View From The Carnival Dream In The Gulf of Mexico When you step onboard your cruise ship, you are officially on vacation. It is time for you to relax and enjoy your vacation. While most cruises go without problems, things or situations can unexpectedly happen that can be a slight inconvenience or problem. This blog post will address a few problems that could occur during your cruise and give some tips & suggestions on how to resolves these potential problems.
1. You Lose Your Shipboard Card
Your shipboard card typically is used to get you on or off the ship and for making shipboard purchases. Some cruise lines also have these cards setup to be stateroom keys. You will most likely receive this card during check-in, but have to show it a few times in order to get onboard the cruise ship. After you are onboard you will still need this card.
During your cruise you could accidentally lose this card. Due to the nature of these cards you need to go immediately to your cruise's guest services desk to let them know this card is lost. Just like a credit/debit card, you do not want someone else to get your card and try to make purchases on it. The solution to this problem is to go your cruise ship's guest services desk. They will most likely do something in the system and issue you a new card. Your cruise line may or may not charge you for a new card.
2. Someone Else's Luggage Is Delivered To Your Stateroom
Sometimes mistakes can occur and luggage is delivered to the wrong stateroom. If you receive someone else's suitcases or bags, bring it to your ship's guest services desk or find the nearest stateroom steward and explain the situation to him or her.
3. You Did Not Receive Your Luggage
It can take time to get all luggage on a cruise ship and delivered to its owner's stateroom. Try to be patient on the first day as you wait for your luggage. However, there are times that suitcases and bags are not delivered to a guest's stateroom because a mistake occurred or the bag is being held for a security check. On the first day, after a reasonable amount of time waiting, if your luggage has not been delivered you might want to go to your ship's guest services desk. They can tell you if it is too soon for concern or if there is a problem. Be prepared to give your name, stateroom number, deck number, and a description of the missing suitcases or bags.
4. Onboard Credit Is Not Applied
For various reasons, cruisers can be owed onboard credit by their cruise line. Before you cruise, try to print some type of proof that shows you are owed onboard credit and how much you are owed. If you know you are owed onboard credit that should be applied during this cruise, make sure you keep track of your onboard expense account to make sure your onboard credit is applied in the full amount you are owed. If you see your onboard credit is not posted, before the cruise ends, speak with guest services.
5. You Can't Find Your Way Around And Get Lost
Cruise ships come in a variety of sizes and can be hard for some people to navigate. If you find yourself in a situation where you do not know the front from the back, look outside (if the ship is moving) and look towards the water to see which way the ship is moving.
In the event you cannot find an area on your ship, ask a crew member or try to find a deck plan. Some cruise ships have printed deck plans available to cruisers, especially on the cruise's first day.
6. You Forgot To Pack Something You Need
Sometimes cruisers will forget to pack basic toiletries. Some cruise lines will sell basic toiletries to cruisers, but others will have a few on hand that are complimentary. This will depend on your cruise line. Please note, some cruise lines (especially smaller ones) may have no toiletries to give or sell onboard.
For any items you forgot, check with your cruise ship's guest services or gift shops to see if you can buy the item or items you need. If your ship does not sell what you need, consider trying to buy that item during a port of call if you know you will need the item for the remainder of the cruise.
7. If Outside Decks Are Closed Due To Wind - How To Try To Still See The View
There are times cruise ships will have to close parts of the outside decks due to strong winds. If this occurs on your cruise, consider trying to find an exterior window that will allow you to look outside. While this may not be as fun as looking out from an outside deck, it will still allow you to try to get a glimpse of the view.
8. You Miss The Time To Eat A Meal
Dining rooms and buffets often have set times for you to dine. However, there could be times that you miss a meal due to being late, oversleeping, or not paying attention to the time. If this happens, consider ordering from room service. Room service is free on some cruise lines and not free on others. Another option would be to try to find an onboard eatery that is open 24 hours. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers 24 hour pizza and ice cream at the ship's buffet.
