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The last thing you want to think about before packing your bags and sailing away on your dream cruise vacation is what would happen if you got sick while on board the ship.

But unfortunately, people do get sick while on vacation. They can also injure themselves or become ill enough that they need to return home.

That’s why it’s prudent to invest in a cruise travel insurance policy and be prepared for the unexpected. It’s also a good idea to know what onboard medical care your ship can and cannot provide in an emergency. It’s especially important if you’re traveling in far-flung locales that may not have adequate medical facilities – when you can even go ashore.

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TPG reached out to several cruise lines, from mass-market companies to smaller luxury ships and expedition lines, but few wanted to comment directly on this topic in response to our questions. Some declined, while others referred us to their websites, where you can find basic information under the FAQs sections on what their ships typically offer regarding medical assistance.

If you want to know the specifics about getting a COVID-19 test on board or what would happen if you broke an arm or needed to be airlifted to a medical facility while cruising, we have direct answers from three cruise lines – MSC Cruises, Holland America Line and Azamara. We’ve also compiled general information from several lines with detailed information on their websites.

Here’s what you need to know before you go, so you can feel confident that you’ll have competent and comprehensive medical care if you fall ill while cruising on the high seas.

Do cruise ships have medical centers, and who works in them?

All ocean-going ships have medical centers staffed with trained professionals, so medical care is accessible when you’re on board the ship. The facilities and what they offer will vary, depending on the size of the ship and the number of passengers and crew.

For example, according to Royal Caribbean’s website, their medical centers are staffed with two or three licensed physicians and three to five licensed nurses 24 hours a day. The staff may be international or U.S.-based. The website also states, “All Royal Caribbean Group (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea) ships are built, staffed, stocked and equipped to meet or exceed guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physicians Cruise Ship & Maritime Medicine Section.”

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A clinical staff from multiple nationalities works in MSC Cruises’ facilities. The medical professionals also adhere to the standards prescribed by the American College of Emergency Physicians – Cruise Ship Medicine Section Guidelines.

A hospital-like treatment room in a medical center on board a Princess Cruises ship. PRINCESS CRUISES

Holland America’s medical centers are staffed with a team of experienced physicians and nurses that can manage a broad range of conditions. The onboard facilities are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities, and the team has a close working relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.K.’s National Health Service, regional and local public health agencies and the University of Texas Medical Branch. These associations benefit both the guests and their employees.

Azamara’s spokesperson tells us that the medical facility on board its four boutique ships offers “enhanced equipment, isolation staterooms that provide comfortable and complimentary care, onboard testing capabilities and telehealth medical support. Guests who fall ill will meet with the medical team, which is typically at least one registered physician and one nurse, who will then develop a multi-level response plan.”

Viking’s website also states that its ocean and expedition vessels have upgraded state-of-the-art medical facilities with specialized equipment.

It’s best to contact the company directly if you’re traveling with a smaller cruise or expedition line and want information on specific capabilities and the medical services they offer should you become ill or injured. Many smaller ships sail close to shore, so additional medical facilities will be available in port. However, this won’t be an option when sailing expeditions to remote destinations like Antarctica or the Arctic.

Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise

Do I need an appointment to see a doctor on board?

You should visit the medical center if you have a persistent sore throat, headache, fever, body aches or an upset stomach that could be the flu or a contagious virus, such as COVID-19 or norovirus. If you’ve tripped or fallen and have a swollen ankle or hand, you should also seek medical care.

According to a representative for MSC Cruises, you don’t need an appointment to go to the onboard medical centers. Walk-ins are welcome 24/7, but you can also make an appointment.

MSC’s spokesperson recommends seeing someone if you’re not feeling well, and they tell us their staff can handle a “spectrum of medical situations ranging from routine general practice cases and medical emergencies to those requiring intensive care.”

Holland America guests can dial the emergency number on their cabin phone 24 hours a day for medical assistance.

