Feature Article
Countdown To Cruise Time
Ready, Steady, Cruise!
Even if you think you're ready to go on a cruise, there might be some things that your enthusiasm has made you forget. So you should put those fantastic pictures out of your head for a short while and think about a few things pragmatically, to make sure there won't be any unpleasant surprises to disturb your trip when it has really begun.
An important thing to do a few months before you leave on your cruise is to get in contact with your travel agent in order to check your ports of call and what type of identification you need for your cruise. In case you planned your trip on your own, the cruise line itself will be able to tell you about your identification needs. It's possible that your driving license might be sufficient, but often a passport will be the required identification form. Therefore, you should carefully check the validity of your passport.
Make sure you check all the needed identifications in time, since you might discover that it's necessary to get something renewed. Taking the necessary time for this will save you the money you would have had to spend for a last-minute solution. Another thing to find out is whether any visas are needed for your ports of call. In this case you should waste no time and start filling out the appropriate applications.
Four to six weeks before the departure is generally viewed as the right time to ensure everything is settled concerning your payments. If there is something going wrong and your payment isn't made within a certain period of time it could have the result of your reservation being cancelled without a refund on what you have payed up to this point.
Of course, you can start thinking of a diet when you discover on board that the clothes you've brought don't fit anymore. But you will probably feel more comfortable knowing that you won't have to hide in your room during the first week. By trying on the clothes a good while before the departure you'll still have the chance to go shopping without any hassle, in case it is necessary.
The person who takes care of your children should have their school schedules, as well as your signed permission notes for being allowed to pick the little ones up from school.
To avoid attracting any thieves you should ask your neighbor to pick up your mail and set a timer on your light to make it look like someone is at home. If your plants are dear to you, your neighbor should water them, and you should also ask them to feed any pets you might have. A pet sitting service would be another possibility.
Another thing you might want to do a few weeks before you go on your journey is getting your hair cut and similar personal services done. Have a look at your luggage and decide if it's still good enough to use or if you want to get something new. Write your name on the suitcase tags in such a way that it can be read easily. And make sure that there are no mistakes in the dates on your cruise documents like the spelling of your name or the number of the cabin or the deck you have paid for. During the last days before you leave you should make photocopies of all your travel documents and give a set of these copies to a person you trust, in case you get in any kind of difficult situation. Take another set with you, but do not keep it together with the originals. Do not forget your medicine in case you need some and take enough batteries and film for your camera.
Write down all of the above mentioned points which seem relevant for you on a to-do list and follow it. This will help you control the big picture as well as the details. You'll be ready in time and you can start your adventure free from any worries.
Are you ready to go cruising? You probably think you are! However, take a break from the fantasy cruise running through your mind. It's time to think of a few sensible matters to ensure you have smooth sailing from the get go.
A few months before you go on your cruise, you might want to touch base with your travel agent to see what type of identification you need for your cruise and ports of call. If you did not book through a travel agent, call the cruise line itself to confirm your identification needs. Sometimes, you just need your United States Driver's license. However, often times you will require a passport.
Get all your identification together that will be needed for travel. You should make sure you have a valid passport. If it is to expire soon, get it renewed while there is still plenty of time to do so. If you apply for or renew your passport at the last moment, you will pay a lot of money to get it expedited. Make sure to check with your travel agent or cruise line to see if any visas are needed for your ports of call. If so, you will have to fill out applications to start that process.
About a month to month and a half before you leave, make sure your payments are current for your cruise. Sometimes, if you do not pay the remainder of your cruise tickets in a timely manner, your reservations could get cancelled with no refund on what you did pay up to that point.
Start planning what you will pack. Try on clothes to ensure they will still fit. This is not the time to diet and try and lose ten pounds! By planning your wardrobe early, this will give you time to go shopping. Rushing around at the last moment makes for frazzled nerves and you want the experience to be smooth.
If you have children who are not going with you, make sure their temporary guardian for that time has their school schedules. Write permission notes for your children's schools to ensure that they can be picked up by someone other than you.
If your house will be empty while you are gone, arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail and water your plants. Set timers on your lights to make it look like someone is home. Have the neighbors feed your pets or arrange a pet sitting service or kennel.
A few weeks before the big day, have your hair cut or any other personal services done. Check to make sure your luggage is in good shape or decide if you should buy something new. Baggage tags should be labeled properly and in a legible print. Go over your cruise documents carefully to look for any inaccuracies like the spelling of your name or a different cabin or deck than what you paid for.
A few days before you leave, make two copies of all your travel documents, including identification, credit cards and traveler's checks. Leave a copy for a trusted family member or friend should you run into any trouble. Keep the other copy with you, but separate from the originals. Refill any pertinent medical prescriptions and make sure you have plenty of batteries and film for the camera.
By creating a to-do list a few months before and following it as needed, you should be able to accomplish everything you want including the care of your home, children and other necessities like your plants, pets and mail. This will keep you focused and ready for cruise time. Now, there will be no worries as you board for your adventure.
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