Practical Pointers for Your Next Cruise
Shipboard Chill: Pack for Polar!
Don't let the tropical itineraries fool you – onboard temperatures often feel like the Arctic! Unless you're a dedicated sunbather, prepare for significant air-conditioning. I frequently wore four layers, and saw women bundled in winter coats. It wasn't just me; this is a common experience. Pack warm layers you can add or shed, even for indoor activities.
Excursion Reality Check: Time & Expectations
Excursion descriptions often list a duration, say 4.5 hours, but be aware: actual time at sites can be drastically reduced by traffic, unexpected immigration delays, or other unforeseen factors. Our Hong Kong excursion, for instance, promised four sites with an hour at each; we ended up with only twenty minutes per stop. Also, take port presenter information and excursion descriptions with a grain of salt – they're often optimistic.
The Journey is the Destination (Sometimes!)
While you might be tempted to avoid long bus rides to your destination, sometimes these drives offer the most unexpected and memorable experiences. Our safari drive out of Cape Town and the Zulu experience in Durban provided glimpses of Africa we wouldn't have seen otherwise – like baboons on the highway or vibrant shantytowns by the road. And who could forget our police escort in Manila, racing through the city? That wild ride to our destination and back became one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip! Embrace the journey, not just the arrival.
On Board Enrichment and Entertainment
Don't underestimate the sheer variety of activities and intellectual pursuits available onboard. While traditional entertainment like concerts and trivia is abundant, look for opportunities for enrichment and learning. We found immense value in the lectures and expert talks, often called "Insights" on some lines. These aren't just dry academic presentations; they offer unique perspectives on world affairs, history, culture, and science.
For instance, we were captivated by speakers who reshaped our understanding of global futures and even learned about the world through an Australian lens from a former Governor-General. Even talks on seemingly niche topics like women composers or South African art and music broadened our horizons in unexpected ways.
My advice? Dive into the daily program with an open mind. You'll discover fascinating insights and hear from remarkable individuals who can enrich your voyage beyond just visiting ports. These opportunities to learn and be inspired are a unique highlight of a world cruise experience.
Unexpected Discovery
Relaxation room - this room was so calming. As you walk around the ship you experience lots of music and lots of noise at certain times of the day. But here you found silence.
Now, if you do go on a Cunard cruise on Queen Anne, try not to spread the word about this tranquil environment. After all, you don’t want everyone to show up. Let’s keep it a secret, OK?
Packing for a Long Cruise: Less is More
We met people who had taken seven suitcases for the entire around the world cruise some 100+ days, others who had a different outfit every time you saw them and others who like us took less. Everything we took fitted into what you see in the first picture:
1 large suitcase
1 medium suitcase
2 carry-ons
A backpack
A garment bag for the tux and jackets
And my only help, because I couldn’t find a video anywhere on how to pack for more than two weeks (YouTubers out there perhaps a gap that could be filled?) I only had a formula that went like this: Number of one piece separate (pants or skirt) x number of other separate piece (shirt, tops) = number of outfits.
So, 5 pants x 6 tops = 30 outfits provided each pant works with each top.
And that’s great for everyday clothes, but for galas? Well, what I learned was that missing a gala (we only attended 3 of the fifteen) is no biggie. If you’re doing one of the shorter cruises (Sydney to Singapore or Hong Kong to Capetown) attending these events might be more important. But what we found was that Queen Anne with its more modern design didn’t really call to us to dress up as much as Queen Elizabeth had with all its historic art deco. On Elizabeth my view is you felt a bit more regal and that when you dressed up you matched the elegance of the ship.
When we got home we performed a little exercise. With what we knew now, what would we actually have NOT taken with us? The results: It could have filled an entire suitcase!
Three Stand Out Visuals
Watercolor Water!: Sailing out of Hong Kong at Night
Queens Sailing Side by Side: Queen Mary sailed with us for a bit on the way to Southampton. She got there first!
Ironed Water!: The beauty of the calm seas of the doldrums. It was like we were in another world.
Make it Your Own Cruise
IAfter 81 days at sea, I learned that the real "fear of missing out" isn't about the ship's schedule, but about missing out on your own life. Embrace doing what feels right for you each day, whether that's attending every gala or simply enjoying a quiet room service meal under the stars. Make the voyage work for you.
