Singles Cruise Planning
Cruises are supposed to be relaxing vacations - and they are. But they’ll go much smoother if you do some advance planning, sometimes very far in advance.
The first items, of course, are to select a destination and travel dates. Since that’s a personal choice, there is little help available except to either rely on recommendations or dig in to the huge pile of options available these days. The latter can actually be a lot of fun, though.
Reading travel brochures can give you lots of ideas and images that will make some of the more tedious aspects seem very small by comparison. Fortunately, most cruises more than live up to all the romantic daydreams you form when planning your adventure.
Apply for a passport early unless you already have one that will not expire during your trip. Getting one typically only takes a few weeks after you mail in your completed application (don’t forget the photos!), but it’s best to play it safe.
Nothing is more stressful than paying several thousand dollars for a cruise and not having your documents in hand as the date draws near.
After you take care of the passport, be sure to discover what visas and/or medical certificates are required for your destination. Different countries have different common diseases and you may need vaccinations. Fortunately, this is less common than it used to be.
Plan your budget, in terms of the cost of the cruise and the timing of payments and for any needed spare cash. Different lines require different amounts of deposit at intervals before departure. Check your specific one.
Keep in mind that, though most people use credit cards for all major purchases, not every country has developed that habit yet. Some are still largely cash-only economies.
Be prepared by having an ample supply of travelers cheques and some cash. All major lines have facilities that can change money, but you may not get the best exchange rates by relying solely on them. On board, you’ll be given a ’ship credit card’ for purchases during the cruise.
One to two months before departure ensure that you have received the documents from the cruise line. These will have a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo, but you should read through it anyway.
Along with that you’ll find useful information, such as confirmation of your reservation, due dates for payment, insurance issues and cabin assignment.
Some lines don’t mail them until a few weeks before departure. Ask about your line’s practice when you make your reservation.
Carry out most of your needed shopping a month before departure. You’ll want to do some on board, of course. But relying exclusively on the shops on ship can be expensive.
If needed, don’t forget to arrange for a dog or house sitter well in advance. Kennel reservations also typically have to be made weeks or longer ahead. Don’t forget to fill prescriptions in advance, too.
Be sure to arrange mail pickup, lawn and houseplant care, etc. That will lead to much more peace of mind when you grab your passport and go!