For many travelers, cruising is an art form to be perfected over years of extensive sailing. Everything from finding the type of cruise lines that best suit your travel style, to the most strategic ways to pack, and the best places to hang out on board are all insights that are honed over numerous voyages.
But first-time cruisers shouldn’t feel left in the dark. To help beginners about to set out on their first voyage, we tapped cruise expert Franck Galzy, the general manager on board Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor, for his top cruise tips.
Galzy has worked on board cruise ships for more than 20 years. “I joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises 22 years ago as Head Sommelier,” Galzy says. “Over the past two decades I progressed through the ranks in [the ship's] hotel management, going from Head Sommelier to Controller, Provision Master, Maître D, Food and Beverage Manager, and General Manager.”
Galzy has acted as a key coordinator for hundreds of passengers and crew for the last 12 years; he also is responsible for organizing “a number of special events during the most spectacular voyages including our World Cruises.”
Here are five tips from Galzy to keep in mind before stepping on board your first cruise ship.
What's the best region across the globe you've ever visited while being a crew member?
“My favorite region I’ve ever visited while working is Asia,” Galzy says. “From the friendliness of people who have a genuine love for life, and the mouth-watering culinary delicacies, to the diverse array of busy cities with massive skyscrapers and peaceful laid-back islands, you are really spoiled for choice in Asia.”
While voyages to this region were on pause for a long time after the onset of COVID, cruises to Asia are finally restarting once again. Among the standout itineraries for 2023 are sailings that visit some of the countryside of Japan; peaceful cruises that visit temples and tranquil beaches in Thailand and Indonesia; and voyages that focus on the region’s biggest cities, including Taipei, Hanoi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
In fact, Galzy says he loved his time in Asia so much, he decided to move to Bali, where he’s lived for the past six years.
What is the most scenic port you've ever sailed into?
The French city of Bordeaux is among “the most scenic, beautiful ports I have had the pleasure of sailing into,” Galzy says. With its Gothic and Romanesque buildings sitting right on the water’s edge, not to mention the region’s plentiful chateaux and vineyards, cruisers will want to ensure they’re on-deck to take in the vista while docking in the city, which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which part of the ship has the best views?
When looking for the best views on board, first-timer cruisers might be tempted to go all the way to the top deck. But, according to Galzy, it’s the opposite. “The heart of the ship offers the best views,” he says. On lower, more central decks you can look out over the waterline, and you have a better chance of spotting sea life like jumping dolphins—considered a good omen among sailors. The heart of Galzy’s ship, Seven Seas Splendor, is home to his General Manager’s office and reception, but it also houses the ship’s sweeping atrium, a cocktail lounge, passenger-favorite restaurant Pacific Rim, and an infinity pool off the aft deck for uninterrupted views of the vessel’s wake, ocean, and sunset.
What's your best packing tip for long trips at sea?
Strategic packing can be vital to enjoying a cruise. Passengers should focus on packing their clothes in a way to avoid wrinkles, according to Galzy, and bring “a good book to read poolside or before bedtime.”
Avoiding wrinkles is key when packing for a cruise, as irons aren’t allowed in staterooms (and the cost of laundering and pressing clothes can be exorbitant). Savvy cruisers know to unpack as soon as they arrive on board as well as to bring wrinkle-release spray to avoid looking rumpled. Some frequent cruisers also bring over-the-door organizers in order to maximize closet and storage space. Other essential items to bring on a cruise include a refillable water bottle, a rain jacket, and a travel plug adapter.
And don’t worry if you forget your book or don’t have room for a chunky tome in your suitcase: many cruise ships come with lending libraries where passengers can find a wide range of reading material, from thrillers to historical biographies and travel books on upcoming destinations.
What cruise excursion should every cruiser should do at least once?
Although some veteran cruisers skip shore excursions to enjoy ship amenities like the spa or pools with fewer crowds present, some tours are unmissable, according to Galzy. One that every passenger should take? “Al-Khazneh [also known as the Treasury building], located in Petra, Jordan, which was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007,” he says. “I recommend arriving at the temple ‘Indiana Jones’ style—on horseback!”