Cruising - The IDEAL Vacation

My wife and I like to go on cruises and have been on 10 cruises, including:

1. Mediterranean 
2. Caribbean (6)
3. Bahamas
4. Alaskan
5. Hawaii

We have sailed on:

• Celebrity
• Carnival
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian

For some reason we like Royal Caribbean the best.  Our statements have either been with a window or inside and we have done this because not much time is actually spent in the room, and the money saved could be used on excursions.  However, after COVID and passengers, we were told, were kept in their rooms, we know we will never get another inside cabin.

We always bring:

• 2 Power strips with 6 outlets each
• A YETI coffee cup
• A YETI drinking cup
• Clips to hold the towels on the chair
• Medical supplies
• Set up phone texting only on cell phones
• Walkie-Talkies (palm size)
• No dress (Church clothes)
• Extra travel bag for gifts

Hints:

1. Board as early as you can so that you can familiarize yourself with the ship and arrange your eating schedule.
2. If you have afternoon excursions, make sure you eat at the second dinner time not the first.
3. don't bring dress clothes for dress night in dining room as it is not enforced.
4. On sea days, get up early to select your lounge chair but one person must remain seated there...  cannot save chairs on sea days.  Alternate going for meals.
5. We never buy any drink packages.
6. We never buy any wifi packages.
7. Most ports have free wifi connection inside the customs building.
8. Water/Soda beverages are cheaper in ports than on ship and each passenger is allowed to bring back a certain amount of each.
9. If you do your homework or attend the cruise briefings on each port, you can arrange for your own excursions cheaper than booking on the ship.
10. Look into walking tours at each port as they are usually inexpensive.
11. Set a gambling limit and stick to it.
12. If you want to buy something on the ship, buy the last night as the prices are reduced.
13. If you are worried about gaining weight because of all the food, then just eat 3 bites of everything.
14. Take advantage of all FREE areas on the ship

As far as a cost/benefit analysis is concerned, cruising is the best return on your investment, taking everything into consideration.  Any health concerns that you may have, you can always wear a mask.  However, washing your hands, avoiding close contact, and watching what you touch should always be followed.