Never been on a cruise before and trying to find out if it’s something for you? There are so many destinations and cruise companies to choose from, so first you need to figure out what exactly it is you are looking for. Are you interested in the Caribbean with its relaxing beaches? Or do you want to see the Fjords in Scandinavia, tour through ancient cities and epic landscapes? How about a cruise to Alaska with all the beautiful nature it has to offer. Want to see many places in Europe without packing and unpacking at each stop? A cruise is a perfect solution for that.
No matter what your destination will be, it might be a good idea to start with a cruise that lasts around 3-4 days. Cruise lines such as AIDA offer 3 day cruises, which is a great way to ease into cruising. The AIDAnova departs from Kiel (Germany), stops in Copenhagen (capital of Denmark) and Arhus (city in Denmark) before returning to Kiel. With a 3-4 day cruise you will get to experience how it feels to be on such a huge ship. Try all the different restaurants and bars, head to the shops on board, or attend shows and all the other exciting events that are being offered.
Cruise lines offer complete vacation packages. You can book a flight to the departure port and your cruise package. Always compare prices when booking transportation to the cruise ship. Booking your cruise and flight together, doesn’t guarantee it will be cheaper than booking it separately. If you do not reside within driving distance to the departure port, it might be a very good idea to arrive a day prior to your cruise departure. Flights can be delayed or canceled due to weather or technical issues and you don’t want to miss your cruise!
Most cruise ships arrive early in the morning for your debarkation, but keep in mind the ship has to clear customs and you have to go through immigration and customs as well. Book your departure flight accordingly and allow enough time to get to the airport.
Cruise passengers typically have 8-10 hours to explore the area in each port. You can pre-book excursions online or on board. If you are adventurous you can also head out on your own and explore the area!
If you notice that some passengers stay on board while docked at a port, you might wonder why they don’t leave the ship and enjoy the sites. Most likely, they have been on several cruises before and will take advantage of the spa treatments on board, when fewer passengers are around. Some spa treatments might be offered at a lower rate during port days and the pools will be less crowded.
Cruise lines have different regulations, so make sure to check how much luggage is allowed. If you are going on a 3-5 day cruise, one suitcase and one hand carry-on item should be enough per person. If your cruise is 5 days or more and you want to have your own fashion show on board, attend gala dinners, theater shows or just want to dress up, you should probably pack two bags. Check your cruise line’s recommendations for dinner attire beforehand.
No matter if you are heading into a warm or mild climate, it will always be windy and the AC inside might feel cold compared to the temperature outside. Bring a hoodie or a sweater to cover up. Make a list of all your destinations and check the weather forecast. Some places might be colder than others or it might rain. Don’t forget: some cruise ships offer ice skating and it is freezing in there!
Even though things got way more relaxed on cruise ships regarding the dress code, there is actually still a dress code in place. Other than the pool deck you need to cover up if you want to grab something from the buffet or grab a drink from a bar that’s located inside.
If you plan to attend the gala dinner, you might be asked to wear more formal clothing. You won’t need a tux or a ballgown, but long pants and a cute dress will go a long way. This is your chance to dress up! Check your cruise line’s recommendations for dinner attire beforehand.
For more information on what to pack for your cruise we invite you to read our blog article The Packing List With Items For Your Cruise. It will offer tips for what to pack and what to leave at home.
Let’s talk about roaming charges on your ship. Cruise ships offer internet packages, some starting at $20/day and on some cruise lines you must purchase the package for the full length of your cruise. If you want a one-time 24-hour internet pass, it will be even more expensive. There are different plan options, such as video calls and social media only, or full packages to include streaming movies and music. Each cruise ship company has their own plans and packages, check ahead of time to compare options.
Great news! The eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE is available on cruise ships and ferries with the Telenor Maritime package. Please note, this package will only work on cruise ships and ferries. To purchase a land package please select the destination where you travel to.
Purchase an eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE Data and never worry about running out of data on your cruise again!
So, how does it work to get data on your cruise ship and avoid roaming charges?
It works with an eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE for land packages and Telenor Maritime for cruise ships and ferries.
Red Bull MOBILE is an app-based data plan for travelers. With the use of eSIM, it allows you to surf from anywhere around the globe. Whether you’re sightseeing, base jumping, climbing, or in fact cruising.
That means you never again have to worry about running out of data for your internet connection wherever you might travel, when you need it the most or about unexpected fees and invoices.
All you have to do is download the app, register, search for – or scroll down to your destination or the Telenor Maritime option, and purchase your package. Please note, the Telenor Maritime package will work on cruise ships and ferries only! To purchase a land package please select the destination where you travel to.
Set-up instructions for Android devices can be found here.
Set-up instructions for iOS devices can be found here.
In order to ensure proper functionality, you should purchase and install the eSIM before you start your trip or board your cruise ship. You will need a steady internet connection to set up your data plan, therefore it would be advisable to have your plan set up where you have a strong internet signal. The packages are valid for 30 days after activation. When you’ve used up 80% of your data, we’ll let you know — so you won’t get stuck without any data. You’ll get another notification once your data has finally run out.
In the Red Bull MOBILE App you will also see how much data you have already used.
Where does the Telenor Maritime package work?
The Telenor Maritime package currently works on many ships and ferries; check out the list of all vessels to search for a cruise ship or ferry.
You should switch off data roaming for your primary SIM card to avoid roaming charges. Since streaming movies, videos and TV shows use a lot of data, it is advisable to download these ahead of time to minimize data usage.
Get the eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE Maritime package to avoid expensive roaming charges and enjoy your cruise!
