What to Do Before You Board Your Cruise
Even cruise aficionados occasionally neglect to pack sunscreen or make reservations to the most talked-about restaurant onboard. Check out our list of common things people forget to take care of before setting sail:
1. Book shore excursions.
If there's a specific excursion on your to-do list, don't wait to book it on the ship. - Photo by Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock
Most cruise lines offer extensive information about shore excursions on their websites, so take a look to see what’s available in your ports of call before you board. Check your line’s policy on its website: The timetables vary — Princess Cruises lets you book excursions 120 days before sailing, while Disney’s policy is 75 days out. (Some fill up long before embarkation day, so consider yourself warned!)
While most passengers book excursions through the cruise line, you can also book directly with the vendor, who typically offers a better rate. Just ensure your independent excursions aren’t so long that you cut it close to being back onboard in time — cruise ships won’t wait for cruisers who booked through a third party.
Of course, we prefer to sightsee on our own in many destinations. Check out our handy port guides for tips on what to see at your destinations.
2. Buy travel insurance.
Travel insurance can also cover lost luggage. - Photo by Jaromir Chalabala / Shutterstock
Although it can’t save you from a rainy day, insurance can come in handy if you have an issue while at sea, such as if you’re a diabetic and need insulin. It’s also helpful in cases of sudden and unexpected emergencies that require you to return home at a moment’s notice.
Think it can’t happen to you? According to Carnival Cruise Lines spokesperson Vance Gulliksen, it’s not that uncommon. “That’s why we strongly encourage guests to purchase travel insurance, either through Carnival or a third-party supplier,” he says.
Shop around to find the best policy for your needs. A good place to start is an insurance comparison site, like squaremouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com.
3. Make onboard reservations.
Some cruise lines, like Norwegian, have their own apps where you can make reserverations right on your phone. - Photo by Norwegian Cruise Line
Most cruise lines give you the opportunity to make entertainment, dining, and spa reservations on their websites by logging in with your confirmation number.
Some lines even let you make reservations on your smartphone. Norwegian Cruise Line has a (free) app, for example, for Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway. If there’s a particular show or specialty restaurant you’d like to try on one of those ships, book them in advance to ensure that you won’t be disappointed.
4. Pack a carry-on for embarkation day.
Your luggage may arrive at your cabin several hours after you do. Plan accordingly. - Photo by Maksim Vasic / Shutterstock
It can take as long as half the day for bags checked at embarkation to arrive in your room, so make sure to have essentials with you. Planning on catching some rays before being let into your cabin? Pack your bathing suit, e-reader, shades, and sunscreen.
5. Call your bank.
The bank could put a hold on your card if they suddenly start seeing charges in the Caribbean. - Photo by Rasulov / Shutterstock
If you’re not a frequent traveler, before leaving the country, it’s important to inform your bank that you’re going on vacation, so the bank doesn’t presume that your change in spending patterns means that your credit or debit card has been stolen. Otherwise, some financial institutions will temporarily disable your account. Neglecting to notify the bank is a common mistake that can result in expensive, long-distance calls while other cruisers are off exploring.
Join the discussion
What’s something you’ve forgotten to do or pack before a cruise?
8 Comments
Posted by GALBRE
Not only banks but credit cards co.need to be called and notified on travel dates and places.They call to confirm you made the notification. Most of all relax and enjoy.
Posted by leathgirl
As tempting as it is to post all over social media when and where you are going. This is probably just an invitation for burglary theft and unwsntef use of your house by "friends" . my advise keep it on the downlow. Pics can wait. Any name search produces address phone number and for a couple dollars more ALOT more than that. Don't invite it.
Posted by leathgirl
As tempting as it is to post all over social media when and where you are going. This is probably just an invitation for burglary theft and unwsntef use of your house by "friends" . my advise keep it on the downlow. Pics can wait. Any name search produces address phone number and for a couple dollars more ALOT more than that. Don't invite it.
Posted by MrChocoholic
Also true for EVERYTHING else you get delivered, like newspapers, prescriptions etc. Make a plan for your pet, no matter what it is. Short cruises require less complicated pet arrangements obviously, but you'd be surprised how many people forget and come home to find their parakeet in the cage lying down with legs up. If you travel with a "service animal" be sure the legalities of doing so are addressed for EACH port of call you're visiting, not just your port of departure/return.
Posted by CrusinTim
Don't forget to notify the Post Office by putting your mail on "Hold". This can be done online or through your local Post Office. Doing this keeps mail from building up in your mailbox and letting thieves no your not home. Nothing worse than coming home from a delightful cruise to find your home robbed. You can select an end date for your mail hold then elect if the mail carrier delivers your accumulated mail or you can go to your post office and pick it up.
Posted by Carol813
Don't forget to contact your cell phone carrier and arrange for an international call plan if needed. You don't want to get surprised by huge roaming fees. Apparently you can just put it on Airplane Mode, but just be careful if you take it off that setting to use wi-fi somewhere that you remember to reset it to airplane mode. My carrier also recommended making sure your cell phone settings are set to only download via wi-fi so that your email and pictures don't save to the cloud in the background (you won't be aware it is happening) and then you will get with huge roaming fees also.
Posted by Caben1114
Learned a lot from our first cruise last year. Pack a bag of every kind of medication you can think of. Sinus, sea sick meds, cough, headache, stomach nausea, neosporin, bandaids, antibiotic cream, sore muscle rub, sunscreen, aloe Vera, diarrhea, constipation etc. it is quite expensive to see the ship doctor. Also, we packed a bag of hand sanitizer, wet wipes, Clorox wipes, (all travel sized) a sewing kit, and small first aid kit. You’d be surprised how these things are needed for a long cruise, or even 3-4 days. Extra space wasted? No! Definitely a must!!
Posted by MrandMrsFreese
Thank you all so much! My husband and I are booked for May of 2020. It's our first cruise and I'm reading as much as I can so we can prepare!