If you happen to be one of the lucky few to get the opportunity to sail on a totally brand-new cruise ship, then you probably understand the feeling of excitement it comes with. There is no denying that such a voyage is a once-in-a-lifetime; however, it is not always smooth sailing. To be better prepared, the following is a comprehensive list on some of the things to know about sailing on a brand-new cruise ship.
- Expect hiccups – One of the things you need to understand about sailing on a brand-new cruise ship is that is not just the passengers who will be experiencing their first time onboard, but also everyone else. This includes the cooks, performers, waiters, and any staff charged with certain duties. Even though they may have previously practiced their roles on an empty ship, it is still nothing when compared to the real thing. Therefore, you should try your best to be patient and understanding whenever there are hiccups.
- You may have been chosen to be on a special list – In most cases, cruise ship liners prefer to test the waters with a relatively short maiden voyage that typically involves a destination that is either of some importance to the line itself or has convenient shipyards. Therefore, you should consider yourself lucky to be onboard since it will probably be the only time the ship will sail that route.
- Not everything will be spic-and-span – There is no question that a brand-new cruise ship must be sea worthy before it can be allowed to set sail. However, you may still find some minor details and finishing touches not attended to. This can include anything from restaurants and bars that are not yet open for business to unpainted walls.
- Expect to find workers onboard – Considering that not all facilities on a new cruise ship may be fully finished, it is more than expected that you will find some workers here and there doing some finishes touches for the benefit of the guests.
- Things do run out – Provisioning for a cruise ship is much like operating a huge machine, and as a result, it may take some time and a bit of familiarity before you can get things exactly right. When you come to think of it, everyone on a maiden voyage is basically testing out its new restaurants, bars, kitchens, and so many other facilities. As a result, you should expect that something will run out earlier than expected.
