| The sailing date for the cruise you booked is drawing | | | | childcare and check on their schedules to ensure that |
| near. But before you imagine yourself having the time | | | | they have everything they need while you are gone. If |
| of your life aboard a cruise line, there are several | | | | you like, you can tape yourself reading your very |
| things that you need to prepare for. Not all of these | | | | young kids a bedtime story so that they will not miss |
| though shall apply to all cruises. | | | | you that much. |
| Three months prior to the sailing date, it is important to | | | | A month prior to sailing, check with your travel agent |
| check with your travel agent what sort of identification | | | | for your airline schedule and make the necessary |
| (proof of citizenship or passport) is required for the | | | | personal appointments for haircut, etc. If your kids are |
| cruise. Do everything that is necessary like renewing | | | | coming with you, check on what clothes they will have |
| your passport if it is about to expire or replace lost | | | | to bring and if they have everything they need. Check |
| documents (e.g. birth certificate, etc.). Avoid doing it at | | | | on the luggage that you will be bringing if there are |
| the last minute which is not only stressful but costly as | | | | destroyed locks or if it needs any repair. |
| well. If there are any visas required for certain | | | | About two weeks prior to the cruise date, get the |
| countries that are part of the cruise's itinerary these | | | | necessary cruise documents and check if everything |
| should be applied for as well. | | | | is in order (names are spelled accurately, correct sailing |
| Two months prior to the sailing date, make the | | | | date, etc.). If you have questions or there is something |
| necessary final payments although your travel agent | | | | that you don't understand, ask your travel agent. Read |
| will be reminding you of the remaining balance if it is | | | | the cruise's documents. |
| due for payment already. Begin planning for the | | | | One week before the sailing date, finalize everything |
| wardrobe you will be bringing. Fit your clothes and | | | | that you will be bringing. Don't forget to bring your |
| check if there are any alterations that need to be done | | | | camera, batteries and film. Photocopy your passport |
| or stains that need to be removed. If you plan to do | | | | and ID and leave a copy with a relative or a friend. |
| some shopping for items that you will be bringing with | | | | Leave as well a copy of your itinerary and contact |
| you, it is time to do that shopping now to provide you | | | | info should it be necessary to contact you. Withdraw |
| with ample time to find exactly what you want or to | | | | the money that you will be bringing with you or arrange |
| return stuff that you may want exchanged. It is time | | | | for the traveler's checks. |
| also to look for a house sitter and a kennel if you have | | | | Days before the big sailing day, confirm your flight |
| pets at home. | | | | schedules and check if you have everything in order. |
| If your kids will not be tagging along with you on the | | | | Happy sailing! |
| cruise, make the necessary arrangements for | | | | |