- Passport
- You have it; now make a plan to secure it; we always keep our passports in the cabin safe, reminding each other of their location every time we leave the ship - not all ports will require you carry a passport; but if not sure - take it
- Photocopy your passport and keep it separate from the original; in the unlikely event of loss; the copy will make it easier to replace the original
- Take a photo of your passport and keep it tagged on your phone; also, send the photo to yourself and keep it in a specific folder, AND, send it to your ICE (emergency contact)
- Download the ship app prior to boarding - this app will provide an email option with other guests, along with updated activity schedules
- Make reservations
- Each ship seems to have a slight variation to timing, so you’ll need to check regularly to book a specialty restaurant and shows
- Ice shows fill up quickly; arrive 20-30 minutes early to get your seat choice
- Not all shows require reservations; a comedy show may require a reservation on one ship and not another (even on the same cruise line)
- Pro-tip: If last minute seats are available upfront for a comedy show, be prepared to engage with the comedian
- Many travelers say “next time, I’ll pack lighter!” But, consider taking the following:
- Air tags - cruising or not, there is some comfort in being able to “see” where your luggage is
- A non-surge protected power cord with U.S. and USB ports. Cruise lines have (or will) prohibit surge protected devices as a safety measure
- If you require a heating pad for a medical issue, obtain a doctor’s letter of explanation and submit it to the cruise line in advance, requesting an approval letter. Your device may be pulled at screening or removed from your checked luggage. (Best to carryon and have those documents handy, rather than deal with Guest Services later.). Be firm to explain that your need is not optional; do not leave with a promise for return later; stay until you speak with an engineer who may need to inspect the device - again, it’s better to resolve this at security.
- Plastic luggage tag holder - not a weighty addition - avoid delays from damaged paper tags
- BYO drinks - check your cruise line for specific guidance for alcohol; we’ve found that 1-2 bottles of wine are fine and many families carry on a 12-pack of their favorite cola, and/or small cases of water - because cruiselines Do like to charge for water, and strongly discourage refilling your own bottles.
- A pop-up laundry hamper. This sounds a bit much, but…we use them. One fits inside the zipper “pocket” of my suitcase, along with my full-size bed pillow. (After years of travel, I know my highest physical need - to sleep well.)
- Packing cubes will not only keep you organized, but make stowage easier. With cabin space at a premium, it’s nice to stack t-shirts in a lightweight cube on top of socks in a cube.
- Ziplock bags - the gallon size have so many uses, including ice for sore spots
- Pill boxes - if you use them at home, you know about this all too well. A well organized pill box can replace a few Rx bottles
- Cough syrup and/or cough drops, which can be hard to find on a ship or at port, and expensive if you do.
- Pro-tip: Some non-U.S. countries do not give you access to a few of our OTC staples we find in drug stores
- An over-door organizer you might use for shoes at home; so useful to supplement bathroom counter space. (I consider them a bit bulky, but…weigh (literally) the cost/benefit.)
- Magnetic hooks and clips (heavy duty). Useful for securing that over-door organizer, handing a hat near the door, and paper notes/reminders - don’t neglect the metal walls. On Royal Caribbean, we’ve begun slapping the Daily Compass onto a wall rather than searching for it in a drawer or pile of other papers.
