Explorations All Over
Welcome to Explorations All Over, a travel podcast full of stories, surprises, and a whole lot of heart.
Since I was 13—aboard the QE2, no less—I’ve been hooked on exploring the world. Over the last 30+ years, my husband Duncan and I have traveled by cruise ship, camel, overnight ferry, and everything in between.
Each episode shares entertaining, honest stories from our journeys across the globe—like:
- The best meal on safari (served in the middle of nowhere)
- How we ended up on the slow boat to Sweden
- Finding the perfect cabin on a cruise—and the ones to avoid
- Our first big adventure as a couple: Greece, ouzo, and near mutiny
You’ll hear travel tips, unexpected lessons, and a few laughs—always with a down-to-earth perspective. If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug (or think you might be), you’re in the right place.
🎧 Subscribe and join me for a new adventure every episode.
Explorations All Over
Navigating the High Seas: A First-Timer's Guide to Cruise Vacations
Ever wondered what makes cruise vacations so magical or why they inspire such passionate loyalty among travelers? Award-winning cruise consultant Kurt Oswald pulls back the curtain on the cruise industry, sharing the insider knowledge you need before booking your first (or next) voyage at sea.
Kurt addresses the most common concerns of first-time cruisers head-on - from fears about seasickness to worries about crowded ships. "The ships are so technology advanced now... you don't hear many people getting seasick at all," he explains, dispelling one of cruising's most persistent myths. Even on massive ships carrying thousands of passengers, Kurt assures listeners that "you're never around crowds - there's always a place to go," whether you're seeking excitement or tranquility.
Choosing the right cruise experience is about understanding your own travel style and expectations. Kurt walks through the matching process he uses with clients, considering everything from family dynamics to dining preferences when recommending specific cruise lines. The wisdom in his advice becomes apparent as he explains how vastly different two cruise experiences can be depending on the ship and itinerary selected. His recommendation to book at least a year in advance might surprise some listeners, but makes perfect sense when he details the benefits of early planning.
The conversation ventures into practical territory with discussions about cabin selection (why that balcony might be worth every penny), the true cost of cruising beyond advertised rates, and the crucial importance of travel insurance. Kurt's passion for creating perfect vacation experiences shines throughout, especially when he shares simple tips for enhancing your onboard experience - like his strategy of greeting cabin stewards with a small tip on day one to ensure exceptional service throughout your voyage.
Ready to explore the world from the comfort of a floating luxury hotel? Email Kurt at koswald@expediacruises.com and discover why so many travelers find themselves returning to the seas year after year.
Share your thoughts on this episode.
Thanks for listening. Check back in 2 weeks for the next episode. Don't forget to subscribe and make sure to "like" the Explorations All Over" Facebook page, too!
Hey there, I'm Russ. Welcome to Explorations All Over. Well, we're back from a fantastic 19-night cruise on Silver Sea Cruise's Silver Moon that departed from Los Angeles, crossed the Pacific, spent six nights visiting the Hawaiian Islands, crossing back over the Pacific and ending in Vancouver, canada. It was a really great trip, with some ups, some downs and a little bit of movement on the open seas. I kept an almost daily journal on the Explorations All Over Facebook page, complete with photos and videos of our excursions while ashore, including a visit to a simmering Kilauea volcano, a nighttime snorkel with huge manta rays and a trek to the top of the Waimea Canyon to view some of the most spectacular landscape on the planet. I also included lots of pictures of life on board, with a focus on the incredible food provided throughout all the dining venues on the ship. Check it out and don't forget to like and follow the Explorations All Over Facebook page as well.
Speaker 1:Today I'm so excited to welcome Kurt Oswald, a travel consultant and cruise specialist with Expedia Cruises. Kurt was recently recognized with Expedia Cruises Navigators Club Platinum Award for his outstanding performance in the cruise industry. Kurt and I have known each other for almost 40 years and I was so excited when I learned about his latest career success as a travel advisor. We're going to talk everything cruise related and I'm looking forward to hearing some great tips from a cruise professional on how to make the most of your vacation. Kurt, welcome to Explorations All Over.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you, russell, for inviting me to join you today and I am really excited and hopefully I could help some of your friends and family and clients with some cruise details.
