When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation is important; however, it is not the only preparations that you should make.
Preparing for your cruise shouldn’t wait until the week before your trip either. Rather, it should begin as soon as you book your cruise ship reservation.
What kind of cruise do you want?
The type of cruise that you will be taking is vital to your preparations. A large number of cruise ships travel on international waters. In addition to being on international waters, many dock at international ports.
Documents are Critical for Travel
Before you are able to board your ship, you will have to have the proper identification with you. With international cruises, this identification often includes a driver’s license and a passport.
Unfortunately, when it comes to obtaining a passport, there are many individuals who wait until the last minute. Last minute passports can be obtained in the event of an emergency, but most require at least a 10 days or more to process.
You will not be automatically granted a passport; instead you are required to apply for one. Almost all individuals that apply for a passport are granted one, but planning ahead is the best option.
If you allow extra time, then if an error is made on the information you supply, you will have enough time to fix it before your cruise ship departs.
As mentioned, proper identification is needed to board a cruise ship. But your passport and driver’s license are not the only forms of documentation that you should bring onboard.
Insurance and Health Documents on the Cruise
If you are covered under a health insurance plan, you are encouraged to bring your health insurance cards. In the event you fall ill while on vacation, your insurance cards will allow you to obtain the needed medical attention.
In addition to your medical insurance cards, it is advised that you bring along all of your needed medications.
You may even want to consider bringing along extra medication as well. Many physicians will write extra prescriptions for their patients that are traveling abroad.
Should your medication become lost or misplaced, the extra prescriptions can be filled on the ship and used until you return home. While requesting extra medication from your healthcare provider, you may want to question them on safety precautions aboard a cruise ship also.
Should you Bring Cash on a Cruise?
To pay for onboard and port activities, you will need to bring along extra money. Although cruise ships are famous for their cuisine, there are sometimes extra charges for drinks, so you need to be prepared for this. Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is similar to vacationing anywhere else in the world.
You are encouraged not to carry large sums of cash with you. If you must bring cash along, you are encouraged to divide your money up and place it in safe locations. Almost all cruise ships and popular cruise ship ports accept credit cards, cashiers checks, money orders, or traveler’s checks. These forms of payments are great alternatives to carrying cash.
Let People Know How to Contact You on a Cruise
When traveling aboard a cruise ship, you are urged to give a copy of the cruise ship’s itinerary to multiple friends and family members. This will make it possible for you to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
When registering for a cruise ship, you may also be required to give the contact information of someone that should be contacted in an emergency.
Your first thought may be to give the contact information of your spouse, children, or a close friend. When doing so, it is important to make sure that they will be on land and accessible.
Once you have made the above mentioned preparations, you can begin focusing on other preparations, such as packing your luggage.
When packing, you are urged to keep the climate of your cruise in mind. Are you taking an Alaskan cruise, a Mediterranean cruise or a Caribbean cruise?
Keeping these in mind, at the same time, you should be prepared for unexpected weather. You should also check with the cruise line or your travel agent for luggage weight restrictions. Making the proper cruise ship preparations will ensure that your vacation will be a success.
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