Once you've signed up for your cruise, your vacation memories depend on what you do even before you pack your suitcase. You need to get prepared.
First, you should do some research as to where you are going. You don't need to visit the local library; most cruise lines run great websites that can tell you quite a bit about your destination.
Gather the right equipment. For you personally, this may mean a light windbreaker (Galapagos Islands), gloves (Alaska), bathing suit and sunscreen (Caribbean). But you also need to think about your camera.
Waterproof cameras are readily available (even in disposable form) and can be relatively inexpensive. Waterproof video cameras are also available. A great new innovation in DVD camera is the new "flip" DVD camera. The flip refers to a USB port that lets you download your shots right into a computer.
A lot of people who like star gazing don't even realize what a viewing bonanza a cruise can be. Cruises venture out into deep water, far from the lights of civilization. If you are blessed with clear skies at night, you will be able to do some spectacular star gazing. You may not even have realized how many stars there were! Astronomy lovers might want to take along binoculars (also good by day).
Depending on your destination, you need suitable gear and clothing. But you should also try to learn what you can.
Here are some basics.
Duty-free shopping means you may be able to buy certain items without having to pay sales tax or value-added tax. This means you have the equivalent of an automatic 8% to 10% or higher discount (depending on what the tax rate is). Some places, like Cozumel, are actually great shopping destinations (gemstones, gold, carpet) and the duty-free aspect makes it even better.
Some destinations that promote ecotourism will not allow you to bring in plantlife or food (even packaged food). You may be required to stick to a trail or to have guides monitor you while you're in the park or specific environment.
Drinking ages can vary widely around the world and some countries actually have no formal laws on this subject. Others may have laws that are not enforced rigorously in tourist zones where cruise ships dock. As a result, younger people may be able to get liquor more easily. (This is for people cruising with teens or sending teens on cruises.)
While tourist areas around cruise ship docks may have lots of English speakers, if you are going to a country that does not speak your language, it is a courtesy and gesture of respect to at least learn a bit of the local language.
Americans need passports to travel out of the country, even to destinations that previously had not required a passport (Mexico and Canada are good examples). Depending on the destination, you may also need a visum. Your cruise company is the best source of the latest information; tell them your nationality and check on what you might need.
Cruise ships may not allow you to bring liquor on board or they may insist that you store such liquor until you disembark. This means that even though you can nab a good deal at port on some rum, you can't necessarily take it to your cabin and drink it on the cruise.
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