A cruise checklist like this one is essential to starting your cruise out on the right foot. You look forward to that holiday and you’ve saved for months. Don’t let a lack of preparation ruin it. Before you cruise, you should have all of your ducks in a nice, tidy row to ensure that your time is spent relaxing and having fun and not trying to work out unnecessary kinks in the trip.
Successful cruises, like many amazing trips, often are the result of weeks of planning. I mean that’s often a huge part of the fun. Having a cruise checklist can help ensure that your cruise is smooth sailing and fun for all.
Table of Contents
Cruise Checklist – Tick These off, so YOU’RE not Ticked Off
If you’ve ever gone on a cruise, you know it’s so much more than just getting tickets and stepping on the boat. This is top of mind for us right now as we set sail this month. There are several things that have to be done, or that SHOULD be done before you get to the ship. In fact, most of them can be done from your home to ensure that your cruise is all about fun, with zero, or close to zero, headaches.
Pay Your Service Fees Ahead of Time
If you can, it’s always a good idea to pay any fees, tips, and other extra expenses associated with your plans ahead of time. This saves you SO MUCH TIME. It also saves you a lot of hassle. When you pay for any excursions and extras ahead of time, you can spend more time adventuring and relaxing because you never have to worry about settling any bill while you’re there.
Check Excursion Options and Book Ahead of Time
And speaking of paying for any extras, including excursions, check those out ahead of time. You can see what excursions and other day options are available for your cruise online. From there, you may be able to book the excursions that appeal to you right from your computer instead of trying to do it while you’re on your cruise.
Check In Online
ALWAYS! In most cases, you’ll have the option to check in online. Do this. Check in lines can be an absolute pain in the butt, so why not skip the line and the hassle and just check in online? It makes embarking and checking in so much easier, and if you’ve ever taken a cruise, you know that embarking can be one of the most stressful parts of the entire process.
Have All Necessary Paperwork and Identification on Hand
Speaking of check in hassle, have ALL necessary paperwork and identification on hand. Make sure you have your check in paperwork, ID, and any other necessary items required for board. It is essential that you remember to keep these on each and every family member’s person. If you arrive, and you don’t have the necessary items, chances are you might be looking at a cruise that doesn’t happen.
Pack More Than You Think You’ll Need
This might seem counter-intuitive to what you normally do, but I like to pack a bit more than I think the family will need. You’re on a boat in the middle of the ocean, so if you run out of shirts, you’re kind of out of luck. Be sure you pack a spare outfit or two, just in case you happen to get dirty on a day trip, have a delay of any sort, or spill wine on that blouse.
On our most recent Harmony of the Seas Royal Caribbean cruise we had a bit of rain at the start of the trip so we needed a light jacket or pants. Luckily I had two pairs of pants with me. Even so, I always run out of dresses for the fancy dinners and formal evenings. Check for dress code prior to boarding and be prepared.
[tweetthis]Check dress code prior to boarding and be prepared. Is there a formal night? #cruising[/tweetthis]
Cruise Checklist – Because Who Wants a Hassle
A cruise, whether it’s a romantic trip or a family cruise, should be all about rest, relaxation, adventure, and hanging out with the family. It shouldn’t be frustrating. For a smoother cruise, follow this cruise checklist, and save yourself a substantial amount of time and headache by doing all you can before you get on the ship. Trust me, you’ll have a much better cruise holiday.
Now that you have your list of things to prepare and your cruise checklist check this post out CRUISE Wreckers. Don’t let this happen to you.