Azamara’s medical centers are open twice a day for walk-ins. If you need to see someone during off hours, guest services can call an on-duty nurse.

On a Carnival Cruise Line ship, medical staff is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. On sea days, you can visit the medical center between 9 a.m. and noon and again between 3 and 6 p.m. On port days, the facility is open from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.

According to its website, Princess Cruises’ ships also have medical centers staffed by full-time registered physicians and nurses. The facilities are open twice daily, and they provide 24-hour emergency care.

Can you get a COVID-19, flu or strep test on the ship?

Most cruise lines, including those mentioned above, can perform various tests, as needed, as part of the medical services offered. These include testing for COVID-19, flu, strep or other suspected illnesses.

Some lines, like Azamara, offer COVID-19 testing without a medical consultation, while others, such as MSC Cruises and Holland America, do not offer walk-in testing. Guests must see a physician first to determine if testing is necessary.

Related: Why I feel safer now on a cruise ship than in my home town

“The onboard physician may recommend a test for COVID-19 if one’s symptoms suggest the possibility of a Covid infection,” shares a Holland America spokesperson in an email. “We encourage our guests to purchase their self-tests before traveling and bring them aboard. In that way, if they have any concerns, they may test themselves and protect their family, fellow guests and our crew. Of course, we do request they notify the medical staff if they test positive.”

Can I get medications on board the ship?

It’s better to pack any medications you’ll need during your cruise. PYROSKY/GETTY IMAGES

If you forgot to pack basic over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, allergy medications or antacids, these items are typically available in one of the shops on the ship or at the medical center. You should also be able to find them at a pharmacy in port when you go ashore.

If you’ve forgotten prescription medications and need a prescription filled, you’ll have to visit the medical center to see a nurse or a physician. A cruise ship can’t stock all possible medications, so you might need to accept an alternative.

Cruise lines aren’t going to release their formularies, but they probably have prescription medications for the most common ailments such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid disease. They also stock antibiotics for infections.

If you have another medical condition, you may not find the appropriate medicines to treat it on board. On its website, Carnival advises that its ships may not have certain medications and vitamins available. If you forgot your medications and they’re not stocked on your ship, you must visit a medical facility ashore.

MSC Cruises urges passengers to bring any required medications for their journey from home. If they forget or need something, over-the-counter medications are available in the retail spaces. Guests will find some medicines at the reception desk for minor ailments like motion sickness. They can visit the medical center for other requests, such as basic prescription medications inadvertently left at home.

Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

In addition to over-the-counter medications available at the retail shops, such as pain medications for headaches, cough drops or upset stomachs, doctors at Holland America’s medical centers can prescribe and dispense basic medications you may have forgotten. They also have medication to treat severe illnesses until a guest is better or until they can be brought ashore for treatment.

Some over-the-counter medications, including antacids and ibuprofen, are available to guests at the medical center on Azamara’s ships. If a guest needs a prescription medication, it can be prescribed after a consultation.

Carnival sells over-the-counter medications for colds, coughs and upset stomachs at the medical center, or in some cases, at the retail shops. Its ships also have motion sickness pills available (for a fee) through room service, guest services or the medical center. In extreme cases, they can administer a shot for motion sickness.

The line also offers complimentary medi-coolers to store prescription items that must be kept at a specific temperature. They are available in limited quantities with a $75 deposit. You can request one once you’re on board the ship.

What if I fall and break a bone or need stitches?

The trained staff at the ship’s medical center can handle injuries, such as broken bones or deep cuts that require stitches. If the injury is more severe, the medical team can stabilize a guest until the ship reaches the port and the patient can be transferred off the ship.

MSC Cruises’ onboard medical centers can handle a spectrum of medical situations, including the initial management of fractures and suturing of lacerations, a spokesperson explained.

Holland America’s medical centers are also well-equipped to care for guests that need immediate medical attention, much like an urgent care center at home. Their ships have X-ray machines, and the medical teams are trained to operate radiology and lab equipment.

