Booking a cruise is a lot of work. You need to choose among the myriads of cruise lines, select the ports, check out the dates that would work for everyone in your family, and finally make the booking as per your budget. You may heave a sigh of relief here, but just for a moment. Because this is not where your planning ends. There is plenty more to do before you board the cruise, which will ensure that you have a smooth cruise holiday. Here we present to you a list of things to do after booking a cruise.
Essential Things to Do After Booking a Cruise
Review Your Booking Details
The thing you must do immediately after booking your cruise is review your booking details. Most cruise lines would send an email regarding your cruise booking details. Check the details like spelling of your first name and last name, date of boarding, choice of cabin, and payment details. If there are any errors in these, you will have enough time to change them before it gets too late. Remember that if there are mistakes in your name or last name, you may not be able to board the ship. So, this step is extremely important.
Double Check Your Travel Documents
You need a passport for international cruises. Once you are done with the booking (or even before it), check whether it has enough validity. Most cruise lines require people to have passports with at least six months’ validity from the date of returning from the cruise. If this is not the case, you must apply for a new one immediately. Apart from this, you may need to apply for a visa to the country/countries you are traveling to. Some countries may require you to get certain vaccination certifications. Make sure that you have all the valid travel documents for cruise vacation.
Research and Book Add-Ons
Cruises have all-inclusive packages where your package includes accommodation (cabin selection), food (all food meals plus snacks), entertainment programs, and access to swimming pools, clubs, etc. But there may be some additional services and amenities that you may want to avail. This includes drinks package, internet package, reservations to specialty restaurants, tickets for a special show onboard, spa booking, and more. Some cruise lines offer early bird deals and discounts to those who book these add-ons in advance. Also, it cuts down the hassle to do once you board the cruise.
Save the Date of Web Check-in
Just like airlines, cruise lines also need their passengers to do a web check-in before boarding the flight. Most cruise lines open the web check-in 15-30 days (sometimes, even earlier) before the sailing date. It is crucial to check in as soon as possible if you want to get your desired boarding time. Cruise lines offer cruisers the chance to choose their preferred arrival or boarding time on a first-come-first-serve basis. Some cruisers check-ins the minute the cruise line opens web check-in. So, if you want to arrive early, it is crucial that you check-in as early as possible. Do not forget to save the date of the web check-in, so that you do not miss it.
Research and Book Flights and Accommodation
If you are not embarking on a cruise from your own city or even your own country, you must make travel arrangements beforehand. If you are boarding the cruise far away from your place of residence, always reach a day or two before the actual boarding date. This will help you save any issues in case of delays. Once you book your cruise, book your flights from your city to the city from where you are boarding the cruise. Do not forget to book a room in a hotel too. Ensure that the hotel is not very far from the port, so that you can save time commuting.
Book Shore Excursions or Plan Your Own Itinerary
Another important thing to do after you book a cruise is plan your itinerary, i.e., make a list of places to visit and things to do at each port you are going to visit. Here, you have two options. First is to book a shore excursion or plan your own itinerary. You can book a shore excursion through the cruise line or choose a local travel agent who offers guided tours. On the other hand, you can research about the place and plan your itinerary as per the places you find interesting.
Save the Date for Final Payment of the Cruise
When you book your cruise, you only pay the booking amount. The rest of the payment must be made at a later date. While the cruise line would send you an email and reminders regarding the same, it would be best to set a reminder in your calendar as well. This is because if you miss the date and do not make the payment, your booking will be cancelled automatically, and you will not be able to go on the cruise. So, mark the date, especially if you are booking the cruise months before the actual date of the cruise.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must when you travel, even on a cruise holiday. Travel insurance would cover unexpected or emergency expenses like cruise cancellation, delays, medical emergencies, and more. While a general travel insurance may seem enough, it is always best to go for cruise-specific policies that are customized for cruise holidays. The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book the cruise or within the first 15 days. This is because several insurance companies offer pre-existing condition waiver if you purchase insurance at the time of booking.
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Make a Packing Checklist
Even if your cruise holiday is a few months away, it is a good idea to at least create a packing checklist to know what you have and what you may have to buy. When it comes to clothes, you need outfits as per the weather and the dress code on the cruise. Most cruise lines have dos and don’ts regarding dress code, and hence, you must know about what to wear on a cruise. You must research the same before making the list of outfits you can take. You may have to make separate lists for cruise outfits and excursion outfits. Do not forget to include things like medications (both prescription and emergency), electronics, chargers, toiletries, formal wear, swimwear, and whatever you might need on your cruise holiday.
Check the Prohibited Items
Before making the packing list for your cruise, you also need to know about the things you may not be able to carry on a cruise. While banned items on cruise ships are common for all, many cruise lines would have their own list of items that guests are prohibited from carrying. Some of the items may feel seemingly harmless to you but can be potentially dangerous to take on a cruise. If you are found carrying any of these items, they will be confiscated at the time of boarding. In some cases, you may not be given entry on the cruise. To avoid any such hassles and disappointments, it is best to read the list of prohibited items carefully before you go on a cruise.
Plan Your Budget and Onboard Spending
While your cruise package includes accommodation and food, you would have to plan and budget for some additional expenses. This would include gratuities and tips that you will have to pay on board for the services. Moreover, once you are on the cruise, you may have the desire to buy a drink or two occasionally or go for other add-ons, perhaps a special show, a game at the sports arena, or a massage session at the spa. Whatever the reason might be, it is important to decide how much you would want to spend onboard and during excursions and decide accordingly.
Download the Cruise Line App
Almost all cruise lines have apps that provide important information that guests should know. Download the app on your phone at least a few weeks before the date of boarding. With the app on your phone, you will get to see deck plans, check out the menus of the different restaurants, the daily schedule of the ship (including activities), book a spa treatment, sports arenas, pools, and specialty restaurants, and get latest news and updates. You can also store important documents on the app, which would make boarding easier.
Join Cruise Forums
You can easily find cruise forums on social media sites like Facebook. These forums are likely to have groups for your specific cruise. Make sure to join it, as it will have numerous advantages. You will also get to meet people who have already been on the cruise and will get some expert advice. You will also get to know about cruise ship dos and don’ts. On these forums, you will get honest reviews about the cruise’s amenities, food, dining experiences, services, shows, and excursions. Do not forget to join the group for your specific sailing date. This way you would get to meet and interact with your fellow cruisers even before you board the cruise.
Doing the things mentioned above after you book your cruise would prevent unnecessary hassles and ensure a smooth and memorable cruise holiday.
