How to Prepare for Your First Cruise

Booking a cruise can be exciting, as you can explore multiple destinations in one vacation. However, you might be unsure about what you need to do or pack before you hop aboard a liner.

To ensure you don’t forget an important task or item before your journey, you should read these top tips on how to prepare for your first cruise.

Grab Your Passport

Even if you are embarking on a closed-loop cruise across the United States and are a US resident, you should still take a passport with you. It’s wise to do so in case you need to arrange for a flight home in the middle of your journey or if you’re flying into a port.

Don’t Forget Essential Items

It is important to review the weather forecast at the different destinations you will visit during a cruise, so you can pack the appropriate clothing. In addition to packing everyday wear, you also might need to pack outfits for formal evenings or themed parties on board the liner.

There are also various essential items you will not want to forget, such as:

  • Device chargers
  • Comfortable footwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Medications
  • Travel documents
  • Toiletries
  • Books

You also should consider the length of time you’ll be on the cruise, so you can pack the right amount of clothing, footwear and entertainment. For example, if you’re set to embark on a world cruise from the UK, you’ll spend many of your days venturing across the globe and exploring different climates.

Review Prohibited Items

Every cruise ship will have a list of items that travellers will be prohibited from bringing onto a liner, which you can often find on their website. For example, the following items are commonly banned from a cruise ship:

  • Musical instruments
  • Candles
  • Drones
  • Wrapped gifts
  • Clothing irons
  • Coffee makers
  • Hot plates

It is vital to review the list before travel to ensure they aren’t confiscated once you attempt to board.

Take Money with you

While most cruise ships will require travellers to pay for products or services using their key or cruise card, it is a smart decision to take some cash with you on your vacation. As a result, you will be able to tip your crew at the end of a voyage and you’ll have plenty of money to spend when you stop off at different ports along the way. If you don’t feel comfortable carrying a large amount of cash with you, you could always use an ATM at a destination, but you might need to pay foreign ATM fees.

Pre-Book Services

It is often possible to pre-book various services, so you will have reservations in place before you even step one foot onto a ship. For example, you could book a table at a restaurant, secure theatre show tickets or arrange for various spa treatments on the liner.

Once you have followed the top tips above, you will be able to sit back, relax and excitedly await an unforgettable cruise with your other half, family or friends.


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John Shallo
John Shallohttp://www.cruiseaddicts.com
John Shallo is the founder and editor of Cruise Addicts. Since 1999 it has been a leading destination for cruise travelers and self professed Cruise Addicts looking for the latest news, ship reviews and travel tips.

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