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Then, you head to your muster station to check-in and watch a demonstration of putting on a life jacket. From there, many take the chance to grab a drink and explore the ship a bit. There are also restaurants open where you can get a bite to eat. If you know that you want a drink package, or to reserve your spot in a specialty restaurant, it’s a good time to get those taken care of if you didn’t do so online ahead of time. In addition to all of those, the staff puts on activities throughout the day.
Travel document requirements for sailings from Southampton, England
No cruise line will allow you to sail if you are more than 24 weeks along before the conclusion of the voyage. Some cruise lines will ask you to complete a paper form at the terminal on embarkation day, while others will allow you to complete it a few hours before you arrive. If you fill it out in advance, whether or not you'll need to print out confirmation depends on your cruise line and whether the form is completed online or through a mobile app.
Beachwear & Activewear
That’s one less thing to worry about when packing for your cruise and very convenient for passengers who are driving to the port. One thing to know is that cruise lines will provide a crib for sleeping in your cabin at no charge. Clothing will make up the bulk of what you’ll bring on a cruise, and rightly so.
GETTING ONBOARD
Your cruise is paid for, and now you think you’re ready to go. To make sure you won’t forget any essential items, I’ve put together this cruise packing list. These days, almost all of us check our phones for the time. But when you are in port, it’s often easier just to carry a cheap wristwatch. That way you can be sure you get back before the ship leaves port, as well as keep track of when any scheduled activities onboard are about to happen. This one is only around $15 and is water resistant (a must on a cruise).
Travel insurance information
The good news is most cruises have a laundry service and some dry cleaning, with generally about a 24-hour turnaround time. But if you pack clothing pieces that are easy to mix and match, the so-called ‘capsule wardrobe’ will reduce the number of clothes you need quite significantly. If you are headed to Alaska, your packing list has many similarities, but will be a little different. Specifically, it includes more cool weather gear, including warm socks, hat, and gloves.
Bags
You're going to sweat through your clothes, so anticipate changing outfits multiple times each day. Keep in mind that your ship may have a self-serve (typically coin-operated) laundry room or offer send-out laundry services. That means you can wear their favorite dress another night or pack less with plans to wear clothing more than once. Remember You Have to Carry Everything to the ShipWhile the rules surrounding luggage mean you can bring as much as you want, remember that whatever you bring, you will have to get it to and from the port. So if you are flying to the cruise port, then you’ll have to pay any baggage fees your airline might charge.
If there is a day that you don’t want to drink or you are in port (packages only work on the ship and on some private islands), then you likely won’t get your money’s worth. Know the Ins and Outs of Drink Packages Before BuyingAlcohol is big business on a cruise, and it’s not unusual to spend hundreds on it during the course of a sailing. To help you budget, cruise lines offer “all you can drink” packages. With these deals, you pay one set amount each day and then get to have (almost) whatever you want from the bar. As well, cruise lines allow you to bring on bottles of champagne or wine (usually one bottle per adult) free of charge.
If you’re planning to travel, you must take the proper documentation as you pass through airports, harbors, and bus stations. Although cruise ships don’t have as strict restrictions as airplanes, there are still a few items that you should keep at home. A backpack can hold everything you need for a day trip, while a fanny pack or crossbody bag is perfect for carrying essential items like your wallet, phone, and room key. These options allow you to keep your hands free while exploring, making your cruise adventures more enjoyable and worry-free. Your carry-on bag should contain everything you think you may need for the day in case your checked luggage is delayed. That means a change of clothes, valuables, electronics, important documents, eyeglasses, and medications.
The ship’s casino will open up once the ship is far enough offshore, and of course, bars will have the drinks flowing. One thing to note is that many ports of call have welcome areas right at the end of the dock. This often includes shops, restaurants, and spots to book excursions if you haven’t already.
If you or your family members take any regular prescription medications, vitamins or supplements, pack them in your carry-on bag. Even if you don't need them for the first 24 hours of your cruise, you don't want to risk losing them and going without them for the entire trip. I suggest packing a hanging toiletry bag, which will be easy to transport. Because of the limited space on cruise staterooms, I find packing cubes to be especially helpful. They can easily be taken right from your suitcase and placed into the drawers or shelves of the stateroom.
Where a passport is truly handy is getting off the ship at the end of the cruise. These days most ports have facial recognition to process passengers. If you have a passport, you simply walk off, take a quick photo, and then walk out of the terminal. Those with birth certificates usually have to wait in line to meet an agent. Topping your cruise packing list should be your eyeglasses and sunglasses.
I forgot to check-in for my cruise. Why I won't make this mistake again - Cruise Blog
I forgot to check-in for my cruise. Why I won't make this mistake again.
Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. In some cases, you can use a passport card instead of a passport book, but that will only work if you plan to reenter the United States via your ship from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean. If you're a smart cruiser, you carry on everything you need for check-in and the first day on board — plus emergencies. It's better to come prepared, so you can make the most of those first hours on the ship, either relaxing by the pool or enjoying the ship's public spaces. Plus, should the unthinkable happen and your luggage never arrives, you'll be as prepared as possible.
If you prefer carrying your room key around the ship in a lanyard, toss one in your carry-on bag to put on and wear as soon as you receive your cruise card. You'll be ready to purchase cocktails, gelato, specialty coffees and other items around the ship without fumbling in your pockets for the card. You'll also be less likely to lose your card while you're juggling your carry-on luggage, cruise documents, phone and other items in the terminal.
Other than the casino, you don’t use cash on a modern cruise ship. Instead, if you want to by anything onboard, you simply swipe your keycard. Knowing what travel documents you need when traveling outside the US can be daunting, and the requirements can sometimes be hard to understand and navigate.
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