Part 3

You have already read Dance Cruise Checklist – Part 1 and Part 2. Proper planning ahead of time will help to guarantee a relaxing vacation.

General Checklist (continuted)

• One Week Out
• • Communication Plans: Let your friends, relative, or neighbors know how to reach you. Your cruise documents will specify how to contact you by phone or fax. Be advised the charges may be very high for both you and the caller!

    Designate one person as the prime point of contact. That person should know your ship, room number, booking number, ship phone, ship fax number and the best times to reach you (take time zone changes into account). Tell the rest of your friends and family to use this person as the point of contact in any emergency.

    For non-emergencies, use e-mail. Internet cafes are readily available on today’s ships. You can use your own email address, or the lines will assign you a free email if you don’t have one. You will still pay for usage charges. Often the Internet is a better and less expensive communications tool than a telephone.

    Many ships have added cell phone service at sea. Ask your travel agent or cruise line. Roaming charges apply, but it can be less pricey than calling from your room.

    In port, many cell phones will work just fine; call your carrier a week before departure to see if your phone is international in nature and whether you can send and receive calls from specific ports.

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  • Keys, Alarms, and Other Tasks: Give a key to your home or business to a trusted friend/neighbor. Make certain they keep your keys in a secure place – not just out in plain sight. Arrange for that person to check on your house, water your plants, verify that your pet service is performing as expected, shovel the sidewalk (if it is winter time), and other similar tasks.

    Let your neighbors know that someone will be watching your home while you are away. Make arrangements with your alarm/security company and designate a temporary contact person in case your alarm should go off. Your trusted friend/neighbor should also know your alarm code (provide him/her with a temporary code, or change your code when you return).

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  • Finalize Your Luggage: You have been looking at your intended items for several weeks now. Consider all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories. Eliminate one-time use items. Match colors. Imagine yourself carrying your luggage though the airport and from the baggage claim to the taxi stand. Then edit some more.

    Do not pack cruise documents, airline tickets, film, cameras, jewelry, medication or valuables in checked luggage. (Ever try to get a bag back from an airline after it’s checked? The same problems occur with cruise lines.) If you accidentally check the bag and then remember your camera or medication is in it, you likely will not see it for several hours after embarkation. Worse yet, your luggage could be lost.

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  • Stock Up on Film, Video Tape, or Digital Media: These items are usually available on board or in ports of call, but at a considerable premium over your local prices. Pack plenty of batteries and remember the charger for your digital items.
• The Day Before Departure
• • Finalize Your Luggage: Attach cruise line luggage tags to your bags. Have proper identification inside and out,and include a copy of your itinerary inside all bags.

    The night before departure, close up your suitcases and finalize your carry-on bag. Place passports, cruise documents, air tickets or e-ticket confirmations, medication, camera and film supplies, and any other important information like medical records in your carry-on.

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  • Take Enough Cash: Always take cash, especially small bills for tips to porters, taxi drivers, and tour guides. Do not rely on traveler’s checks and credit cards, alone. Vendors in ports of call may not take credit cards or travelers checks. If you arrive during a bank holiday, you may not be able to cash your travelers checks anywhere. On board ATM may run out of money (or have high surcharges).
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  • Get Your House In Order: Run the dishwasher. Discard leftovers and other food items that will not last until your return. Pay bills that will be due while you are away. Set your thermostat to an energy efficient “hold” temperature. Water your plants. Make sure pets have food and water (even if a pet sitter is planned.)
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  • Reconfirm Arrangements: Reconfirm child and pet care, limo service, house sitters, and airline departure times.
• Day of Departure
• • Lock your home. Set your alarm. Draw the shades. Pack your keys in your carry-on. Make certain your passport, cruise documents, and airline tickets/confirmations are in your carry-on – NOT on your kitchen counter! Give yourself enough time to get to the airport.

    You have planned carefully. Now enjoy your vacation!

Return to Dance Cruise Checklist – Part 1.