Things special about being on a ship.

So there are things that different about traveling by ship vs. land which don't often get mentioned.

One the plumbing is different. It is vacuum based and in smaller pipes running distances. So the TP is different more like septic system TP. Don't flush items like diaper etc. that will take out entire sections of cabins.

The ac is pressurized. Don't leave balcony doors open.

The pools are small because of the weight being transported, that equals fuel. The pool often are salt water.

Water is treated onboard and is precious. Leave towels on the floor to be washed, the ones that can still be used hang up. That's also why they do not change linens every day. But the water is good to drink don't worry that you have to have bottled water.

The ship will move. If you are prone to seasickness. lower and middle is best.

Some ports might be a tender port where the ship will anchor and then smaller boats carry passengers ashore. Other ports you will just walk of to a pier. Tender ports can usually still accomodate handicapped passengers but just get crew help.

Ships may not always follow US laws. They typically are flagged outside the US. For example, European based cruises may have a drinking age of 18 vs. 21.

That's all I can think of for now. Travel is great. Others please post things that may help a new cruiser.

Bon voyage.

So there are things that different about traveling by ship vs. land which don't often get mentioned.

 

 

 

One the plumbing is different. It is vacuum based and in smaller pipes running distances. So the TP is different more like septic system TP. Don't flush items like diaper etc. that will take out entire sections of cabins.

 

 

 

The ac is pressurized. Don't leave balcony doors open.

 

 

 

The pools are small because of the weight being transported, that equals fuel. The pool often are salt water.

 

 

 

Water is treated onboard and is precious. Leave towels on the floor to be washed, the ones that can still be used hang up. That's also why they do not change linens every day. But the water is good to drink don't worry that you have to have bottled water.

 

 

 

The ship will move. If you are prone to seasickness. lower and middle is best.

 

 

 

Some ports might be a tender port where the ship will anchor and then smaller boats carry passengers ashore. Other ports you will just walk of to a pier. Tender ports can usually still accomodate handicapped passengers but just get crew help.

 

 

 

Ships may not always follow US laws. They typically are flagged outside the US. For example, European based cruises may have a drinking age of 18 vs. 21.

 

 

 

That's all I can think of for now. Travel is great. Others please post things that may help a new cruiser.

 

 

 

Bon voyage.

News flash: the TP is just "regular" (though cheap and single ply).

There's only one US flagged ocean going cruise ship: POA

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So there are things that different about traveling by ship vs. land which don't often get mentioned.

 

One the plumbing is different. It is vacuum based and in smaller pipes running distances. So the TP is different more like septic system TP. Don't flush items like diaper etc. that will take out entire sections of cabins.

 

The ac is pressurized. Don't leave balcony doors open.

 

The pools are small because of the weight being transported, that equals fuel. The pool often are salt water.

 

Well not really as the amount of water in the pools relative to the total displacement of the ship is very small with an equally small impact on fuel. It is more about space utilization, etc.

Water is treated onboard and is precious. Leave towels on the floor to be washed, the ones that can still be used hang up. That's also why they do not change linens every day. But the water is good to drink don't worry that you have to have bottled water.

 

Water is made on board through several processes in amounts more than sufficient for daily purposes. Treating it is not a factor to its usage and no water is reused as drinking water.

The ship will move. If you are prone to seasickness. lower and middle is best.

 

Some ports might be a tender port where the ship will anchor and then smaller boats carry passengers ashore. Other ports you will just walk of to a pier. Tender ports can usually still accomodate handicapped passengers but just get crew help.

 

Ships may not always follow US laws. They typically are flagged outside the US. For example, European based cruises may have a drinking age of 18 vs. 21.

 

As mentioned by Flatbush Flyer, most ships are foreign registered. Flagging has more to do with maritime regulations, taxes, etc., and has nothing to do with drinking age. Ships are subject to the laws of the country of the port of call they are in at the time.

On board drinking policies vary by cruise line but you are correct that, using RCI as example, European, South American, and Asian departure itineraries will permit 18 year old consumption on board. North American based departure itineraries is 21. Drinking in ports of call is based in that country's regulations.

That's all I can think of for now. Travel is great. Others please post things that may help a new cruiser.

 

Bon voyage.

Generally good information, but note my comments to some of it.

Thanks for the clarifications. I was basically trying to get some brief bullets out there so first timers are aware that things may not be just like at home.

Another item is taxes. Some ports will have VAT or other kinds of taxes that are collected when the ship is in port and in the local waters.

Thanks for the clarifications. I was basically trying to get some brief bullets out there so first timers are aware that things may not be just like at home.

 

Another item is taxes. Some ports will have VAT or other kinds of taxes that are collected when the ship is in port and in the local waters.

In our experience - and using the Caribbean as an example - all islands (not some) charge port fees per person through the ship to visit the island. The amount varies by port and ship (typically based on size and passenger load). The only exception is with cruise line owned (or leased) private destinations, which do not charge a port fee. But all port fees and taxes are paid with the cruise fare and are not charged on board during the cruise. Taxes are itinerary based.

Labadee, which is RCI's private destination on the north coast of Haiti does pay a "head'charge" of $6 per person to Haiti based on passenger count when docked there. This is not assessed as a separate port fee to the passengers, however, and is included as part of the base fare.

Yes, Canada and European ports can charge the VAT. Texas and New York seem to have some alcohol taxes per the Carnival board.

Yes, Canada and European ports can charge the VAT. Texas and New York seem to have some alcohol taxes per the Carnival board.

My understanding is with Galveston, TX departures, there is a tax on alcoholic beverages sold on board while in port which makes it prohibitive to sell alcohol until under way and out of the Galveston limits. Not familiar with this in NY, but we've only departed from Port Liberty up that way, which is in New Jersey, which does not have this issue.

Tried to post answers before, but it went to the black hole somewhere.

Cruise ship TP, as flatbush flyer says, it just the cheapest there is, it is nothing special. This from the guy who clears the clogged toilets.

The pools are small not specifically because of the weight, but where the weight is. It is up high on the ship, which adversely affects stability, as does the sloshing or "free surface" effect of the water.

While water is produced onboard from sea water, I've never considered it to be "precious". The water making capability of the ship is many times the daily consumption of water. No cruise ship ever comes close to running out of water. This from the guy who makes the water.

The ships do not change linen daily, not because of saving water, but because there is not enough time to wash a full linen change daily. Daily towel changes are no real problem. This from the guy who repairs the laundry equipment.

Tender ports are not really accessible for mobility issues. If you can't walk the steps to get into the tender, you won't be able to go ashore. I have never heard of crew lifting a passenger onto a tender, though if you can walk, they will handle your chair or scooter.

Differences in drinking age is a very small portion of the protections that most US citizens take for granted, and that are not applicable on foreign flag cruise ships. This includes crime, consumer protection, many aspects of the ADA, etc.

As for taxes, any port that has a local or state sales tax will charge that tax on any sales made while in port, like drinks, etc. This applies to NY, Texas, Hawaii, FL, and maybe more states. Certain countries in the EU will charge VAT for purchases in port, or even for purchases throughout the cruise if it only calls at EU ports. In Texas, only liquor with a Texas state stamp can be sold in Texas waters, so there are limited quantity and selection of liquor until the ship is outside 12 miles.