On all cruise ships, as well as in hotels, you will find a guest service desk with staff ready to help you and meet your needs.
I have to be honest, I’m always hesitant to go there because I’m not the type of person who likes asking for things for free. However, it is good to know that in case of need, there is someone you can ask for assistance.
In this article, I decided to make a list of all the things you can generally request. If possible, only reach out to them when it’s really necessary, to avoid creating long lines and unreasonable waiting times for passengers with urgent needs.
1. Set Up Internet and Apps
The first thing you can ask is to help you connect your smartphone to the ship’s WI-FI.
This is usually not a difficult thing to do, but some less tech-savvy passengers may struggle with it.
Let me also remind you that you will need a specific package to use the connection and unfortunately it’s among the things that are always overpriced on cruise ships.
2. Exchange Currency
Need cash in a different currency? Many guest services desks offer currency exchange options but availability can vary depending on the ship and destination.
My advice is not to change money, especially if you stay in a port with a different currency only for one day. Also keep an eye on exchange rates, on the ship they may be higher than usual.
3. Help with Seasickness Remedies
If you’re caught off guard by motion sickness, guest services can often provide free over-the-counter seasickness medication.
Unfortunately, this is not the case on all ships and some cruise lines only provide these medications for an additional fee.
For this reason, I recommend that you always bring something for seasickness from home. They are among the 20 cruise essentials that I always bring on a cruise.
4. Arrange Laundry Services
For those in need of laundry, guest services can coordinate laundry pick-up and even same-day services on some ships.
In addition, they can give you information about the self-service launderettes on the ship. On some ships, you can find them on every cabin deck.
5. Organize Special Occasions
Whether it’s a birthday or an anniversary, guest services can help plan celebrations, including arranging cake, flowers, and decorations.
You just have to make sure you give enough advance notice. It would usually be best to mention if you want to celebrate something already during the booking process.
6. Fix or Repair Luggage
If your luggage gets damaged during boarding, guest services can often help arrange for repairs such as fixing zippers or wheels.
In case the luggage cannot be repaired they can provide you with a form to request compensation.
7. Provide Hypoallergenic Pillows
If you have allergies, you can ask for hypoallergenic pillows or extra blankets. If you see him or her, you can also make these requests to your cabin steward, but sometimes they are like invisible people and clean the room without you even noticing.
If you have any serious allergies, I recommend that you notify the cruise line before you depart, so that they can confirm whether you will be able to have the right assistance on board.
8. Secure Extension Cords
Some devices, like CPAP machines, require extension cords, and while passengers can’t bring their own, guest services often has them available for loan.
Usually, extension cords are not allowed but may be for medical reasons, so remember to bring a document certifying your need.
9. Mail a Postcard
On many ships, you can drop off postcards at guest services, and they’ll take care of mailing them while you’re at sea.
On my last cruise, there was a designated box at the front desk. They didn’t have envelopes though so bring a few from home if you think you will need them.
10. Book Sold-Out Shows
If your preferred onboard show is fully booked, Guest Services can sometimes find you last-minute availability.
In particular, they may have availability of some special seats such as those dedicated to people with disabilities.
To avoid being left without a seat, I always recommend booking in advance. Often you only need to use the cruise line’s official app to make reservations.
11. Offer Medical Coolers
For those who need to store medication requiring refrigeration, guest services can provide special coolers.
In most cabins, you will find coolers but they are designed only for drinks and a few snacks and do not reach very low temperatures.
12. Arrange Shore Excursions
If your preferred shore excursion is booked, guest services might be able to arrange an alternative or put you on a waiting list.
On some ships, there may also be a desk dedicated only to excursions. However, as I have told you many times, to avoid these problems always book the things you are interested in well in advance.
In this article, you can find a list of all the essential things you need to do before the cruise.
13. Handle Complaints
For any major concerns during your cruise, guest services is your go-to place to submit complaint forms and resolve issues.
Remember to express your complaint always in a polite and composed manner. Everyone can make mistakes, and on the ships, I have always found people ready to help.
14. Provide Extra Deck Chairs
If you have a balcony and would like extra chairs for lounging, you can request them at the guest service desk.
Consider that this is not always a feasible thing to do, it depends on the size of your balcony.
15. Facilitate Room Service Adjustments
Want an item not on the room service menu? They can often make special accommodations, especially if you have allergies or if you follow special diets.
As I mentioned earlier, it is not always easy to accommodate all guests so it is important to let them know before departure if you have special needs.
16. Get Replacement Keycards
If you lose your room key or need extra keycards, go to the guest services to ask for replacements.
Some hotels charge an extra fee if you lose your key and they have to issue a new one. This has never happened to me on a cruise but please always be careful where you leave it so you don’t lose it.
17. Luggage Valet and Disembarkation
Some cruise lines offer a luggage valet service, allowing you to bypass airport check-in. Guest services will handle your luggage, give you boarding passes, and transfer your bags directly to the airport.
They also take care of all the requests regarding disembarkation, so you can ask them for additional luggage tags or more information about the schedule to leave the ship.
If you haven’t yet, also check the 10 disembarkation tips every cruiser needs to know.