How To Ensure Your First International Cruise Is A Success

Taking an international cruise is a good way to see and explore multiple different countries in one trip. You don't have to worry about booking multiple flights or finding accommodations in various nations. The boat serves as your transportation and sleeping space! If you're about to embark on an international cruise, here are some pieces of advice to ensure a good time.

1. Research things to do ahead of time.

The cruise staff will surely provide some guidance and suggestions as to what to do at each country you visit. However, if you want to do some of your own research and find your own unique things to do, you must do it before you leave. Internet service aboard your cruise ship will be spotty, at best, so you don't want to rely on it for research. If you run low on time to research before you leave, check out a few books on your travel destination from your local library and bring them along. You can read them and research on the boat.

2. Be very careful of hygiene when on and off the boat.

Getting sick on a cruise ship is no fun at all. You want to make sure you avoid potential sources of illness while off the boat, and also practice good hygiene on board. At the ports, only buy from restaurants and street venues whose food looks fresh and whose carts look clean. Traveler's diarrhea can be serious! Drink bottled water, not tap water, from the various countries you visit. On the ship, carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after shaking hands with others and touching doorknobs.

3. Don't wander too far from port.

In some countries, tourist attractions have been build up around the areas where the cruise ships dock. You may be tempted to leave these areas in order to "get a more authentic experience" of the country, but this is not always a good idea. If the cruise staff advises that you stay near port in a certain country, follow that advice. Wandering too far away may land you in some violence you're not prepared for.

4. Don't try to do and see too much.

You want to make the most of your cruise. That's understandable. However, you should aim to avoid cramming too much into your days. If you don't take your time and enjoy the places where you are, you will miss out on some of the experience. Usually, leisurely seeing three attractions is better than rushing through five of them.

For more information, contact a company like Royal Caribbean Alaskan Cruises today.