Ready for your upcoming cruise? Before you go, here are some tips to help build your best experience.
Before you cruise:
Create a folder for mandatory documents, i.e., passports, vaccination cards (I still carry mine), and your check-in QR code. Keep these on your phone, but also carry a hard copy in case the Wifi in the terminal is spotty.
Check all passports when leaving your house, when you arrive and depart from your hotel, when you arrive at the port, etc. Yes, we’ve had issues. Once my husband left ours at home and had to catch the next flight. Scary! Also, bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID.
Make copies of your passport, driver’s license, vaccine card, and credit cards to keep in a separate location from the originals. Call your credit card company to tell them your travel plans.
Prebook excursions, beverage packages, spa services (if allowed), etc., before embarkation. Pre-sale prices are often less than onboard prices. If the prices go down before your cruise, you cancel your first reservation and rebook at the lower price.
Download the cruise ship app for check-in, the pre-boarding health survey, and the muster drill for once on board. It’s handy when looking for activities, menus, your account, etc.
Make a list of who’s in what cabin when traveling with a group, and give everyone a copy. (With large groups, I make and laminate small cards.)
Arrive at your port city one to two days early if you’re flying. Delays and cancellations are frequent, and the ship will leave without you if you are not on board before they sail.
What to pack:
For embarkation/debarkation, hand-carry essentials such as meds, makeup, hair products, change of clothes/swimwear/sleepwear, etc. in a backpack, small duffle, or a carry-on suitcase. It would be a fluke, but sometimes luggage can be delayed until after dinner.
The first night of dining is typically casual. Formal or Dress Your Best nights are usually on sea days.
Try to pack clothes that you can mix and match. I am confident that no one will notice if you wear the same solid pants/skirt/dress several times with different tops.
Pack a nice sweater with your dressier clothes in case you need it. Ships tend to be cold to help avoid the passage of germs. Ladies, a crossbody bag is perfect for carrying your cabin card, phone/ camera, reading glasses, lipstick/chapstick, sunscreen, etc.
What NOT to pack:
Extension cords. If needed for medical equipment, they will provide one.
Alcohol.
Firearms & Ammunition, including realistic replicas.
Sharp Objects, including knives and scissors.
Illegal Drugs & Substances.
CBD Oil/CBD Products.
Candles, Incense, Coffee Makers, Clothes Irons, Travel Steamers & Hot Plates.
Drones and hoverboards.
Once on board:
Complete the mandatory muster drill before eating or walking around the ship.
Carry your keycard at all times to get into your cabin, make purchases, and embark and debark your ship.
The buffet is the most popular place for people to go to when they first get on the ship. Try going to a smaller venue to avoid the crowd. Or go to the main dining room to ensure you like your assigned table. Let the crew know if you have dietary restrictions.
*On RCL, there is a great cafe in Central Park. (If you purchased The Key, lunch from Chops Grille is included in your package.)
Once in your cabin, check your bed layout, lights, the air conditioner, etc. Adjustments are easier to make when asked before your cabin steward gets too busy with other guests.
Spending money and tipping:
You will make all onboard purchases with your cabin keycard. The only exception is the casino.
Tips are automatically added to your room expense account, but we also hand tip our favorite crew members. Contact me if you would like suggestions on extra tipping.
Crew members work hard and miss their families. We like to get to know many of them; some have friended me on FaceBook! One amazing hostess remembered us from a previous cruise where she got attached to my Mom. She cried when I told her Mom had passed. (sniff)
There are specials for the gift shops and spa services on the ship app or in the planner left on your bed at evening turn-down. The spas usually have their best specials on port days.
Some cruise lines include an alcohol package in their price, while others do not. The packages often go on sale before the cruise. Many include specialty coffees and fresh-squeezed juice. Check with your cruise line to see what their alcohol package includes.
Each passenger of age can bring a 750ml bottle of wine or champagne on board on embarkation day. (Disney allow each adult a 750ml bottle of wine at each port; NCL does not allow passengers bring alcohol.) Check with your cruise line for their wine/beer policies.
Dining:
Special diet? Tell them before the cruise and when you have a new wait staff.
You may order as many servings as you want in the main dining rooms on most cruise lines. Be sure to check that before you order because some lines have had some policy changes.
You may request something that’s not on the menu. If the kitchen has it, they will make it for you. Every night we order a plate of steamed broccoli, and by the third night, they bring it without us asking.
Is anyone celebrating a special day? Let them know. Most cruise lines will do a little something special.
24-hour pizza...enough said!
Miscellaneous cabin info:
We use a sound machine in our room when we sleep. Sometimes the ship noise can be loud, as are occasional announcements. (Only important announcements are piped into cabins.)
Some cruise lines will let you preorder an egg crate mattress pad if you need one.
Cabins have a mini-fridge and a lockable safe for jewelry, wallets, passports, car keys, port parking tickets, etc.
Cruise lines are very strict on ensuring that only toilet paper is flushed. Several will fine passengers who flush other objects.
Miscellaneous ship info:
Adult-only bar/sunbathing area...enough said!
Most cruise lines have a person at restaurant and event entrances to spray sanitizer on your hands or remind you to use dispensers.
Put your cell phone on airplane mode. Even with the internet package, you have to be on airplane mode so you can your their stystem. Without the internet package, phones don’t work on most ships. Make sure the usage information is clear. I made the mistake of thinking I could make a call on my internet package, and that one call was over $70!!
You can set up your ship app to where you can text others on the ship. If you have questions, see the Internet Cafe representative.
I can justify the food by using the stairs. We try to make a game out of not riding the elevators.
Your luggage must be outside your cabin by 10pm the last night. Pack all your luggage simultaneously to ensure you have what you need for the rest of the cruise in your carry-on.
Must have things:
*I’ve added links to Amazon.com for all my purchased items.
MOST IMPORTANTLY...RELAX AND HAVE FUN!!
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