Speaker 1:I think that'll be great. As I said, Kurt and I have known each other for almost 40 years. Can you believe that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, really, and still good friends.
Speaker 1:That's right, that's right.
Speaker 2:That's the most important, absolutely so, kurt. First off, tell the husband purchased a franchise from Expedia Cruises and, knowing that I have been on many cruises and I've traveled a lot in growing up and in my adult life, she asked me if I'd be interested in becoming one of her consultants. And I said absolutely, knowing that in the future I would be retiring, and I thought, wow, this is really great because I could start off slowly, grow my business and learn and then when I venture into this after retirement, it will give me some enjoyment and some extra funds, and I just love traveling and I think that was a great way for me.
Speaker 2:You know, I had a very strong retail background for over 30 years. So this is completely different and I'm very lucky. I love what I do and it's nice working with you know, working with people. People are happy, they're in a good mood when they're planning vacation. I'm not presenting them with a bill or you know like that.
Speaker 1:So so today, I think what what we want to really talk about is and let's talk about where do you start? Where does a person that has never taken a cruise before? What kind of questions do you ask them? What's important for you to know to get them going?
Speaker 2:Sure, when I first meet a client or clients going Sure, when I first meet a client or clients, you know, after our introduction I ask them what did you do on your last vacation? And then from that we can go into who they traveled with. And then the next question I asked what did you like most about your vacation and what did you not like about your vacation? And from this interaction and information I help them decide. Okay, you know, they went away with their kids. Their kids are 15 and younger, so we know that we want to put them on a cruise that is family oriented and has a lot of activities for the kids to keep busy on and off the ship. Also, if it's a couple that is newly a couple that wants to go away just by themselves, then I will not steer them to an all-family cruise. I'll put them on a cruise that's more oriented towards couples, which the cruise line doesn't have the slides, the go-karts, the laser tags, something that has a little bit more mature offerings for them.
Speaker 1:So what do you think is the most important factor or factors that people that are new to cruising need to understand?
Speaker 2:I think a lot of people say, oh, I'm going to get seasick, or I don't want to be with all those people. I think what they don't understand is right now, you know, this is 2025. The ships are so technology advanced now than they were ever. We have these stabilizers which actually, you know, stabilize the ship from rocking and and you don't, you know, I don't I have not heard too many people getting seasick at all.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean, you know, these ships are designed wonderfully right now and, yes, some of the ships are so big they're called mega ships, but the ships are so big that you're never in, you're never around crowds. Okay you know if there's always a place to go. They always have an area that's quiet, or you could always find alone time, whether it's on the deck reading a book in a library or in another alcove on the ship.
Speaker 2:Or even in your cabin, if you don't really there's so many types of cabins for you to be comfortable in, okay, and there's so many types of cabins for you to be comfortable in.
Speaker 1:Okay, and you know a lot of people have an impression of what cruising is all about. They you know back in the 70s, going way, way back, you know the love boat and all that, and you know things have certainly changed since then. What kind of myths do you think are out there about cruising?
Speaker 2:I think that a lot of people think that they're going to be on lines all the time in cruising. There's a line for this, a line for that, a line for that, a line you know, and all day long they're going to be in lines and it's going to be overwhelming. What they don't understand is that right now, these cruise lines have everything down to a science, you know, and they know that people are there on a cruise to have a good time and enjoy themselves. They don't want to stand in line and they don't want to be ushered here and there. And also, you know, these cruise lines offer so much for everyone, whether, if you are, if you'd like to just go off and be by yourself, enjoy with family, there's always something to do there. You're never going to get bored. There's always activities throughout the day.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of people say what am I going to do in the cruise? What am I going to do? Well, you know what there's wine tastings, there's cheese tastings, there's ice sculpture carving, there's shuffleboard tastings. There's cheese tastings, there's ice sculpture carving, there's shuffleboard, there's basketball, there's a library, there's a movie, there's activities by the pool, there's a gym. There's so much for everyone. And I think that when people go on these cruises now, they realize, wow, there was so much for me to do, I couldn't even fit it in all day.
Speaker 1:Sure, and you know someone who is thinking about taking a cruise. You know how do they, how do you I don't want to say convince them, but how do you determine for them what's the right cruise line?
