Jen's Top Five Cruise Tips of the Month

1. Day one of your cruise start with the top deck and work your way down and around the ship in order to familiarize yourself with your new home. Keep your deck "cheat sheet" in your pocket.

2. If you want some extra amenities with your cruise check and see what some of the Cruise Line Suites offer. For example the Holland America Deluxe Veranda Suites have a Concierge Lounge with snacks and drinks served, free dry cleaning/ laundry, Evening Hors d'oeuvres, Priority embarkation/debarkation etc....... check with me to see which lines offer which benefits!

3. If you are a Sushi lover like I am, you will be interested to know that Crystal has a new restaurant called Silk Road which offer Nobu's trademark blend of classically styled Japanese foods with Peruvian and European influences at no extra cost. Although there is no cost reservations are highly recommended as it is a smaller restaurant.

4. If you are going on an Alaska Cruise/ Cruise tour try to fit in either a Kenai Fjords Cruise or a Prince William Sound Cruise before you board the cruise! It is a highlight for most everyone I have had go on it. On this tour you will be on a smaller boat with under 150 people which brings you closer to the glaciers and the sea life! If you want this experience the whole time talk to me about doing a small ship Alaska experience. Another not to miss Alaska excursion is taking a float plane or helicopter ride. As an experienced Alaska agent I can help you in planning your side trips as there are so many great ones to chose from.

5. Check with your agent or the airline you are flying with to find out their baggage regulations. The airlines are tightening up on their policies and if your bag it too heavy or too large it will cost you.

Jen's Top Five Cruise Tips of the Month

1. On Disney Cruise line they have free sodas at the buffet so get your refills there.

2. Make sure to look at your newsletter for activities and shows that day. Some cruises have a portion you can tear off to carry around with you.

3.If you are a big coffee drinker you might want to bring a travel mug with you to fill up at the buffet to carry around with you. They also sell them with a coffee package on most cruise lines if you like specialty coffee drinks like lattes. The cup can also make a good souvenir.

4.Talk to your cruise counselor about what you want to experience on your cruise. There may be a cruise out there you have not even hear of before, and better suited for you. There are more cruise lines offering cruises than you may think.

5. Try the dinning room for lunch. I am usually pleasantly surprised, plus they aren't crowded and you get great service.

**If you have cruise tips of your own, add them as comments to share with other cruisers. They may even end up as one of next months top five cruise tips!

Jens Top Five Cruise Tips of the Month

1. Take (or you can buy on the ship gift shop) a lanyard with a clear card holder on it to carry your room key around your neck. It is much more accessible than having it in your wallet or having to hand-carry it.

2. If you are a big Coke drinker, many cruise lines have a coke card you can purchase, which is cheaper than buying drinks individually. Unless you are on a luxury cruise line, drinks are not free; with the exception of coffee, tea, and water.

3. You don't have to book your shore excursions with the Cruise line, but be careful where you book. A company I recommend and use for my personal vacations is Shore Trips. To browse their trips go to http://www.funseas.com/ and click on SHORE TRIPS . Most times Shore Trips have smaller more personalized trips than the cruise line. You will probably be less likely to be put on a motor coach of 40 people or more. One thing I find comforting is they have the same guarantee the cruise lines have, making sure you dont miss the ship.

4. Ladies, if you have thick hair, it is usually a good idea to take your own hair drier. I have found that many of the ones on cruises are not very powerful, plus the location of some of them makes it hard for two people to get ready at the same time.

5. Most important tip of all, when on the ship, forget all your worries back home and just relax and be pampered! Most of us don't have that option in our every day lives!"

**If you have cruise tips of your own, add them as comments to share with other cruisers. They may even end up as one of next months top five cruise tips!

Jen's Top Five Cruise Tips of the Month

1. Specialty restaurants cover charge includes the gratuity. Even though there is a line item to add an extra tip, its just that: "extra".

2. Leave valuables, excess cash and unneeded credit cards aboard while on shore excursions.

3. On debarkation day try to RELAX. Do not wait in the stairwells with all your bags as it will only only lead to frustration. Get yourself some breakfast or sit in one of the lounges as you wait for your color to be called.

4. As for Embarkation, try not to get to the port too early. For Caribbean cruises they usually let you start checking in at 12:00pm. If you arrive earlier than that you will end up waiting in a boring sitting area with no entertainment.

5. The elevators are going to be crowded around dinner and show times. A bunch of crabby people waiting for the elevators will only stir each other up even more; why not walk off that crème brûlée and take the stairs — or maybe do a lap on the Promenade Deck.

**If you have cruise tips of your own, add them as comments to share with other cruisers. They may even end up as one of next months top five cruise tips!

Jen's Top Five Cruise Tips of the Month

1. Passport requirements continue to change so always check with your travel consultant to make sure you have what you need to take your cruise.

2. Notify your travel consultant of any special dietary restrictions or requests at least 60 days prior to departure.

3. Let us know about any medical needs. You might need to fill out forms to get letters from a doctor. Your travel consultant will help you with that.

4. Arrange for a pre night hotel stay before your cruise. You never know what might happen as far as airline delays, who wants to miss the ship?

5. Got your eye on that something special in the onboard mall? Resist the urge to buy until the last day of the cruise. Many items inevitably go "on sale"

**If you have cruise tips of your own, add them as comments to share with other cruisers. They may even end up as one of next months top five cruise tips!

Jen's Top Cruise Tips of the Month

1. Make your spa and specialty restaurant reservations on the first day of your cruise.

2. Bring walkie talkies if you are traveling with others you want to keep track of on the cruise. (make sure they have good range)

3. Book your shore excursions in advance that way you get to do what you wanted once you get to port. (You wouldn't want the excursion you looked at before the cruise to the sold out or wait listed)

4. Tell us if you or your loved one is celebrating a special occasion, we will give you ideas if you want to do something extra special on your cruise.

Check back in February for next months travel tips!

**If you have cruise tips of your own, add them as comments to share with other cruisers. They may even end up as one of next months top five cruise tips!