Top 8 Cruise Packing & Planning Tips
Posted on | December 1, 2009 | 9 Comments
Use Travel Agents – When selecting a cruise vacation, there are a lot of considerations to keep in mind. What length of cruise do you want, what cruise activities are you looking for, what cruise line should you pick, what cruise ship should you go on, what type of cruise atmosphere is best for you, what are your cruise dining preferences? All of these questions will enter into your cruise vacation selection. One of the best cruise planning tips is to use a cruise vacation travel agent to help you. They will know all of the details of each cruise line, the cruise ship, the cruise activities, etc…
Get a Mid-Ship Stateroom – Almost all of the cruises I’ve been on have been very smooth sailing. I’m the type of person who can’t read in the car without getting sick, so on my first cruise I was a bit nervous about motion sickness. Much to my surprise, I wasn’t effected at all. As a matter of fact, I could barely tell I was on a ship at all. Of course, the size of the ship makes a difference, but all of my cruises have been on mid-sized ships. All that being said, if you are concerned about motion sickness, here is a gem of a cruise tip – reserve a stateroom that is towards the middle of the ship. This is the ship’s center of gravity and is effected less by any type of motion.
Take a Power Strip – This is one of my favorite cruise packing tips. Cruise staterooms normally only have one standard outlet. Most of us travel with more than two things that need to be plugged in. My favorite is a power squid. This is useful for the larger bulky plugs that come standard with anything that require re-charging, such as a cell phone, camera, etc…
Transfer Service – Another great cruise planning tip. Getting to and from the port can be a hassle. Very often the cruise line will offer a transfer service from the airport/hotel to the port, and then from the port to the airport at the end. To make the beginning and end of your cruise more trouble free and relaxing, let someone else worry about the logistics. It may cost a bit more, but you are on vacation after all!
Book Excursions Early – Cruise vacations offer a variety of excursions, which fill up quickly. Book these early. Don’t worry about the weather. The excursions are once in a lifetime experiences, you’ll be sorry if you miss them.
Passport – It can take up to 12-13 weeks to get a passport, be sure to apply early! You can get expedited service, but it costs more. For most, the local post office is the best place to apply and get help. Once you get started, it doesn’t really take that long.
Bring a Backpack – This cruise packing tip is a must. The day you arrive to the ship, it will take them awhile to get your luggage to your room. Pack the items that you need/want right away, swim wear, medication, change of clothes, etc…, that way you can begin enjoying your cruise immediately. During the cruise a backpack is great for excursions, it can carry another layer of clothes, camera, and bottled water. The last night on the ship you’ll put all your luggage outside of your room. The backpack is great for packing up all the remaining items like your pajamas, beauty and shaving items, medications, etc…
Pack Light – True for all travel, this definitely makes the top cruise packing tips list and is very helpful to make for an easy cruise vacation. Simply, pack as light as you can. After each cruise vacation, take a look at what you used and didn’t use. Make a list, that way next time you can lighten the load. Don’t worry about forgetting something, the cruise ship will most likely have it onboard.
Related posts:
- Planning A Cruise Vacation For The Perfect Cruise Experience
- Cruise Tips to Maximize your Cruise Vacation
- Your Cruise Vacation – Cruise Ship Embarkation Procedures
- Choosing a Cruise
- Your Cruise Vacation – Cruise Ship Embarkation Procedures for Cruise Travel
- Tips for Giving Your Mom a Cruise Vacation for Mother’s Day
- 3 Essential Vacation Packing Tips
- Should I let the Cruise Line Make My Airline Reservation For My Cruise Vacation?
- How to Plan a Cruise Vacation
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9 Responses to “Top 8 Cruise Packing & Planning Tips”
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December 1st, 2009 @ 9:49 am
The only all inclusive trips I have taken have been cruises which I liked because I just unpacked once, settled in, then could choose if/when I wanted to go on shore excursions, or explore all the wonderful activities offered aboard the ship.
As the other answerer said – drinks, massages, beauty salon, etc. on board were NOT included, but there was a lot that was. It all depends on what you like to do & what your tastes are.
Best thing would be for you & your wife to do what he did – type in all inclusive vacations in your browser search line & review what comes up, then keep adding a keyword until you narrow it down to just those that fit the activities, locations, etc. that both of you like.
Good luck!!
December 1st, 2009 @ 9:55 am
My brother & I took a vacation, or more like a trip. Here is our story:
The wildwood flower grew wild on the farm
And we never knowed what it was called
Some said it was a flower and some said it was weed
I didn't gave it much thought…
One day I was out there talking to my brother
Reached down for a weed to chew on
Things got fuzzy and things got blurry
And then everything was gone
I Didn't know what happened
But I knew it beat the hell out of sniffin' burlap
I come to and my brother was there
And he said, 'What's wrong with your eyes?'