Speaker 2:Well, first of all, I ask them, who are they going with? You know, is it a family or is it just a couple? And from there we move on and I make sure that the cruise line is comfortable for them, that they're going to feel comfortable, that they're going to enjoy themselves on it, If they if I find a couple that has stayed in high end hotels and in Paris and Rome and New York and anywhere you know, and they enjoy the finer things of life. There's cruise lines that I would put them in, such as Silver Seas, such as Oceania or something like that. I would not put them on a cruise with a lot of kids that I don't think they would feel comfortable with. Also, services Put them on a cruise where they're going to get wonderful butler service or fine dinings. Make them feel comfortable, what they're used to, that they could see, they could have these wonderful amenities at sea.
Speaker 1:Okay, now I had a listener, chris ask the question are there any particular cruise lines that are better than others for first timers?
Speaker 2:Yeah Well, again, it all depends on if you're going alone or your spouse or families. But yes, you know, depending on who you're traveling with and when you're going in, what part part of the year definitely could put you into the right cruise is there a?
Speaker 1:is there a an ideal length of time that you would recommend for a first timer like?
Speaker 2:I would say a first timer should be seven days. You know, seven days you really get a nice taste of the cruise. Remember that, um, the first day you, by the time you get on the ship, it's like three o'clock in the afternoon and then when the last day you get off, is rather early in the morning. So you're it's, you know you have a nice amount of time to enjoy the. Remember it's. It's so important to not only enjoy the itinerary but also the ship. You know it's, it's, it's good to just enjoy the amenities on the ship and what the ship has to offer.
Speaker 1:Oh, because that's what you pay for.
Speaker 2:Exactly. I mean, these ships are beautiful nowadays. They are stunning, they are highly decorated and they're absolutely beautiful, and I think that you have to enjoy not only the ship but the itinerary and the people or person you're going with.
Speaker 1:What about those people that say you know, I just want to try it?
Speaker 2:so I'm going to just do like a three-day cruise. You could do a three-day cruise, but a lot of the three-day cruises are family-oriented and they usually depart from Florida to one of their private islands, and maybe a Bahama island or something, depending on where you're going. It's a nice taste, yes, but just keep in mind that there's better itineraries and, at times, a much nicer experience. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I agree, and the three-day cruise.
Speaker 2:You're hoarding on, you're hoarding off. Before you know it, you're back at port and you're like, wow, what happened?
Speaker 1:Exactly, I was just going to say that it doesn't really give you that much time to get a feel for the ship, get a feel for any particular destination, these cruise lines that are constructing these private islands. It's sort of, in a way, very Disney. The island looks like they want it to look, not necessarily what you would experience on a quote unquote real island. But what about destination? Are there for people? How do you determine what's the best destination for someone that's looking to take a cruise?
Speaker 2:Well, I ask them, you know, first of all, where would they like to go? Are they interested in a beach vacation? Are they interested in going to the Mediterranean? Would they like to go visit Barcelona? You know? Spain. Would they like to go to Italy? Would they like to go to Iceland? You know? Would they like to go to Italy? Would they like to go to Iceland? You know. Would they like to go to Alaska? You know what do they? Are they adventurous? You know? Do they want? Or a lot of times I get these calls from girls going on bachelorette parties and they want just beach and that's where you put them in the caribbean. But then you have these couples which are more hikers and everything.
Speaker 2:You know, these very active couples and they love alaska yeah yeah, you can get out and do a hiking trail in alaska, you can go to the glacier, you could do dog sledding, you know. So it all depends on what your custom, what your custom, what my customers are into, what they're interested in, so that I could help them with the right destination they feel comfortable and happy with.
Speaker 1:Okay, and you know, using my own personal experience, I mean, when Duncan and I first started cruising, we started with Royal Caribbean, you know, going back 30 years, and back then with Royal Caribbean, you know going back 30 years, and back then their tagline was get out there and it was all about the active cruiser and when you were in the Caribbean you'd go snorkeling and swimming with the turtles and swimming with all. You know all very but it was a very active, a very active cruise. So I know, I know exactly what you're saying. How far in advance do you think people should book a cruise?
Speaker 2:I think that people should book a cruise at least one year in advance.
