Embarking on a cruise is an exciting adventure. Whether you’re headed to the other side of the globe or taking a Caribbean cruise out of your home port, proper preparation is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. Here’s your ultimate pre-cruise checklist to make sure you’re ready to set sail.
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1. Consult a Cruise Specialist Before Booking
Contact your Travel Agent to make sure you get the best value for your vacation dollar. Yes, I know you can book your own cruise from the comfort of your living room. But you can also consult with a Travel Agent certified in Ocean and/or River Cruising from the same spot on your sofa!
A Travel Agent will not cost you any more than you would spend booking direct online. But they will make sure you get the ultimate value for your dollar. They can often place you in group space that you cannot access on your own. This may lead to extra perks including on-board credit, free upgrades, and other surprises.
Your Travel Agent will think about things you may otherwise miss:
- Passport Validity – your passport must be active at least 6 months past the end of your cruise. Granted, you can generally take a closed loop cruise from the US without a passport. But if you need to leave the cruise for an emergency, you cannot do so without a passport.
- Port conditions – such as construction, traffic, and parking.
- Shore excursion – your TA will have opportunities that may cost you less than those offered onboard but still offer a “Back to Ship” guarantee.
- Pre- and post-cruise accommodations and tours – whether you just need a room for a night or something more extensive, your TA will help you explore your departure and arrival ports more thoroughly.
- Travel Insurance – to ensure you are protected in the event of an illness, accident, or need to cancel. Your travel Agent will be able to direct you to less expensive options with better coverage than you will find through the cruise line. Check out my site for a quick and easy Travel Insurance Quote!
Keep in mind that most travel agents will not assist you with these value-added options unless you book your cruise with them. After all, that is how they earn their living! The rest of these services is just one way they add value to your trip.
2. Arrange Transportation and Accommodations at Departure & Arrival Ports
Your Travel Agent will suggest pre- and post- cruise hotels and tours to help you get the most value out of your journey. If you are flying into the departure port, you should arrive at least one day early. After all, who wants to miss their cruise due to an airline delay.
If you need to cross the ocean to reach your departure destination, consider arriving at least 2-3 days early. Not only will this help ensure you catch the ship, but you will find added value in making the most of your time overseas. You will also often find that flight costs are lower 2-3 days before or after the cruise.
Hotels and tours in port cities should be booked early. Remember that everyone on your ship (and every other ship) is looking for accommodations! Waiting until the last minute to book may leave you with very little choice and a hefty price tag.
3. Download Useful Apps
Download the cruise line’s app to manage your booking, track your itinerary, and stay informed about onboard activities. This is your best source of information once you are on-board the ship, but will also make check-in much easier.
Stay informed about the cruise line’s health and safety measures, including vaccination requirements and testing protocols. Cruise lines are not currently requiring either but things can always change in a post-Covid world. The app will help you stay informed.
If you are flying to your departure port, then definitely have the airline app on your phone. Also, depending upon where you are going, you should also consider apps for language translation and currency conversion. Offline maps can also be incredibly helpful during your travels. One app I love when touring a port city on my own if GPSMyCity. My annual membership has saved me a small fortune in city tour expenses. Check out this post on Top Travel Apps.
4. Plan Your Excursions
Research and book shore excursions in advance to secure your spot for popular tours and activities. You can select excursions right from the cruise line website or app once you are booked and set up with your online account.
Your Travel Agent will likely provide some less expensive options you may consider outside those the cruise line offers. For instance, Project Expedition offers fabulous excursions tied directly to many cruises. These are often the same exact tours but without the cruise line mark-up. And they will typically offer a “Back to Ship Guaranty.” That said, make sure any excursions you book outside the cruise line offers that guaranty or is scheduled to end way before your ship is due to leave port. The last thing you want to do is watch your ship sail away from the dock!
Your Travel Agent will likely be able to suggest any must-do activities you should consider. For instance, if you are cruising Alaska, you really should do the Yukon White Pass Rail Tour out of Skagway. And you should sign up for it as soon as excursions open as it fills up fast!
Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, snorkeling in turquoise waters, or sampling local cuisine, planning ahead ensures you won’t miss out on unique experiences.
5. Check Your Phone & Other Devices
I know part of the reason to cruise is to break away from it all. But let’s face it, most of us still want to stay connected in some form or fashion. I always take a “don’t call me, I’ll call you” approach to travel. I like checking in and knowing my loved ones are doing well. I also like being able to share photos and funny stories when abroad. I just want to do it on my terms and in my time.
Check your phone plan to ensure you have international coverage for when you are in port. But plan to put it on airplane mode when on the ship. Then consider purchasing a cruise Wi-Fi package for those days at sea. That way you can call home when in port, but rely on email and other internet platforms when onboard.
What you don’t want is to get a phone bill full of roaming charges from your time at sea. So don’t skip putting it on airplane mode!
6. Set Up Travel Alerts and Notifications
Sign up for the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) through the US Department of State. Yes, your cruise line will look out for you if an emergency occurs while onboard. But it is still good to be enrolled with the nearest Embassy or Consulate if you have to disembark the ship and need assistance.
Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent your cards from being flagged for unusual activity. Also, set up travel alerts with your airline and travel insurer to stay updated on any changes or important information regarding your trip.
7. Pack Smart
Create a packing list tailored to your destination and the activities you plan to enjoy. Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen, medications, and a power strip for charging devices. Do not take a surge protector as cruise lines forbid them. But most are still allowing a plain power strip to charge your electronics. Check out great packing hacks on our website!
Pack necessary health supplies like masks, hand sanitizer, and prescriptions and over-the-counter meds. You can often purchase Tylenol and other OTC meds on the ship. But you will pay shipboard prices. So come prepared with a full medicine kit!
Check your specific cruise line’s dos and don’ts to be sure your luggage meets the rules. Most cruise lines will allow you to carry on limited amounts of soda and wine if you wish. But the guidelines are different for each line so double check what you are and are not allowed to carry on. DO NOT try to sneak extra beverages in shampoo bottles and whatnot. I assure you; the cruise lines have seen it all and you will get caught!
Pack a small carry-on with a change of clothes, swimwear, medication, and important documents in case your luggage arrives late. That said, keep it light as you will have to carry it around until your stateroom is ready.
8. Manage Home Responsibilities
Arrange for someone to check your mail, water your plants, and take care of any pets while you’re away. Stop any paper deliveries as a pile of papers on the driveway is a dead giveaway that nobody is home.
Set your home security system, and consider using timers for lights to make your home appear occupied. I use Alexa to play music and the news throughout the evenings.
9. Check-in Online & Print Your Documents
Check with your Travel Agent to double-check your cruise booking details, including departure times and ports. A good TA will make sure you have everything you need before you leave home.
Check into your cruise online (your TA can’t do this for you). Despite almost everything being available electronically, print out your cruise documents, boarding passes, and travel insurance information. Sometimes you don’t have service when you most need it. Let your TA know if you don’t have access to a printer. They can ensure you have paper documents.
10. Embarkation & Day One
Arrive at the cruise port with plenty of time to spare to find your way and park your vehicle. That said, don’t arrive 3 hours before your embarkation time. There is likely a group disembarking the ship just prior to your arrival and the crew needs time to freshen up the public areas before you come on-board.
Once you get on the ship, take time to enjoy a leisurely lunch and explore the ship while you wait for your stateroom to be ready. Check out more things to know about your first day on a cruise with this Ultimate Guide to Day One of Your Cruise.
Are You Ready To Set Sail?
If you haven’t already, then get started and plan your cruise! Shoot me an email or give me a ring to start planning your next cruise vacation. As a Certified Ocean Cruising Specialist, I am able to help you book the perfect cruise on any major lines. If you are more interested in river cruising, then you are in luck! I have also completed the training to be a Certified River Cruising Specialist! Tell me what you are looking for!
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Bon voyage!
