I orginally shared these tips on my Chris P Tee Magician Blog, you may find them useful if you are sailing in the Caribbean on a P and O ship.
Most will be useful if you are in another cruise too.
Electrical
For your cabin, if you have a few electrical items to plug in at once, take a 5 gang extension lead.
There's usually only one plug on the dresser and one on the floor.
Never Leave Cheap Chinese Electricals Plugged in over night or when out of your cabin. Always unplug the main extension lead. Fire hazards!
Cleanliness
If you don't mind what shampoo or shower gel you use, don't take any, it's in the shower anyway.
Sleep
If you take your own pillow, put it in a red or patterned pillowcase so the maid doesn't take it.
Ship Account
As soon as you can, ask reception to Remove the Gratutites from your account, tell them you will tip with cash. If you don't remove it, you get charged about £20 each per day.
Tips on board
Tipping your cabin steward a $100+ is the norm, especially if they have kept your cabin spotless.
Some just tidy and wipe but no vaccum. If you are at dinner every night, always tip your two waiters. Amounts are upto you of course.
Currency in the Caribbean
Just take US Dollars and remember that Caribbean Dollars are Two for One US.
Always check if the price is Caribbean or US price. Or you'll pay double.
Local Trips are cheaper than onboard
Agree prices for trips beforehand. A smaller bus is a more personal experience, 8-10 people, nice way to make friends.
A bus with 30+ is impersonal and you end up waiting for everyone and don't get the best experience.
Something like an air con mini bus is better than a taxi or coach.
ALWAYS make sure you are back at the ship and inboard at least an hour before you set sail. If they say be on board by 5.30pm, aim to be back at 4.30pm just in case.
They WILL leave you behind. So make sure your trip has you back in time.
Saying this, the local tour guides do these trips everyday in peak season, they will get you back. Just make sure they know when you need to be.
Water
Always take water.
If you have a nice water bottle, take it.
When you go through airport security you can fill it up on other side for your flight, getting water to drink in the Dreamliners takes time and on the ship you'll be glad you had it to take back to the cabin.
Cabin water
Oh, when you arrive to your cabin, there will be bottles of water on the side, these are complimentary.
But, everything in the fridge is expensive. If you don't want it, take it out of the fridge and under the bed there is a black box, put it all in there and tell the cabin steward. That way you can use your fridge and not get charged.
Hope this is helpful x
More tips to come.
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