Speaker 1:Okay, why is that?
Speaker 2:Because that will allow me to not to get them onto a nice to the cruise line that I feel comfortable with in a proper cabin. Okay, that way I have the opportunity to choose the cabin for them in a location that I know will be nice for them.
Speaker 1:And a listener also asked a question pertaining just to that. Talk about the different kinds of cabins and you've mentioned that picking the right cabin for them. What does that mean and how do you do that?
Speaker 2:Well, you know there's a few different types of cabins. The opening cabin is an inside cabin with no windows, no portholes. It's just a cabin with, you know the bed, the bathroom area and you know no window at all. Then we have a cabin with a porthole or a window and then from there you can go up to a balcony cabin which has the cabin and itself, and then attached to it is a balcony which is quite nice, and from there are the suites, and the suites are much nicer. They're much larger, the suite itself is larger, the balcony is larger and sometimes there's a little extra amenities in a suite compared to, like, the inside cabin.
Speaker 1:So you know you talk about the balcony. Someone might ask the question well, if there's all this deck space and all this stuff to do, what do I need a balcony for?
Speaker 2:Because you know what's nice In the morning. You wake up. There's a this deck, space and all this stuff to do. What do I need a balcony for? Because you know what's nice In the morning. You wake up, there's a knock on your door and the night before you order tea and coffee and maybe a croissant or something, and you get to sit on your balcony and start your day, overlooking whether it's the ocean or whether it's the port of call that you're in, and you're just sitting there enjoying this beautiful day you, your, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend or whatever sitting there sipping a tea, sipping your coffee, looking out, saying you know what.
Speaker 2:This is such a nice way to start the day I agree, and you know, and even in the afternoon you know, you come back from a shore excursion and um sure you grab a glass of wine and you just sit on your balcony and you just, you know, rehash how beautiful your day was and you're excited about tonight, and you're excited about tomorrow, where you're going, and it's just, it's just a wonderful time.
Speaker 1:It really is so you know, you talked about the inside cabin and you talked about, you know, suites and so on and so forth. So let's talk a little bit about the price, because a lot of people see, you know, you see on TV, on social media, online, you see all these deals and you'll see, you know, a seven-day Caribbean cruise out of Miami for $699.
Speaker 2:Well, you know, let's face it, A lot of it is advertising. When you see these prices, what they don't tell you is that the price that they're showing you is for an interior cabin. You know they're starting with their lowest price and that price does not include the gratuities. That price may not include the drink package or the Wi-Fi package. These things are separate.
Speaker 1:Okay, Is that stuff expensive? Is that expensive those things?
Speaker 2:Well, it all depends. Some cruise lines offer packages where you get your crew appreciation, you get your beverage package and sometimes specialty dining in fancier restaurants. The packages are always the best way to go Because economically they make it. They make it, you know, they make it so that you want to buy, you want to purchase it, and that's what that opening price point on that advertisement does not tell you Okay that is an addition, you know so that can add up?
Speaker 2:Of course it can. Yes, you know that and that that's why you come to a cruise, like me, a cruise consultant, and we could walk you through and say yes, that is the price. However, it does not include A, b or C, and this is what. That way, when a lot of people book online, then they go, they board the ship and they realize, oh, oh, I don't have Wi-Fi, oh, I don't have the drink package, oh, I have to pay for gratuities. Well, these people are working very hard on this ship and there's gratuities. Just like you do in a restaurant, you tip someone.
Speaker 2:So a lot of people. That's why coming to a cruise consultant will make you feel comfortable and there's no surprises. I can tell you up front what everything will be, so that when you get on that ship you realize that you are not nickel and dimed.
Speaker 1:That brings up a good point. Okay, so now you've booked somebody and you've got them on a particular cruise ship and a particular itinerary, how should they manage their expectations, especially for a first-timer, manage their expectation of what is going to happen on the cruise?
Speaker 2:Well, you know, the cruise lines give you every day an itinerary of what is happening on board and it's nice to just take a few minutes out review what's going on that day, walk around the ship, get comfortable with the ship there's a lot of surprises, you know, and that way you just feel comfortable and you start off what there's so much to do. Just think about, you know, just look at today's activities and, wow, I have seven days of this, you know. So take your time to decide what you want to do and how you want to do it and, mike, just enjoy this. You know that you have to enjoy and how you want to do it, and just enjoy this. You have to enjoy the ship also, not just the ports of call.
