Tuesday, April 2, 2024

21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

how to prepare for a cruise

That means you’ll just be hanging outside the terminal until allowed inside. The only thing that can match the excitement of an upcoming vacation is the overwhelmed feeling that comes with trying to navigate and plan for your first trip. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Cabins Get Very Dark; Bring a Night Light

This one is slim, easily fits into a fanny pack or purse, and has room for a handful of cards. Because most of the walls in cabins are magnetic, many cruise lines allow travelers to use magnetic hooks. Use them to hang hats and lanyards, or decorations if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

First Cruise: Tips for a Smooth Sailing - The New York Times

First Cruise: Tips for a Smooth Sailing.

Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise on a Budget: 10 Ways To Save on a Cruise

how to prepare for a cruise

These sorts of things can happen to cruisers, and they're all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons. Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40.

Top 12 Cruise Packing Tips

But if you are the type that makes a lot of noise (ahem… enjoying your vacation with your partner, perhaps?), then you should try to keep it down. You’ll also be able to hear people in the halls through the door. And cruise lines have included gratuities with your cruise fare or charged daily to your account, so they are taken care of automatically. That means when you eat in the free restaurants on the ship like the buffet and the main dining room, there’s no bill to pay or tip to leave. If you’re driving in, look for a hotel that offers a cruise parking special.

Re-Use Gently Worn Items From Your Luggage

Also make sure you’ve got another form of identification, a credit card, and some cash. I like to put everything into this document wallet so my important stuff is organized in one place. If you have take prescription medication, ensure you have enough of it to last you throughout the duration of the cruise… and maybe a few days extra, just in case.

For travel and excursions

You’re likely looking forward to the food you’ll eat, people you’ll meet and the amazing sights you’ll see as you explore. On top of all this, you may be checking your to-do list once an hour to make sure everything’s in order. Aim to have three copies of each of the above documents so you can keep one copy in your carry-on bag, one in your checked luggage, and give one to a trusted person at home.

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Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north - The Points Guy

Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise up north.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:15:00 GMT [source]

Always pack a waterproof zip-lock bag and if the rain does come, you can quickly put it in the plastic bag and be safe in the knowledge that your equipment is completely protected. As there is some possibility that all those restaurant-style meals might make you gain a bit of weight, don't exclusively bring tight or form-fitting outfits, either. Also, when packing, bring an empty suitcase or expandable bag. Once onboard, you may quickly find yourself acquiring so many souvenirs or new clothes that the extra bag will come in handy when you disembark at the end of the trip. I recommend bringing at least one bottle of sunscreen/sunblock per person in your party. Whether you’re spending the day at the pool or laying on the beach during a shore excursion, you’ll go through more sunscreen than you can imagine!

how to prepare for a cruise

Cruise on Older Ships to Save Money

Without a house sitter, there will be a myriad of details to consider, and the last few days before you depart will be busy enough running around taking care of other tasks. Whether you choose a house sitter or not, here are some tasks to consider when prepping your home for a long absence. A tote bag also comes in handy if you want to do a little shopping at the cruise port.

Avoid Lines By Visiting Guest Services Late at Night or Early in the Morning

Don’t fly without locking your locking your luggage with a TSA approved lock. You can also lock valuable items like laptops and luxury bags in locked luggage to keep your items secure in your cruise cabin. Be sure to have your cruise documents ready for embarkation day as you board your cruise. You’ll be separated from your main luggage during embarkation day—it’ll conveniently be sent straight to your room—so packing a bag with a few essentials is a smart move. One of the great things about a cruise is that your transportation and accommodation are one, so you only have to unpack once. Thanks to onboard laundry service, there’s no need to overpack.

Pack some magnet hooks to hand your hats, sweatshirts and even backpacks in your cruise cabin. Many cruise ship cabin walls are metal, so magnetic hooks are genius! Consider bringing along an inexpensive watch so that you can be sure to stay on ship’s time in the cruise ports of call. Pack a few bandaids in a baggy and throw them into your cruise shore excursion bag. Use baggies to pack a few snacks for your children from the buffet.

This is quickly becoming a thing of the past, but some cruise itineraries still require you to get a COVID test before you board. If you need a test, make an appointment right away to make sure you’re not left out in the cold. Once you know what ports you'll be visiting, research them as much as you can at travel sites such as The Points Guy. Here at TPG, we're starting to build out a series of home port and destination port guides for everywhere from PortMiami to Bora Bora. For starters, you only have to unpack once, even as you travel from place to place. You also don't have to go hunting for a restaurant every night.

This process should not be overwhelming, but should only add to the anticipation and excitement building up to the day you set sail! To make it easy, here is a list to help you get started on all of the things you need to do before you leave home. Now that you know what to put on your cruise packing list, you'll also want to know what to leave out.

Packing cubes are helpful for keeping small stuff, such as socks and underwear, organized on a cruise ship. Use different colored packing cubes for everyone in your travel party. That way, you can share drawers in cabins without mixing everyone’s things together and still keep the room tidy. If you live within driving distance of your cruise terminal, you won’t have to worry about weight restrictions. In general, pack at least two outfits for each day—one for an excursion and one for dinner and late-night events on the ship.

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