Azamara can also handle these types of injuries, says a spokesperson for the line. In the case of a broken bone or orthopedic injury, the onboard provider will also recommend that the guest follows up with an orthopedic referral at the next available port.

“While Azamara’s onboard staff is available to help with any medical issues that arise, the medical facilities are not intended as clinics for guests,” a spokesperson says. “Azamara is not responsible for the diagnosis, treatment or services furnished by shipboard medical personnel, who are independent contractors.”

What if I’m really sick and need a specialist or hospital?

For life-threatening emergencies, a medical helicopter may evacuate a patient from a cruise ship. IMAGINEWITHME/GETTY IMAGES

The medical staff on oceangoing vessels are trained to handle emergency situations such as a heart attack or stroke and they have defibrillators and other life-saving equipment on board in case of such emergencies.

MSC Cruises’ vessels are equipped with intensive care facilities where guests can be stabilized and cared for until the passenger can be transferred to a hospital. If the ship is at sea, the ship’s captain and medical staff will need to decide how the passenger will be evacuated. Options may include a diversion of the ship to the nearest port, a boat transfer or, if necessary, a helicopter evacuation.

“The decision is influenced by a variety of external factors, like weather, distance to land and resource availability,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson told TPG. “The decision is also made by consulting with local shoreside maritime authorities.”

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Holland America also has established and well-practiced medical protocols surrounding treating seriously ill passengers. “In situations that require referral to shoreside hospitals, the shipboard treating doctors evaluate suitable options by medevac,” a company spokesperson said.

The line works with local emergency services to arrange for the patient to be picked up and transferred to a designated shoreside medical facility when necessary. The care team will also continue to assist and support the disembarked guest and their traveling companions.

Azamara will also assist in bringing guests that need additional care to a hospital as quickly as possible. The onboard team will request an airlift if necessary (depending on the location). Since the line’s itineraries include more time in port, ships are typically close to land. Azamara will also follow up with the guest to ensure they receive the necessary care.

Royal Caribbean Group’s physicians and nurses are required to maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. “In responding to medical emergencies, our goal is to first stabilize emergency patients and, when necessary, evacuate the patient to an appropriately equipped and staffed shoreside medical facility,” its website says.

Will insurance cover me if I get sick on a cruise?

You’ll be charged a fee for service if you need to visit a physician or nurse during your cruise. Cruise ships don’t file insurance claims, so you’ll have to do that directly with your insurance company once you’re home. Princess’ website clearly states that charges for medical services will be added to your shipboard account and that guests will receive an itemized bill to send to their insurance company.

This is one of the reasons to invest in travel insurance when you travel. Your regular health insurance policy may or may not cover you when you’re traveling outside the country — or will only cover some but not all of your expenses. Some insurance plans, like Medicare, won’t cover you outside the U.S. except for a few specific emergency circumstances. A travel insurance policy with good medical coverage can make up the difference or reimburse you for medical bills your regular insurance won’t.

Related: The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Bottom line

It’s advisable to bring emergency supplies with you when you cruise because you never know what might happen. You’ll want to pack essential over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids and allergy medications. If you think you may need any of these medicines during your vacation, you’ll want to have them on hand, so you won’t need to pay high prices on the ship or schedule a consultation with a doctor in order to get them.

You might also want to bring a COVID-19 test with you or any braces or assistive devices you occasionally use. It will be much cheaper to bring them from home than to purchase them on board.

Also, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical care that your regular health policy won’t reimburse you for when traveling, especially when you’re out of the country. Depending on the policy, you can also recover some of the expense of the trip if you have to return home early.

It’s important to know that if you fall ill or become injured during your vacation, you can get medical care on board the ship for many situations – or at least be stabilized until the medical team and crew can transfer you ashore to a hospital or emergency facility.

