A cruising expert has revealed four things they always ask for straight away when settling into their room. Matt Hochberg, who shared his insights on a Royal Caribbean cruise blog post, explained that these four steps make his stay much more enjoyable. Before asking anything else from his attendant or crew members, Matt said he asks their name.
He explained: “Crew members come from around the world, and most names are easy enough to know how to say without asking. But sometimes it can be difficult to know how to say it properly. Even if the name appears like I'd know how to say it, they may say it differently. Or they may have a nickname they prefer to go by.” He said that he will ask how to pronounce their name, before repeating it out loud to avoid embarrassment.
After this, you should ask to have your room cleaned at night, if this is possible on the cruise you’re on. This, Matt said, will stop you feeling rushed in the morning to get out of the cabin.
“I prefer to have my bed made before I go to sleep. There's always a good chance I'll take a nap during the day, and then the sheets are messed up again before bed,” he said. Matt, who describes himself as one of the foresmost experts on Royal Caribbean cruises, added that it is often more convenient for rooms to be cleaned in the evening as guests are usually out at dinner or a show.
Extra towels in the bathroom is something he will always request, he said. “By default, there's only two shower towels in a cabin. That's fine for a solo traveler, but two towels is not going to last 24 hours when someone is washing their hair too.”
Asking for extra towels ensures you won’t run out later and eliminates arguments of who used all the towels, he explained.
One of the “best family cruise tips out there” is to book two connecting rooms, Matt revealed. This provides a separate space for the children, adds an extra bathroom, and lots more living space. It can also be cheaper than a suite sometimes too, he added.
Matt said: “It's usually the case that the connecting door between both rooms isn't unlocked when we get into the cabin on the first day, so I'll ask them to unlock it. In addition, if I have connecting balcony rooms, I'll ask for the balcony divider to be unlocked.”
