Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Tips to Help Schedule Activities on Cruises

Taking a cruise can be a great experience that you and your family can remember for years to come. In addition to the breathtaking scenery of the cities and islands you may visit and the peace of the ocean waves, there are a number of activities that you can participate in on the ship. There are also activities available at the various ports-of-call that you visit. In order to make sure that you enjoy the best of what your cruise has to offer, here are some things that you should keep in mind to help you schedule activities for yourself and your family.


Check the Itinerary before You Book


Different cruise lines offer different activities on their cruises, and available activities may differ from one ship to the next. Before choosing a cruise, check the activity listing and port-of-call itinerary for the specific cruise that you are interested in booking. This allows you to see the event schedule. The itinerary also informs you of where the ship is stopping for excursions. If you are shopping around to find the best cruise deal, be sure to consider the available activities in order to make sure that you enjoy what the cruise has to offer.


Get to Know the Activities Director and Staff


The Activities Director and their staff are there in order to make sure that passengers enjoy themselves while on a cruise. All onboard activities are scheduled through them, and they are also in charge of coordinating excursion activities when the ship reaches a port or excursion. Take some time to find out the name of the Activities Director on the ship, and do not be afraid to ask them or a member of the activities staff any questions that you might have about specific activities that have been scheduled for the cruise. By asking questions, you can choose the activities that best meet your interest or the interests of your various family members.


Adult Activities, Children’s Activities, and Family Activities


Not every activity that you participate in has to be done with the entire family. A number of activities offered onboard cruise ships may only interest one or two members of your family and there is nothing wrong with that. Spend time doing things that you enjoy, and do not be afraid to take advantage of the children’s activities that the ship offers if you have kids with you who do not want to participate in the same activities that you do. Do not forget that cruises make excellent family vacations, though, and consider looking into a few of the activities that are designed to be enjoyed by the whole family as well.


Sign Up for Activities in Advance


Some activities offered on a cruise have limited numbers of positions available. These positions are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Make sure you and anyone else that is travelling with you sign up for activities in advance in order to avoid missing the activities that interest you. While some additional participation slots may open up if others do not show up for the activity, but do not count on there being available openings if the activity can only have a limited number of participants. The earlier you sign up for an activity, the more likely you are to get on the participation list and not have to worry about missing out.


Excursion Activities


In addition to the onboard activities that are offered by the cruise ship, a number of additional activities may be available at each excursion. Keep in mind that these excursion activities are usually cost extra money, and some of them may be more expensive because the cost covers not only the activity fee but also the ship’s fee for booking the excursion. Many of these excursion activities are still good deals, and they offer both more security and a safer environment than if you were to try to find similar activities on your own while visiting a port. Common excursion activities include tours, special events and activities, and dinners at well-known or exclusive local restaurants.


When booking a cruise, you should research the activities that are offered and come to a decision as to which you would like to do. Cruises offer a wide range of activities such as sports, swimming or a catered meal. The events fill up fast and you need to sign up as soon as possible to ensure you get a spot in the event. Cruises are well worth it especially because there are more events available at the ports throughout the cruise. Depending on the length of the cruise, you may get to experience activities popular at that specific area. Just keep in mind that activities at the ports may cost extra since they are not covered in the cruise package.



Tips to Help Schedule Activities on Cruises

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