It’s best to check with each cruise line before traveling to understand their policies, especially if you have a preexisting condition that could flare up while on the cruise. Be sure to ask what medical care is available specifically on the ship you’ll be sailing on, as older and smaller vessels may have different facilities and capabilities than the newer and larger ships.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Source: thepointsguy.com

Apache is functioning normally

If there’s one thing that science fiction has taught us, it’s that you don’t mess with aliens. From intergalactic empires to ancient gods in hiding, extraterrestrials can often give as much as they get— if not more! Whether they come from distant galaxies or are right next door to us, alien species might have vastly differing tech levels and powers. Here we take a look at some of the most powerful alien species in sci-fi TV shows, movies, and video games: let’s all hope our future encounters with extraterrestrial beings prove less hostile than these!

1. Spiders and Snakes, from Fritz Leiber’s Change War Series

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “The Spiders and The Snakes from Fritz Leiber’s Change War stories. No human has ever seen any member of either race. They are fighting a war that is ongoing on all planets in the Universe, and that started with the Big Bang and goes beyond the end of time. Each side wants to rewrite all history in the entire multiverse.”

Another user replied, “Sounds like Xeelee.”

One commenter added, “Fantastic story that I wish had more books. Rare to get sci-fi with a theater production theme AND locker room mystery.” 

2. The Q, from Star Trek

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

One Redditor shared, “I’ll throw two into the ring: The Q, from Star Trek, is effectively godlike, unconstrained by time, space, or the laws of physics as we know them. The Xeelee, the Baryonic Lords, are nigh-all-powerful. They utilized extensive time travel technology to populate the Universe with themselves, starting from the Big Bang and eventually escaping our Universe into others.

“(Their foes, the Photino Birds, defeated them—but they seem to have no technology nor the ability to travel through time. I’m not even sure if they’re sentient beings or more akin to animals—though the fact that they still formed the entire Universe to fit their life cycle and intentionally destroyed Boulder’s Ring seems to suggest the ability to plan and execute those plans, on a billion+ year timeline.).”

One user replied, “As dark matter beings, baryonic matter is just ants to them. It’s less ‘all that has to go’ and more ‘let’s get rid of that infestation.’”

3. Forerunners, from Halo

Photo Credit: Amblin Television.

“Halo has the Forerunners. For an approximate idea of power level. They power all their technology with vacuum energy. They built a solar system-sized Dyson sphere that can be compressed utilizing an alternate dimension to about 1 meter in diameter. They built whole planets and moved stars.

“The flagship of their fleet, Mantle’s Approach, took two 2.1 million megaton kinetic impactor rounds that barely poked a hole in the hull that self-repair mechanisms fixed in seconds. Its main gun was ‘adapted from planet cracking siege platforms.’ They were masters of their own genetics, too, rewriting themselves into new ‘forms’ throughout their lives.

“With the assistance of advanced armor, they were biologically immortal and had no need to sleep. Perhaps their most “powerful” accomplishment is, of course, the Halo Array, a series of 7 10,000km diameter ringworlds capable of sterilizing the entire galaxy of life in an instant.

“Halo also has the Precursors, which predated the Forerunners. While their technology is primarily unknown, it’s been stated it is based on ‘neural physics,’ the concept that inanimate matter and thought are inextricably linked and that the Universe itself is a living entity. What relics they left were essentially indestructible, most notably Star Roads.

“These were many kilometers thick cables that stretched between planets and even linked separate star systems together. Described as being ‘anchored in the deepest layers of unreality,’ the star roads visible in real space were mere shadows of their exotic neural physics construction woven between dimensions,” shared one user. 

4. C’tan, from Warhammer 40,000

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user added, “C’tan from Warhammer 40k is pretty busted. Each of them is connected to an intrinsic aspect of reality, and they have night-unlimited power, even shattered into fragments of themselves.”

One user posted, “Given that the old Necron broke and enslaved them, I’d say that War in Heaven Necrons are also absurdly powerful.”