Missing a meal may not be fun, but you should still be able to find something to eat onboard. It may not be a big selection, but hopefully you will something you like!
1. You Lose Your Shipboard Card
Your shipboard card typically is used to get you on or off the ship and for making shipboard purchases. Some cruise lines also have these cards setup to be stateroom keys. You will most likely receive this card during check-in, but have to show it a few times in order to get onboard the cruise ship. After you are onboard you will still need this card.
During your cruise you could accidentally lose this card. Due to the nature of these cards you need to go immediately to your cruise's guest services desk to let them know this card is lost. Just like a credit/debit card, you do not want someone else to get your card and try to make purchases on it. The solution to this problem is to go your cruise ship's guest services desk. They will most likely do something in the system and issue you a new card. Your cruise line may or may not charge you for a new card.
2. Someone Else's Luggage Is Delivered To Your Stateroom
Sometimes mistakes can occur and luggage is delivered to the wrong stateroom. If you receive someone else's suitcases or bags, bring it to your ship's guest services desk or find the nearest stateroom steward and explain the situation to him or her.
3. You Did Not Receive Your Luggage
It can take time to get all luggage on a cruise ship and delivered to its owner's stateroom. Try to be patient on the first day as you wait for your luggage. However, there are times that suitcases and bags are not delivered to a guest's stateroom because a mistake occurred or the bag is being held for a security check. On the first day, after a reasonable amount of time waiting, if your luggage has not been delivered you might want to go to your ship's guest services desk. They can tell you if it is too soon for concern or if there is a problem. Be prepared to give your name, stateroom number, deck number, and a description of the missing suitcases or bags.
4. Onboard Credit Is Not Applied
For various reasons, cruisers can be owed onboard credit by their cruise line. Before you cruise, try to print some type of proof that shows you are owed onboard credit and how much you are owed. If you know you are owed onboard credit that should be applied during this cruise, make sure you keep track of your onboard expense account to make sure your onboard credit is applied in the full amount you are owed. If you see your onboard credit is not posted, before the cruise ends, speak with guest services.
5. You Can't Find Your Way Around And Get Lost
Cruise ships come in a variety of sizes and can be hard for some people to navigate. If you find yourself in a situation where you do not know the front from the back, look outside (if the ship is moving) and look towards the water to see which way the ship is moving.
In the event you cannot find an area on your ship, ask a crew member or try to find a deck plan. Some cruise ships have printed deck plans available to cruisers, especially on the cruise's first day.
6. You Forgot To Pack Something You Need
Sometimes cruisers will forget to pack basic toiletries. Some cruise lines will sell basic toiletries to cruisers, but others will have a few on hand that are complimentary. This will depend on your cruise line. Please note, some cruise lines (especially smaller ones) may have no toiletries to give or sell onboard.
For any items you forgot, check with your cruise ship's guest services or gift shops to see if you can buy the item or items you need. If your ship does not sell what you need, consider trying to buy that item during a port of call if you know you will need the item for the remainder of the cruise.
7. If Outside Decks Are Closed Due To Wind - How To Try To Still See The View
There are times cruise ships will have to close parts of the outside decks due to strong winds. If this occurs on your cruise, consider trying to find an exterior window that will allow you to look outside. While this may not be as fun as looking out from an outside deck, it will still allow you to try to get a glimpse of the view.
8. You Miss The Time To Eat A Meal
Dining rooms and buffets often have set times for you to dine. However, there could be times that you miss a meal due to being late, oversleeping, or not paying attention to the time. If this happens, consider ordering from room service. Room service is free on some cruise lines and not free on others. Another option would be to try to find an onboard eatery that is open 24 hours. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers 24 hour pizza and ice cream at the ship's buffet.
Missing a meal may not be fun, but you should still be able to find something to eat onboard. It may not be a big selection, but hopefully you will something you like!
