Before Your Cruise You Might Want To”;
1. Be aware of any Online Check-in processes.
Go to the cruise line’s website and complete the check-in process. In some cases, you may not be allowed to board the ship if you have not checked in three days before your cruise.
2. Have complete and accurate identification with you.
This means having your passport, any required visas, or other proper identification documentation with you when you board your cruise. While some cruises do not require a passport, they are very strict about proper identification. Without it, you may not be allowed to board the ship and you may not get a refund. Plan ahead, they take a couple months to get a hold of a passport and other proper documentation. Your travel agent and/or the cruise line can tell you exactly what is required.
3. Check the ship’s emergency contact phone numbers.
You can find these numbers in your cruise documents or on the cruise line’s website. It is a good idea to leave the emergency contact information with a trusted friend or family member.
4. Buy travel insurance.
Many insurance plans (including Medicare) do not include emergency medical coverage when you are out of the country. Plus, if you get sick or injured on a cruise ship while at sea, and have to be evacuated off the ship, you can have a very large bill. Look for a third party insurance plan (one not purchased through the cruise line) that provides emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
5. Leave copies of credit cards, passports, and other important documents with a family member or friend.
Doing so will help you get these documents replaced more quickly if you lose them or they are stolen while you are traveling. Also, carry a photocopy of these documents with you in a separate location from the originals. It’s also a good idea to scan a copy of your passport and email it to yourself.
6. Tell your bank that you are traveling.
You don’t want your ATM card or credit cards to be declined when you are traveling because your bank suspects suspicious charges and/or withdrawals. Notify your credit card company and bank of your travel plans before you depart.
7. Tell your post office to stop your mail.
Or, hire someone to pick it up every day while you are gone.
8. Place your name and address on you baggage.
It’s a good idea to put your contact information inside each bag as well as putting an identification tag on the outside of each bag. Most important is to list your name and phone number.
9. Get the Vaccinations that you will need.
These are usually established by the countries you are visiting. Contact your local physician, Health Department and/or travel to see what is required for your travel destination.
10. Bring insect repellent.
Many diseases are brought on by bug bits and mosquito bits. Prevent them with insect repellent.
11. Have a notarized letter of consent by your parents if you are under 18, and/or are traveling with someone other than your legal guardian.
Minors need written, notarized consent of their parents and/or legal guardian to travel on a cruise ship if they are traveling with someone besides their parents or legal guardians. Learn more in this post: Does a 12-Year Old Need a Passport to Go on a Cruise?
12. Bring a swimsuit and appropriate clothing
Each cruise line has different guidelines for the appropriate clothing to be worm on board. From swimsuits to workout wear to formal evening wear, check out the dress code and possible activities before you cruise, so that you can pack the proper clothes.
Being sure that you have a strong checklist before you board your ship week prior to the trip is the most useful way to travel. Sometimes, if you aren’t aware of certain things then you can have big consequences happen like, not be able to board the ship, or not be able to do certain things. So plan ahead, and be prepared.
If you are a cruise fan, what do you make sure that you never leave home without on your cruise vacation? Please share in comments below.
This post is written by Megan Bryde, a forever student of the world while also finishing up her bachelors in English at Truman State University this semester.
Involved in too many activities, she sings as loud as she can, writes, cooks, bakes, and drinks a lot of coffee.
Megan is currently completing an internship with VentureTime Travel and aspires to be teaching English someday.