Pre-Cruise Planning
Three to four months before your cruise
-Buy travel insurance
-Research entry requirements and apply for visas
-Book your flights
-Book your pre-or post-cruise hotel
-Research shore excursions, destination information and private guides.
-Design and order group T-shirts, hats, Mardi Gras beads or tote bags.
-Pay your final bill (this can vary by cruise line and itinerary so abide by the terms of your booking)
Two months before your cruise
-Book shore excursions, either through the ship or independently
-Arrange for rental cars in port
-Make plans for independent touring-restaurant reservations, hop-on hop-off bus schedules, etc.
- Shop for large-ticket items (new cruise wardrobe and formal wear, suitcase, snorkel and fins, hiking boots)
One month before your cruise
-Book airport transfers
-Fill out and print out cruise line e-docs
-Sign up for pre-printed luggage tags if your cruise line still offers them
-Book a beverage or dining package
-Book pre-cruise spa treatments and specialty dining reservations
-Get any immunizations you might need
Two weeks before your cruise
-Make arrangements for your home while you’re gone (hold your mail, book Fluffy’s kennel stay, etc.)
-Draft a packing list-take into account items you’ll need to dress appropriately in different cultures and for the destination’s activities and weather (hiking boots, snorkel, fleece hat, etc.)
-Acquire the appropriate documentation necessary if only one parent is traveling with children.
-Renew your passport or apply for a new one
-Sign up for Cruise Critic’s Meet & Mingle parties and join the roll call for your cruise
One week before your cruise
-Leave your travel information and copy of passport with a family member or close friend
-Call your bank and credit cards to alert them to travel plans
-Locate port parking information and directions if you’re driving
-Sign up for international calling or a discounted plan for your phone
-Get your pre-cruise pedicure/manicure or haircut
-Check the weather in your destination
-Pack
-Shop for last-minute cruise necessities (travel-size toiletries, a sun hat, memory cards, etc.)
-Stock up on reading material (magazines, e-books, library books, etc.)
-Refill any prescriptions you’ll need on the trip and get a doctor’s prescription to take in case your meds get lost
-Acquire some foreign currency or small bills for tipping
-Upload photos from your camera to your hard drive so you can start your trip with a clean memory card
-Finish up all necessary work projects
-Start eating up all the food in your fridge
-Print out e-docs and attach cruise line luggage tags to your bags
-Check for your flight
The day before your cruise
-Charge all your electronics-then pack then chargers
-Get together your plane or car snacks, or any soda/water/wine you’re bringing on board
-Double-check you’ve packet everything you need
-Make a list of anything you need to pack the morning of your cruise
-Set an alarm (or two) if you have an early departure
-Set your work out-of-office message