At the beginning of 2020, over 30 million people had already booked a cruise for this year. The number of people who have kept those reservations in the wake of the COVID 19 outbreak is another question. We probably won't know the answer until they release more data at the end of the year.
When the outbreak does come to an end, the numbers will likely jump up again, and for good reason. Ocean travel is amazing, and it can take you to so many places.
Ocean trips don't happen very often, so you'll need to make the most out of them. We'll give you some tips in this article.
1. Find the Best Boat Size
By the best boat size, we don't always mean the biggest. It all depends on what you're comfortable with and what you can afford. If you're renting a yacht, always go for a size larger than what you think you need. This will keep the boat from feeling too crowded. Feeling too empty is also a problem, but going up a single size won't hurt anything.
If you already own a yacht, then it's a matter of how many people you invite. Invite fewer people than the boat will hold.
The situation on cruise ships will be a bit different. Since you won't have any control over how many people are on the ship, figure out how many people you're comfortable being around. Larger ships tend to attract more people, so you may end up dealing with larger crowds. Large ships can also accommodate more people, with the biggest ones having space for over 6,000.
If you're not comfortable with large crowds, go with a smaller boat.
2. Choose a Destination
One of the most important questions to ask about ocean travel is where you're going.
Some yacht trips don't have any destination, and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with dropping anchor and spending time on the water with your family or friends.
Most of us don't go on trips just to hang out in the middle of the water. We do have a destination in mind. Getting there is definitely part of the fun, but we want to travel as well.
This is especially true for cruise ships. With cruise ships, you don't have the option of not going anywhere. Choose a cruise that's going somewhere you actually want to see.
3. Packing
Regardless of where you're going or what boat you're taking, you'll need to pack properly. While you don't need to plan for every possibility, it's best to prepare for the most likely situations.
A. Health
Perhaps the most important thing to pay attention to is your health. Any number of things could affect you at sea.
1. Sunburn
One of the most common issues people face is sunburn. People usually travel to warmer, more tropical destinations so the temperature's going to be higher.
Since there aren't any trees in the ocean, there likely won't be any shade. If you're sailing in a yacht, it's best to put a small awning or another form of shade up before you set sail.
Also, put on sunscreen. Try to find something that is environmentally-friendly. Maybe even put on a hat while you're at it.
2. Seasickness
The other issue that you're likely to face during a boat trip is seasickness. Seasickness affects roughly one in every three people. If you don't get it, odds are that one of your guests will.
Seasickness is a form of motion sickness. We still don't understand why motion sickness happens, but we do know that it has to do with the inner ear.
The inner ear is responsible for balance, so when it encounters a situation where the world around us is moving but we aren't. For some reason, our body's response to this is to become sick.
Since we don't know what causes seasickness, we can't cure it. There are a few ways to treat symptoms, though.
The most important thing to do is relax and don't do anything to make yourself sicker. This includes alcohol, cigarettes, and reading.
As you relax, try to look at something that isn't moving, like a cloud.
If you want to avoid motion sickness altogether, some suggest taking Dramamine, an over-the-counter medication that you take one hour before traveling.
B. Eco-Friendly Supplies
It's important to bring supplies that won't cause damage to the ocean. While there will certainly be trash cans onboard larger ships, it's always better safe than sorry.
It's all too common for things to get lost in the ocean on a cruise ship. Even people can go overboard cruise ships if they don't bother to follow the rules.
One bit of advice is to avoid plastic. With so much plastic hurting sea life already, we really don't need more of it. Instead, opt for reusable goods, such as canvas bags and metal straws.
C. Clothing
You're obviously going to bring clothing with you on any trip, but a lot more thought goes into it when traveling by boat. One of the images we get in our heads when thinking of yachts or cruising is people wandering around the decks in bathing suits.
However, you're going to need more than just a swimsuit and sandals. The weather on the ocean can vary quite a bit.
While you don't want to go overboard with packing, you'll need to bring a decent variety of clothes. T-shirts and shorts are a good choice. Sunglasses might also be a good idea.
You'll be sleeping on the boat, so you'll need pajamas as well.
You probably won't need long sleeves or jackets if you're going someplace warm, but have one on hand just in case.
How to Make the Most of Ocean Travel
Most of us don't get many opportunities for ocean travel, so we need to enjoy what we do get. We've mentioned some ways to enhance an ocean trip in this article, but there are a lot more out there. If you're planning an ocean trip, it may be best to do more research.
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