Countdown to your Cruise! Top Tips to make sure you don’t forget anything.

If you are anything like me I need lists to make sure I don’t forget anything leading up to my holiday. Some people just seem to breeze along and do everything at the last minute but that is not for me and I know I would forget something important like putting the dog in the kennels or Granny into care!

So are you the serene take it all in your stride person?

Or do you feel the pressure as your departure date nears?

Here are my top tips for a smooth Cruise.

1. Have you completed your on-line cruise information? Most cruise lines require you to log in and enter your passport details, insurance information and next of kin details before you can print off your tickets. If you are unsure ask your cruise consultant. Of course if you booked with me you would already know this information.
2. Have you taken out insurance? All cruise lines require you to have insurance to travel with them.
3. Have you booked your parking at the port or airport if you are flying?
4. Have you printed off your tickets and gone through them to make sure all the names are correct as per your passports and you know what to do when checking in etc?
5. Joking aside have you sorted out kennels etc for your pets and someone to take care of Granny, Grandad or the kids? Now is the time to re-check. You may think this all in hand but I booked my dog into kennels 2 months ago and rang to check it as I always do today and they had booked him in from Friday to Sunday but only 2 days not a week and 2 days. Luckily I checked it or it could have been a disaster.
6. Have you cancelled the papers and the milk? I once came back from a week away to find 7 bottles of milk on my doorstep. You would think the milkman would have figured it out when he got to two, but no!
7. Have you asked the boss for time off work? Think I’m being ridiculous well a customer of mine a few years ago booked her honeymoon and was so busy planning the wedding etc she forgot to submit her holiday sheet. Luckily she managed to sort it out but it could have ended so differently!
8. Have you planned your wardrobe? Remember most cruise cabins are much smaller than hotel rooms and space is limited for cases etc. so bear this in mind when you pack. Also check the dress code on-board. If the cruise line has formal nights you will want to be prepared or you could be banned from the dining room. Don’t worry there is always somewhere else to eat but it can be embarrassing not to have the right outfit for the occasion.
9. Have you checked out what adaptors you need on-board for your electrical goods? Most cabins have a hairdryer so check first to save packing. Also be warned some cruise companies will not let you take straighteners so check this out before you go?
10. Do you know what currency is used on-board and have you checked that your card is accepted on the ship you are travelling on. This may seem really silly but again I had a customer who could not pay her final bill because the cruise line she sailed with did not accept debit cards and she did not have a credit card with her. This was not only embarrassing but delayed her departure from the ship whilst she rang a relative to pay over the phone on their card. She missed her return flight so had to book a later one which cost her an additional £800 to get home. A costly mistake so worth thinking about.
11. Budget for extras. Have you done your homework regarding drinks prices, excursions costs and tipping. Don’t be caught short because you don’t know what extras you will have to pay on-board.
12. Check your passport. Firstly do you know where it is? Secondly make sure it is not only in date but has 6 months left on it on the date you return into the country or this could cause you a problem as most cruise lines require 6 months validity.

Well these are my top tips based on experiences that me and my customers have had over the years.

It is probably not definitive but it is the general check-list I use.

It could help turn you from this!

To this!

I am getting ready now so am working my way down the list as I sail on Adventure of the Seas on the 26^th October.

Can you think of anything I have forgotten?

Or do you have an embarrassing tale to tell about something you forgot to do?

If so let me know. I would love to hear from you.