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How Long Until Your Next Cruise Ship Vacation
When you think about preparing for your cruise vacation the most important things are not necessarily the perfect swimsuit and sandals. There are a few key steps you can take before your cruise vacation that will ensure you have a stress-free trip. First ensure you have a valid passport. Next pre-book your shore excursions and ship appointments online. Finally assess your available credit and get plenty of cash to make sure you aren’t caught short at sea. These small steps add up to peace of mind so you can really relax during your cruise vacation.
If your cruise vacation takes you outside the borders of the US you should renew or get a passport as soon as possible. The new rules require a valid passport to reenter the country from Mexico Canada and the Caribbean. If you’ve traveled a lot you want to make sure you have blank pages in your passport and check the expiration date. A perfect cruise vacation can be ruined if you find your passport expired during your trip.
Those who don’t yet have a passport should pay the extra money for faster processing in order to get it as soon as possible before your trip. Make a few copies of your passport before the trip. They will come in handy if yours is lost or stolen. It’s a great idea to put one in your suitcase and give one to your emergency contact back in the states.
As soon as you get your documents for your cruise vacation read through them carefully. You will find information about shore leave amenities on board ship and other things that make your trip the best it can be. Most cruise lines allow you to make these kinds of reservations online. While you could wait until you board your cruise ship to do this you’ll find yourself in a long line instead of lounging by the pool. You can step on board and begin enjoying yourself knowing that your spa appointment is not booked during dinner or a port.
A cruise vacation is a great way to celebrate a milestone such as a honeymoon birthday or anniversary. Check with your cruise line to see what kinds of special packages are available. You should check as soon as possible so that they have plenty of time to make arrangements. Those who wait until they are at sea to request twelve dozen orange roses will likely be disappointed.
One of the most important things you can take care of before your special cruise vacation is to assess the amount of credit you have access to. Whether you must pay down your balance move money around or simply open another card you need to know as soon as possible. Upon check in expect that your cruise line will place a hold on your credit card to cover incidentals during your stay. You can expect a hold ranging anywhere from $50-200 per day.
A quick call will confirm your cruise line’s policy. If your trip itinerary includes a stay at a hotel or car rental there will be multiple holds on your cards during your vacation. It may take several days until all these holds are adjusted to reflect your actual expenses. This could mean that your card is declined in the interim an embarrassment you want to avoid during your trip.
You’ll want to make sure you bring some cash on your cruise vacation as well. Your credit card will get a good workout but there are times when you’ll need cash. Traveler’s checks are not taken as often as they used to because of the high rate of fraud. Most ships have ATMs but you can count on a high fee and they have been known to run empty. You’ll be very glad you have some hard cash to make purchases from street vendors and smaller merchants on shore. Also cash tips are a great way to recognize all the great service from your cruise ship staff. Packing some cash is an easy way to avoid inconvenience on your dream vacation.
Even a chaotic person can get organized for a cruise vacation. Just a little bit of preparation can ensure that you arrive at your ship prepared to delight in every minute of your cruise vacation. Make sure your passport is current reserve your shore excursions and spa appointments ahead of time and assess your credit and cash needs. These are small steps that will help make sure you are able to relax and truly enjoy your cruise vacation. Make sure you pack your sandals and swimsuit!
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