ijkh Posted October 24, 2012 #1 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Finally a place to collect the wisdom of all the former and future world cruisers through out Cruise Critic land. Please feel free to tell you your top tips on planning for a world cruise. It is a daunting task. Why reinvent the wheel. Share your wisdom in planning for adventures lasting on board for months. Thanks, Ilene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brlight Posted October 25, 2012 #2 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I'm so glad to see this thread! Even though it is 2 years away, I'm already gathering information for our first world cruise and look forward to hearing from the experienced ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makaha Posted October 25, 2012 #3 Share Posted October 25, 2012 We are also headed for our first World Cruise in 2015 and are anxious to learn all that we can. Thank you.......Candy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 25, 2012 #4 Share Posted October 25, 2012 (edited) I think having a section for World Cruises in general is great and was long needed. Ilene, congratulations getting this set up. Often people ask about what a world cruise is like or general items that are not cruise line specific and think this will be great for that. If there are questions specific to the Crystal Cruises 2015 WC then I would recommend posting those on the Crystal Cruises 2015 WC Thread on the Crystal Cruises Board or the WC15 Roll Call. But for questions that are general where others who have taken world cruises on any cruise line can offer suggestions then this is a great place to get input that is not cruise line specific. Keith Edited October 25, 2012 by Keith1010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted October 26, 2012 #5 Share Posted October 26, 2012 I think having a section for World Cruises in general is great and was long needed. Ilene, congratulations getting this set up. Often people ask about what a world cruise is like or general items that are not cruise line specific and think this will be great for that. If there are questions specific to the Crystal Cruises 2015 WC then I would recommend posting those on the Crystal Cruises 2015 WC Thread on the Crystal Cruises Board or the WC15 Roll Call. But for questions that are general where others who have taken world cruises on any cruise line can offer suggestions then this is a great place to get input that is not cruise line specific. Keith Hi all biggest thing I can suggest first up is research every port for your requirement for visas and get them underway if you need alot then definitely use a visa orginisation even though they are expensive it is the only way to do numerous visas second is see a travel doctor for any and all innoculations you should get - don't skimp Third - use your bucket list to determine main ports you wish to do very well the shear cost is too daunting to do all well, and most are good enough to do on your own fourth - set yourself daily expenditure budget and stick to it any other questions , just ask Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ijkh Posted October 27, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) This board is going to be a nice resource for questions and strategies for world cruising. Threads I can imagine going here include: special items that can make a cruise cabin "home" for months at a time packing for lengthy journey. communication with loved ones at home eating strategies for long term dining on a ship (ok except lobster every 10-20 days is ok with me) staying fit on a long cruise ;) Keith? staying well on a long cruise Negotiating with a travel agent for the best service and benefits on such a large expenditure. I hope to learn a lot from the veteran WCers from all ships at sea. There is a lot of wisdom here. thank you to all who post, Ilene Edited October 27, 2012 by ijkh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmh60 Posted October 27, 2012 #7 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I know Crystal has themed cruises. Do they ever have any themed segments on a WC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 27, 2012 #8 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I know Crystal has themed cruises. Do they ever have any themed segments on a WC? Yes, from time to time some of the WC segments also have a theme. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmh60 Posted October 27, 2012 #9 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Thanks, Keith, i will have many more questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 27, 2012 #10 Share Posted October 27, 2012 hmh60, you are very welcome. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted November 2, 2012 #11 Share Posted November 2, 2012 one good thing a friend had shown me that is great is a folding shoe rack for the back of the door to the bathroom plus folding tie rack, and folding hanging rack for clothes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate59 Posted November 2, 2012 #12 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Hi allbiggest thing I can suggest first up is research every port for your requirement for visas and get them underway second is see a travel doctor for any and all innoculations you should get - don't skimp Third - use your bucket list to determine main ports you wish to do very well the shear cost is too daunting to do all well, and most are good enough to do on your own fourth - set yourself daily expenditure budget and stick to it any other questions , just ask Greg I agree with these - we only did 46 nights