Before you Cruise

This is especially useful if you are travelling with your whole family and you want to keep everyone’s information in one place. Check, check and check again that you have all the paperwork you need before you leave. This will ensure you have a smooth journey and aren’t faced with any unnecessary mishaps later on down the line.

This is a particularly important factor for cruisers to consider. Because of the nature of cruising, the possibility of missing some leg of your trip ­ such as a departure from one of the ports ­ seems somewhat more likely than when you take a non­stop flight that gets you from A to B. Getting appropriate m​edical insurance in an emergency is a safe way to ensure you and your party have some form of assistance should you find yourself in an incident that is out of your control.

The shape and size means you can fit it in neatly down the side of your suitcase so that when you’re on board you can use multiple devices at once. Always remember to unplug it/switch it off when you are not using it or when you leave your cabin ­ safety first!

For a lot of people, capturing key moments of their holiday via a digital camera or smartphone is an essential part of their cruise experience. Once your cruise has come to an end, pictures are the only way you keep the memory of your holiday alive. That’s why if one of these devices breaks it can put a real downer on your cruise and create some rather upsetting memories, which you definitely don’t want.

This can include sea sickness tablets, plasters, any prescribed medication is an absolute must, allergy medication and creams. You can buy a lot of these items on your cruise ship but it is much more cost­effective to bring them with you.

Many years ago, cruises used to be a formal affair and guests were often seen in elegant evening attire and tuxedos ­ especially after 6pm. Whilst some cruises still stick to this tradition, others have steered away from this and opted for a more modern and casual feel. That’s why it’s always handy to research your cruise thoroughly and learn about what activities/facilities are on offer before you start packing.