Is cruise insurance worth it? While it’s ultimately up to you and your comfort zone, I wanted to share our recent experience with cruise insurance and provide tips so you can make a more informed decision.
During our recent cruise on the Discovery Princess, I was struck by how fantastic I felt upon returning home. Despite the sadness of our vacation ending, I noticed that some of the shoulder and neck pain I had experienced from sitting at a laptop all day had disappeared. It dawned on me that while I may have returned with an extra pound or two, this cruise could have improved my overall wellness.
Many people think of the endless opportunities to indulge in food and drink on a cruise as being bad for your health. However, I want to counter that there are also some amazing opportunities to come home healthier than when you left and maximize your wellness. From the spa treatments and fitness classes to the healthy food options and weight loss programs, a cruise can be a wonderful way to improve your overall health and well-being.
I LOVE a good read when we go on a cruise. Whether I’m on deck soaking up the sun with a good romantic suspense or curled up in the library with a thriller, I will always tie that book to the memory of a great vacation. However, it’s not always easy to find cruise and sailing novels. From romances to thrillers, here is a collection of fiction books we’ve uncovered to help you get ready for your next voyage!
Chances are you have been hearing more and more about the need to use “reef-safe” sunscreen. But what is “reef-safe” sunscreen and how do you find it? I’ll walk you through selecting the best sunscreen for your cruise!
If you’re about to set sail on a cruise, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the voyage. From packing your bags to double-checking your passport, there are a lot of factors to consider. To help take some of the stress out of planning, we’ve put together a checklist of what to do 30 days before your cruise. From booking shore excursions to stocking up on sunscreen, this guide covers all the important steps you need to take before you set off on the adventure of a lifetime. Read on to find out what to do before your cruise!
The cruise lines want us to believe that this below image is how everyone dresses on formal night. However, if you have been on at least one cruise on any of the larger commercial lines, you know that formal night is no longer that formal. Let’s examine what people really wear on formal night!
Welcome to part two of our pre-cruise checklist series! This time we are going to look at what to do 60 days before your cruise. We have some new things to check off your list as well as some friendly reminders!
HOME
Arrange for house and/or pet sitting. We book a popular pet sitter when we travel, so I like to get on her calendar as early as possible. And, if you are going to ask a friend, relative, or neighbor to watch your house while you are away, check as early as possible so you can book their time before they make other plans.
Check your home for security issues. The last thing you want to worry about on your cruise is if your house is safe. Unless you have a house sitter, your house will be empty and you will want to give the illusion of someone being home. There are a ton of options now to help give the impression your house is occupied so do your homework.
Before our last trip, we decided to add some inexpensive, easy to install motion-activated outdoor lights. After a recent package theft in the neighborhood, we also added a Ring doorbell system to help give the illusion we are always home. And yes, I installed it myself! The only downside is you do need wifi and a mobile device to answer the door, but you can assign privileges to a trusted friend or neighbor while you are away who is willing to answer on your behalf.
TRAVEL
Book air travel. At 90 days out, I urged you to at least start researching airfare options. Haven’t booked your tickets yet? According to Travel & Leisure, the perfect time to book your flight is 47 days out.
Book your port hotel. Again, at 90 days you want to start looking at your options. If you have yet to book, now might be a great time, especially if you are staying in port during a busy travel season. Again, you do not want to arrive in your port city the day you embark unless your travel time to get to the port is one hour or less. Remember, if your flight is canceled or delayed, the ship will not wait for you.
PORTS AND EXCURSIONS
Book excursions. Again, don’t miss out on an excursion you REALLY want to take by waiting too long to book it! In most cases, if your plans change you can cancel without penalty, but please check with your cruise line to confirm.
Buy gear or clothing for excursions (if needed). Once you book, be sure you have the appropriate attire and gear you will need for your excursion. Again, most excursions will have gear you can use, but some people have or want to supply their own. A quick reminder, gear will add extra weight to your baggage. If you think you will already be close to the airlines 50-pound limit, you may want to reconsider. Which leads me to…
Don’t ignore the need for special excursion attire. On a cruise to Mexico, we decided to add a catamaran and beach excursion to our trip. The only things we were told to bring were a towel, sun protection, swimwear, and “shoes that can get wet”. Little did we realize that “shoes that can get wet” meant we’d be wading through two feet of ocean water to get to the beach from the catamaran. My leather sandals that had previously survived splashing and beach walks were wrecked. If you are unsure about what is needed, call your cruise line.