Speaker 1:Right. Do you think it's possible for someone to overdo it? Like to do too much.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean it's just like on any other vacation you think you could. You can go see 10 cities in five days. You have to realize is that there's a lot to do and make sure you pick out what you want to do every day. Most important thing you want to do every day, do that first. Whether it's you're in the Caribbean and you want to go kayaking, or you're in Alaska you want to go dog sledding, you can't do A, b and there's not enough time in the day, you know. You also don't want to waste your money by paying for these excursions and not being able to attend them.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. You just mentioned money and I think that that's probably one of the top questions that I'm sure that you get. What do you think is reasonable? And I know that there's a huge, there's a wide swing. What should people expect to pay for an average seven day cruise? What's a reasonable amount for, you know, a decent cabin, et cetera.
Speaker 2:It all depends on whether you're doing a big, a big company like Royal Caribbean, norwegian Cruise Lines, msc Carnival, or are you doing a smaller cruise line like Regent, silver Seas, oceana, something like that. It all depends. But if you're going away with your family on a family vacation, I would say that for a family of four it's probably going to cost you, about with everything, about $8,000 for a family of four.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And then on top of that's maybe some of your excursion that you want to do when you're on these islands.
Speaker 1:And then the beverage package and the yes a lot of that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, then the beverage package some of it's included, some of it is not, but that's why, when someone comes to me, I make sure they're comfortable with what I am telling them and that, before they give me their credit card for the deposit, I want to lay it all out for them because this is an investment. I want them to feel comfortable. I want them lay it all out for them because this is an investment. I want them to feel comfortable, I want them to feel happy and I want them to, when they finish with me, that they say you know what? I'm so happy I made the right decision.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. And you know, you see all these mega ships like you mentioned the mega ships before and you know you're talking ships that can handle 6,000, 7,000 people and you know they have all these cabins. Well, they have all these cabins and then when you go look at the prices that they're charging, you know you think, wow, how can they have all these cabins and don't they have deals on all these cabins? And what do you think of that?
Speaker 2:yeah, I mean there are deals, um, every cruise line offers, uh, runs, sales, sale events and um, you know, it all depends on where you're going and the sale event at the time. But really you want to make sure you spend your money on the right cruise line. If you're worried about, of course, money is very important. You can't go out of your budget. You just want to make sure that you get the correct cruise for your budget. Yes, there's all these sales going on, but you have to just keep in mind there's always going to be a sale and a lot of times my customers will say to me oh, there's a sale going on, can you just reprice my cruise? Yes, I can reprice your cruise for you, but a lot of times it's the same or sometimes it's even more. That's why, if you book a year in advance, you get the better prices.
Speaker 1:Okay, and you know how many cruise lines have you been on personally?
Speaker 2:Probably like around, I would say eight.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And they differ one from the next, yeah, differ one from one from the next. Um, and yeah, you know what, what ways do you see? Um, uh, cruise lines, cruise ships in the future, like, what new things do you think are going to come down the pike? You know, uh, because they all the cruise ships have bells and whistles, like what, what's the next big thing, do you think?
Speaker 2:I mean the right right now all cruise lines are going to. They're coming out with large ships where there are 5, 6, 7, 8,000 people ships. I mean that seems to be the most. That seems to be, right now, what all the cruise lines are going after Not all of them, but a lot of the majority are going after right now. Um, you know and uh, that they offer an enormous amount on these cruise ships, but then you get your other cruise, your other cruise ship, the only only, uh, your other cruise lines which are offering, you know, smaller cruise ships, more intimate special services, butler service. It all depends on what you want, but right now there's a lot of mega ships being built and coming out for everyone.
Speaker 1:And they seem to be filling them up.
Speaker 2:It's crazy. Yes, that's why I say you want to book a year in advance, so that we could put you into your cabin that you feel comfortable with. Yeah, it's crazy. Yes, that's why I say you want to book a year in advance, so that we could put you into your cabin that you feel comfortable with.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Now let's say I book with you and the six months down the road, all of a sudden to decide, you know what. I'm not so sure that I want to do it. If I cancel, do I lose money? How does that work?
