Before Departing

Pre-departure

• Check what sort of identification you need when traveling to your destinations.
  
  
• Notify the cruise ship of any special dietary restrictions or requests at least 60 days prior to departure.
  
  
• Leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, travelers cheques and credit cards with a family member or a friend.
  
  
• Discuss you travel plans with a doctor. Some countries may require certain immunizations. Bring any immunization records with you.
  
  
• If you tend to get motion sickness, see your doctor prior to departure for recommendations. Dramamine and patches often work to curb seasickness.
  
  
• It may be easier to email friends and family members back home if you have established a Web-based email account, such as Hotmail, Yahoo or AOL, beforehand.
  
  
• Call the airline you are flying with and confirm your reservation 24 hours prior to departure.
  
  
• If you have an ongoing medical condition, ask your family doctor to write up your brief medical history, which you can take with you and provide in the event of a problem.
  
  
• Check your cruise ticket and verify its information.
  
  
• Check your airline ticket and verify its information.
  
  
• If you book cruise only, you are responsible for getting to the ship from the airport.
  
  
• If you plan to bring a hair dryer or an electric razor, check the cabin voltage. You may need an adaptor.
  
  
• Give relatives and friends the ship's telephone number, in case of an emergency.
  
  
• If you booked an air/sea package through a cruise line and you missed the ship because of late/cancelled flight, the cruise line will get you to the next port.
  
  
• Arrive at the embarkation area at leas two hours prior to sailing.
  
  
• Complete the immigration/embarkation and the onboard credit card application forms before you register at the check-in desk.
  
  
• Ask for a receipt when you hand over your passport.
  
  
• Don't purchase duty-free alcohol to take onboard. It is confiscated until the last day of the cruise.
  
  
• Purchase some guidebooks so you can read about the ports of call you will be visiting.
  
  
• If you plan on scuba diving, consider becoming certified before you embark on the cruise. You'll save time and money.