PACKING
Start your packing list. Why do I do this at 60 days? As I’ve previously mentioned, I am a chronic over-packer. By starting the list early, I give myself time to start big and narrow from there.
Try on your clothing. If it has been a while since you have worn that cocktail dress or your favorite pair of shorts, things may not fit the way they used to. This is also a great time to look for stains and rips. 60 days will give you plenty of time get garments dry cleaned, altered, or mended. And, if you need to replace an item, you will have enough time to shop.
Check airline requirements for baggage. You can bring as much as you want on a cruise ship, however, you cannot fly with as much as you want. When it comes to carry-on, the TSA allows you to travel with one carry-on bag that will fit in the overhead bin and one personal item that will fit under the seat. However, airlines can set their own limits and will also have their own size restrictions for suitcases that can fit in oversize bins. Checked bags typically have a 50-pound limit before you start incurring overweight fees. If you don’t have one, a luggage scale can be a wallet-saver and help you avoid last minute surprises.
Inspect your luggage. Have your suitcases seen better days? Are they too large? Too small? Too heavy? Do the zippers work? Are there mysterious and unpleasant odors emanating from them? If the answer to any of the above is “yes”, it’s time to shop for some new bags! Get thee to your nearest Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, or similar discount store for great luggage deals. My most recent acquisition was a Travelpro soft-sided suitcase from Marshall’s. She’s large but she is LIGHT. Only 8.4 pounds and she rolls like a dream.
I hope this cruise checklist was helpful! Be sure to follow us on Pinterest and Twitter to see our countdown for preparing for your own cruise! And, if you missed it, be sure to take a look at our 90-day pre-cruise checklist!
You are 90 days before your cruise, what should you do to get ready? Follow along with us as we get ready for our next voyage and check out our pre-cruise planning checklist!
What to Do Before Your Cruise: 90 Day Checklist
Passport check. If you don’t have one, now is a good time to apply. If you do have one, this is a good time to check your expiration date. Generally speaking, passports should expire no earlier than six months after you travel. If your expiration date is earlier, you may be denied boarding.
Visas and vaccines. We haven’t needed any as of yet, but now is a good time to look into the requirements for your cruise and make sure you are set.
Travel
Book (or at least research) air travel. There are differing opinions about when the best time to buy is. But at a minimum, this is when we at least start to look at airfare.
Book (or at least research) port hotel options. You do not want to arrive in your port city the day you embark unless your travel time is one hour or less. If your flight is canceled or delayed, the ship will not wait for you. We tend to look for hotels that have shuttles to the cruise port (and a free breakfast).
Ports and Excursions
Research ports. About 90 days out I begin to look for information on the ports our ship will visit. This helps us make decisions about which ports we might want to do on our own and which ones will involve an excursion. This leads me to…
Research excursions. We do this 90 days out for a couple of reasons. First, if there is an excursion we REALLY want to do, we want to make sure it doesn’t fill up (and yes, this has happened). Second, we want to make sure we have or purchase any special gear we might need for an excursion.
For our next cruise, I really want my own snorkel mask. The excursion companies lend you the gear you need, but every single time I have been snorkeling, I get a leaky mask or I break the strap. It would also be nice to know that I am the only person who has ever put the air tube in my mouth. After doing some research, this one is on my list!
Start the “what do we need to buy” list. This doesn’t mean “buy everything you need to get”, but it does mean it’s time to make a preliminary packing list, check the closet, and then figure out what we think we are going to need to get before we sail. 90 days out gives us time to look for deals and refine the list as we go.
Clean up the diet. Yeah, I know this isn’t a priority for everyone. However, for most cruises, I’m going to be spending a week (or more) in swimwear, formal wear, and shorts. Second, while it’s possible not to gain weight on a cruise, I like to have a bit of room to indulge in a frosty pina colada or decadent chocolate dessert. Also, I want to be able to be active without feeling like I’m dying. Last, I want to be able to look back at my photos and feel like I’m looking darn good.
I hope this cruise checklist was helpful! Be sure to follow us on Pinterest and Twitter to see our countdown for preparing for your own cruise!
A city tour excursion is a fantastic way of getting a taste of a new city in a cruise port. These excursions often involve stretches of time riding on a tour bus as well as walking through the city. Since we are talking about the Caribbean, this means tropical (read: hot) weather. Also, I have been on tour buses in the past that have no or limited air conditioning. Comfort, functionality, and security is the name of the game whether you are taking a city tour or exploring on your own. Not sure what to pack? Check out these tips for what to pack for your Caribbean cruise city tour!
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