Life aboard a cruise ship

Over the last 5-6 years related to cruises in Russia has changed dramatically. At the beginning of the century cruises seriously takes 3-4 operator and about fifty agencies from across Russia and neighboring countries, creating a kind of "club "of specialists in cruises. Now all the important cruise companies are general agents in Russia, and the largest - is introduced on ships Russian-language service. All this means that the cruises are becoming clearer and closer to our tourist.

Let's first go on a "virtual cruise" in which to highlight the "pitfalls" and features. Take a homogenized version - without a specific itinerary, ship and cruise line - and imagine that we are going to the voyage ...Before you start
So, the cruise selected, booked and paid for. You got a ticket for a cruise. He can look differently, but usually it's little book, like a ticket - only much thicker and not printed on such thin paper.Main sections of the cruise ticket:

    * Itinerary, information on booking (reservation number), a voucher for a cruise, while the registration for planting, planting time, contact the cruise company and the ship;
    * Form (boarding form) - the most basic questions: is it better to fill it at home, but you can do it and in port;
    * Instructions on how to get to the pier, port address, general information about the port (including parking in the building of the marine terminal);
    * Vouchers for additional services ordered through the cruise company (hotels before and after the cruise, transfers, excursions);
    * Description of ports offered on board the guided tours and other services;
    * Luggage tags at the gate.
I will not describe in detail each section - all the usual things for us, we are confronted with them daily. I will explain only two sections.Vouchers for the "other" services
Keep in mind that these vouchers will appear only on the condition that the services were ordered through the cruise company. If you or your tour operator will not be ordering a cruise company, these vouchers will not appear on the ticket for a cruise. They will be given by those from whom they were ordered - separate documents.

Luggage tags on the landingThis is the "mere trifle" which can not only spoil the impression of a cruise, and make the trip horrible for even the most undemanding customers. Below you'll understand - why, for now just tell you what it is. This is analogous to the baggage tag that is attached to the luggage when registering for flight. It is based on the adhesive and attached to the handle of luggage (carry-on attachments are not necessary). At each have either printed or need to fill in the following information: name (Latin), the date of embarkation, port of embarkation, name of ship, cabin number. If there is no baggage tags in the ticket, you must ask the tour operator as, where and when to receive them. Do not be afraid to repeat or inquire: if baggage is lost, it's big trouble. Tags are usually enough: 4-6 in the cabin.
By the way, a little tip: to insure baggage from loss and damage. Cruise companies are regulated in this respect international agreements and pay relatively little compensation. It is clear that not accept arguments that the lost suitcase was crammed with diamonds and dresses haute couture - not counting your favorite slippers of her great grandmother, who personally saw Lenin. The officers of the company just to pay 300 EUR compensation and forget. These are the laws, because, according to statistics of the claims, each second a lost suitcase you can find all the treasures of Agra. Therefore luggage insurance will give visitors some peace of mind.
I'll be back a little back and give advice on booking flights. We strongly recommend to choose a flight arriving the day before the cruise. So you avoid the hassle in case of flight delays. This applies not only charter flights, but regular. Not all ports of landing are close to major airports, and sometimes from the airport to the port have to travel a couple of hours. And if an elementary tube? Or worse, some sort of strike truckers blocking of tracks? No one will blame, and the ship will leave without waiting for latecomers. Catch it costs considerable money and nerves. Wow the beginning of vacation, is not it?


