Pre-Cruise To-Dos

Imagine that you’re just sitting down to your first gourmet dinner on a five-star cruise ship—ten days filled with nothing but relaxation, fine food, pampering and the open sea. The last thing you want to think about is work, the house or your dog Rex…oh no, Rex!

Suddenly the first evening of your cruise has turned into a logistical nightmare of contacting friends and neighbors to arrange accommodations for Rex. Situations like this one can be easily avoided by listing and checking off some pre-cruise to-dos:

Withdraw Cash for Your Cruise – Though most cruise ships are equipped with ATMs, having cash on hand is a good idea to cover any unexpected fees and for tips. On average, most people spend about $10.50 on tips each day they are on their cruise. Of course this varies with personal preference. Remember a 15% gratuity is automatically added to your bill for alcoholic beverages.

Pack Commonly Forgotten Items – The best way to remember everything is to make a comprehensive list well before your cruise. Research the destinations on your cruise and pack appropriately for weather conditions and activities. Some examples of items people forget when packing for a cruise are:



Documentation – Pack your cruise passage contract, passport and visa(s), medical insurance cards, legal custody documents (for minors traveling without parents or with one parent) and travel insurance policies. Pack these in a small bag that’s easy to carry.



Extra Suitcase - People come home from cruises with extras, even if they’re just planning one shopping excursion. Some stores will ship purchased items to your home, but an extra suitcase comes in handy if shipping isn’t an option or you want to save money. You can always fit a smaller suitcase with your belongings inside a larger one for shopping.



Medications and Supplements – You’ll need any medications and supplements you use at home on your cruise, as well as medications you might need for sea sickness (contact your doctor).



Formal Wear – Many cruises have one or two formal nights for travelers (check your itinerary for formal nights on your cruise). For this event, men will need tuxedos and women will need formal dresses. Make any rental arrangements well in advance.


Address Medical Concerns – If there is any doubt, verify with your personal physician that you are well enough to travel the itinerary you have chosen. Also, if cruises lines are contacted in advance, they can accommodate any dietary conditions or other medical conditions you may have, such as pregnancy or extra oxygen needs.


Keep Your Home Safe While Cruising – Let the police or a trusted neighbor know that you’re going to be gone. Stop your mail or newspaper delivery or have a neighbor collect them for you. Nothing says “not home” like a pile of newspapers cluttering the front step. Think about investing in timers for your lights and radios; this will make your home look lived in and keep burglars away. If you still aren’t comfortable abandoning your home, hire a house sitter.


This is also a good time to think about Rex and other pets and make appropriate arrangements. If you don’t want to impose on a friend, make arrangements at a nearby kennel.


Choose a Contact Person – Have a point-of-contact at home—this should be someone you trust. Tell them you’re going on a cruise, how long you’ll be away and how to reach you. Leave this person with emergency information, including the cruise line’s phone number, your email address, the code to your alarm system and your doctor’s name and phone number.


Review Insurance Policies before Your Cruise – No one wants to be paranoid while on their cruise, so addressing insurance issues beforehand is important. Before leaving for your vacation, check with your insurance providers to see what they will and won’t cover while you’re on vacation. If you want travelers insurance, check with the cruise service or online for options.


Schedule Travel Details for the Cruise Vacation – While traveling, delays are common—flight delays, traffic jams, getting lost and long lines can trip you up. Having a copy of your full schedule—including your before, after and in-between travel details, such as flights, hotel stays and shore excursions—can prevent stress and wasted time. Review your itinerary in advance and make as many reservations as possible.


Plan your route to the airport or dock, check traffic reports, and leave early. Keep relevant details, such as hotel phone numbers and reservation information, in your pocket. Use the same planning vigilance when returning to your cruise ship following a shore excursion. (In short, don’t forget where your ship docked!) And remember, you can’t control every aspect of travel, so when the unexpected delay does occur, take a deep breath and make the best of it.


Arrange for Special Events on Your Cruise – Cruise personnel specialize in special occasions. While you’re working out your itinerary and schedule, take time to make special arrangements with the cruise line, such as flower delivery, gift delivery or plans for a champagne-and-candlelight dinner, to make the special occasion unforgettable.


By following a simple pre-cruise to-do list like the one above, your cruise will be what it’s supposed to be: a peaceful vacation. You’ll enjoy your trip more and be able to relax—Rex will thank you, too.