Ready to Cruise?

Hello Again or Hi if you are new to my blog! 

We are getting ready to leave for a cruise soon and if the 737 grounding is not stressing me out, life is great.  I will go more into detail as time goes on, but wanted to share a couple of my pre-check for cruising.

The absolute most important thing is too important to number:  ARRIVE IN THE PORT CITY AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT.  I cannot stress this enough.  Unless you have booked your travel with the cruise line, they will not wait for you to get there to leave, regardless of the reason.  (Back to that 737 issue.)

1.  Keep all travel documents together.  Until I get ready to leave I use a folder, but then I move everything to a storage envelope like the kind kids might use in school.  The envelope snaps closed so you do lose those oh, so precious Confirmation numbers and Record Locator numbers.  If you get an envelope you can see through, put a page with the record numbers facing out so you have what you need without opening the file.  Saves time at the ticket counter, the value of not having your papers fall all over the floor in the airport or cruise terminal is well worth the $3 spent on the folder itself.  This type of folder is purchased at Office Max or Staples.

2.  Passports.  You need them pretty much wherever you are planning on cruising to.  Your drivers license will not serve as ID when you get to the cruise terminal, passport only.  Remember if you do not have one, it takes anywhere from 2 weeks (express) to three months (normal speed).  Passport cards will also not work for most cruises out there, so just buck up and get the passport book.  I have made my goal to fill mine up before it expires after 10 years.  Downside is that not every country stamps them any more.  Bummer.

3. Packing list, use one!  Make sure that you forget nothing, this will be needed when your husband asks where the q-tips, aspirin or a band aid are once you are in your cabin.  Charging cords are probably the single most important thing, for the phone, camera, I-pod, E-reader, Fit-bit, back up power block for when you are away from the ship.  I have a new reading light that is rechargeable and I am more than excited to test drive it on this trip while around the ship for other activities.

4.  A ride to and from the airport will save you a great deal of money these days.  Parking at our airport is anywhere from $10-$20 a day for parking, and that is the mid-west.  I remember when I used to go to Las Vegas for a visit.  I would actually leave my money to get my car out of hock under my floormat, because if I had it there, it might not make it back depending on my luck.  Now I won't recommend that you do that in this day and time, but if you aren't sure. . .

5.  Itinerary.  Leave copies of your itinerary with the dog sitter, the neighbor that you trust, and family that don't have keys to your house. 

My First Post!

Welcome to my first post as the Cruise, Work, Repeat blogger!  I have no experience with the blogging world, so this will be an educational experience.  Well I know that you are not reading this to find out how technically challenged I am, you will figure that out on your own, so lets talk.

I consider my self a bit of a cruising addict and wanted to share my experiences after talking to many people who are not cruisers for all the wrong reasons.  "I get seasick", "I can't afford those cruise prices", "I don't like someone telling me which activity I have to go to on the ship", "I hear cruising is a bunch of drunk people or lots of out of control kids".  Any of those ring true with you or someone that you know?  My goal is to dispel all of the rumors, myths and use my first hand experience to share what I have learned along the way.  Sound fair?

How am I qualified?  I am going on my 18th cruise soon for 11 days.  I have cruised in Europe twice, Hawaii twice, the Panama Canal, and many Caribbean islands.  I have been on several brands of ships, Disney, Princess, Norwegian (NCL), Holland America (HAL), Carnival. I have had inside cabins,obstructed ocean view, balcony, and even got upgraded to a mini-suite. (Don't get your hopes up, that never ever happens . . . I think someone was drinking or something.)

Since I am leaving on that cruise soon, let's start with how to choose a cruise:

Ports of call
Cost of cruise
Cost of air fare (I live in the Midwest)
Dates for the cruise.

You can start with any of the above, but I like to cruise this time of year as my birthday, my husbands birthday and our wedding anniversary are all within 5 days in this month, Depending on where you want to go, that  type of plan may or may not work.  March is too early to go to Northern Europe, and in Hawaii, the flowers haven't really started to bloom yet.  My husband and I both prefer the Eastern Caribbean if we are heading that way for our cruise.  I am contemplating a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway next year, that would require us to cruise to the Arctic Circle at the end of January 2020.  So you can find a cruise anywhere you want to go if you look hard enough.

If your cruise dates are flexible, those last minute cruise deals are amazing, but if you have your heart set on a specific place or cruise line, that may not be the way to go for you.  Just something to think about.  Go to the cruise lines web sites and ask for them to send you their catalog, or my version of a "wish book".  Where you book your cruise is something for a later discussion, but I will say, you should NEVER, EVER pay the price in those beautiful wish books.  Nobody pays that price, so don't let that detour you. 

Next time we will delve deeper into the how to choose a cruise destination.  But choosing all starts with closing your eyes and and finding your happy spot. 

Thanks for reading and I will do my best to bring discussion and clarity to the whole cruise industry mystery.