This post is mainly to share some of the experiences on board a cruise to Bahamas that I undertook recently. If you are an Indian looking for tips for cruising, this post may help you. :) That is my sincere hope.
If you are a US Citizen, then you can either use a Passport or Passport Card.
If you are a Green Card Holder, then you just need your GC with you. Passport is recommended along but not required.
If you are on H1B, F1, EAD etc, then you will need visa to the Bahamas.
There is airport style security when you enter the cruise. Opened water bottles and food that is open is not allowed. You can drink the remaining water or you will need to throw away the open food. If the food is store bought and sealed, then they usually let you go. Juice boxes, beverages etc should be ok to take on board.
When you checkin, you will be given a card that will have a bar code. They will take a picture. Entry/exit from the cruise ship will require you to scan your card and the officers will be able to see your picture on screen. Try not to lose your cards.
Some of the options for you are:
If you are Indian Non Vegetarian, then you have ample options.
Freestyle cruising usually has food at all times. You will have few opportunities to go hungry.
Usually juices and sodas etc are provided free at breakfast, lunch and dinner only. If you need unlimited beverages, then you can get some type of soda card. Tea, Milk and Water is always available.
Whenever you meet the crew - be it the waiters, room stewards or anybody else working for the cruise ship, PLEASE PLEASE be courteous and friendly with them. Most of them work nonstop on the ship for 9 months. They get 2 months off each year. Many of them are home sick and missing their families in their respective countries (primarily India, Philippines, Indonesia, South America and other places).
When you are friendly with the crew, they feel happy and they make you feel welcome. Share your personal stories and ask them about their families and life in general. They will feel the warmth and will help their work motivation.
I cannot comment on how the cruise lines treat their employees. I just do not know.
Always tip your room steward at the end of the cruise by leaving a letter of appreciation and tips/gifts.
There are swimming pools, hot tubs, entertainment shows, Theatres, video games (may need payment), kids area (including drop off care), library, basketball, mini golf etc.
You will have enough to keep you occupied.
When the cruise lines stop at shores such as Nassau in the Bahamas, you can purchase shore excursions from the cruise guest services. You have many options and they range in price. In general, they are pricey for your appetite. But choose at least one excursion. It is not often that you go cruising.
Usually there are no restrictions on the number of pieces of luggage that you can bring on board a cruise ship.
When you get to the cruise line, there are porters who can take your checked luggage (with the colored tags that you need to print).
If your luggage is easy to pull, there is no REQUIREMENT to check your luggage. You can always lug your luggage on to the ship and off the ship.
The night before your trip ends, you have the opportunity to leave your checked bags outside the door (of course with the colored tags). You will be given the luggage before DHS/Customs checks.
In my opinion, you should be able to deal with your bags unless you have very small children.
If your sail time is 5pm, the check in process starts around noon. You can get on the ship and have lunch. Usually your rooms get cleaned and are ready by 2pm. Until then you can handle your luggage. Once your luggage is safely stored in the room, you are free to move around the ship as you please.
30 minutes to 1 hour before sailing, there is a MANDATORY safety presentation where they talk about safety and life vests etc. This is very similar to airline safety demonstrations. All services (food, recreation) stop few minutes before the mandatory safety drills.
Choosing a Cruise Line
It depends on your budget. I personally prefer freestyle cruising. I do not want to pack suits or formal dining wear. Royal Caribbean Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines should fit in your budget and style. Celebrity cruises and similar may be a shade upscale for Indian taste. I traveled on Norwegian Cruise Line for a 3 day get away to the Bahamas.Citizenship, Green Card or Visa for a Bahamas Trip
If you are a US Citizen, then you can either use a Passport or Passport Card.
If you are a Green Card Holder, then you just need your GC with you. Passport is recommended along but not required.
If you are on H1B, F1, EAD etc, then you will need visa to the Bahamas.
Getting to the Cruise
There is airport style security when you enter the cruise. Opened water bottles and food that is open is not allowed. You can drink the remaining water or you will need to throw away the open food. If the food is store bought and sealed, then they usually let you go. Juice boxes, beverages etc should be ok to take on board.
When you checkin, you will be given a card that will have a bar code. They will take a picture. Entry/exit from the cruise ship will require you to scan your card and the officers will be able to see your picture on screen. Try not to lose your cards.
Sea Sickness
Since the cruise is in constant movement on the seas, if you suffer from motion sickness you will have some suffering.Some of the options for you are:
- Buy Ginger Root Tablets from Walgreens or CVS or Walmart. Take one in the morning and one in the evening. Keep the schedule starting from 24 hours before cruising.