Another user added, “Yeah, but the Necrons were only able to do it because of power taken from the Ctan and because the Ctan were weakened by infighting and the Old Ones.”

5. The Beyonders, from Marvel

Photo Credit: Marvel Studios.

One Redditor added, “The Beyonders from Marvel are pretty powerful. They were so strong. Doom needed to build a bomb of one of the strongest reality warpers in the Universe and reset the multiverse.”

Another user commented, “Not one of them; he used thousands of Molecule Men from different universes, made a ball with them, and detonated them all at once.”

6. Time Lords

Photo Credit: BBC One.

One user shared, “Time Lords are pretty powerful.”

One user replied, “I’d say Daleks are superior; if it weren’t for the Doctor, the Time Lords would have been wiped out.”

“If it weren’t for the Doctor, Rassilon would have used the Final Sanction to rip the Time Vortex apart and destroy the whole of reality, which would have enabled the Time Lords to shed their corporeal forms and ascend into acausal beings of pure consciousness alone. However, the Daleks were indeed winning the Time War up until that point. Still, Gallifrey would have won the conflict if it hadn’t been for the Tenth Doctor’s and the Master’s interference in The End of Time,” another user commented.

One Redditor replied, “The Time Lords still have more power and hax at their disposal, just that the Daleks got the advantage with a surprise attack that made them immune to their go-to time erasure.

“After all, the Time Lords were holding back since, up until the end, they still wanted to save the Universe. They, too, could have built a reality bomb if they wished; they never dared to use the moment; they were gonna use the final sanction, and seeing how it was a time lord that created the Flux and the Daleks had no counter to that, they could have used that too.

“So, it was a combination of surprise attack, unwillingness to commit, and continuously underestimating the Daleks that caused the Time Lords almost to lose.”

7. Zeno Sama, from Dragon Ball

Photo Credit: Toei Animation.

One user added, “Nah, they are petty insects. Zeno Sama can erase entire universes at will.”

Another user replied, “Was it ever specified whether Zeno belonged to a race or was he just a divine creature?”

“Well, he’s not from Earth, so he’s surely an alien. Divine or not, I think it fits the alien concept,” one Redditor commented. 

8. Lovecraftian Creatures

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Lovecraftian, aka cosmic horrors, are pretty much unparalleled in power,” one user added.

Another user replied, “The outer Gods are technically aliens, but each of them is vastly different and hard to quantify as a ‘species.’”

9. Trisolarans, from Three-Body Problem

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Redditor shared, “The [trisolarans] from the three-body problems. Literally, quantum entanglement communication and the teardrop terrifies me.”

Another user replied, “I would actually give the other hunters in the dark forest an example.”

One commenter said, “Weren’t they the ones who destroyed spatial dimensions to vanquish their enemies?”

10. Species 8472, from Star Trek: Voyager

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

“Species 8472 is pretty [great],” one user shared.

A user commented, “I came here to say this. Any species that can force the Borg to make an alliance is a force to be reckoned with.”

Another user added, “One of the most interesting aliens from Star Trek, IMO. Especially due to the way all their tech is biological, like how their ships are basically animals. BTW, it’s not true canon, but the game Star Trek Online named them the Undine.”

One user added, “I’m surprised at how little treatment [8472] was given. The cannon is just tiny. I know the foreign-universe-ness and our lack of understanding of them is a big part of their charm, but I would love a deeper exploration of the buggers. The whole ‘fluidic space’ thing is left almost entirely to the imagination. There couldn’t be any gravity, obviously. How does physics work there? I believe they are the only species in their universe. Did they wipe everyone out recently, or did they evolve as apex predators without any prey?”

Do you agree with the names listed above? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Reddit.

These are 10 Things That Completely Destroyed The Love in a Relationship

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

There’s no question that relationships can be confusing, but here are some of the top things to avoid if you want to keep your relationship healthy!

10 Actors and Actresses People Refuse to Watch Ever Again

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We all have a favorite actor or actress, but most of us have a least-favorite as well. Check out this list of actors and actresses people never want to see performing again!

