We Israelis like to explore and know everything and that nothing will surprise us along the way, especially when it comes to cruises. To this end, we turned to an expert in the world of cruises, Eyal Solomon, Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) development manager in Israel, who will guide you through the important questions when booking a cruise.
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Who is better to place an order with?
It is advisable to make a reservation with an Israeli travel agent, so that there is always an address and if there is a question or problem, there is someone to contact. There have been cases of customers who ordered through agents in other countries and when in need did not receive an answer and/or refund.
What about insurance and cancellation of the cruise?
Travel insurance abroad, each person should make for himself and the cost according to his health quality. Regarding the cancellation of cruises. It is important to remember that the cruise companies are all international and when canceling within the pre-defined days there are no concessions such as postponement, name change, etc., therefore it is recommended to avoid such situations. Some The cruise lines offer insurance that includes refund clauses or a voucher upon cancellation.
How do you choose a room and what exactly do you put in it?
When planning a cruise, know that choosing a room is an important part of the overall experience. Cruise ships have several types of rooms, and their price varies according to their location on the ship. The Israeli public usually prefers to book a room with a balcony facing the sea. The cruise companies offer a variety of rooms ranging from indoor single rooms, through rooms with a virtual balcony to suites that can reach a total size of over 600 square meters.
Most passengers will prefer a room located in the center of the ship. It is important to remember that when purchasing a cruise, you are purchasing a category and not a floor. The same category can appear on several floors.
There are rooms with balconies and more spacious suites, and it is important to take into account budget and personal needs. If you plan to stay away from the room a lot, to enjoy the deck and the activities on the ship, you can settle for an interior room that is only used for sleeping, an interior room can be fine but it is advisable to find out the size of the room before booking and those who plan to return to the room in the middle of the day to rest will prefer a larger room with a balcony.
Another tip is that sometimes the cruise line is left with unsold rooms and then the company sends customers an email where they can participate in an auction for a room that may be upgraded more than the one you booked at the price you paid in advance. The rooms include air conditioning, small refrigerator, wardrobe, TV, shower and toilet, telephone, safe and hair dryer.
Is everything really all inclusive?
There is a large variety of cruise companies. Most customers book contemporary type cruises and indeed many of them are included. Such as varied meals, hot and cold drinks, snacks, high level theater shows, gym, pools, slides and more. It is important to remember that, as in any hotel, here too there is an additional cost for carbonated and of course spicy drinks, spa treatments, beach tours and the casino that should not be forgotten. It is better to ask your travel agent what the package includes and if there are any promotions and to order everything in advance to avoid surprising expenses.
Are there sea fluctuations? Is it possible to get seasick?
Ship rocking usually occurs during storms or really big sea waves. Cruise companies invest in stabilization systems that help significantly reduce vibrations and preserve your travel experience as much as possible. If the sea is not rough, you don't feel any movement at all, so the chances of getting seasick are slim. You should consult a doctor for anti-nausea medications and purchase them only as a safety precaution, because if a sensitivity is detected, it is better to use anti-nausea medications purchased in advance in Israel than to receive medical treatment on the plane for a fee.
How do you pre-order meals at premium restaurants and shows?
Reservations for shows, themed restaurants, spa treatments and beach tours can be made a few weeks before sailing either on the cruise company's website or through the cruise company's app. It is not recommended to wait until the day of boarding the ship because there will not always be what you want to order and at the time you want. If it is a vacation with children, it is not always recommended to book a themed restaurant a few weeks in advance, but to book a place on the day itself in order to accommodate the children's wishes and their hunger.
If possible without internet – better
Internet is an expensive commodity on ships. If possible, you should give up this pleasure throughout the cruise out of a desire to enjoy and disconnect. You can, of course, purchase internet surfing time at sea, but you should calculate the consumption in advance, both before the length of the voyage and as needed, since a large package can reach hundreds of shekels. When you arrive at the various beach destinations, buy an international SIM and connect easily and cheaply.
