Final stretch -- what do YOU do?

[xostacylee]

So we're 26 days out (YES!!!)... what are some things you guys do leading up to your departure date?

 

I just booked our hotel and called to confirm they had a shuttle from the airport and to the port.. but what else? Besides the obvious packing ;)

 

The last time I cruised my mom did everything, so this is the first time I'm on my own and don't want to miss out on any steps!

 

Thank you!!

[soccersharon]

Double check your flights (if flying), book excursions, shop, and read CC!

[Georgia Peach 4]

Pedicure party! Even the guys get on this fun adventure. We all go together and fill up the salon, it's a fun way to get ready to cruise!

[xostacylee]

Pedicure party! Even the guys get on this fun adventure. We all go together and fill up the salon, it's a fun way to get ready to cruise!

 

That's what my one friend and I are doing! So excited

 

Double check your flights (if flying), book excursions, shop, and read CC!

 

Is booking ahead really necessary, like how often do excursions sell out?

[soccersharon]

Is booking ahead really necessary, like how often do excursions sell out?

 

That depends. I will book excursions through private companies most of the time. Sometimes I need to research different vendors (helps pass the time!). Very popular tours, or multiple ships docked on the same day may contribute to tours selling out.

 

I have paid for excursions through Carnival. Popular ones may sell-out. You can always look online for those available for your sailing, and decide once on board.

[crusinpsychRN]

Hold mail and paper. Finalize exursions, Bon Voyage orders, Steakhouse. Dye my hair about a week before.

 

I washed my sandals today and it didn't turn out well so I've been shopping to no avail locally and on line far too long to get some flip flops!

[abitaturbodog]

Visit the Bon Voyage department on Carnival.com and start buying some drink coupons!

[soccersharon]

Visit the Bon Voyage department on Carnival.com and start buying some drink coupons!

 

Unfortunately, they've discontinued this. You have to buy Cruise Cash

now...http://www.carnival.com/FunShops/cruise-cash

[beachbum6264]

Got my hair done today. Will have mani/pedi on Thursday. Tomorrow I'll be pulling out the 'cruise bag' to see if the travel clocks still work, if my cheapo watch I use on shore still works, filling all the shampoo/conditioner bottles (yes, I know there is some in the shower, but I don't like their shampoo!) laundry, and hiding my dh's clean clothes so he won't wear them before we leave!! Hotel for NOLA booked, brunch at Commander's Palace booked, oil changed in his car, and every night bothering my dh with the "I'm too excited to sleep" routine!!

[crusinpsychRN]

Just remembered one of my cruises with my then 16 y/o son. I told him and told him to get ready, packed etc. for over a week before the cruise. Mr. I've cruised enough to know what to do,don't worry, didn't do anything until the morning of the cruise.

 

Off we went! Getting ready for dinner the first night he put on his slacks which were at least 1.5 inches too short and really needed a belt!! He'd grown since the last cruise and they just didn't fit!

[ccruisequeen]

Itemize packing list.

 

Organize accessories.

 

Find ID and passport.

 

Update Kindle

 

 

 

 

"I can see Carnival Miracle (after 10-2-13) and Inspiration from my porch" (to paraphrase Tina Fey as S. Palin)

I still cruise for Warm Chocolate Melting Cake (with 2 sugar-free vanilla ice-creams!)

[beachbum6264]

Update Kindle

 

Me, too. Checked out several library books for the trip. Ipod is charged and new stuff loaded, camera batteries are charged, new SD cards in both. Can we leave NOW?????

(ps: don't tell dh about the 2 new sun dresses I bought today!)

[misstopgun]

Make certain to call the credit card companies and bank to let them know of your travel plans. I failed to do this once and my debit was shut off. Fortunately, that cruise I was lucky in the casino so it turned out okay.

[memecakes]

I too am 25 days out! I just remembered to try on my swimsuit this weekend. ( I have lost 30 pounds,) OOPS, way to big! Had to go shopping and of course there are no swimsuits out there! LOL Finally found one at Kohl's on clearance.:D Good thing because we are going to three beach ports LOL.

[Tapi]

Try not to get depressed about the fact that in 26 days + 7 days the cruise will be over and it will be a while before I get to go again. :o

[lifeisgoodPat]

Don't forget to bring your bottle of wine per person, and your water or soda that you are allowed to carry on.

[pungo3]

Itemize packing list.

 

Organize accessories.

 

Find ID and passport.

 

Update Kindle

 

 

 

 

Absolutely MUST update Kindle. You never know how many books you might read (or not). :D

[Sqwii]

Make certain to call the credit card companies and bank to let them know of your travel plans. I failed to do this once and my debit was shut off. Fortunately, that cruise I was lucky in the casino so it turned out okay.

 

this!!!

Pack all your docs, reservations, passports/birth certificates, in a folder and place in the bag you plan on carrying on. Don't pack it in your luggage! That would be a nightmare to try to find if you accidentally give it to the porters!