Top 10 Worst Human Inventions of All Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Some inventions are world-changing, and some of them, well, they change the world in the wrong ways. Here are some of the worst inventions Redditors could think of.

10 Famous Celebrities Who Look Like They Smell Terrible

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We’ve all had moments of hygiene faux pas—but these celebrities just look like they don’t take care of themselves at all.

10 Terrible Fads People Are Glad Died Out

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Every fad has its time in the limelight, but some of them come and go faster than others; and some just need to die out right away. Check out this list of fads of which people were happy to see the last.



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Source: financequickfix.com

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Hiring movers and using a moving company to help with your move has all sorts of benefits, like saving time and logistics coordination. Using these types of services is as basic as just having someone help carry boxes or entrusting the entire moving process to your movers. But how much do movers cost? How much will you need to pay for specific types of services and what’s included?

This guide on how much movers cost and the overall cost of moving will help you know what to expect so you can budget and prepare accordingly and not be caught off-guard.

How much does it cost to hire a moving company?

How much do movers cost? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this key question. The cost of hiring movers and getting a company to help with your move depends on a variety of factors, from how far you’re moving to how much stuff you’re transporting.

To give you a ballpark figure, hiring a moving company ranges in price from $800 to $2,500. The national average cost of using movers is $1,400. But, moving company costs go up significantly if you’re moving cross country, ranging between $2,200 and $5,700.

Different companies, from local operators to major outfitters like United Van Lines, will also have different pricing structures and rates.

What does the cost of hiring movers include?

At its most basic, the cost covers labor (the movers) and the means of transport (the truck). You don’t need to go to an outside truck rental company, and you have at least one mover helping out. But, hiring movers can have all sorts of add-ons like packing materials.

What impacts the cost of hiring movers?

There are several factors that impact the cost of hiring a moving company and movers.

Time of year

The season and time of year that you move have a definite effect on how expensive your move will be. Peak moving season generally extends from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, meaning that the majority of people move during the summer months. In fact, roughly 70 percent of all local or long-distance moves happen during this timeframe. There are several reasons for this. For one, school is out and it’s easier to coordinate a move, especially long-distance moves when the kids aren’t in school. For another, the weather is nicer and the days are longer.

This also means that summer is a busy season for movers and costs are higher. If you plan your move in the off-seasons of fall, winter or spring, moving company prices are lower and you’ll save money.

Distance

The price to hire movers and use moving services also depends on distance and how far the movers have to travel, like moving to a different state. For a local move that’s within 100 miles of the original apartment, costs are generally lower. This is because there are fewer logistics and travel costs involved. A moving company can typically give you a quote over the phone instead of an in-person visit, and a short-distance move uses less gas and takes less time.

But, you can expect to pay much more for a long-distance move. Long-distance moving companies naturally charge more and have higher rates than local moving companies because of the travel fees associated with a long-distance move versus local moves.

For one thing, longer moves require more planning and are more complicated. The movers will typically have to come to your home and give you an in-person estimate. The more belongings you have, the bigger the truck required for the move. On a long-distance move, costs need to cover more necessities like gas, mileage, tolls and potential lodgings or essentials for the drivers and movers. You’re also paying for time. If the company charges an hourly rate, you’ll pay for all the hours the movers spend getting to the destination. For flat rates, they’ll be higher, as well, to account for the hours, miles and time invested.

Amount of goods

If you’re packing up a studio apartment and are mainly moving personal belongings, moving services cost less because they’re transporting fewer goods. But, if you’re packing up an entire three-bedroom apartment with furniture, appliances and more, it’ll take much more manpower and therefore cost more.

Number of movers

On top of paying by the hour, you’ll also pay per mover. For easy, local moves where you only need one or two movers, you’ll pay less. But, if you’re moving cross country with a three-bedroom apartment’s worth of stuff, it’ll likely require a bigger team and more experienced movers. In that case, you’re paying for the extra movers and their advanced expertise.

