If you’ve just booked your cruise, congratulations! You’re in for a pretty fabulous vacation.However, before you start daydreaming about relaxing on the lido deck, there are several important steps you should take to ensure a smooth and stress-free vacation.
From verifying your booking details to researching shore excursions, these 15 essential tasks will help you make the most of your cruise experience.
15 Things to Do After Booking Your Cruise
1. Review Your Booking Confirmation
The moment you book your cruise, double-check your confirmation email. Look for errors in your ship name, sail date, and personal details. Even if you booked the cruise yourself, mistakes can happen!
One common error to watch for is incorrect cruise passenger names, which could prevent someone from boarding. Once you’ve verified your boarding details, save or print your confirmation to keep it handy.
2. Complete Online Check-In ASAP
Each cruise line has different online check-in policies. Some allow you to complete check-in months in advance, while others require you to wait until it’s closer to the departure date.
Mark the check-in date in your calendar and have your passport and credit card ready to make the process seamless. The earlier you check-in the better, as you will be able to secure any earlier boarding time.
3. Research and Book Onboard Add-Ons
Many cruise lines offer add-ons like drink packages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions. Booking early is a great way to secure discounts. Furthermore, certain add-ons like thermal spa packages have limited availability, so you’re going to want to book those as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a special excursion, particularly in a popular destination, book as soon as reservations open to avoid missing out.
4. Verify Passport Validity
Check your passport’s expiration date! Many cruise destinations require that passports remain valid for at least six months beyond your return date.
If your passport is close to expiring, renew it right away to avoid last-minute stress.
5. Research Flights and Accommodations
Flight prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book early. Also, avoid arriving on the same day as your cruise to prevent travel delays from jeopardizing your trip.
Booking a hotel for the night before embarkation provides peace of mind and lets you start your vacation stress-free.
On a recent trip, we waited until the last minute to book our flights, hoping the prices would get cheaper. This was a costly mistake as the flights ended up doubling in price. This is a mistake that I will never make again.
Related: 37 Long Flight Essentials to Pack in Your Carry-on
6. Set Payment Reminders
If you booked your cruise months in advance, keep track of your final payment deadline. Missing the final payment could result in losing your deposit and booking, a cruise mistake that happens more than we imagine.
Setting a countdown for shore excursion openings and hotel cancellation deadlines is also helpful.
7. Purchase Cruise Travel Insurance
Travel insurance protects you from unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Purchase your policy soon after booking to get the most comprehensive coverage.
It’s a good idea to compare different plans to find one that suits your needs.
8. Review Cruise Line Policies
Different cruise lines have different policies regarding luggage, alcohol, prohibited items, and cancellations. Knowing these policies in advance will help you pack appropriately and avoid unexpected issues at embarkation.
Related: 13 Items that Are Banned on Cruise Ships (& Why)
9. Download the Cruise Line App
Most cruise lines have mobile apps that provide essential information like onboard activities, dining reservations, and excursion details. Some apps even allow you to complete check-in and access your cruise itinerary.
Cruise Tip: You will want to download the app on your phone before getting to the cruise port, as the Wi-Fi can be spotty at the terminal.
10. Research Your Ports of Call
Before your cruise, it’s a good idea to begin planning your shore excursions or self-guided tours. If you’re not booking through the cruise line, research independent tour operators or explore options for sightseeing on your own.
Knowing your transportation options, activities, and attractions near the cruise port of call ahead of time will make your day in port more enjoyable.
11. Set Up a Cruise Budget
Cruise expenses, from gratuities to onboard activities and souvenirs, can add up quickly. Consider setting aside a little money each month before your cruise to cover additional expenses.
Some cruise passengers create a tip fund or bring extra cash to make budgeting easier once onboard.
12. Coordinate Plans with Travel Companions
If you’re traveling with a group, discuss plans in advance. Decide on shared excursions, dining preferences, and accommodation arrangements.
Coordinating before the cruise is essential as shore excursions and dining reservations fill up quickly on embarkation day. So, if you’re traveling as a group, you’ll want to start planning.
Cruise Tip: Setting up a group chat or Facebook group is a great way to keep everyone on the same page.
13. Monitor Cruise Price Drops
Cruise prices can fluctuate between booking and the final payment date. Some cruise lines offer price adjustments if fares drop before your final payment date.
A great way to take advantage of potential savings is by setting up price alerts; this way, if there are any changes to your cruise fare, you will be alerted and can save money.
14. Join a Cruise Facebook Group
Joining a Facebook group or roll call for your specific cruise sailing can be a great way to get insider tips, learn about onboard events, and connect with fellow passengers. Some groups even organize activities like gift exchanges or cabin crawls.
15. Get Excited and Stay Organized
Use a cruise planner to track your reservations, payment deadlines, and packing lists. Having everything organized will help you feel prepared and stress-free as your embarkation date approaches.
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Have you booked a cruise recently? Please let me know in the comments below!
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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I generally read and enjoy the items that you and your husband post, and the photos, but, now, don’t bother. Almost all the items, are almost totally irrelevant to many cruisers, unless from a certain country and culture. – I have done 54 Solo cruises, successfully and with my disabilities and ‘limitations’, have only ever flown for about 4 cruises. Wish almost that there could be more independent sites, that might be relevant to all cruisers, but, unfortunately, that’ll never happen.
It’s about time that people who love cruising, from wherever, were truly welcomed, which they’re not, which, in my opinion, is extremely sad.
Totally understand, about relevance to where you are probably based, but, not on the assumption, and false advertising, as though these even have relevance in many countries – it is no sin to live in whichever country one chooses – that most certainly doesn’t mean that cruising isn’t enjoyed or appreciated.