Speaker 2:Okay. Well, when you first book a cruise, you have to put down your deposit. Okay, if it's. But if it's in about, if it's in about 90 to 150 days before the cruise departs, you have to pull pay for it up front. But that's why, if you book a year in advance or 10 months in advance, you have to put down your deposit. And if you tell, for example, me, that you know I want to go, I don't. I'm a little leery. Whatever there are, they offer refundable deposits and that's why you put your customers I put my customers, a lot of them into refundable deposits so they feel comfortable, so in case they do not want to go, they can get their money, their deposit, back.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Before final payment Okay. You know, final payment is final payment, then you're going, you know, and then that's where travel insurance comes in.
Speaker 1:I was going to ask you about that. What's your thought on travel insurance?
Speaker 2:Absolutely 100%. You must get travel insurance.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Especially if you're leaving the country, because you know, unfortunately, if you slip and fall in your driveway at home, you have home insurance. You slip and fall in Rome, in Turkey, in Egypt or something like that, your coverage is not going to cover you when you are overseas. You when you are overseas. That's why travel insurance will help you in case you have any emergencies and any accidents or anything dealing with airlines. It is there to help you.
Speaker 1:Now there's a debate that goes on within the cruise travel industry about flying in for the cruise the day before or day of. What's your thought of that?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Fly in a day or two before your cruise departs. There are airline cancellations, there are airline changes, there is weather involved. You know you could one day could be absolutely beautiful and the next day is going to be torrential thunderstorms. You don't want to miss that boat. You want to make sure that you are there a day or two beforehand and you know and that's where it's called pre-cruise where you can get a hotel one or two nights beforehand, make you feel comfortable If you're traveling abroad, acclimate to the time change, get yourself together emotionally, physically, and then when you have to go on your cruise, you're right there.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:You know it's not like. You know, you don't want to be worried that your flight touches down at 12 o'clock and the cruise departs at 3.
Speaker 1:And you, got to rush over to the ship.
Speaker 2:If your plane is on time.
Speaker 1:Now let's talk about, because we know that there are frequent flyer programs with airlines. Let's talk about cruise lines, frequent travel programs, you know, do you believe in them? Do you think that they're worthwhile?
Speaker 2:Yes, I mean there are loyalty programs. Every cruise ship offers a loyalty program, and the more cruises you go on, the more levels or points you obtain, and through these levels that you have accumulated, you get amenities or sometimes special pricing on them.
Speaker 1:Okay, more perks on them.
Speaker 2:Okay, more perks. Perks A hundred percent is definitely. When you, when you sign up on a, when you make a cruise booking, they automatically give you a member loyalty number.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And next time you book on that cruise line that pops up and you accrue your points or your levels.
Speaker 1:And and do you recommend that people stick with one particular cruise line in order to build up points, or what's your thought on?
Speaker 2:that if you prefer one cruise line to the other, I definitely suggest you know. Okay, you were on Royal Caribbean with your family. Why don't we now try Norwegian cruise lines? And then they could compare and contrast and that's why you, you know, you don't. That's why you've become more knowledgeable with cruise lines. Oh, I prefer this from this cruise line, I prefer this from this cruise line. My family's more comfortable on Royal Caribbean. My family's more comfortable on Royal Caribbean. My family's more comfortable on Carnival. Check out all these cruise lines to see what they offer, what each one does better than the next.
Speaker 1:And okay, I've taken a cruise, really enjoyed it. How soon should I get back in touch with you to figure out whether I want to take another cruise?
Speaker 2:You know, I always try to reach out to my customers. I give them a week or two to get back and then I reach out to them through an email or a text message just to say hey, it's Kurt, Just want to find out how you enjoyed your cruise. Please let me know when you have some time. And they call me back and we have talks and they say and I ask them are you ready and are you, would you be, are you interested in another cruise? And if they are, I say OK, let me know what you're thinking and I could do my homework.
Speaker 1:And what if you know? Have you ever had anybody that came back from a cruise and said it wasn't for me, didn't like it, don't need to do it again?