The road to the ship
Let's leave a little time. We're going to leave the port. Pack the luggage you need so that the most important things were in hand luggage - with the assumption that prior to the main luggage you can not get over 5-6 hours plus time on the road to the port. That is, necessary medications, glasses, travel hygiene products, money, documents, phone numbers. It is not recommended to take a photo and video equipment, luggage, laptops and other high-tech fragile and precious things.
After the luggage is packed, it is necessary to remove luggage tags remaining after the flight, and attached the cruise tags. It is important to do just before boarding the shuttle, to avoid having to deal with this "on the knee" in the crowd at the passenger terminal.
Everything is ready - went to the port! It's time to describe what the passenger terminal of the port the day before landing on ships. Large Passenger Terminal - an enormous building: at the same time it can take up to 15 passenger vehicles with a total capacity no more - nor less than 20-25 thousand people. And as the night as it is not accepted to begin or end their voyage, it is the number of passengers out of the ship (and the same number of committed lands) during daylight hours. Disembarkation usually goes from 9:00 to 13:00, and the landing between 14:00 and 17:00. In this case complied with immigration and customs regulations, safety standards adopted by the port and on ships. From the outside it may seem chaotic, but it is actually very reasonably organized.
Let's start with the landing of the car at the terminal building. In some cases, you will not need to even remove the luggage from the taxi or bus luggage compartment. The driver simply opens it, and immediately take the luggage porters and carry their own ways. You will now see their stuff in the cabin just a few hours.
Now imagine that a suitcase no tags. Where they will assign him? The most "happy" case - leaving, where they see that there is no tags. That is in the terminal. Then it will be easy to find in the room «lost and found». And, if the simplicity of his heart curled on another ship? Here you are on a ship sail, anticipating a few days of happiness and not knowing that your belongings (da-da! those favorite slippers - too!) Float away in the opposite direction. And maybe not in the opposite ... but not on your vehicle exactly. When you realize that it is time to wear slippers, and all the luggage there, and tell the staff, the real confusion starts: the search of luggage in the terminal throughout the ship, which departed on the same day from this port, then the elaboration of options - as them to forward to your vehicle as quickly as possible. A ship is not waiting for your luggage, it has a route and he executes it: every day - a new port. And you're barefoot, and no sunbathing, no train, nor to accept the captain to go: because of the clothes you have so jeans t-shirt, which you arrived at the port. What is really there vacation: sit in the cabin and out from the melancholy expression on his face just to eat, devoting all his free time compiling a list of prematurely lost family heirlooms.
All of that nightmare, that I have described is very rare, precisely because the tourists know the importance of such a "trifle", as the baggage tag. So beware!
And what about those who were not given a luggage tag, along with the ticket? You have a firm hand, removes the longshoreman from home suitcases and go to the station building, looking out along the way employees in the form with the logo of your cruise ship company. Usually such girls and boys a lot in the landing zone: they are happy to give you the right amount of unfilled tags. Or navigate to the location where they are. You fill tag (name of ship, name, name of applicant, date of departure, number of cabins - all of Latin) and give baggage loaders. All of luggage can be forgotten: it will deliver to the door of your cabin after departure the ship.
Now we must solve the following problem: to find among this sea of ​​human place of registration for your vehicle. There are two ways: do not let the employee and ask him to take you to the place of registration or to find pointers to the name of your ship, which will point the way to the sought-after check-in desks. By the way, next to them is always a stand with staff on contacts with passengers cruise company («Guest Relations» or «Information»). It will help you resolve any issues: the same tags, will be given a ticket if you do not have time to send it to you before your departure from the homeland, and much more.
It's time to register for the cruise. To do this you will need a passport and a ticket for a cruise. And if you pay for everything by credit card, then she "credit card". Tip: for one stateroom recorded one credit card in advance so make sure there is enough money to pay all your expenses in the upcoming cruise.
Each rack registers certain number of cabins. Find their own and get up in the queue, you will be registered on the ship. The procedure described does not make sense: you just give the documents - and all. As a result, your return ticket and passport and you get the time of your landing craft and cruise card. What is it? The passage of four thousand people should be regulated, so depending on time of registration, you define a "corridor" (usually in half an hour) when you have to pass an immigration office and go to the ship. Cruise Card - one of the two most important documents on the cruise. This map is both a means of payment for board and boarding pass (similar to air), and a magnetic key to your cabin.
With registration up to the moment of planting may take considerable time - up to two hours. What to do at this time? You can sit at a terminal, a coffee and a snack. You can go into town and stroll through the nearby streets. Usually it turns out that the city of embarkation and disembarkation of the city look really does not work, even if you have arrived on the day before - just not enough time. Now, some cruise lines take a passenger terminals in their own governance, and rebuild them in order to provide additional services pending. This business clubs, and children's clubs, cafes and restaurants. Sometimes the animation of the ships may even give the presentation in the terminal building. However, these ports are still very small.
When it comes to your landing time, you go to immigration control. Procedure is routine and simple. Farther you go out on a staircase leading to the door on a ship and stand up in a long queue of your future sokruiznikov. Waiting in the queue can seem very boring and unpleasant, but experienced "cruisers" are in it its charm. After all, here you can safely take a closer look - with whom you will spend the holiday on board the ship, and even tie the first acquaintance.
The last obstacle at the entrance to the ship as a security vehicle - the most rigorous procedure. It is not necessary to describe it, just need to execute what is asked security officer clearly and without delay. If it will do everything that all will go as quickly as possible. Here, you'll need to cruise card, passport, and you - to take photos in the database passenger ship.

