Remember, while taking a trip can be an escape from your day-to-day life, it still occurs in the “real world.” Unexpected things come up and disruptions can occur. Your trip will be what you make of it. While they don't cover everything, here are some tips to help make your trip all the more relaxing.
Cruising
VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY. Upon booking, make sure your itinerary is correct (including name spelling, address, etc.). Make sure you provide the correct immigration information to the cruise line and make sure your booked passenger name is the same as on your identification (no nicknames). Verify the immigration requirements for the destinations you’ll be visiting as well as those for exiting and re-entering the
Reduce your baggage by leaving the portable crib at home. Verify with your line, however, most lines now offer a play yard/pen for you to use in your stateroom.
Another tip for reducing baggage is to leave baby food at home. They don't carry formula, but most lines will prepare fresh-made pureed vegetables and fruits.
Most lines now offer children's programs that are geared for various age groups. Verify age requirements for your line. Most programs start at 2 or 3 and require your child to be potty trained. For a nominal fee group babysitting services are usually offered to allow parents a late night getaway.
Family's with more than 2 children are sometimes faced with having the travel party stay in mulitple staterooms. Verify with the line what the age requirements are for children to stay alone. Some will allow minors, starting at around 16 to stay alone as long as they're in a part accompanied by someone older.
If possible arrive in port city night before. If circumstances don’t allow for you to arrive a day early, try to take a direct, nonstop flight to avoid delays on embarkation day.
Most lines will allow you to book a transfer through them from the airport to the ship without having to book cruise airfare. Using cruise line transfers are an economical way to reach the ship and help reduce stress.
Bring a carryon with all of your medicine, a change of clothes, toiletries, swim suite, and other 1st day needs in case your luggage doesn’t arrive at your stateroom before dinner.
Take the first few hours onboard to familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship. Taking the time in the beginning will help you identify which areas of the ship will be important to you on your voyage as well as identify potential activities you might want to participate in.
You will not need cash onboard. Your stateroom key will be used like a credit card for onboard purchases. Like using a credit card at home, those charges add up. Check your balance daily or every other day so you are not surprised at the end of your trip.
Upon embarkation check to see if your gratuities will automatically be charged to your stateroom account. Some cruise lines now offer an automatic gratuity to be added to your stateroom account. Like land-based gratuities, you can increase or decrease the amount based on the service you receive. Keep in mind these gratuities are often pooled with other crew members. We sometimes seek out individual crew members who have provided extra service.
If you are looking to take a shore excursion or have spa treatments on your cruise, make sure to book in advance, they often fill up fast. Most lines now allow you to pre-book online via their website once you have your booking id number. If you choose to wait until you board the ship to make reservations/appointments, we recommend making them as soon as possible.
Specialty restaurants can be a fun way to add a little something extra to your trip, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion. Availability tends to fill up quickly, so make your reservations once you board. Keep in mind most of these venues have an additional service charge that will apply (usually reduced for children).
Keep in mind that not all cruise lines offer self service laundry rooms, check ahead, and remember irons are not permitted in the cabins (along those lines no individual coffee pots or candles either). If you need to press some items, send these out on the first night. It should allow the items to be returned early the next day.
You have made an investment in your vacation. We recommend protecting that investment from unexpected delays, life events, etc. There are many products available. Compare the offerings from the cruise line as well as independent companies. Read the fine print and determine what’s best for you. If you pay for your cruise using a credit card, keep in mind the credit card company might offer some protections. Verify what those might be to help make your decision. Also, verify with your health insurance carrier what services/charges might be covered out of your coverage area/abroad.
Flying/Airports
As always, arriving early to an airport is of the utmost importance. This is especially true with all the added security these days. Plan to arrive at least 2 hours for domestic and 3-4 for international destinations. Check with your airline for specific airport recommendations.
If you are traveling with children remember you may be able to pre-board. Another good idea is to make sure you have snacks, books, and a few new toys to help keep your young ones entertained. We also use a portable DVD player with headphones.
There are new baggage rules with many airlines, some of airlines are now charging for bags. Verify with your airline ahead of time to avoid surprises. A new trend that is becoming more popular is to ship your baggage separately, ahead of your departure.
Passport
Passport requirements are changing. Traveling to most destinations outside of the
If traveling abroad, make sure your passport is valid and will continue to be valid through your trip. Keep in mind some destinations have varying requirements and may require your passport to be valid for 6 months or more from the time your trip begins.