Speaker 2:Happens all not all the time, but it does happen and that's when you say, well, okay, can you please tell me what you did enjoy about the cruise. And they say, well, I liked the island, I liked St Martin, I liked St Croix, I'd like St Croix. Then you know, you know what, how about next time I put you on a nice resort on a Caribbean island that I think you're going to be comfortable with?
Speaker 1:And they just stay there the whole time.
Speaker 2:Yes, okay, you know the best thing. Remember when you're, it's great. Then you're helping them find the right vacation for them, based on their experience.
Speaker 1:And I guess one of the other questions that one of the listeners asked was just going back to the additional things that we could buy that a cruiser can buy. Let's go talk specifically about the the drinks package, because you'll you hear a lot about people associate drinking with cruising. You know, booze cruises and so forth so like?
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, russell, but all a lot of the cruise lines offer what they call the beverage package, and the beverage package usually consists of wines, beers and mixed cocktails and what people don't understand. If you are two in a cabin, both of you must get the drink package, not just one, so you have to both get it. Or there are exceptions If you are on medication and you don't drink. If you get a doctor's note, then the cruise lines will accept that and the other person can get the drink package.
Speaker 1:How much you know the drink packages can get expensive. You know how much do you have to drink to sort of get your money's worth.
Speaker 2:I think also people realize, don't realize, is that okay, you get the drink package. But if you are going to be off the ship every day, you're not drinking on board and you're probably spending money on those islands or in those cities drinking, you know, a glass of wine for lunch or at the beer. I mean a couple of beers on the beach or soda pop or whatever you may, you know, drink. So if you are, if you enjoy your drinks, then the drink package is definitely for you. You know, if you're going to have you wake up in the morning or whatever, bloody Mary, you come back from the ship, you're going to have a cocktail or two, you're going to get ready, you want to bring a cocktail back to your room. You want to have a cocktail before dinner. With dinner you have wine. That's great, the drink package is wonderful.
Speaker 2:But if you are not, if you're going to have occasionally a glass of wine, occasionally a glass of champagne or something like that, I say you know, maybe it's not for you, then let's face it. You don't want to put people into something they're not going to use. You don't want them to say you know, I spent money in a drink package and all I had on the whole entire week was three glasses of wine. So tell them, ask them do you enjoy your mixed cocktails? Do you enjoy your wine every day?
Speaker 1:Then, yes, ask them. You know, do you enjoy your mixed cocktails, do you enjoy your wine every day? Then, yes, it's worth it. If you don't, it's not worth it. So you talked a little bit ago about tips and tipping, you know. So I'm on the ship and it's time for me to get off and do I give everybody a tip. Like, how does that work? Do I give everybody a tip?
Speaker 2:Like how does that work? Most cruise lines offer you to pay a daily crew appreciation, and that daily amount is for the crew, whether it's your cab and your cabins do it, the people that clean the ship, everyone. And sometimes it's like they'll say, oh, it's like whatever $16 a day per person or whatever it is. But just remember, these people on these cruise ships are working essentially 24-7. I mean, they are. If they're not cleaning, when they're not cleaning your room, they're holding a tray on the deck serving you. They are working extremely, extremely hard to make sure you are comfortable and have a wonderful trip. And tipping and what they call crew appreciation or gratuities whatever term you want is definitely, definitely important to these people. This is their livelihood. They are bending over backwards to make sure you have a wonderful time and it's nice to these people. This is their livelihood. You know they are bending over backwards to make sure you have a wonderful time and it's nice to compensate them.
Speaker 1:And let's say I'm on a cruise and I'm not having a wonderful time. What do I do?
Speaker 2:Well, let's find out why you're not having a wonderful time.
Speaker 1:But is there someone on the ship that I can talk to?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You can go to the guest services, talk to them, ask them if you could please speak to someone and let them find out how can we make you happy, what is going on, that you're not enjoying it, and they will sit down with you and see what they could do to help you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree If you're on their cruise.
Speaker 2:They want you to have a good time.
Speaker 1:I think that's key because you know on the cruises that I've been on over the past 30 years, you know you hear people complaining and yet they won't do anything about it and they don't give the cruise line the opportunity to fix whatever's wrong.