[kangaand2roos]

Itemize packing list.

 

Organize accessories.

 

Find ID and passport.

 

Update Kindle

 

 

 

 

Absolutely MUST update Kindle. You never know how many books you might read (or not). :D

 

 

Yep, if you don't have books, you'll want them. I loaded up for my last cruise, because I usually just hole up and read most of the time. And whaddayaknow, I discovered that I like to attend trivia, karaoke and nap in serenity! But better to have them than not!

[grublet22]

I print out all my confirmations, luggage tags, and boarding passes and get them in my trip folder. I like to have all these things to keep me straight and it helps me make sure that I haven't missed a major important item.

[clr315]

Leave on Saturday. Couldn't find my camera charger and travel cork screw so did a last minute amazon order. Packing, unpacking, re packing ( I do this all the time). Check weather......repack. Buy cat food for cat sitter. Charge kindle. Pack chargers. Put luggage tags on luggage. Stop mail and paper.

[bdette4]

Make sure all paperwork is printed out and in order.

Passports or passport cards are altogether and in travel folder.

Update library on ipad (mostly end up reading them to and from on the plane).

Packing list is finalized and ready to be checked off as I pack.

Swimsuit fits

Door decorations are packed

Credit cards notified I am on vacation

Plenty of sunblock on hand along with the requisite aloe.

small bills from the bank for tipping and such and I am ready to go.

[Mary Ellen1]

Get organized electronically for (mostly) paperless travel. My dog-eared bright red travel folder now lives in the cloud!

 

All of the following go on Dropbox:

• Travel confirmations
  
• Tour contact info & confirmations
  
• Emergency contact phone list (what if I lost my phone! :eek: Or my wallet was stolen & I had to cancel all my credit cards??? :eek: )
  
• Scanned copy of passport
  
• Reading material on each port (overview, history, culture, top activities, etc.)
  

 

Then, I make sure I've got TripIt updated.

 

All of the above, plus books, movies, etc. for entertainment, go on my trusty Samsung Galaxy tablet.

[vacruizer]

Great advice so far!

 

I start about a month or three weeks out with a clothing/travel supply/toiletry inventory. Try on anything I haven't worn in a while (we often cruise in Jan. so the shorts may or may not fit at that point! Make sure I have enough travel size shampoo/toothpaste/contact solution/etc. I take everything in travel sizes except sunblock that I need more of. This gives me time to shop for any new I need or need to restock on.

 

Two weeks out I plan outfits for dinner and start setting them aside. Line up my petsitter, send out a copy of itinerary and emergency contact info to a couple family members that like to have it, organize my toiletry bag. Line up ride to the airport. Haircut and color.

 

One week - packing weekend!!!! Pack our checked bags and start on the carryon. Print confirmations, boarding pass, luggage tags, etc. Since we usually fly out on a Friday after working Thursday, I want as much ready to go as possible. Make sure we have enough cat food for the petsitter to get through the trip - the kitties are mad enough that we are leaving!

 

Day before - get cash from bank, set up my travel purse, put last items in carryon and double check docs/passports/etc. Check in for flights. Pedicure. Take care of some basic household stuff like cleaning out fridge, cat boxes, taking out trash, setting up light timers, etc. Attempt to sleep before getting up in the middle of the night to be at the airport at 5am. :D It's finally vacation time!!!!!!

 

I kind of have my cruise routine down to a science by now. :p

[crusinpsychRN]

Great advice so far!

 

I start about a month or three weeks out with a clothing/travel supply/toiletry inventory. Try on anything I haven't worn in a while (we often cruise in Jan. so the shorts may or may not fit at that point! Make sure I have enough travel size shampoo/toothpaste/contact solution/etc. I take everything in travel sizes except sunblock that I need more of. This gives me time to shop for any new I need or need to restock on.

 

Two weeks out I plan outfits for dinner and start setting them aside. Line up my petsitter, send out a copy of itinerary and emergency contact info to a couple family members that like to have it, organize my toiletry bag. Line up ride to the airport. Haircut and color.

 

One week - packing weekend!!!! Pack our checked bags and start on the carryon. Print confirmations, boarding pass, luggage tags, etc. Since we usually fly out on a Friday after working Thursday, I want as much ready to go as possible. Make sure we have enough cat food for the petsitter to get through the trip - the kitties are mad enough that we are leaving!

 

Day before - get cash from bank, set up my travel purse, put last items in carryon and double check docs/passports/etc. Check in for flights. Pedicure. Take care of some basic household stuff like cleaning out fridge, cat boxes, taking out trash, setting up light timers, etc. Attempt to sleep before getting up in the middle of the night to be at the airport at 5am. :D It's finally vacation time!!!!!!

 

I kind of have my cruise routine down to a science by now. :p

 

Great list! Have you forgotten anything on past trips?