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PLANNING A CRUISE
PHRASE TO REMEMBER: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
PASSPORT
This is the most important item for travel. Before you think of going anywhere, get your passport. If you already have a passport, check to determine its expiration date, as most airlines and cruise lines require that passport expiration dates be six months later than the date of travel.
It's best to get a passport when you have no travel plans at all. A good tip is to check the expiration date either at the beginning of each year or on your birthday. Give your passport a home. For instance, I keep both my husband's and my passport in the same passport case. It's home is in a designated drawer of my dresser. I always know where it is because I it's the first thing I put away after a trip. Too many people forget to keep their passport in a safe place; therefore they are frantically searching for it the night before their trip.
THE TRAVEL AGENT
Always use a travel agent - it doesn't matter how proficient you are on the computer, booking your own cruise online gives up a degree of freedom. A travel agent will be your advocate, if you should have problems. An agent will discuss with you previous vacations you have taken, places you want to visit, the type of activities you enjoy. Then, the agent will match you up with cruises that relate to your interests. For instance, a travel agent knows which cruises attract younger people, and which one attract older people. I knew this 38 year old who booked a cruise online - he didn't realize that it was a cruise line whose clientele are mostly older people - When asked if he was traveling with his grandmom, he said "no, why?" I then told him he was going to be on a cruise with people who are mostly the age of his grandparents. So, use a travel agent, tap into the knowledge of an agent, he/she may even know of discounts that don't show up online. Also, travel agents know which cabins are best and can explain why you do or do not want to be on a certain level or in a particular cabin./P>
FLIGHTS
Don't let someone talk you into booking your flight through the cruise line if you can find one at a better price and a better time. For instance, select the first departure of the day - it usually leaves on time and arrives on time, if it is a direct flight. The cruise lines cannot control the airline schedule, so it's up to you to make sure you get to the port on time - the cruise is not going to wait for you because your flight is delayed. By leaving on the first flight of the day, you have many degrees of freedom. If something should happen to the flight, there are other flights departing that will still get you to the cruise port on time. Never cut it close with the flights. Always leave early and if you have a couple of hours to kill at the other end, then you're fine - you know you'll make your cruise.
The cruise lines will tell you they will check your luggage all the way from your city to the port city when you book flights with them. Don't believe it. You are responsible for your luggage and you need to check on it at every plane change. I have seen people on the ship wearing the same clothes for 3 or 4 days - they booked flights through the cruise line and the baggage never arrived - at the port city - at the first port of call or even at the second port of call. Your luggage just cannot catch up to you on a cruise. I try to pack lightly and carry on my luggage. However, if you must check your luggage, be sure to go to the luggage carousel and claim it from your flight - don't depend on the cruise line to do this for you. If you check luggage, please make sure you have a carry-on bag in which you have clothes for at least a couple of days until the ship gets to a port where you can shop. The cruise employees on the ship are not concerned about tracking down your luggage; they are busy doing other things.
Try to keep your eyes peeled for your luggage as it goes from the check-in counter at the airport to the plane, if you are sitting on the right side of the plane, look outside when they are loading the luggage to see if yours is being placed into the plane, claim your luggage at the airport,, watch as your luggage is loaded onto the cruise lines' bus for transport to the pier, and again, watch your luggage from the time you arrive at the pier until it is loaded onto the ship and eventually delivered to your room (could be up to a 2 hour wait for delivery to your cabin). Again, the best advice is just to streamline your wardrobe and other essentials (cruising is not formal any more), pack into a carry-on size case and you'll be fine.
YOU'RE ON THE SHIP
Once you are on the ship, you have a couple of hours (more if you arrive early) to explore the entire ship and get to know your way around. Also, you can go to the dining room for lunch, make some last minute phone calls, get unpacked and settled in your cabin, read the day's schedule, etc. It's also a good time to take a nap after you've been traveling all day. This is also a good time to make reservations for specialty restaurants or tours.Once the ship has been cleared to depart, the ship's crew is in control, and it's time for a safety drill. You'll go to your muster station(everyone is required to do this) and will be told what to do in case of an emergency. This is very important, as it could save your life. If you don't go, they will hunt you down.
Time to start enjoying your cruise!
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