- Cruise Lines have sea sickness tablets that work for 12 hours or 24 hours.
- Buy Motion Sickness Tablets ($2 - $5) from Walmart. They are cheap and give you 24 hour relief. (I prefer Ginger Tablets to drugs)
I used the ginger root tablets. I have little bit of motion sickness problems when traveling. I took the ginger tablets regularly and I was fine. For kids, you should try to use ginger candy or crystallized ginger ($10 in the spices section of Walmart). (picture: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10308057&findingMethod=rr)
Rooms
Try to book rooms in the midship. Lower occurrence of motion sickness. Forward and Aft areas, the ship has more movement.
- Inside Rooms: These are rooms that have no windows. They usually sleep 2-4 people and have a bath room attached. The size of the room is smaller than US hotel rooms but close to European hotel room size.
- Ocean View Rooms: These have a window that are circular and you can see the ocean.
- Balcony Rooms: These have balconies that you can walk out and see the ocean. Very good for summer cruises. In winter, it may be chilly.
Each room has a TV, mini bar and a Safe. Safe is very easy to operate.
I took an inside room with no view. I felt uneasy for the first 5 minutes with a claustrophobic feeling. After that, it did not matter.
Food on the Cruise
If you are Indian Vegetarian then you will have some dishes in the main buffet style cafe and also the free dining restaurants. Just tell the waiter that you will need Indian Veg food. The common Indian dishes such as Kadhai Paneer, Malai Kofta, Palak Paneer along with Indian Roti and Papad is usually available in the dining restaurants.If you are Indian Non Vegetarian, then you have ample options.
Freestyle cruising usually has food at all times. You will have few opportunities to go hungry.
Usually juices and sodas etc are provided free at breakfast, lunch and dinner only. If you need unlimited beverages, then you can get some type of soda card. Tea, Milk and Water is always available.
Crew on the Cruise
Whenever you meet the crew - be it the waiters, room stewards or anybody else working for the cruise ship, PLEASE PLEASE be courteous and friendly with them. Most of them work nonstop on the ship for 9 months. They get 2 months off each year. Many of them are home sick and missing their families in their respective countries (primarily India, Philippines, Indonesia, South America and other places).
When you are friendly with the crew, they feel happy and they make you feel welcome. Share your personal stories and ask them about their families and life in general. They will feel the warmth and will help their work motivation.
I cannot comment on how the cruise lines treat their employees. I just do not know.
Always tip your room steward at the end of the cruise by leaving a letter of appreciation and tips/gifts.
Fun on the Cruise
There are swimming pools, hot tubs, entertainment shows, Theatres, video games (may need payment), kids area (including drop off care), library, basketball, mini golf etc.
You will have enough to keep you occupied.
Shore Excursions
When the cruise lines stop at shores such as Nassau in the Bahamas, you can purchase shore excursions from the cruise guest services. You have many options and they range in price. In general, they are pricey for your appetite. But choose at least one excursion. It is not often that you go cruising.
What to bring?
- Extension Cord for charging multiple devices.
- Swim suit, bathing trunks, swim goggles etc.
- Sun glasses.
- Multiple carry bags that you get from Grocery stories, Walmart etc. Very useful to pack.
- A couple of those grocery carry bags (not the plastic ones).
- Backpacks.
- Pepto Bismal/Antacid Tablets. (Food on cruise can be plenty to digest)
There is no need for you to get towels or beach towels. You are provided. Just don't lose them.
Luggage
Usually there are no restrictions on the number of pieces of luggage that you can bring on board a cruise ship.
When you get to the cruise line, there are porters who can take your checked luggage (with the colored tags that you need to print).
If your luggage is easy to pull, there is no REQUIREMENT to check your luggage. You can always lug your luggage on to the ship and off the ship.
The night before your trip ends, you have the opportunity to leave your checked bags outside the door (of course with the colored tags). You will be given the luggage before DHS/Customs checks.
In my opinion, you should be able to deal with your bags unless you have very small children.
Day of sailing
If your sail time is 5pm, the check in process starts around noon. You can get on the ship and have lunch. Usually your rooms get cleaned and are ready by 2pm. Until then you can handle your luggage. Once your luggage is safely stored in the room, you are free to move around the ship as you please.
30 minutes to 1 hour before sailing, there is a MANDATORY safety presentation where they talk about safety and life vests etc. This is very similar to airline safety demonstrations. All services (food, recreation) stop few minutes before the mandatory safety drills.
