Don’t Overpack. Most cruise these days are casual dress … even formal nights are less “formal”. Sure you’ll see some in black tie outfits, but many will just wear what they pack. Also, many ships have laundry and dry cleaning. The cost spent will be less than the cost of an extra bag if you are flying, or the hassle of having to have an extra suitcase you have to babysit. Make sure you bring a carry-on with a swimsuit and important medications you may want/need before they deliver your bags to your room on the first day of your cruise.
AIR TRAVEL
Come A Day Before. That’s the best advice. It allows to make sure you are able to board early without any worries about weather or mechanical delays. If you are flying the day of your cruise, please make sure you plane arrives giving you ample time to get to the pier around lunchtime. The day you come back, don’t schedule your return flight less than 5 hours after when you get back to the port. If you able to, for even more peace of mind, book your flights with the cruise line. If there are delays, they will often help you get to the ship even when it’s at another port and you usually won’t have to pay for the tickets until you make your final payment for the cruise.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Book Early. Some popular excursions sell out. Research each port ahead of time and book early. You can book through the cruise line or through a trusted partner like Shore Excursions Group or Viator to save some money. Be mindful of the time you are in port and where the excursions pick you up. Read reviews and guidelines/restrictions (like weight limit). And bind mindful of ship time vs local time.
CELL PHONES
Turn It Off. Check with your specific carrier as to when it is safe to your phone. Especially at sea, you are likely to incur lots of charges. Download the ship’s app and you may be able to communicate with family and friends using their Wi-Fi. When in ports check to see if/when you can use your phone to check emails or respond to texts. But you are on vacation, it may be just to stay unplugged if you can.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
Of course it is always BEST to travel with a valid passport. Be sure to make sure the expiration date in at least 6 months past the end of your trip. If you don’t have a passport, you may sail using an original birth certificate (the one with the stamp/seal, not the pretty one issued by the hospital) and a valid photo ID (photo ID for those 16 and older). This is for sailings that start and end in the same U.S. Port. If you are going to Alaska and want to do the White Pass Railway excursion you will need a passport. Of course, check with each cruise line for their own rules.