Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.
Zig Ziglar
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My favorite way to travel is by cruise ship. My husband and I took our first cruise in 2008 and we loved it so much, we took a second cruise later that year. We were addicted from the start!
From our years of cruising experience, we’ve discovered some important advice and great travel gear that I thought I would share.
6 Tips For Your Next Cruise
Avoid flying into your departure port on embarkation day: With the reliability of the airlines these days, I highly recommend that you consider booking flights that will get you to your port the day prior to your embarkation day. The extra time will provide a cushion if you have a delayed or canceled flight and can give you time to find any lost luggage. Yes, this plan might also add an expense for a hotel but the peace of mind is worth it! Would you rather cover an extra night in a hotel or miss your ship and find yourself trying to get some of your money back through your travel insurance—if you purchased travel insurance!
Don’t forget your passport(s)! A passport is a must for you and every member of your party to board your ship. Don’t leave home without them! More importantly, before you book your cruise, be sure to check the expiration dates for all the passports in your group. If you are traveling internationally, some countries will not admit you if your passport expires within six months.
Keep your sea pass secure at all times: On embarkation days, every adult cruiser gets a sea pass. These cards act as keys to your stateroom and will be attached to a designated credit card to charge onboard purchases to your account. As the ship stops at the ports of call, you will need your sea pass to get off and back onto the ship (along with your passport or picture ID). These are all very important reasons to secure your sea pass like you would a credit card or cash.
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen! This is going to be a must-have if your cruise is going somewhere sunny and tropical.
Pack a day bag: As I pack for a cruise, I always tuck a collapsible bag into my suitcase and use it during the trip. First, I will use it on sea days, dropping anything we might want while we are enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the deck. That might include a book, sunscreen, towels, and my sea pass. If I get off the ship for an excursion, I might use this day bag to carry anything we need for the day such as sunscreen, our sea passes and IDs, my camera, a raincoat, a water bottle, or anything else needed for a fun time off of the ship.
Keep your watch on ship time: If your cruise takes you through a change in time zone, be sure to keep your watch on ship time. If you want to participate in activities on board, you want to be sure not to miss out but more importantly, when the ship stops in a port, you want to be sure that you are back on board on time.
6 Must-Have Gear Recommendations For Your Next Cruise
Ship Tag Holders: On embarkation day, each port will take your luggage and load it onto the ship for you. If you fly to the port, your luggage will be handled from there. These ship tag holders are a great way to make sure that your ship tags survive handling and ensure that your bags are delivered to your cabin. https://amzn.to/3ppJuiv.
Securing your beach towel: Whether you enjoy the pool deck or a beach day in an exotic cruise port, these little gadgets are great to have tucked into a beach bag to secure a towel to a beach chair. Options that you can consider are chair clips https://amzn.to/46oNi4i or towel bands https://amzn.to/433Yqkh.
Outlet shortage: Electric outlets in a ship cabin are limited and most cruisers travel with multiple devices that need to be recharged. With fire at sea a real concern, cruise lines have restrictions on extension cords so instead, consider purchasing a cruise-approved travel adapter, https://amzn.to/3XwsnZ4, to give you enough safe charging options. Also, consider taking along a European converter that can also give you more outlet options.
RFID protection: If you don’t have a wallet with built-in RFID protection, grab RFID credit card sleeves to protect your credit cards from tampering: https://amzn.to/46uJizp. These little gadgets are essential items to protect your chip credit cars as you travel and while your are at home. I don’t leave home without RFID protection for my credit cards.
Stay hydrated: No matter where or how we travel, staying hydrated is vital, and carrying a water bottle is a good idea. With late-night parties and warm days in the sun, every cruiser would benefit from a good water bottle. My favorite water bottle is Hydro Flask. These insulated water bottles keep cold beverages cold for long periods and I take mine everywhere, even on a cruise. They might seem a little expensive, but they are quality products, come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they last forever! https://amzn.to/431KUxt
Pack smart: If you are an over-packer like me or just need help getting all of your cruise outfits into your suitcase, Tripped Travel Gear compression cubes are must-have gear, especially for a cruise. https://amzn.to/3NQvW97. These are my favorite pieces of travel gear, for all of our adventures and I have several sets to make sure that I have enough for both me and my husband. They come in different sizes, designs, and in sets that include a laundry bag.
For toiletries, Tripped Travel Gear also has a hanging toiletry bag that is terrific for the tiny bathroom in your cabin. It also has a detachable section that is TSA-compliant that can be dropped conveniently into a carry on. https://amzn.to/46sUWur
I hope these tips and gear recommendations make your next cruise more enjoyable than you ever expected!
Let’s Just Go! 