Cruises: Tips & things to consider for a successful cruise holiday

Cruises are extremely popular holidays for Aussies to take, and it’s estimated that 1.34 million Australians took a cruise in 2017 alone¹.

When you combine this with the fact that the cruise industry is constantly evolving and streamlining their processes, it’s easy to see why Aussies adore taking cruises. We’re going to talk about what you should pack on your cruise, travel destinations, and general tips for a successful cruise holiday.

Five essential items to pack for a cruise

They key is to pack light and pack your absolute essentials². After all, once the cruise leaves the dock, it’s not like you can go back because you forgot an item or two. With this in mind, make sure you have your passport and the five essential items packed and ready to go.

1. Alarm clock: Most cruise cabins don’t have clocks, and they’re very dark once you pull the curtains. This means you can lay down for a nap and not have any idea what time it is when you wake up. You should bring your own or use your mobile phone. You do have to manually adjust your phone’s time to match the ship’s time.
2. Beverages: Depending on the cruise, the specific inclusions in your package and what you want to drink, beverages can be extremely pricey. Check with your cruise provider if you can bring your own soft drink, water or coffee, and store it right in your room. If you don’t want to do this, at least bring a reusable water bottle that you can refill.
3. Earplugs: Cruises can be loud, and the last thing you want to hear is someone vacuuming outside your door at 7am on the first morning of your cruise. This is your holiday, and you should be able to relax. Earplugs allow you to get uninterrupted sleep.
4. Electronic aids: Most cabins don’t have enough outlets to charge your devices, and bringing a USB charger is a must. This will help to ensure that your camera, phone or other electronic device is ready to go when you are. A USB drive is important if you plan to take a lot of pictures as well.
5. Laundry alternatives: For people who don’t want to pay the higher costs for daily laundry services, bring laundry alternatives. Things like wrinkle spray, stain remover and even your own laundry soap can help you save some money when you travel.

Cruise clothing packing for men and women

Most cruises come with some form of dress code that is very strictly enforced³. You’ll have causal, resort casual, semi-formal and formal nights on the cruise. These dress codes can encompass all public spaces and restaurants starting at 6pm and going forward. Depending on your cruise it’s essential to remember to pack:

• Walking shorts
• Slacks
• Jeans
• Sundresses
• Casual skirts
• Formal dresses or tuxes
• Bathing suits
• Khakis
• Sports shirts
• T-shirts
• Blazer
• Rain jacket
• Sweatshirt
• Cardigans
• Sneakers
• Sandals
• Loafers

Popular cruise destinations around the world

As cruises continue to gain in popularity, so do the destinations that you can take a cruise to. You can pick from multiple cruise lines, different lengths and more to tailor your cruise experience to suit your tastes, budget and needs.

Africa:

Home to 53 vibrant and diverse countries, Africa is a country of extremes⁴. It has bush Savannah, lush tropical islands and vast deserts. There are also over 1,100 animal species and 2,600 different bird species that thrive here. Between October and May are prime cruise season around Africa, and you’ll be able to choose where you cruise from South Africa’s Cape Town to up the Nile River.

Antarctica:

A relatively new cruise destination, Antarctica features stunning views, an assortment of wildlife and a rich history⁵. You can usually see seals, penguins and whales up close, and certain cruises give in-depth tours that include both the history of Antarctica as well as the wildlife. Peak cruise season runs from October to March, and each month can offer different wildlife and weather conditions.

Asia:

Between east, south-east, and South Asia, these three rich areas offer a variety of countries and cultures to immerse yourself in and explore⁶. You can see futuristic cities, ancient temples, tiny islands, traditional villages and luxurious beach resorts. The best times for a cruise vary by region. For Japan, March to May is extremely popular since it’s cherry blossom season. October to February is cooler for south-east Asia, and September to November is best for China.

Australia:

If this is your first cruise, why not stay close to home and cruise around Australia⁷? No matter where you want to cruise, you’ll see small towns, sophisticated cities, rugged outback, deserted islands, wild coastlines and beach and bush scenery. Australian-based cruise ships run year-round, but the peak season is October to March or April every year.

Europe:

An extremely popular cruise destination. Europe boasts 50 countries, a turbulent and rich history and countless languages⁸. It’s one of the most culturally-diverse and populous continents in the world, and you get one of the biggest cruise itineraries options in the world. Many cruises run year-round, but peak season is from April through October.

North America:

You’ll get dozens of different cruise routes when you choose to cruise around North America⁹. You can choose from sub-arctic cruises or more tropical getaways, and peak times depend on where you want to go. Northbound cruises run between April and May, southbound cruises run between September and May, Atlantic cruises run April to October, and Alaska’s cruises run from April to September.

South America:

Home to the world’s largest waterfall and a variety of breathtaking sights, South America is a popular cruise destination¹⁰. Home to thousands of different animals and large and thriving cities, this is a must-see destination. Peak cruise season falls between November to mid-May, and Galapagos Islands cruises run year-round.

Compare cruise travel insurance options with iSelect today

No matter where your cruise takes you, get the peace of mind that comes with knowing travel insurance, depending on the level of cover, could protect you in the event of an illness or injury that is covered by your policy.

When considering travel insurance for your holiday, for information about policy inclusions, exclusions and limitations ensure you review the Product Disclosure Statement. In some cases cruises may not be covered on a policy or may need to be purchased an add-on to your policy.

Start comparing travel insurance policies from our range of providers online today, and you can select the one which suits you.

For information about policy inclusions, exclusions and limitations ensure you review the Product Disclosure Statement.

iSelect does not compare all travel insurance providers or policies in the market. Travel insurance is only available through our website and not all policies are available at all times. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.

iSelect General Pty Limited ABN 90 131 798 126, AFS Licence Number: 334115. Any advice provided in this article is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any product. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each product sold.

Sources:
1. http://www.traveller.com.au/almost-one-in-18-australians-have-taken-a-cruise-clia-industry-report-h10mq9
2. https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/getting-around/Pages/cruises.aspx
3. https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=76
4. https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/africa/Pages/default.aspx
5. http://www.antarctica.gov.au/
6. https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/Pages/default.aspx
7. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Australia.html
8.http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/australia/documents/eu_travel/schengen_visas_en.pdf
9. https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/americas/north/Pages/united_states_of_america.aspx
10. https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/americas/south/Pages/default.aspx