I said, 'I don't know, I was chewing on a weed'
He said, 'Let me give it a try'
We spent the rest of that day and most of that night
Trying to find my brother, Bill
Caught up with him 'bout six o'clock the next mornin'
Naked, swinging on the windmill
He said he flew up there
I had to fly up and get him down
He was about half crazy
The very next day we picked a bunch of them weeds
And put 'em in the sun to dry
Then we mashed 'em up and we cleaned 'em all
And put 'em in the corncob pipe
Smokin' them wildwood flowers got to be a habit
We didn't see no harm
We thought it was kind of handy
Have you ever take a trip and never leave the farm
A big ol' puff on the wildwood weed
Next thing you know
We's just wandering behind the little animals
All good things gotta come to an end
And it's the same with the wildwood weed
One day this feller from Washington come by
And he spied us and he turned white as a sheet
And he dug and he burned
And he burned and he dug
And he killed all our cute little weeds
Then he drove away
We just smiled and waved
Sittin' there on that sack of seeds
Y'all come back now, ya hear
December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:13 am
This website might help , check it out –
http://www.usairwaysforum.com/
December 2nd, 2009 @ 5:51 am
book supplier direct to avoid cancel or non refundable fares.
dig up association member cards, like AAA or AARP, you can get 10-15% off the weekly rate, (weekly rates are 5x the daily)
check with the company you work for, they may have a coporate agreement in place that may be available- many of these agreements waive airport fees and taxes, add'l driver and underage driver fees- real expensive fees here.
Also return the car to same location to avoid drop off charges and lastly, reserve a Compact car, most people are looking for smaller cars now with the most fuel efficiency. So reserve a smaller car and most likly they will upgrade you for free at counter.. if you wanbt a larger car, reserve in advance as paying for an upgrade at counter is usually much higher. oh, yeah, bring a copy of insurance card with you as well..
December 2nd, 2009 @ 9:04 am
You need to get a Japan Rail Pass which gives you unlimited travel for the time you opt to purchase for………1 week, or 2 or 3 weeks .If you are just going to be on Honshu Island you can actually get a pass that is a bit cheaper just for that island.You could also look at the JAL flight passes but you miss the scenery if you fly.You must buy this Pass in YOUR country…………..you cannot buy them in Japan and you will save yourself a huge amount of money.
Look around Tokyo ………and do take a day trip to Kamakura…….go to the Tsukiji Fish Market on the way.
If you plan to go to Kyoto which is gorgeous you can mostly walk if you choose accommodation in a good location. There are maps with walking routes you get at the station.You won't get top see it all just do one section – we opted for the area near Murayama Park.There are so many shrines, temples gardens etc near here.
Catch the bus to Fuji go ko – Fuji Five Lakes…it is only an hour and a half and just beautiful …….at the base of Mt Fuji. Then take the bus to Gotemba which is a beautiful trip round the base of Mt Fuji through old traditional villages with thatched cottages etc.Change to a bus for Mishima – just catch the bus behind they call it Station 2 to Station 3.but was quite literally just the bus behind the one we got off. This bus takes you right to the Shinkansen which you can catch through to Kyoto.
If you go to Osaka, you should try and go further on to Himeji and see the castle …………probably the best in Japan and the Shrine and then on to Osaka. You could go on a little further to Okayama which has one of japan's best gardens but from Okayama you can take an ordinary train to Kurashiki – only 30 minutes ……..which is a really beautiful Edo period town.
You can look at these places at http://www.fascinating-travel-destinations.com/japanese-holidays.html
December 3rd, 2009 @ 2:06 am
you seem underweight. If you are going on vacation, the best advice i can give you is to HAVE FUN and eat the best and tastiest foods while you are at it. With an active lifestyle, your not going to add or lose too much weight.
December 4th, 2009 @ 4:18 am
December 4th, 2009 @ 8:06 am
It must be a slow day in the J.J. household today. But to answer another of your fabulously funny questions, I will give it my best shot. Go out in the garage, climb up into the attic and get out all the seldom used camping equipment. Then, after you have removed all the camping stuff, take into the living room and set up the tent with your sleeping bags, etc. You may have to go outside to find enough rocks to build your fire pit, but place it near the tent so you will not get cold during the night. Go to your local convenience store and pick up enough wood to last through the night. Then return home, turn your air conditioner down to 60 degrees. When your husband comes home, you can have a nice roaring fire going, with a cup of hot chocolate and only wearing a smile. It will be the best at home vacation ever. Good luck with that.
December 4th, 2009 @ 9:55 am
at grand teton national park go hiking up to lake solitude, its 15 miles round trip but 100% worth it. In yellowstone I would recommend spending time just driving around looking at the wildlife, maybe hike to the top of Mount Washburn (only like 6 miles) oh and go to Bubba's Barbeque in jackson hole!!!!!