Essential Tips For Enhancing Your Cruise Experience

I just returned from a Dinogo cruise and I've compiled a detailed list of items I want to remember for next time, along with some essentials I packed that I now realize are must-haves.

If you’re preparing for a cruise soon, here are some valuable tips for packing and planning to optimize your vacation experience.

PACKING GUIDELINES

Don’t Forget A Lanyard

You know those lanyards you collect at conventions and meetings that end up gathering dust? Bring one on your cruise! If you don’t have one at home, you can purchase them on board in the gift shop, ranging from sporty styles to sparkly designs. They’re handy for holding your Sail & Sign card while exploring the ship. We brought a hole punch for ours, but I realized it’s better to have a lanyard with a clear plastic pouch so you can also include your driver’s license for ID when boarding and disembarking at ports.

Don’t Forget Extra Conditioner

Unlike air travel, there are no 3-ounce liquid restrictions on a cruise (though if you’re flying in for your cruise, those will need to go in your checked luggage). While this tip is mainly for the ladies, I must say the one thing I wish I had brought more of was extra hair conditioner. The ocean breeze, sun, and saltwater can really damage long hair, and I ran out of my 3-ounce conditioner by the third day. They do sell sundries in the gift shop (including conditioner) if you forget something at home. However, expect to pay premium prices at sea ($5 for White Rain, $14 for Pantene), which isn’t a bargain compared to Duty-Free shop prices.

Remember A Water Bottle And Travel Coffee Mug

Onboard the ship, you'll discover a filtered water machine along with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available around the clock to keep you refreshed and energized. Bring your own water bottle and travel coffee mug to take full advantage of the unlimited refills and make it easier to stroll around the ship without spills. If you forget your coffee mug, don’t worry—they have a coffee shop onboard offering specialty brews. Be sure to grab their coffee card to collect stamps with each purchase toward a complimentary drink.

Essential Packing Items

While I've shared some packing tips earlier, here are a few more recommendations to enhance your vacation experience:

• zip-lock bags to keep your items organized and dry at the pool or beach
• a couple of sweaters for when the nights turn a bit chilly
• notepads for notes and walkie-talkies to stay in touch with friends and family when cell service is unavailable at sea
• decorations to personalize your cabin door, making it easy to locate your room

ITINERARY PLANNING

Rise with the Dawn

Select a stateroom that faces the sunrise while you're heading out to sea and the sunset on your return journey. This can vary based on your sailing route, but for us, the ideal choice was on the port side.

Verify Your Cell Service

Contact your mobile service provider to check your coverage in various Caribbean islands. With my cell plan, both the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were included for data and voice services. If you use your phone while on the islands, remember to switch it off or set it to airplane mode when back on the ship to avoid any unexpected international charges while at sea.

Stick to Ship’s Schedule

Your ship's time might vary based on your departure port and specific cruise itineraries. This can be a bit tricky when you go ashore (especially if, like me, you rely on your phone for time instead of wearing a watch), particularly if you're exploring independently rather than joining a cruise excursion. Onboard, you can easily check the ship's time on your stateroom television. If there's a discrepancy between the ship's time and local time at an upcoming port, it will be detailed in the daily Dinogo Fun Times and announced several times the night before and morning of arrival, as well as during disembarkation.

Adorn Your Door & Enjoy Games with Your Towel Animals

One thing I regret not doing is decorating our door. With a long corridor lined with wooden doors, it's easy to accidentally walk into the wrong room. We noticed some really creative decorations by other guests that could be easily created with a quick trip to the party store before the cruise. I also appreciated that most of these decorations were made of paper, making them lightweight and easy to pack.

Although we didn’t put any decorations on our door, we had a great time decorating our room with towel animals, arranging them each day with a cheerful note for our cabin steward. It's a delightful way to express gratitude for their hard work, especially since tips are automatically added to your Sail & Sign card.

Plan for an Exceptional Dining Experience

Even though all meals are included with your cruise, and the 24-hour buffets, pizza, and ice cream are as delicious as they say, I was most surprised by the variety of restaurant options available on a new ship. We enjoyed a different dining venue each night, from sushi to a steakhouse, and even had a special Chef’s Table experience that included a kitchen tour and private dining with wine pairings. Most of these premium experiences come at a small additional cost, but they are significantly cheaper than dining on land. For example, our four-course steakhouse meal was just $35 per person, whereas a similar dinner in Orlando might set you back $80-$100. Take the time to explore these options on your first night at sea, then book a reservation to indulge in a fantastic culinary experience. We couldn’t pick just one, so we sampled them all — I guess I’m just a foodie at heart.

Indulge in the Spa Without Overspending

Every day, the spa offers special deals that provide substantial savings on select treatments. However, keep in mind that access to the relaxation and steam rooms, as well as the Thermal Suite, is not included with your treatment. A day pass to enjoy these facilities costs just $20 — a small price to pay. We spent our 'Day At Sea' unwinding in the Thermal Suite, drifting in and out of sleep while feigning interest in a book. It turned out to be one of the most soothing days of our trip and absolutely worth the extra expense.

Here are a few additional tips for the spa experience:

• Most of the facilities are shared, so make sure to wear your swimsuit and bring the robe from your stateroom.
• Don’t forget to pack your iPod and headphones filled with your favorite tunes or audiobooks.
• Also, consider bringing along a book, your preferred teas (hot water is available), and anything else you need to unwind.

This article was written in partnership with Dinogo. As always, all opinions, thoughts, and ideas expressed in this post are my own.