• Make sure to let your banks and credit card companies know that you'll be traveling out of the country. If you don’t, your accounts might become “frozen” for suspected fraudulent activity.
• USPS “Hold Mail” link: https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/
• Consider bringing a few travel/slimline hangers on your trip. Closet space is usually ample on the cruise ships, but the number of hangers is sometimes … slim.
• Bring a multi outlet with USB or an extension cord, especially for items like CPAP machines.
• Don’t forget chargers and batteries for your phone, eReader, alarm clock, hearing aids, etc.
• Bring something to hold your sea pass -- either a lanyard or a small bag. You'll use this credit card size pass for everything onboard as well as cabin entry. (And memorize your cabin # or take a picture of it with your phone!)
• If you plan to spend time at the pool or at the beach while in the ports bring a bag for your towel and suntan lotion. Beach chair bands or clips help to keep your towel on your chair in the wind and also distinguish your chair from others.
• Bring small dollar bills. They'll come in handy for tips and small purchases. Many countries accept them, including Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
• Strong (150lb) magnetic hooks are great to put on the cabin walls or doors to hold bags, towels, jackets, etc. Smaller ones (50lb) are handy for lanyards, necklaces, charging cords, glasses, etc. to keep clutter off the small counters.
• Bring a highlighter for your daily cruise program, which is dense with information.
• Do you drink a lot of water? Take a travel cup or reusable water bottle with you and fill it at the buffet. If you need straws take non-plastic ones as many ships no longer provide them or only have paper ones which don't work well.
• If you're traveling with friends or family, bring post-its for mirrors and doors for easy communication. You can also get door hanger chalkboards.
• Cruise ships have stabilizers to minimize ship motion but if you suspect you might become seasick, think ginger. Head to the bar and get some ginger ale. Alternatively, bring Ginger Slices, Bonine, Dramamine, wrist bands or ask your doctor for a patch.
• Many premium ships loan binoculars. Many mainstream lines do not. Bring a small pair (7x or 8x to maintain a more steady view) for the great sites you are sure to discover, especially on Alaska and other exotic cruises.
• Take a nightlight or flameless candle, especially if you are in an inside cabin. If you are light sensitive you can use the clips on a suit hanger or bring binder clips to securely close the curtains in an outside facing cabin.
• Keep your devices in airplane mode. If you don’t, you’ll incur expensive roaming charges in international waters and at foreign ports. If you have wifi onboard you can set your phone for wifi calling but be sure you have a signal before making or answering a call.
• Check your account no later than the night before disembarkation and settle all cruise issues before you leave the ship by going to the purser’s desk.
• Don’t forget your passport! Make a copy and keep it apart from the real thing. Or upload the info to the Travel Vault in your Cruise Planners’ My Trips account (https://www.outstandingjourneys.com/MyTrips/login). Should your passport become lost or stolen, you’ll be glad you made a copy. If you don't have a My Trips password let me know and I will send you a reset link.
Bon Voyage!
