Jayestravellingadventures

Even though I have 20 years of cruising experience, I still make mistakes just like everyone else. I have recurring dreams where I have forgotten items when going on holiday which makes me triple check when packing. Below are the few mistakes I have made since cruising on my own.

Shampoo disaster

I love my shampoo and conditioner that I use at home, so I always bring them onboard with me (even if they add extra weight). I didn’t own any packing cubes so when I had opened my suitcase I got the strong smell of my shampoo, it was everywhere! Some clothes got off lightly however some of my evening dresses and casual clothes where lightly covered.

Thankfully I purchased some washing powder from reception and I took them to the laundry unit closest to me to wash my clothes. They came out clean and only a few had small marks on which you couldn’t see. If this is something you want to avoid then always check with your cruise line, most supply their own shampoo and conditioner. I now also use my packing cubes where I go.

Toothpaste and toothbrush

It wasn’t until I got onboard in Malta and unpacked I realised I didn’t pack my tooth brush and toothpaste that morning. As we were still in port the shops couldn’t open and trying to find a pharmacy abroad open was quite a difficult objective.

After a while of searching I went back onboard and I spoke to reception and they were once again amazing. They went into their shop and gave me what I needed and charged it to my onboard account. Crisis adverted!

Cruise card lost

When I was younger we use to have little lanyards for our cruise cards so we didn’t loose them now when I cruise, I either keep it in my hand with my phone (phones no longer deactivate your card) or in my loose pocket. When When ashore I always have a small back with me which keeps my phone, money and cruise card in.

When I was coming back onboard from exploring Amsterdam late ate night on the Aurora, I showed my card, went through security and lost my card from there to my room. I retraced my steps and couldn’t find it, staff are quite quick in picking up dropped cruise cards and destroying them for security reasons. I went to reception and they made me a new card quickly and deactivated my lost one. There is no fee to losing your cruise card thankfully.

Packed the wrong clothes

This was one of my first ever solo holidays to Norway. I had never been there before so all I knew was it was freezing. In Southampton it was warm so I didn’t even think about the weather difference as the UK is freezing. My whole suitcase was; one coat (no hood), two jumpers, one pair of jeans, gym clothes and evening dresses. I didn’t pack an evening cardigan or any other warm clothes.

Being cold in the day and evening was an understatement and when it rained I was drenched. I had to wait two days before we arrived at Stavanger where I could buy a waterproof coat with a hood. I could finally sit on my balcony and enjoy the views Norway had to offer. I now always check the weather before I go and pack 2 items for “just incase” situations.

Time zones

Now again when I travel with family they always deal with the time change, as I am useless when it comes to reading a clock. When I cruise on my own I have to figure so for the first cruise I done I woke up and went down for breakfast only to realise breakfast had finished. I had woken up 30 minutes after breakfast had finished so I had to wait for the buffet to change its food.

I wasn’t the only one thankfully so we all laughed and kept each other entertainment whilst we waited. I also did this when I had a massage booked too, the cabin phone rang which woke me up. The spa staff were amazing and waited for me to get dress and run up to the spa for my treatment.

Lesson learnt to leave my phone on manual allowing it to change the time automatically, I also leave the TV on in the cabin so I have the ships time in front of me. Always check the cruise daily sheets as you don’t want to miss any excursions or the ship.

Data Roaming

This one is on my mum, she definitely learnt the hard way when it comes to the internet and data roaming charges whilst abroad. When we went on a 14night family cruise in 2014 mum never put her phone on Airplane mode or switched her data roaming off. Her phone for 14 days was connecting to various internets without her knowing.

When she cam back home she was shocked to find no mobile data left on her phone and a bill of over £100 ($133). Mum went into Tesco’s mobile shop that week and upgraded the family phone package. Since cruising alone with my own travel page, I’ve learnt from my mums mistake and I always purchase the WIFI onboard or when ashore I use my own data before heading into local cafes which has free WIFI.

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