last year but I at least had some idea of what was around each port we visited. Not always easy to find out where the ship would moor but it was fun. Go to the port lectures - you do get something out of them. We had 5 formal nights and I took one evening dress for each night - would never do that again as it took up too much space and weight in my bag. Get involved in your roll call and any meet and greet organised - it helped the first few days to have people we knew on the ship and we sometimes did tours with these people. I have remainded friends with many of them here on CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted November 3, 2012 #13 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I agree with these - we only did 46 nights last year but I at least had some idea of what was around each port we visited. Not always easy to find out where the ship would moor but it was fun. Go to the port lectures - you do get something out of them. We had 5 formal nights and I took one evening dress for each night - would never do that again as it took up too much space and weight in my bag. Get involved in your roll call and any meet and greet organised - it helped the first few days to have people we knew on the ship and we sometimes did tours with these people. I have remainded friends with many of them here on CC. what clothes you take should be based on the cruise line some like cunard with two lots of clothes a day means lots of luggage but depends on the itinerary also so many world cruises now for port info I found the cunard site had great info you could use for any cruise on tours etc as was not only for when tours are available theme times are on alot of the wc they will list them in the documents though so you can plan can list heaps I have had on ships but a mask is a must to take as usually a masquarade night is involved plus 70's and rock n roll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamboatin Posted November 3, 2012 #14 Share Posted November 3, 2012 We were at our Ft. Lauderdale hotel waiting for everyone to be taken to the cruise port in the hotel shuttle. This lady sitting next to the wife mentioned that they were leaving Ft Lauderdale today on their world cruise. She was extremely proud that she and her husband were going on the world cruise with only 1 suitcase of clothes apiece and 1 carry on apiece. She and her husband had packed just enough clothes for 7 days each. They plan to just keep washing clothes on board and wearing the same clothes over and over and over again. She stated that she will never see these people again and could care less what they thought about her. She was going as cheap as possible in an interior cabin with 1 week of clothes to wear. She planned on removing their cabin from auto tipping and tip as little as possible. She planned on taking no ship excursions but that her and the husband would just walk around each port of call on their own and spend no money in any port. Eat on board all meals in MDR. Now there is a passenger we would not want to travel with. But the whole ship had the "honor" of sailing with them on their 100 plus day voyage as they wore there 7 days of clothing over and over. Reckon that was one cruise for everyone to remember, but maybe not for the right reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted November 5, 2012 #15 Share Posted November 5, 2012 We were at our Ft. Lauderdale hotel waiting for everyone to be taken to the cruise port in the hotel shuttle. This lady sitting next to the wife mentioned that they were leaving Ft Lauderdale today on their world cruise. She was extremely proud that she and her husband were going on the world cruise with only 1 suitcase of clothes apiece and 1 carry on apiece. She and her husband had packed just enough clothes for 7 days each. They plan to just keep washing clothes on board and wearing the same clothes over and over and over again. She stated that she will never see these people again and could care less what they thought about her. She was going as cheap as possible in an interior cabin with 1 week of clothes to wear. She planned on removing their cabin from auto tipping and tip as little as possible. She planned on taking no ship excursions but that her and the husband would just walk around each port of call on their own and spend no money in any port. Eat on board all meals in MDR. Now there is a passenger we would not want to travel with. But the whole ship had the "honor" of sailing with them on their 100 plus day voyage as they wore there 7 days of clothing over and over. Reckon that was one cruise for everyone to remember, but maybe not for the right reason. wow one bag depends on the ship could not do it on cunard one as you have different weather throughout the world and two dress requirements day to night I have seen ladies go with 12 bags each one lady I know gets two rooms, one just for her luggage even I take two for a world cruise and I am a guy washing every five days which is what you need to do with a seven day pack is very annoying and tiring although I wash every few days trick to washing is put washing in just before the laundry closes for the night, then be first in for the morning and it is in the dryer you can usually get two machines at onece as noone else tries this no waiting and no fights and no clock watching to get back before your machine finishes Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucket Posted November 13, 2012 #16 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I will go out on a limb here. A brief sketch of what I took on my only WC: A tux...black shoes, Dark blue suit, Blue jacket, and brown tweed jacket. two slacks to go with blue jacket, 2 slacks to go with brown tweed jacket, mesc. slacks, white shirts , shirts to go with sport jeckets, ties, lots short pants, lots of polo shirts, tee shirts, sweater, sweat shirt, wind breaker, loafers, sneakers,swim suit,pj's, cap, sunglasses, binoculars, medicines, toilitries, and keeping in mind doing the laundry once a week... all the washable garments. And then there are the things that each inividual likes and dislikes. That's a sketch. And then there are all the things I may have forgotten or wished I had brought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucket Posted November 19, 2012 #17 Share Posted November 19, 2012 And then there is the money belt Ask Keith what he does with the magnets.