Size of truck

The larger the truck, the higher the cost. The size of the truck needed for your move also impacts the average cost. Smaller vehicles have better fuel efficiency and cost less due to their reduced capacity. But, bigger moves typically require larger box trucks or even semis to fit everything. Carrying bigger, heavier loads and being larger reduces the trucks’ fuel efficiency, requiring more frequent fill-ups at the gas station.

Specialty services and items

Moving fragile, unique items like grand pianos, extra vehicles or antique furniture drives the cost more since these objects require special care and attention.

Full-service moves

Full-service movers take care of pretty much everything for you during your move, from packing up your apartment to assembling furniture at your new place. But, that kind of personalized service comes at a much higher cost because it requires more hours, skills and personnel.

If you pay for labor-only movers and no additional services, you’ll keep costs down.

Packing supplies

Moving services that take care of everything for you also typically provide packing materials, but you rarely have control of the price. You can avoid these costs altogether by buying or using your own packing materials.

Accessibility or difficult locations

Movers charge a premium for more complicated moves. For example, if your new apartment is on the top floor of an older apartment building with no elevator, the movers will have to carry all the boxes and furniture up multiple flights or stairs. Typically, that can add a couple of hundred dollars to your bill.

Additional moving costs

On top of all these, you may have to pay for additional services like closing costs, using a storage unit or having the movers assemble furniture or unpack things for you.

How can I save money and reduce costs when hiring moving companies?

If you have a tight budget and need to keep costs down during the moving process, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your moving expenses.

Move on a weekday

Because of work, the majority of people plan their moves to happen on the weekend. Not only does this mean that movers have less availability, but also movers cost more on the weekends due to the increased demand.

You can usually find a better deal and more availability by moving during the week between Mondays and Thursdays.

Pack everything yourself

For an extra cost, a full-service moving company will pack all your belongings for you. But, the cost of having movers pack up your household for you can cost up to $1,000.

Avoid this charge by packing up your personal belongings ahead of the move. That way, you’re only paying for the labor of having movers load and unload boxes.

Find free packing supplies

Unless you have a ton of moving boxes and bubble wrap lying around, you’ll have to buy packing materials. Depending on how much stuff you need to pack, you may have to spend a decent amount of money on all the supplies you need.

Luckily, there are ways to find free packing materials. If you know you have a move coming up, you can start saving boxes you get in the mail in advance. People frequently get rid of unwanted packing materials on online marketplaces like Craigslist and Freecycle. Check with friends, family and acquaintances to see if they have boxes and other materials to spare. You can even request free boxes from USPS.

Don’t move at the beginning or end of the month

Since most apartment leases start or end at the beginning or end of the month, those are the busiest times for movers. By planning your move for the middle of the month, movers cost less and have more availability.

Is it cheaper to move by myself and not hire movers?

Generally speaking, yes, it’s cheaper to do a DIY move and not hire professional movers. For one thing, you don’t have to pay an entire crew of people to help you with the move. You’ll still need to pay for a moving truck, gas money, packing supplies and maybe some pizza and beer as a thank you to any friends or family members who helped out.

In some cases, you may not even need to rent a moving truck. If you don’t have a ton of stuff to move, you can usually make do with your own car and borrow a friend’s truck. But,as you get older and accumulate more belongings, you’ll likely need to get a bigger truck rental.

However, since you don’t have someone helping you with the planning and logistics of a move, you may encounter unexpected costs or expenses that you didn’t plan for or anticipate. You’ll also have the entire burden and stress of moving solely on you.

How much should I tip?

On top of the overall moving costs, it’s customary to tip the movers assigned to your move. It’s not required, but it’s good practice and generally expected as a final thank you for a job well done. It’s especially recommended to tip your movers more if the job was especially big or they had to handle fragile items. Fast, efficient service and your movers going above and beyond are also reasons to tip more. Cash is also best.

