CRUISE TIPS: 15 Things To Do Before Leaving For Your Cruise

1. Is your passport current? You might think a passport is like your driving license, valid until the expiration date. Many countries want your passport to be valid for six months beyond the time you will be traveling. This can be a shock at the airport when you are refused boarding.
2. Do you need visas for countries you will visit?For years, Americans have largely been able to travel anywhere they choose. This has changed, often as a means for countries to make some extra money from tourists. Americans visiting the UK now require a visa. Turkey needs one too. Often this is simply a formality.
3. Have you packed your medications?Let us assume you have this covered. Pack for a few extra days, just in case. You might find your return flight home is delayed because of weather or an airport strike. You are staying in a hotel longer than you anticipated.
4. Pack extra glasses. The logic here is obvious. If you lose your only pair, what are you going to do? Suppose you step on them. What now? You might be able to buy standard reading glasses, but why take the chance?
5. Have you stopped the mail?Nothing tells thieves you are away like an overflowing mailbox or several newspapers on your porch. It is easy to visit the post office and fill out a form.
6. Tell your neighbors. Thank goodness for nosy neighbors! Letting them know you are going on a cruise gives you the opportunity to brag. It also alerts them that cars should not be in your driveway.
7. Get extra cash to carry. You will need small bills for tipping porters and other people who do things for you. You might be able to get away without handing over cash, but don’t take that chance. You might need local currency if your ports don’t prefer dollars. Europe is a good example. Plan on packing some Euros. Have a plan for getting cash overseas.
8. Has pet sitting been covered? You probably planned this months in advance. It might be a relative. They need a reminder. Let your pets know you are going away but will be coming back.
9. How are you getting to the pier or plane? You might be driving, taking a taxi or an Uber. Make this plan in advance, both for the outbound journey and the return trip. Have a way to get in touch in case there are delays.
10. Will the weather be different? Hopefully the answer is yes! Bear in mind you need to dress for two climates: The one you are leaving and the ones you will be entering. You might think flying from the northeast wearing flip flops and shorts in December is OK, but you will be returning to cold weather. Flip flops and shorts won’t work if you are waiting at the curb with your luggage for your car to arrive.
11. Do you need medical insurance? If you are cruising on a US river, probably not.  If you are leaving the US, you probably need insurance. Most American health plans stop covering you when you leave our shores. Yes, your ship has a medical center, but it is also a profit center. Buy medical insurance before you go.
12. How can people reach you? If your plan is by cellphone, confirm yours will work in the countries you will be visiting. Expect to pay for onboard Wi-Fi to enable wi-Fi calling. We leave an itinerary with friends.
13. Power charging cords/adapter. You might expect American hotels to have outlets for USB charging cables. You might expect hotel rooms to accept American electrical plugs. Europe will surprise you. Bring those cables and bring an adapter to convert a foreign plug for US device use.
14. Pack a hat and sunglasses. You might not wear hats regularly. You don’t hang out in the tropics either. Add sunscreen onto your list. Someone will remind you that the sun is often much stronger in the Caribbean.
15. Let your emergency contact know. The cruise line and the airline want an emergency contact number. That makes sense. You provided that months ago. Does that person know? Do they know what they are supposed to do if they got a call?

Some of these tips are so obvious, I tend to forget them!

Thank you to Bryce Sanders

Cover photo Cruise ship at Key West’s Mallory Square with schooner on sunset cruise in background. ©Dennis Cox/WorldViews

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