Travel Tuesday: Big & Tall Cruising
My two sons and I are travel fanatics. We have been a travel trio since they were able to walk. One of our favorite ways to see the world is cruising. We love the cruising lifestyle and the stress-free way to travel to new places to explore. Our biggest adventure is coming up in just three weeks when we will embark on our first transatlantic cruise to Rome with stops in Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
Transatlantic Cruises:
Transatlantic cruises are two-week sailings where cruise ships from the US or from Europe reposition for the season, having to cross the Atlantic to do so. Each sailing trip had about nine at-sea days and four or five days with ports of call. These cruises are much cheaper than regular 7-day cruises because of the majority of days being at sea. Our cruise cost just about as much as a one-way flight to Rome. For the same price, we get two weeks of cruise entertainment, food, and fun. For us, we love being on the ship, so we are not worried about getting on board so many sea days. We are looking forward to experiencing the Atlantic.
Big & Tall Cruising:
My young adult sons are big and tall guys. The oldest is 6”8, a mere one inch shorter than the celebrity known as “The Mountain”, and just as big as the mountain too. The youngest is 6”5 and catching up quickly with his brother in size. Cruise ships are known for their compact living quarters, which are counterintuitive spaces for my big guys. We have learned some great tips along the way during our adventures to make cruising more comfortable for big & tall passengers.
1. Book with an agent: either a travel agent or a cruise line booking agent. Speak with an expert and tell them what you need. They can recommend the right cabin for you. I do not recommend booking online if you have unique needs.
2. Request an accessible room: Accessible rooms come with large showers that accommodate B & T passengers more comfortably. The normal shower is a tight squeeze for average-size passengers, let alone someone larger. What I do is fill out the accessibility form available for all cruise lines. I told them that we would like an accessible room due to size and if there are any rooms available – after disabled reservations are fulfilled – we would like one.
3. See if you can bid for an upgrade: most ships have larger bathrooms with tub/shower combos if you reserve at the suite level. One way to score a suite without paying through the nose is to reserve a cheap room and then request an upgrade or ask to bid on a suite. Royal Caribbean has the “Royal Up” program, which allows you to bid for an upgrade for much less than the sticker price. We scored a two-bathroom Jr. suite for only a couple hundred dollars more than our original room!
4. Use storage organizers: no matter what room you end up in, keep it neat & tidy and the floors clear of clutter. Bring magnetic hooks (the walls are metal!) to hand things up, over-the-door hooks (found at the dollar store), over-the-door organizers, mesh laundry bags, and packing cubes. Unpack and use the closets and drawers. Store luggage & shoes under the beds. Use bathroom hanging caddies in the bathrooms. This way you will maximize maneuverability in the stateroom. There are hundreds of great YouTube videos on cruise ship stateroom hacks that can help you stay organized!
5. Use Guest Services for comfort: The people at guest services on the ship can help you reserve seating for shows that fit your needs. They can also help you get a dining table that fits you and ensures you are not stuck in some cramped area.
6. Be mindful of doorways and low ceilings: Even the biggest mega cruise ship has low ceilings and doorways in places. Make sure you are mindful when going through doors, especially the outlets to outside spaces. They seem to be the lowest!
7. Scope out the ship: When you board, take time to explore the ship and note the best places to relax for your frame.
A B & T Bon Voyage from the Pearsall Boys!