Two days before you cruise:
Book your taxi to the airport/pier/train station.

If you are taking more than one suitcase, try to "cross-pack". This means putting a little sports wear, a little casual wear, a little semi-formal wear and a little formal wear in each suitcase, in case one suitcase gets lost or delayed.

Add some empty carrier bags to your suitcase to bring soiled clothes back in.

Pack a flashlight, particularly if you will be in an inside cabin (no windows, no natural light).

If you have extra room in your suitcases, take a few wire coat hangers (which you'll leave on the ship).

Place a sheet of paper with your name, flight and cruise details and travel dates and your home/mobile telephone number and address into your suitcase before you close it. This is in case your luggage labels or other external identifiers are torn off.

The night before you leave:
Prepare your handbag/carry-on/overnight bag:
A few suggestions:

Passport or orginal or certified copy of birth certificate for each passenger
Photocopy of your passport (in case of loss or theft)
Cruise tickets or e-docs and printout of online embarkation form (where applicable)
Air tickets or e-docs
Hotel confirmation voucher
Car rental confirmation voucher (if renting a car)
Drivers licence for each passenger over 16 unless using a passport
Travel insurance documents including the policy number and emergency assistance phone number
Currency/travellers cheques (consider using a money belt/"safe wallet")
Credit cards
Note of credit card emergency numbers
Diary/address book with addresses for postcards and emergency contact numbers
Frequent cruiser/flyer/hotel membership cards
Spectacles/sunglasses
Prescription medications
Valuables/jewellery
Camera
Plasters
Ear plugs
Boiled sweets
Handkerchief/tissues
Set your alarm clock. Set a second alarm clock just in case.

Dream of blue seas, white sandy beaches and a world without checklists.

Finally...

Pay bills that will come due while you are away.

Walk around with your packed luggage to evaluate your comfort with the weight of the luggage.

Move houseplants away from direct sunlight, water thoroughly and wrap pots with plastic. Most plants can then live without further watering for two weeks.

Empty the refrigerator of items that might spoil.

Cancel or hold your newspaper delivery.

Fill the car with gas before you pack the car. Check the fluid levels and tire pressure, since your tire pressure will effect the ride and gas mileage you get on your trip.

You might want to turn your refrigerator to its lowest setting.

Set automatic light and radio timers. Check the bulbs to see if they will last for your entire trip.

Remember to tell your new cruise friends about My Cruise Club.com (you get an extra 1% off your NEXT cruise for each new referral, up to 10% off!)

Consider booking your next cruise while you are onboard this cruise to get extra perks from the cruise line, but don't pay for it onboard! Call us when you get home and we can get your club member discount applied ON TOP of any cruise line perks they provided you!

Yes, find out from the Cruise Line how early you can board the ship and try to arrive early. You’ll be able to avoid the crowds; you can use the extra time on board to confirm your seating assignment and be the first to make it to the sign up sheets. It could also help your budget when you take advantage of the free lunch that many ships serve while the passengers are boarding.

• You can be all unpacked and enjoying the ship while others are still waiting for their bags.
• It can take several hours for your bags to make it to your cabin and sometimes you get stuck wearing your dirty traveling clothes to dinner. Wouldn’t a shower and fresh clothes make you feel better?
• There will also be less chance for your bags to disappear and some Cruise Lines state a liability maximum limit of $100.00 for your luggage.

• You’ll probably find your cabin steward who can show you how everything works. Make them your friend, they can be very helpful.
• If you have your luggage, it’s nice to unpack so you’ll get it over with and have some room in your cabin.
• You should check to see if your meal seating confirmations are in your cabin, if unacceptable, you need to go see the Maitre d’.
• Check to see when the lifeboat drills are scheduled.
• If you plan on using the spa, salon or babysitting service, find them and sign up before all the good times are gone. Seasoned cruisers know this and can fill up prime time slots quickly. Prime time slots like the afternoon of the Captain's dinner (formal nights) are the hardest times to get appointments for hair and nail treatments so book them quickly!
• Check on the shore excursions if you know you are definitely going. See if you can sign up now, so you’ll be sure to get on before they sell out.
• If you like drinking soft drinks (soda pop) be sure to buy the unlimited soft drink cards available on most cruise lines. That will save you money over paying for each one separately!

Yes, if your ship has better cabins that went unsold you might be able to work your way into a free upgrade or at least one for a discounted rate. If the ship is sailing and the better cabins are empty, then anything the Cruise Line gets helps cut their losses. Check with the Purser’s office to see if there are any available. Some Cruise Lines will only accept cash or traveler’s checks for this upgrade, so you might need to plan ahead and bring some.

Cruise Lines recruit from all over the world, and getting to know your multinational crew may be one of the best parts of your cruise. The crew you deal with should all speak English, but they may not all be native speakers of the language. If they don’t seem to be following your request, try to speak slower and more clearly. Don’t embarrass yourself, by speaking louder or developing a fake accent that you think they will understand. You can also try some other alternative words that they might know to get your point across. Remember, English is a language that has lifts in England and elevators in the U.S., and depending on your location in the United States, you may need to order pop instead of soda to get a cola.

• Most Cruise Lines have developed a billing system for your convenience. They will take an imprint of your credit card and set up a tab for the cruise. You will then receive a total bill at the end of your cruise. You might want to keep all those little receipts you sign to verify the tab at the end.
• You can usually use a credit card, traveler’s check or U.S. dollars aboard the ship if it sails out of a U.S. port.
• Personal checks are not always accepted or they may have limits, so you’ll want to check the Cruise Line’s policy on this if you plan on using this option.

Have a great cruise! From your friends at My Cruise Club.com