Passengers getting ready to go on a cruise have been sent a warning by an expert on one thing not to do on embarkation day.
The first day of your cruise can be a busy, tiring day. It normally involves checking in, dropping off your luggage, unpacking your holiday clothes and exploring the ship. Some may make a beeline for the buffet and others for the poolside bar.
Although it may be tempting to take the lift to help transport you and your luggage, cruise expert Marissa Wright warns that this is actually the most time-consuming thing you can do.
The globe-trotting expert warned cruise passengers that “lifts are super slow on embarkation day, with new and old cruisers navigating the ship”.
Seasonal cruise ship passengers will be aware that on a large majority of ships it can prove impossible to get an elevator, depending on how crowded the ship is and the demographic of the guests.
If possible, Ms Wright suggests that guests should take the stairs instead, and then they’ll have “no guilt when you tuck into dessert at dinner”.
Most cruise ships have a lift at the front, middle and back of the ship.
Many cruise-goers find themselves struggling to stay fit with the volume of food on offer and the lack of exercise.
Using the stairs can also help passengers keep their step count up during their holiday.
Gary Bembridge, otherwise known as Tips For Travellers, has also warned passengers to ‘stay onboard’ the ship on port days for a number of reasons.
Gary admitted that in recent years he has made the decision to stay onboard after noticing that many people are favouring staying on their cruise ship rather than getting off in ports to self-explore or go on excursions.
The travel expert advises passengers going to a port they haven’t been before to check the latest news on the UK Foreign Office site.
He said: “I never assume that just because my cruise ship is calling somewhere that the port is safe.
“In recent years some port areas have become unsafe for tourists with affluent passengers visiting these ports seen as easy targets.”
