Travel · 12 recordsPlan a first cruise

First cruises go wrong at the edges: a passport that expires too soon, a bag missing the one dressier outfit, and a port day that runs late for the ship. This sorts the documents and bookings early, packs from a list that allows for what cruise lines refuse, and plans each port day around the time the ship leaves.

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Goal

A first cruise with nothing forgotten Month 2

Documents early, packed from a list, every port day timed.

Documents and bookings Week 4

The parts that cannot be fixed at the port.

  • Check passports are valid well beyond the return dateDo firstDay 3
  • Check visa and entry rules for every portDo firstDay 7
  • Book travel to arrive the day before embarkationDo firstDay 10
  • Complete online check-in and save the boarding documentsDo firstWeek 4

Pack and plan the ports Week 8

From a list, and around the all-aboard time.

  • Read the cruise line's list of refused itemsWeek 5
  • Plan each port day, with the all-aboard time firstDo firstWeek 6
  • Pack from the checklist, essentials in hand luggageDo firstWeek 8
✦ It puts something in the calendar

Dates you will not have to remember

Embarkation day

Week 812:00240 min
✦ It comes with a note

Cruise packing list

Hand luggage Passports and boarding documents Medication, including seasickness tablets Phone charger and a power bank Swimwear and a change of clothes, for before the bags arrive

Clothes Casual clothes for sea days One or two dressier outfits for evenings Layers and a light waterproof for deck Comfortable shoes for port days

Also Sun cream, sunglasses and a hat A small day bag for excursions A refillable water bottle

Check the line's list of refused items before packing. Irons and surge-protected extension leads are commonly turned away.

Questions

Plan a first cruise, answered.

Documents, medication and a day bag in your hand luggage, since checked bags can take hours to reach the cabin; then clothes for sea days, one or two dressier evenings, swimwear, and layers for deck. The note in this plan has the full list.
Most lines refuse irons, candles and surge-protected extension leads, and limit how much drink you can bring aboard. The rules differ between lines, so check yours before packing rather than finding out at security.
Arriving on embarkation day instead of the day before, and cutting port days too fine. The ship leaves on time whether or not everybody is on it, which is why this plan puts the all-aboard time at the top of every port day.
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