The first hours on board
So you on board: almost all the formalities over, were trifles. The first step is go to the "reception" and return his passport. "The reception is located next to the passage of the corridor from the entrance: walk past it is very difficult. While you're aboard ship, your passport must be at the "reception". This is due to the rules of the so-called "clean" the vehicle by immigration and customs services on arrival at each new port along the route cruise. After all, every exit or entrance to the port of the vessel is crossing the border: even if you're in Naples today and tomorrow in Palermo - you cross the border. If your passport is in the relevant service vehicle, your presence during the examination of documents at the entrance to the port is not required. Immigration officers do not communicate with the port of each individual passenger and a responsible officer, and you have these formalities do not even notice. There are some exceptions, but they are extremely rare. For example, in Tunisia for Russian citizens do not need a visa, but immigration officer must verify your identity, so you must personally come to him with a passport - he will check the photo and you can go ashore.


However, you still need proof of identity when you're on the beach. In the different cruise companies, this is two different ways. Or is a copy of passport (first page with photo) and the seal of the ship. This document is a legitimate identification card for all countries in accordance with international law. Or every time he went to the bank, you take your passport with reception, but on returning to the ship hand over his back.
Last formality: you need to get the number for your table and replace the power supply. Change of power is usually specified at time of reservation, but sometimes it can be when zhelaenii change in place, communicated with the administrator of the restaurant, which at the time of landing is located either on the "reception", or at a table nearby.
A little about change and the table - this only applies to dinners in the main restaurant ship. The first shift is usually from 19:30 to 20:00, the second - from 20:00 to 21:30, but depending on the season and region, time may be different. You are assigned to a specific table for the entire cruise. Separately, I will turn your attention: This rule applies only to dinner, and only in the main restaurant. Lunch and dinner at any time in any open restaurant. The ships are usually at least three restaurants: EY restaurant "a la carte", which serves lunch and dinner, buffet restaurant buffet - there for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and sometimes "midnight" snack bars, an alternative restaurant a la carte, serving dinner and sometimes lunch.
A few words about the alternative restaurant. This is a small restaurant with a menu of higher quality than in the ground. Often, these restaurants are supervised by chefs who have "star" on Mishlenu, or any famous restaurants. The level of service in this restaurant is much higher than in the ground, and dishes closer to the standards of "haute cuisine". Nutrition in it, as well as in the main restaurant and buffet - free of charge (except drinks), but to dine in an alternative restaurant, it is necessary to reserve a table. Price of the reservation table - about 20 EUR per person. You can reserve a table or immediately on landing at the reception, or later in the "reception", or in the restaurant. Of course, the sooner you do, the more surely get a place at a convenient time for you.
So now we are on a cruise, complete rest begun. The first step is to examine your personal area of ​​the vessel - the cabin.
Modern cruise ships are huge: it's not even hotels on the water, and the entire resort. Which could easily be lost if the cruise lines do not seem concerned about it beforehand. This concern is manifested in everything: in every corner of the corridor, at the exit from the stairs, near and inside the passenger elevators will find direction signs, the list of premises that are on deck, and even plans for the deck. The first digits of the cabin - number of residential decks, starting from the bottom. All we need - is to get to the elevator or stairs to climb on her deck. Next, simply follow the signs.Cabins on the ship can be divided into four types:

    * Inside cabin with no windows (can be located on all decks);
    * Outside cabin with a window (usually located on the lower decks of a ship);
    * Outside cabin with balcony, located on the upper decks for safety reasons and convenience - to them, not only do not reach the waves, but almost does not get to spray on them;
    * All kinds of suites are also on the upper deck, mostly, they also have a balcony.
The suites are very diverse - to describe every detail does not make sense, I would like only to draw attention to one important detail: how would suite any named, did not the fact that there will be a door between the living room and bedroom. When choosing your suite for VIP-clients, please read the plan or cabin, check with your operator, separated by a space suite is not just a partition and door. Otherwise, possible embarrassment, when the couple was traveling with a child, and to fully retire in the cabin is not obtained.
All cabins are divided into two rooms (we're not talking about the suites): living room and bathroom with shower. It is very rare in ordinary cabins can be found the bathroom: now it is almost always replace a shower. In the bathroom there is always soap, shampoo and a variety of towels. In rating the cruise companies bathroom accessories - from well-known brands (eg Bvlgary), and the set can not be limited to soap and shampoo.
Several tell you more about the bed. They are always two, but do not be afraid: they, as it is now called, «convertible». That is, if the configuration is not good enough and needs to be done out of bed double twin bed, or vice versa - just ask the flight attendant, and it will happen within 10 minutes. Also in the living room with a table a mirror, a couple of chairs or armchairs, and another small tea table. Modern requirements for cabins require a somewhat larger area of ​​the premises, so that the new ships in a cabin there and sofa. Balconies are spacious enough for two people: there is a small table and two chairs or a chaise longue (mostly plastic). The cabins are always equipped with telephone, television and hairdryer.
The last five years cruise companies in heightened competition for a planned upgrade cabins strongly improve their equipment. Establish a modern LCD-TVs, DVD-players, equip cabin connections for internet, buy bedding from the well-known brands (eg, Frette). So that the cabin each year are becoming more comfortable and modern.
In cabins (except suites) can accommodate up to four people. That is - the two main beds, and a maximum of two additional ones. Extra beds are structurally different Bat: a hinged or sleeper (like those that have the trains), or pull-out sofa, or even (in extreme cases), the clamshell. But there are also cabins that do not provide extra beds. When booking a cabin for three or four passengers cruise company may refuse to stay in the same cabin, and to offer accommodation in two cabins. It depends on availability of cabins, involving such placement. The ships have a number of cabins, joined interroom door, but they are small enough.
All the cruise your cabin will clean the same steward. During the landing, he tries to get acquainted with all "their" passengers at a time when they first come to his cabin. If he does not come to you directly, so he was just busy with other passengers and will soon come to meet - because his responsibility is a few cabins. What has the higher class of cruise ship company, the smaller the number of sleeping rooms serves a steward - and thus makes it more qualitatively. What is the name of your steward, you will learn from the cards on the table in front of a mirror in your cabin. 
Cruise
There in a special folder you will find a huge amount of material that will help you during the cruise: flyers and pamphlets of restaurants, shops, casino, rates and charges of the spa and beauty salons, craft a plan, a list of phone numbers and - most important - cruise newspaper . What is this cruise newspaper and why is it important?
This information sheet (usually four pages), in which passengers will find important information about life on the ship the next day. The "editorial" is information - how much and where the ship comes in when the administration, contact information of agents in the port, a brief description of the port parking and possible excursions, important information from the captain. On the second and third pages - schedule of events animators, artists and musicians performances, works of restaurants, shops, casino, beauty salon, children's and youth clubs, sports events. It is this information will help passengers plan their day with the greatest benefit and gain maximum enjoyment from your cruise. On the last page of the published contact information for all services of ship: from room service to the clinic. This newspaper will be delivered to the cabin every evening.
Well, it is now possible to dine! This is best done in a restaurant-buffet in one of the upper decks. In this restaurant you can usually take a table inside the room and on the open sea air deck.
After lunch, it's time to start discovering the ship. Walk on the upper deck to admire the view of the port from the sea, walk to the decked and find the main or most interesting for you space ship: bars and lounges, theaters, a spa, gym, children's clubs, a library, Internet cafe and, of course heart vessel - the central atrium. The interior of the ship passengers newcomers sometimes so striking that they breath: to see the luxury and beauty of the ship they are by no means expected. All interior rooms of modern ships are developing leading architects and designers in the world, and cruise companies give them complete creative freedom. Sometimes ships even turned into an art gallery, decorated with works of authorship: paintings, sculptures, installations.
At the beginning of each cruise, there is one mandatory event - the teachings of the evacuation. Perhaps it is the only duty of the passengers, but it is also the first in-flight entertainment. On special audio signal all the passengers go to their cabins, take out and wear lifejackets and go to his place on the boat deck. In these exercises involve all who are on the ship: and the crew and passengers (even of the most expensive suites). Team members will help passengers, pointing out where they should go to their place of gathering on a boat deck. On arrival at the place of safety instructor shall inform passengers about what to do in case of emergency. Unfortunately, he does it in one language - usually English. At the end of instruction (whole event takes about half an hour) all returned to the cabin and leave it their vests. This action might at first glance seem a pity binding and boring, but actually is not. Passengers get acquainted with neighbors in the cabin, photographed in a red life jacket - just having fun as they can. And at the end of the exercise enjoy breathtaking spectacle of the ship from the port of exit.
The evening, with open decks life is gradually flows into closed spaces ship. It starts with night life: shops open and the casino, filled with tables in bars, begin performances in lounges and theaters. This is the time when the passengers find themselves most comfortable place tie acquaintances and begin to feel the rhythm of the ship. Transformed from open decks full of life and energy of seats in the romantic corners, where you can spend a little time in the fresh sea air, listening to the cries of gulls and admiring the moonlit path.
Before dinner - very little time to sit at the bar for a cocktail or coffee and listen to music. The first dinner is usually held against the backdrop of some fatigue caused by the expensive and new sensations, received on board. Staff restaurants on the first dinner trying not to load passengers any strong impressions: it's just dinner. After dinner, a little more to sit in a favorite of the bar or take a walk once more under the stars on the upper open deck. 
First Day
The first full day on board can give a relaxation: breakfast in the cabin with private balcony to look for the entry of the ship into port. And after breakfast to do their own health: the gym, play tennis or basketball, or enjoy the spa. Before dinner - sunbathe and swim in the pool under the bright sun. Moreover, that during camps most of the passengers ashore, and the pool enough sun beds free. You can dine in the main restaurant a la carte and buffet restaurant.


