At Royal Holiday, giving you a great vacation experience is our top priority. By giving you access to some of the most exclusive and exotic locations around the world, we want to give you that special, one-of-a-kind travel experience that you can’t get by simply booking a hotel. It means a lot to us that our members trust us to give them everything they need and want during their vacations, from luxurious sleeping quarters to first-class dining and world-class adventures. However, to make your experience the best it can possibly be, we need a little help from you. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your upcoming Royal Holiday cruise vacation.

DO: Research Your Destination

A cruise can offer travelers an easy, safe, and exciting way to explore a broader cultural region rather than a single destination. While it’s always interesting to go into an experience headfirst without having done any planning, it’s also a good idea to do a bit of preliminary research right off the bat. Are there specific places you want to visit at certain docking points? Is there a type of local cuisine you want to try? The more you plan out your trip in terms of priorities, the better prepared you’ll be to get everything into your itinerary.

DON’T: Overpack

Whether you’re planning on taking advantage of our stunning Alaskan cruise or hitting the Eastern Caribbean coast on your journey, the quality of your experience will be enhanced by packing well. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should throw everything into your suitcase and call it packing. Many cruise cabins are smaller than guests expect, and packing a lot tends to weigh travelers down. For best results, pack light, and try to pack a solid jacket for chillier nights.

DO: Take Advantage of Onboard Activities

If you’re into entertainment, getting pampered at the spa, or simply having a fine meal, Royal Holiday’s cruises will be sure to cater to your needs. One of the best parts of going on a cruise is taking advantage of the onboard life itself. Try thinking about your experience without prioritizing the destinations over the importance of having fun on the way there.

DON’T: Leave Everything to Chance

While you might want to go into your experience with an open mind and no plans, it’s always good to plan for certain possibilities. For instance: Have you packed enough basic travel accessories? Have your brought reading material? Have you packed a swimsuit, lighter clothes, and heavier clothes? The better prepared you are, the better a time you’ll have.

DO: Consider Excursions

Sometimes, you’ll want to take charge and plan out a separate journey once you dock at a certain location. For instance, when you reach the dazzling Fjords of Tierra del Fuego on Royal Holiday’s signature Patagonian cruise, if you want to spend a bit of time doing more serious sight-seeing, that’s something you should know beforehand.

DON’T: Over-plan

Don’t let your expectations get in the way of having an amazing experience. While it’s helpful to know what you want to get out of your vacation, it’s also great to allow things to surprise you. Keep an open mind and a clear head, and you’ll be getting the most of your Royal Holiday cruise vacation.