Travel Tips
Making the most of your cruise Tips for the ship
I
f lazing aboard a luxurious ocean liner seems like the perfect vacation for you, you are not alone. Tese op- ulent ships are attracting families,
couples, seniors and travel groups to the high seas by the millions. Should you be looking to set sail on your next vacation, you may want to consider booking your cruise with a travel agent. Inexperienced cruise travellers can benefit from their expertise. In addition to providing dis- counts, agents can offer informed advice on types of cruises, destinations and re- quired travel visas, and more importantly they can assist with selecting your cabin. Cabin configuration and location is the key to having a happy experience. Here are a few more tips to ensure ev-
erything is shipshape on your cruise. Before you go
• Purchase travel health insurance.
Shockingly many travellers still do not purchase insurance. Medical evacuation at sea can easily reach $150,000, a cost not covered by provincial plans. A minimum of $500,000 with coverage for accidental injury, hospitalization aboard and medical evacuation at sea is recommended. • Avoid getting seasick. Visit your doctor in advance of your trip regard- ing necessary travel immunizations and preventative medications you may need. Pack enough prescribed and preventative medications for the trip, as you may have little or no access to a pharmacy. Te two main issues faced by cruise travellers are seasickness and the infamous norovirus. Noroviruses are highly contagious and passengers exhibiting symptoms (diar- rhea and vomiting) may be denied initial boarding or confined to their cabin. • Be early. Don’t rush to the ship at the
last minute. Arrive a day prior to depar- ture if your flight connections look tight; a missed connection or delay can cost you as your ship will leave without you. On board
• Act responsibly. Be safe by being at-
tentive and participating in lifeboat drills, ensuring your cabin is equipped with enough life jackets for everyone and fa-
The Hub Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen.
miliarizing yourself with the ship’s evac- uation procedures. Watch your alcohol intake; excessive drinking on a ship can lead to serious accidents. • Slather the sunscreen. Te ocean’s
surface reflects and intensifies the sun’s rays so avoid becoming a crispy critter by applying sunscreen regularly and wearing a hat and UV-resistant clothing. • Passport regulations. Ship authori-
ties generally hold all passengers’ pass- ports. Your boarding card is usually suf- ficient for going ashore and re-boarding the ship. • Finding your room and friends. Let’s
face it; floor after floor, hallway after hall- way, the rooms all look the same. Make your door stand out in the crowd. Stick a bow, or bring a magnet board (doors are steel); then you can leave messages for other members of your group. Walkie- talkies are also a great idea for keeping in touch with friends/family on board. • Calling home. Mobile phones may
not work at sea and onboard communi- cation fees are high. You are better off to make calls at port.
Excursions • Local laws and customs. Te laws of
the country you are visiting or the laws of the country with jurisdiction over ter- ritorial waters prevail. In waters outside national boundaries, the international law of the sea applies. It’s probably not a good idea to test the waters with any criminal activity - intended or not. • Minimize risks. Shore excursions should be booked through your cruise line or a reputable tour operator. Pur- chasing tours on board can benefit in two ways: (a) they ensure you are back to the ship on time, and (b) you can book tours based on pleasant weather conditions. • Know departure time. Te ship will
not wait for you, so check when it departs and be vigilant of the time. • Bring a lunch. Order room service
before you disembark and take a free lunch with you! For more information on cruise travel,
travel advisories, required immunizations and more visit
travel.gc.ca Special thanks to Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
Winter 2014 • 79
Photo by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
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