There’s no set amount since moving costs are different for each person and company. In general, you should tip between 5 and 10 percent of the total cost of the move. Another option is to tip by the hour. Anywhere from $6 to $12 per hour and per mover is a good current rate. The more movers you have and the more hours they work, the higher the tips are.

Your tip should also be big enough so all the movers, including the driver, are equally compensated. To make sure that everyone gets their share, you can pass out the tips to everyone while thanking them. Another way to thank your movers is by providing easy food like pizza and sandwiches and drinks.

The tip should also reflect the quality of the service. If lots of boxes arrived damaged, the movers got the moving date wrong or the moving truck arrived late, those are all causes for a reduced tip.

What are the benefits of hiring a moving company?

Even though using a moving company is expensive, there are many benefits to hiring movers to assist you with a big move.

Prevents injuries

From heavy boxes to giant pieces of furniture, the process of moving apartments is rife with opportunities to accidentally injure yourself or others. You could pick up a heavy box of books and hurt your back. Maneuvering heavy furniture opens the door to everything from accidentally dropping it on someone’s foot to hurting yourself rather than risking damaging the furniture. While there are certainly some items you can easily move by yourself, others it’s best to leave the pros.

Since movers do this for a living, they have more than enough experience handling heavy boxes or unwieldy furniture. Not only do they have the strength and dexterity, but they also operate as a team, working together as a well-coordinated, experienced unit to safely move items without injury or damage to themselves or the objects.

Finally, they also have the proper tools for the job. From moving dollies to hand trucks, having the right equipment reduces the risk of injury. So, why put yourself at risk of lifting that too-heavy box of books when you can call in the pros?

Saves time

Saving time is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a moving company.

Maybe you’re starting a new job on the other side of the country and need to get settled in by a certain date. Or, you’re trying to juggle a job, family and other responsibilities while planning a move at the same time. Whatever the reason, most of us already have significant other demands on our time aside from moving. Most people don’t have the benefit of hitting pause on all their other responsibilities while moving house. Moving takes a lot of time and can take anywhere from a few days to several months from start to finish. That’s where movers come in.

If you don’t have the time of day to plan and coordinate everything yourself, a moving company takes the stress of planning off your plate. Even if you do have the time, it’s nice to leave the process in the hands of professionals. By shifting the logistics of moving to your movers, you can focus on other things and not get overwhelmed.

Professional service and expertise

When your car breaks down, you take it to the mechanic. If your sink gets clogged, you call a plumber. We turn to professionals to solve all kinds of problems, so why wouldn’t you do the same for moving?

Professional moving companies are here to make the process of moving easy for you. They take care of all the heavy lifting (literally), offer quality customer service and take the burden off your shoulders. If something goes wrong or there’s an issue, they problem-solve and offer solutions. As moving experts, they know exactly how to get your belongings from Point A to Point B safely and efficiently. Everything from loading and unloading to planning out the logistics of the move, they can do for you, and you know you can trust them because they do this every day. You also know that your personal belongings are safe and are in good hands.

Hiring a moving company ensures you have an expert beside you to hold your hand, answer your questions and take care of everything for you during the move.

Reduces stress

No matter which way you slice it, moving is a stressful process. Maybe you have a short timeline and don’t have a ton of time to pack and plan. Even if you have months to plan a move, unexpected problems like delays can come up. When you hire movers, you don’t have to face and solve these problems alone, which cuts down on stress.

How much will my move cost?

Now that you know what factors impact the cost of hiring professional movers, you may wonder how much your move will cost you.

To calculate the cost of your move, you can use our moving cost calculator to get a free estimate and start creating your moving budget. As you’ve seen above, there are plenty of ways you can keep moving costs down, from packing your belongings yourself to being flexible with the season or time of the month that you move.

How much movers cost depends on the needs of your move

While some moving costs are in stone, you can take steps to reduce costs or find a moving operator that fits your budget.

Source: rent.com