Vacation Cruising

Congratulations! It’s time to make your reservations! There are a few things you’ll need to know next. They’re just housekeeping items, but it’s always good to be prepared!

First, you’ll need a list of the names of the passengers that will be going on the cruise. You’ll have to bill your trip to a major credit card, so have the card type, number, and expiration date on hand. They may ask for that little three-digit number on the back of the card. Why, I have no idea, but it seems anymore almost everyone asks for that number!

Obviously, you will need to have selected a ship and cruise date, and have in mind any pre or post-cruise activities that you are booking through the Cruise Line. You’ll need to have decided how you are getting to the port so you can book an air/sea package, check on shuttle services or parking policies.

They will ask you for your choice of cabin and you need to have already selected your meal seating and the names of any other passengers you wish to have join you at your table for those meals. If you have special requests such as dietary needs, inform the cruise line when booking. As a note, many ships do not allow smoking except for in very specific designated areas, so don’t be surprised if you request a smoking table for dinner and they have none available.

This is also the time to book any shore excursions, if you are already sure you plan on going on a particular one. If you’re not sure, that’s all right too. You can book them once you board and have had the chance to look through the multitude of activities that will be available to you.

If you have discount or coupon information you want to use, do so at booking. This is a great time, as well, to ask for any discounts they may be offering that you don’t know about. If you’re not paying for the trip completely, ask when the last payment will be due and how you will be receiving your tickets.

You will also have to decide about trip insurance. What is trip insurance? This is also often referred to as trip cancellation insurance, but most policies do more than protect you if your vacation is cancelled. Policies are sold that will refund your losses if you have to cancel your cruise beyond the time you could get a full refund from the cruise line. They can also offer protection if a delay causes you to miss the ship. Policies may extend coverage to protect your luggage or other personal belongings.

Many offer a very important extension of medical coverage to protect you if you become ill or are injured while on your vacation. As with any insurance, each policy will vary in its cost, deductible, protections and exemptions. You’ll need to read the individual policy yourself to find the best coverage for you.

Purchasing trip insurance is certainly worth your strong consideration. With most cruises, you book far in advance and although we don’t like to think about it, many things can happen in a year’s time that would cause you to miss your cruise. Most airlines and cruise lines state very low liability limits. If they lose or damage your luggage, you’ll probably not receive enough to cover your losses.

You should look closely at your own personal medical coverage. You may not have any coverage at all outside the United States. If something would happen on your trip, you might not only be stuck without coverage, but also be in a place that cannot offer sufficient medical aid. The cost of a medical evacuation back to proper medical care is extremely high.

When you do consider the trip insurance, be sure to read the fine print. As with any insurance, there are exceptions and in many cases pre-existing conditions are not covered. You want to make sure the policy you buy is a good one for you

If you book a cruise directly on the Internet, find out if you will receive confirmation in the mail physically or virtually through e-mail. I know of a person who recently took a cruise and was waiting for their information packet to arrive. When he called to find out where it was, they were to have sent it to him in his e-mail. They re-sent the info and he had everything he needed right there printed off on his home computer including boarding passes!

Once you get this information, read through it thoroughly. It is filled with most everything you need to know about your trip. Forms will be included that you should fill out in advance, so you don’t keep people waiting in line. It should also have a section on the travel documentation you'll need to go on the cruise. If you get the packet in the mail, there should be tags for your luggage inside the packet.

You will also get instructions on how, when and where you will meet the ship. You’ll want to get the ship’s satellite communications telephone number so you can leave it with someone in case of an emergency. You should also check your booking to reconfirm all your plans.

It never hurts to confirm your reservation directly with the cruise line, especially if you depended on someone else to book your cruise for you. Be sure to verify all your booking information and make sure that the cruise line has the correct contact information in case they need to contact you before the cruise.

Now that the reservation has been made, you’ll need to prepare for your trip. This involves much more than just packing up your clothes and getting traveler’s checks! The next chapter focuses on that.