reservation online as soon as you can after booking, when applicable – every cruise line has different advance booking protocols.
Often people book in advance and then cancel at the last minute, so it’s always worth approaching the maître d’ when you’re onboard to see if any spaces have become available, or if you can go onto a wait list.
Keep your smartphone on flight mode
Having incurred a very large phone bill early on in my cruising career because I didn’t turn off global roaming – let alone knew about leaving flight mode switched on at all times – I am now diligent about keeping my phone in flight mode while travelling.
Robyn suggests checking out if free Wi-Fi offered on ships offers enough bandwidth for your purposes, whether for work or play – “often, for a small fee you can have streaming that offers faster speeds”.
For travels in more remote areas or on ships where Wi-Fi is limited, a daily use-as-you-go package with your regular provider is also an affordable stress-saver.
Pack international adapters
Most ships cruising around Australia are from overseas, so an international adapter is an essential piece of kit whether your client is sailing domestically or internationally. Choose a universal model with USB ports – there are never enough power points in staterooms!
Also worth noting: power boards are not allowed on board because they are a fire hazard – cabin stewards will report them and they are the most confiscated item on cruises.
Onboard tips
Are you an avid reader but don’t want to lug heavy books and not so fond of the kindle? Robyn says, “Most ships have libraries and if you head there on the first day of the cruise you’ll have first pick of new titles.”
Enjoy a tipple? Robyn suggests making friends with the sommelier, who will become familiar with your preferences.
“You might be on a ship where drinks are included, but if the wines offered are not to your taste, simply ask what else is available and you might be surprised by what they come back with!
“If you’re loving your cruise, talk to the onboard cruise consultant about making a new booking,” Robyn advises. “Often you’ll save money on the fare, enjoy smaller deposits and more inclusions – and the booking comes back to your travel advisor to manage it for you, just like your first cruise.”
Never leave the ship without…
Another invaluable tip from Robyn: take a photo of the ship’s and port agent’s contact details from the daily newssheet – or take the newssheet with you – in case there’s any emergency ashore.
Don’t wait!
As Byron Horne says, for clients who are considering cruising for the first time, do it sooner rather than later.
“So many clients want to wait until later in life to do big bucket-list items like an expedition cruise. My suggestion is not to wait. Although most soft-adventure and luxury expedition cruises are not terribly strenuous, you do have to be quite mobile for zodiac excursions, water landings and some physical activity.”
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