If you're on vacation and you don't have to work or manage your business remotely, I recommend disconnecting for a bit. Most cruises will have a large number of docks, which means you will be at the beach/destination where the ship docks for an entire day. When you return to the ship, put on flight mode and simply be 10-12 hours without internet until the next docking.
Power outlets for a cruise ship
Each ship has a different shape of sockets, depending on which country of manufacture they are from. Check with your travel agent the voltage (and shape of the sockets) on the ship in case electrical accessories are used. Some ships only have one outlet in the room, so if you are vacationing as a couple, it is better to bring a splitter as well.
kosher food
You must inform your travel agent in advance if you keep kosher so that he can pre-order kosher food for you, which will be served to you in trays. The number of days required to pre-order kosher food varies between companies (30-90 days in advance), some companies charge a fee. In Israel there are several travel agencies that purchase rooms in advance from various cruise companies and offer kosher cruises with fresh food prepared on site and served with certified dishes.
clothing
Wear comfortable, comfortable and comfortable again. Remember, you are on vacation and want to feel relaxed. Please note that even if you are vacationing during the summer, long clothes are required, if you want to go on board for a night trip under the sky, the open sea brings with it a cool breeze in the evening, so it is better to dress in warmer clothes.
My suitcase was lost at the airport and I'm on my way to the ship, what do I do?
At the airport, go to the lost counter, declare that your luggage did not arrive and fill out a form in which you will be staying on the ship and its route details. The airline will take care of transferring your luggage to a ship that will probably be waiting for you at the next port.
When do you arrive at the port?
If your cruise departs from another country, it is recommended to fly a day before the cruise's departure date so as not to be stressed by situations such as flight delays. On most ships, check-in starts at 11:00 am until the ship sets sail. Some cruise lines allow vacationers to schedule their own check-in, but the downside is that vacationers don't know when other passengers have checked in and may find themselves in a slightly crowded check-in area.
You must arrive at the initial check-in at least 3 hours before the designated time in order to enter the ship comfortably, get to know the ship and explore it, and set off calm and relaxed. On most cruise lines, check-in and the ship's gate will be closed about an hour and a half to two hours before sailing, so There is no delay. A ship does not wait for latecomers.
When docking at the beaches, you decided that you are going on a beach trip independently and did not book a tour on behalf of the ship, preferably 40 minutes before the scheduled time, as there are ports where the way back from the city center is busy and jammed.
Always be connected to the room key
The room key has a number of significant functions, besides opening the door to your room, a credit card is also loaded with which you can order alcoholic beverages that are not included in the cruise/spa/theme restaurant price, the rest can be watched on the TV in your room or on the cruise company's app. This solution is convenient and efficient and allows you to enjoy your vacation without taking your wallet anywhere. In addition, the card is also an exit and entry from the ship, so when you dock at a coastal port, you must take it with you in order to be able to get back on the ship because the content of the digital card carries your photo for identification.
Is it possible to skip beach tours and go independently?
It is recommended to go on a shore tour on behalf of the cruise company, the leading cruise companies work with the best guides who provide information and access to places that cannot be reached on an independent tour and beyond that they are responsible for bringing you time to the ship and saving you the stress and dealing with the times to return to the ship in a city where you do not really know the traffic situation . Furthermore, if you decide to go out with a local guide, you might find yourself with someone who is a pirate worker or, God forbid, you might get stung by him.
I went on a tour independently and did not arrive on time for the ship, will the ship wait for latecomers?
The answer is no! A ship is like a plane at an airport, it leaves even if you reserved a seat and won't wait even a second for the latecomers. late? You should find a flight to the next port where the ship will dock and connect to it from there.
Do you need to tip the maids? Waiters?
Tipping is a sensitive topic. The workers on the ships provide exceptional service and are therefore rewarded in the form of tips. For most cruise companies, the amount will be added to the room bill at the end of the cruise, some cruise companies have started to add tips as a requirement when booking and paying for the cruise.
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