How to Prepare for Your First Cruise?

Keep reading to learn about the things that you must consider before the start of your cruise vacation.

Tips that will help you while cruising for the first time

To have a seamless cruise experience, you need to take care of certain prerequisites, which come pre-determined as you book a cruise. These include completing your COVID-19 tests and keeping all your important documents handy. Several other factors apply as you go about preparing for your first cruise. These appear as under:

1. Arrange your travel documents in order

You need to know the visa requirements of the countries you will stop by to ensure your smooth entrance into these countries. Carrying your passport is necessary, even though the ports you will visit may not require them. Ensure that your passport is not expired and has a validity of at least 6 months post cruising.

2. Contact your bank and acquire local currencies

It is important to inform your bank that you are traveling to a different country before you board a cruise to avoid credit card freezes. Another prerequisite to your cruise boarding includes acquiring the currencies of the country you are traveling to. In case you need cash immediately as you reach, you can avoid the hassle of having to find a cash withdrawal machine.

3. Make a list of things you need to pack

Make a comprehensive list of the things you need to pack. These may include clothing items and charging devices for your phone, tablet, and laptop. You need to be, however, mindful of the fact that there are certain devices that you are not allowed to carry along on a cruise. These include curling irons, hair dryers, clothing irons, and things of any kind that are flammable.

4. Sort your adventures and excursions

The anticipation of adventure gives way to in-depth research about the places you are going to visit. You can gain information about the activities you can be a part of. These may include visiting top attractions and sites, shopping, and exploring local culture and history. Apart from that, shore excursions may include adventures on catamarans, kayaks, or boats.

Also Read: What to Pack for Your First Cruise Vacation?

5. Choose and acquire the know-how about your ship

As you choose your first ship to cruise on, you can go through all that your ship has in store for you. You will be amazed at the fact that there will be an array of services and entertainment your ship has to offer with its fine dining restaurants, bars, and lounges. You will even find spaces specially designed for gatherings and live shows.

6. Make specialty dining reservations

You may have to make reservations for certain very happening specialty restaurants before you sail. These dining experiences are worth beholding. For example, the Celebrity Cruise may turn out to be a sea-food lovers' paradise, with restaurants like Sushi on Five and the Porch Restaurant bringing you the freshest catches.

7. Purchase a travel insurance

It may be necessary for you to purchase travel insurance which covers medical bills in case of an emergency, to be on the safer side. Some cruise lines even have included medical insurance in their requirements criteria after 2020. Hence, you need to browse or research thoroughly and get yourself the much-needed travel insurance.

8. Ensure you have had all your COVID-19 vaccinations and tests done

Based on which cruise line you choose to travel with, you either need to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or take an Antigen or PCR test. Enquire with your cruise line about the COVID-19 guidelines it follows. Most cruise lines will require you to do an Antigen or a PCR test 48 hours before boarding your cruise.