How to Prepare a Checklist for a Cruise Vacation

A cruise can be one of the most stress-free vacations; when the ship leaves the port you can leave your worries behind and enjoy being pampered and entertained. Getting ready for a cruise can be complicated. Prepare a checklist before cruising to ensure smooth sailing.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Plane and cruise tickets
• Luggage
• Home care (pets, plants, kids)
• Clothing (formalwear, swimwear, hiking, depending on the nature of the cruise activities)
• Toiletries

Instructions

1. Check and, if necessary, renew your passport six months in advance. Is the expiration date on your passport less than six months away? Some countries require a six-month expiration period for all passports.

2. Book your flights three months in advance. Start early to get the best possible rates. Try to arrive at your port city the day before the cruise leaves, since a cancelled flight can cause you to miss your cruise departure.

3. Make your final payment on the cruise on or before the due date. When the tickets arrive, double-check your assigned cabin, dinner seating, luggage tags and other materials. If the travel agent has booked your flights or pre- or post-cruise hotels, check them carefully too.

4. Choose your excursions or research your own day trips at your ports of call. You can book excursions that are run by the cruise line on their websites. These excursions can fill up early, so book them two or three months before you cruise.

5. Go shopping. Make sure you have swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts, sandals, formal wear and anything else you might need. You can get specific details about what you will need for your cruise from your travel agent or on the cruise line website.

6. Make arrangements for home care. Do you have pets that need to be taken care of? What about houseplants? If your children are staying home, make childcare arrangements early. Arrange for your mail and newspaper to be collected or for delivery to be stopped while you are gone.

7. Fill out the pre-boarding forms that the cruise line requires. You can do this online or fill out hard copies.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are bringing credits cards with you, write down the numbers, expiration dates and credit card contact information and leave it at home in case the cards are lost or stolen.

• Ask your travel agent or cruise line about any vaccinations you might need.

Resources

• The Ship Happens website features a cruise countdown checklist.
• The Cruise Guide Online website offers an online guide for cruisers.
• The Royal Caribbean website is one of many informative cruise line sites.