Got an iPhone or iPad? Load it up with these handy apps, which I’ve hand-picked especially for cruisers from Australia and New Zealand.
Cruise Countdown (free)
If you’re one of those very excitable travellers who counts down the
days until your next cruise, this ticker takes it to a whole new level,
counting down the minutes and seconds!
Just enter your cruise code and it works out the timing
automaticallY. Also includes maps of each deck on your ship, a dayby-
day itinerary, and plenty of other information and photos.
Best of all, it’s compatible with all the major locally based cruise
lines.
Cruise Cam ($1.99)
Updated last month, this is an amazing collection of cameras on
ships and in ports around the world.
Look up your favourite destination to see a webcam image of the
harbour, or check out where your favourite ship is sailing today.
Watch vessels pass through the Panama Canal or see which ship is
docked at your local terminal, without having to leave your house.
The pictures are static, but still fascinating.
Cruise Card Control ($1.99)
Designed to save you money on board your ship, this app allows you
to create categories and keep track of how much you spend on
everything from cocktails to shore excursions.
And because it functions independently of your mobile and data
network, you can use it without racking up a big phone bill.
Handy for checking that your account is correct at the end of the
cruise, or to simply avoid ‘bill shock’. Also includes a countdown clock.
Marine: Australia & New Zealand ($15.99)
Contains the largest database of marine points of interest and all
kinds of technical information about cruising destinations: vector
charts, tides, currents, wind, sun/moon cycle, and thousands of georeferenced
magazine articles and cruising guides from publications
around the globe.
Arriving at a new location? Tap “Nearby” to learn more from the
experts who’ve been there. Also allows route planning, tracking,
waypoints and markers, so you can analyse details such as estimated
time of arrival. Then share your routes and geo-tagged photos on
Facebook, Twitter or email. New content is available every day – pay
once to have it fresh forever.
Berlitz Cruise Ships 2013 ($10.49)
The latest Berlitz bible is out now, two weeks before the book
version hits the shelves, packed full of reviews, ratings and statistics
of 284 cruise ships. It also features the six new ships debuting next
year and a wider range of expedition vessels. The app allows you to
quickly narrow down your cruise ship search by preference, and find
out which ships are best for families, mature couples, solo travellers
and explorers. Also contains a lot of practical advice and very frank
answers to frequently asked questions.
Cruise Tycoon ($1.99)
Ever wondered what it would be like to run your own cruise line? This
game lets you can create new routes and sailing schedules, buy new
ships and employ new crew. Have fun building your empire!