If the vehicle while parked in the port allows, you can manually go into town and walk on their own a little far from the port, visiting the small shops and sit in a cafe overlooking the ship.
You can, of course, dine in the city, but this is the first - for more money, and, secondly, because you can skip taking the captain and a gala dinner, which was held this evening.
The captain's reception ladies put on their evening gowns and men - their suits and go into the main theater of the ship. At the entrance to the theater meets their personal capital, and "cruisers" have the opportunity to be photographed with him at the memory. The theater will offer passengers free drinks unpretentious, and the captain from the scene will present his closest assistant of the team: senior officers of the ship, the director of the hotel (after the liner is, in fact, all the same hotel for passengers), cruise director (he is responsible for all entertainment and animation on board) and the chef. Depending on the personality of the captain this view may take the form of the show, but still, honestly speaking, most often it is the formal representation of key people from the ship's crew, the captain repeated in several languages.
After receiving all go to dinner, offering a special menu and create an atmosphere of dinner party: the ladies in evening dresses and men in elegant suits are small talk, continue to talk about dating and first impressions. After dinner in the main theater is the gala performance, which does not want to miss, because in this show, artists show the best of his repertoire. It really is an enchanting performance.
Some people this is a formal event can scare so much that he wants to completely give up on holiday in cruises. But in fact it is optional. Cruise ships are huge, and you can spend the evening so that you do not even notice that all these solemn events generally occur. Dine in the restaurant befete, and in the alternative restaurant. And at a gala show be allowed for all, not just guests in evening dresses.
You can continue the evening in the lounge (quieter version), casinos (gambling for men) or at the disco. By this time already sformirovyvayutsya certain companies, and this celebratory evening, they are increasingly rallying, there are joint plans for the next few days and most likely, it was with this company you will mainly deal the rest of the cruise.
Second day
Next morning you can start with a breakfast in his cabin or in the buffet-rastorane with new friends. Spend two days on board - it means not to see the new city. Because the second day we will spend on the beach.
On the ship, offered a very solid set of excursions in each port: the usual review of the port city on the afternoon before the long hours of sightseeing in the city, quite far away from your port. This may be not only guided tours in the usual sense, but also trips to the beach to diving with mask or just sunbathe on the sand. Or, for example, golf tours, yachting, white water rafting. Some tour is recommended to reserve in advance, perhaps even when booking a cruise, because if the buses are always plenty of seats, the boat cruise companies booked in advance and the number of seats in them is limited.
You can combine a guided tour and a separate walk through the city. Go shopping, sit in local cafes and restaurants, experience the atmosphere inherent in this place. And do it in an organized tour is almost impossible.