Booking that cruise is exciting, but if you’re now unsure about what else you need to do to prepare for your cruise, you’ve come to the right place for information.
I am a travel agent who has gone on over twenty cruises around the world, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska. Read on for the tips and tricks on what to do to make your cruise the best it can be.
Pre-Cruise Check List
- Double-check that all your information is correct with the cruise line.
- If your cruise takes you outside your country, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your return date.
- Download the cruise line’s mobile app.
- Choose any drink or Wi-Fi packages on the app. They often come up for sale, so be on the lookout for them. If the price drops, you can call and ask for the new price.
- You can also watch for price drops for your cruise before the final payment is made.
- If you choose to dine at a specialty restaurant on the ship, find out when reservations open and book them as soon as possible.
- If you aren’t booking your flights through the cruise line, be sure to give yourself a buffer for your incoming flight so you don’t miss your boat.
- Book pre-cruise hotels or tours. If you would like my help with booking, e-mail me at [email protected].
- Book any transfers you need to the ship. You can do this through the cruise line, or I can help you.
- Book shore excursions. You can do this through the cruise line. If you book through the ship, the ship will assist you in getting to your tour. The negative aspect of booking through the cruise line is generally the large number of people who are being funnelled onto excursions with you. If you book a small group tour through Shore Excursions Group, they will guarantee that you return to the ship on time, and fewer people will accompany you than on most cruise tours. I can also help you decide how to spend your time in port and book tours for you.
- Join a Facebook group for your specific cruise, cruise line, or ship. For most of my cruises, I have found specific groups by searching for my ship’s name and departure date on Facebook. The group will keep you pretty up-to-date about cruise news and ideas. You can even meet people before you go.
Things to Bring on Your Cruise
- Aside from obvious clothing and toiletries, most cruises have theme or dress-up nights, which you will want to pack for. You can often find these on the app under the “Entertainment” section.
- Although not required, cruise luggage tag holders and cruise card lanyards will make your life easier.
- You may want to decorate your or your friend’s cabin door with magnets. A whiteboard is also a good way to communicate with your fellow cruisers by posting messages on your door.
- It is a thing to play hide-and-seek with rubber ducks on cruises. Bring ducks to hide to get in on the fun. Some people include nice notes attached to the duckies.
- Most ships do not sell any medicines without first paying to see an on-ship doctor. So I recommend bringing a small stash of items such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, and Pepto-Bismol.
An Important Thing to Remember While Cruising
- Unless your cellular phone plan tells you differently, keep your phone in airplane mode at all times on the ship. You can still use the ship’s WiFi if you paid for it, but you won’t incur the very high costs of the ship’s cellular service.
The most important thing is to be excited about your cruise because it is likely to be a great vacation. Bon Voyage, and let me know if I can help you!!