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akeasley Posted November 30, 2012 #18 Share Posted November 30, 2012 We were at our Ft. Lauderdale hotel waiting for everyone to be taken to the cruise port in the hotel shuttle. This lady sitting next to the wife mentioned that they were leaving Ft Lauderdale today on their world cruise. She was extremely proud that she and her husband were going on the world cruise with only 1 suitcase of clothes apiece and 1 carry on apiece. She and her husband had packed just enough clothes for 7 days each. They plan to just keep washing clothes on board and wearing the same clothes over and over and over again. She stated that she will never see these people again and could care less what they thought about her. She was going as cheap as possible in an interior cabin with 1 week of clothes to wear. She planned on removing their cabin from auto tipping and tip as little as possible. She planned on taking no ship excursions but that her and the husband would just walk around each port of call on their own and spend no money in any port. Eat on board all meals in MDR. Now there is a passenger we would not want to travel with. But the whole ship had the "honor" of sailing with them on their 100 plus day voyage as they wore there 7 days of clothing over and over. Reckon that was one cruise for everyone to remember, but maybe not for the right reason. Tip as little as possible??? What a great lady :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucket Posted December 2, 2012 #19 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Jeez....I did not mean to put an end to this thread. There is a lot of planning to do yet! Perhaps I should get a free pass from the dorm mother.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucket Posted December 5, 2012 #20 Share Posted December 5, 2012 While in the middle of the Pacific Ocean I discovered that I did not bring a pair of slacks that I had purchased expressly for the trip. I had the slacks Fedexed to Papeete. That cost the price of the pants originally. And then, I found I had way too many slacks for the trip.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovesandiego Posted December 7, 2012 #21 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Now I want to know what Keith does with the magnets! I don't imagine that on Crystal they are to put at the bottom of the shower curtain to hold it down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 7, 2012 #22 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Hi lovesandiego, on the Crystal ships magnets can be used on most of the walls in the staterooms so we bring some magnets with us to hang certain items including a wall calendar (keeps us organized) photos of family, and some invitations for upcoming events. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovesandiego Posted December 7, 2012 #23 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Thanks Keith, sounds like a great idea. I'll have to take some on my next cruise and try it on Princess walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyAgain Posted December 8, 2012 #24 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I've been reading Keith1010 for a long time and have learned so much from him. His advice has made my travel life much easier. But what I really wonder is how people manage bills, house issues and sources of ready cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 8, 2012 #25 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Penny, thank you for your nice comments. The key is to automate all of your bills so that they are either automatically paid by your credit cards, or checking account or a combination of both. You just have to think through each and every bill but we have been able to do that. Also be sure you can view most of your bills on line so you can followup while away to be sure they were paid. Likewise, we have access to all of our financial information on line so we can keep tabs on all of that and transfer money over to the checking account if necessary. Being away for so very long it is a good idea to have someone watch your house and take care of some routine items for you from the flushing of toilets to running water down the drain to walking the inside and the outside of the house. If you do not disconnect car batteries then having someone run the cars every couple of weeks is also advisable. Lots of options on mail from having someone take it in each day, to temporarily forwarding it to a safety deposit box or to a relative or friends house. In most cases this is necessary as the post office will not hold mail beyond 30 days, however, some will with the postmasters approval. All of this just takes some very good planning. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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