Never been on a cruise?
What you should consider when booking
Created: 01/03/2023, 3:00 p.m
By: Franziska Kaindl
Newcomers should not break the booking of a cruise over their knees: You should find out about cost traps and tips in advance.
A cruise sounds tempting for many - after all, with seemingly little planning, you can experience a lot.
But it's not quite that simple: Especially those who book a trip on a steamer for the first time could be overwhelmed by the selection of offers.
It is also important to avoid a few cost traps that are not obvious at first glance.
Cruise experts give tips on what newcomers should look out for.
Without stress on a cruise: what you should pay attention to when you depart
When booking, many cruise travelers think about which destinations they want to experience and which excursions are suitable for them – but it is also important to know how to get to the cruise ship on the day of departure.
If you want to save yourself stress, you can book a package tour in this case: There is the option of using the shipping company's arrival and departure package, which usually also includes the transfer on site between the airport and the ship.
The first cruise is particularly exciting for travelers: so that nothing goes wrong, you should plan the journey with plenty of time buffer.
© Grgo Jelavic/Imago
"The advantage is that in the case of delayed flights, the guest does not have to worry about missing the ship and being left with the travel expenses," says Frank Riecke, Managing Director of the industry portal
Cruise Advisor.de
, according to the dpa news agency.
In this case, the shipping company will ensure that the passengers receive an alternative flight.
If you are planning your journey yourself, you should allow as much buffer time as possible - and possibly even arrive the day before.
Book your first cruise: Read the fine print carefully
Cruise shipping companies often work with different price models - that's why holidaymakers should always read the small print, as Alina Menold from the consumer center Lower Saxony
reports according to
dpa .
For example, drinks are included in the all-inclusive tariffs of some companies, while others charge extra for them.
According to Frank Riecke, whether a drinks package should be booked in advance depends on how much you drink.
If there is little alcohol, it could be cheaper to pay for the drinks individually on board.
According to experts, it is generally advisable for newcomers to seek advice from a travel agency on their first cruise.
Those who cannot yet assess whether they will like a cruise or are afraid of seasickness can also start with a mini-cruise that only lasts a few days.
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Be careful when using the internet on board a cruise ship
Familiarize yourself with the cost of using the internet before you go on a cruise.
The mobile phone networks that you use on land do not cover the sea areas, as the consumer center informs on its website.
The EU roaming regulation and roaming travel packages also do not apply here.
Nevertheless, ships usually have a mobile network, which is made possible by satellite technology.
In order to be able to use your own mobile device on a cruise, you should check whether your network operator has concluded a roaming agreement with the ship network, as reported by Alina Menold from the consumer advice center.
"You should also ask whether it is possible to book Internet packages from the shipping company and how expensive they are," the expert advises.
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Because the mobile phone usually dials into the strongest available network - and that is usually the expensive on-board network.
You can prevent this by deactivating the automatic network selection in the settings of the device before a ship trip or when staying near the port.
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According to the consumer center, anyone looking for inexpensive alternatives can also go to Internet cafes on land or use free WLAN hotspots in fast-food restaurants or hotels.
It is best for travelers to find out about possible hotspots in advance.
However, it is important not to type any sensitive data into your smartphone, as is the case with online banking, since there is always a risk in terms of data security with open WLANs.
