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Before Cruise Travel Checklist

A cruise?  What an exciting idea! But in the excitement of getting ready to embark on this wonderful adventure, you may forget a thing or two. Here’s a quick “before-you-cruise” checklist to help make sure you have done everything necessary to ensure smooth sailing.

1.

Pack a credit card; maybe even two. Cruise ships operate under their own “credit card” system; an identity card backed up by your personal credit card. You will be expected to register a credit card with the purser’s (reception) desk once onboard the ship. All your onboard purchases like your liquor drinks and store purchases will be filed onto your shipboard account. You may opt to pay for these purchases at the end of your cruise with cash, but the ship wants your credit card as a guarantee.

2.

Seasickness medication. A must-have item. Wristbands or anti-seasickness drugs can be purchased over the counter at your local drugstore. I haven’t seen a cruise yet where rough seas didn’t lead some passengers to terrible bouts of seasickness.

3.

Remember your own personal medications. Keep all medications in their ORIGINAL bottles with your name on the labels. Put these bottles into small Ziploc bags and you will be able to clear airport security just fine. But the labels MUST match the name on your passport.

4.

Ah yes, your passport, your lifeline back to your home country. It is nearly impossible to move on or off a cruise ship without a passport. Even with a ship’s identity card, each passenger must carry his or her passport. You will not even be allowed to check in on the first day, without your passport.

5.

Photocopy your passport, your cruise ship itinerary and any other valuable documents like your credit cards, before you leave home. Leave these copies with a trusted friend or family member. Should you ever get into trouble and lose your documents while cruising, having these copies back home could be a god-send.

6.

Travel insurance. It is essential that all travelers purchase travel insurance. A broken eardrum during a scuba diving adventure will set a traveler back several hundred dollars, in doctor’s visits and medications.

7.

Your cruise tickets. Don’t forget your tickets. Keep them in an easy-to-reach pocket of your carry-on bag.

8.

Bring your laptop computer. You are very welcome to bring a laptop onboard. In the ship’s Internet caf, you will be able to log onto the Web and keep in touch with loved ones, or (perish the thought) your boss. This is a costly luxury, however; be prepared.

9.

Are you planning to take digital photos? One of the most forgotten items is an extra memory card. Because I travel with my laptop and CDs, I have been begged by fellow passengers to download their camera’s full media cards to a CD. If you forget extra memory cards, your vacation pictures will be limited to the capacity of a single digital card. And won’t that be disappointing?

10.

Batteries for electronics? Make sure to pack the extra power you’ll need for those iPods, MP3 players and digital cameras. And, if you are traveling to a European destination, bring along a voltage power converter and plug adaptor. My husband found out the hard way (when he blew out his palm pilot charger) that not all the outlets in a cruise ship cabin are American voltages.

11.

What of your house? Cruise durations can be at least a week and many much longer. Have you made arrangements for your pets? Your houseplants? Have you turned down the water heater temperature? Have you alerted your neighbors nearby that you will be away for awhile? Have you left a key with a trusted neighbor? Have you canceled your newspaper? Remembering to settle things at your house before you leave, will make for a much more relaxing vacation.

12.

You will burn on the open sea under the bright sunshine. Even in cooler weather. So, whether you are bound for Alaska or the Caribbean, be sure to pack your favorite sun block product.

13.

Formal clothing is a must onboard cruise ships. That is, if you plan to attend a formal dinner in the ship’s dining room. If not, don’t worry about it. But do pack more than just casual clothes; even in the less formal dining areas, cruisers are expected to dress neatly.

14.

A second swimsuit is a good idea if you don’t relish the thought of struggling into a wet clammy one every day.

15.

If you love to shop, then bring along an extra suitcase. I always pack a collapsible bag into both my husband’s and my suitcases. They’re great for bringing back souvenirs, like that Jamaican beach painting and that African giraffe statue, you just had to have.

A cruise ship vacation is a wonderful way to relax; ensure that relaxation by taking care of the details before you cruise.

A cruise can be one of the most stress-free vacations; when the ship leaves the port you can leave your worries behind and enjoy being pampered and entertained. Getting ready for a cruise can be complicated. Prepare a checklist before cruising to ensure smooth sailing.

Step 1

Check and, if necessary, renew your passport six months in advance. Is the expiration date on your passport less than six months away? Some countries require a six-month expiration period for all passports.

Step 2

Book your flights three months in advance. Start early to get the best possible rates. Try to arrive at your port city the day before the cruise leaves, since a cancelled flight can cause you to miss your cruise departure.

Step 3

Make your final payment on the cruise on or before the due date. When the tickets arrive, double-check your assigned cabin, dinner seating, luggage tags and other materials. If the travel agent has booked your flights or pre- or post-cruise hotels, check them carefully too.

Step 4

Choose your excursions or research your own day trips at your ports of call. You can book excursions that are run by the cruise line on their websites. These excursions can fill up early, so book them two or three months before you cruise.

Step 5

Go shopping. Make sure you have swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts, sandals, formal wear and anything else you might need. You can get specific details about what you will need for your cruise from your travel agent or on the cruise line website.

Step 6

Make arrangements for home care. Do you have pets that need to be taken care of? What about houseplants? If your children are staying home, make childcare arrangements early. Arrange for your mail and newspaper to be collected or for delivery to be stopped while you are gone.

Step 7

Fill out the pre-boarding forms that the cruise line requires. You can do this online or fill out hard copies.

If you are bringing credits cards with you, write down the numbers, expiration dates and credit card contact information and leave it at home in case the cards are lost or stolen.

Ask your travel agent or cruise line about any vaccinations you might need.

Author www.KomailNoori.com
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photo credit: The Cryoborg