Speaker 2:Tell them, ask them are they unhappy with their cabin? Is there something wrong with their cabin? Do they not have enough hangers? Is the whatever? Whatever the case may be? Is water dripping? Is it not cold enough in your room? Is it too cold in your room? Tell these people, tell the cruise line. They are there to help you and they want you to have a good time. They want you to come back. So don't just keep it to yourself.
Speaker 1:So let me ask you, just on a personal note why do you like cruising? What do you enjoy most?
Speaker 2:I like cruising because I enjoy the energy from the people that are on the cruise Everyone. When you get on a cruise, everyone is happy or they hope to be happy. I hope they're all happy. You know you're not at your desk, you're not driving, you're not doing your errands, you're on a cruise ship. It's beautiful, there's music playing, you have breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Speaker 1:That someone else has cooked.
Speaker 2:Everyone is. There's so many activities You're looking at the activities for the day and there's so much to do. Everyone is in a good mood and it's you're on vacation. I mean, what's not to like? But you know, honestly, I think that I do like the people on the cruise are generally happy and they're having a wonderful time and that it's nice to enjoy the ship, enjoy what this company is offering you.
Speaker 1:Check out all the decks and you're going to be surprised what's there. And it's funny because a lot of times on the last day when the staff you know are cleaning the cabins to get ready for the next, for the next crew of guests, um, it's a. That's a great opportunity to go walk around and go look at the suite and see what the suite looks like. Yes, of course you know I just wanted to tell you.
Speaker 2:One thing I didn't mention is that when I get on a cruise ship and the first day and I meet my steward and I introduce myself to them, I give him or her, depending what I want $10 or $20. And I say hi, my name is Kurt. Thank you for everything in advance. I just want to tell you that I would like a bucket of ice every day to my room and, if you could please, an extra towel or two, you know.
Speaker 1:Does that make a difference?
Speaker 2:It makes a difference, you know, yes, it makes a very big difference. You know, when you come back from a long day, there's going to be a bucket of ice there for you for your water, for your cocktail, for whatever you want, and it's going to be an extra towel there for you or, depending on what, or I always say, can you leave me an extra itinerary on my on the desk, because I like to take one with me during the day and I because I know it's going to get all crumpled and ripped up and everything for the day, but then I have a nice, clean one to review in my cabin. These things are nice to do and it means so much to these people that are working so hard for you.
Speaker 2:A $10 bill brightens up their day and they smile and you know they're going to be Johnny on the spot for you.
Speaker 1:Right Go the little bit extra.
Speaker 2:Of course yeah.
Speaker 1:So, Kurt, let's wrap it up. I want to ask how someone gets in touch with you.
Speaker 2:Someone could email me or they could call me. I am happy to give you that information. I'll put it in the show notes for the podcast.
Speaker 1:So that's available. Obviously you're on Facebook, but do you have any other way of contacting you through social media?
Speaker 2:The best thing to do is to email me. Okay, email me, koswald, at ExpediaCruisescom. Great, and I will get back to you and we could have a conversation. Perfect and help you plan, whether it's a land or cruise vacation. I'm so happy to do that.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Well, my friend, I appreciate you taking the time to sit down with me and enlighten my listeners on the joys of cruising and sharing your expertise and your experience with them, and I'm sure that everybody appreciates it and just wish you the best of luck in your travel endeavors as you continue down the Platinum Navigator path.
Speaker 2:Well, listen, Russell. I want to say thank you for having me on today and, most of all, thank you for being my friend.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Almost 40 years. I can't believe it.
Speaker 2:And, honestly, anyone that's listening or needs help. I'm here, please, and I'm happy to help you. Thank you again.
Speaker 1:Thanks, kurt. Kurt well, I hope you enjoyed our conversation. Whether you're considering trying cruising, are fairly new to it or have been at sea for years, I hope you found it helpful and that you've got some tips on making the most of your cruise vacation. Kurt provided some great information and professional advice that you can use when planning your next adventure, no matter whether it's in the Caribbean, alaska, the Mediterranean or some other exciting destination. I've put Kurt's contact information in the show notes in case you'd like to contact him with questions about something we maybe didn't discuss. Once again, I'm Russ. Thanks for listening to this episode of Explorations All Over. I'll see you soon.
