What I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise: Part 2

We left off looking at the importance of planning for the entire vacation—not just the days you’ll spend aboard the ship. Now let’s tackle another one of those questions from our original booking list.

Who’s Coming With You?

Now let’s think about your traveling party.

Oftentimes, WHO you’re traveling with helps narrow down the destinations and/or the cruise line and ship you choose. What do I mean by that?

A retired couple may want nothing more than a quiet and scenic cruise, whereas a family with kids ranging in age from five to sixteen may prefer something more fast-paced with lots of activities.

Now, BOTH can absolutely enjoy similar itineraries in a destination like Alaska, but the retired couple may prefer a cruise line that doesn’t typically draw as many families with kids. That couple may not be interested in ice rinks and speedways. The family, on the other hand, might love activity options that appeal to everyone in their group.

What if a multigenerational family reunion is taking place on a cruise, which is quite common? Then we want to find that perfect blend of youth and adult enjoyment for all.

We also ought to consider the destination. International itineraries involve flights and hotel stays before—and oftentimes after—the cruise. This needs to be considered to ensure everyone understands what to expect getting to and from the cruise.

When our family sailed on an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle, we sat down with our kids and discussed what the flight and hotel scenario would look like and what would be expected of them—not only when we landed in Seattle, but also the following morning when we needed to efficiently board the hotel shuttle to the cruise port.

We then discussed plans for when we disembarked from the cruise, returned to the hotel and eventually made the trip back home to Tampa. Everyone also mentioned what they’d like to sightsee and experience during the cruise.

Had we taken one of our parents with us back then, we would have needed to arrange for mobility assistance and accessible transportation and accommodations to help ensure a smoother, more enjoyable trip for them.

All of this is to emphasize that knowing exactly WHO is going with you on your cruise plays an important role in determining which cruise is the best fit for your group.

Let’s Talk Travel Documentation

Before we start matching your travel party with a cruise line, ship and itinerary, there’s another important piece we need to talk about: travel documentation.

I do want to make it clear that none of this is legal advice. Requirements can vary based on the itinerary, traveler and cruise line, so ALWAYS verify the documentation requirements for your particular sailing. This includes asking about any minor consent and/or authorization-to-travel forms that may be required.

I’m also a big believer in passports. Even when a passport may not be required for a particular cruise, having one can make international travel—and dealing with an unexpected need to return home from a foreign port—much easier.

Important considerations to be familiar with when traveling with minors include:

• If you’re divorced and traveling with children from that marriage, inquire whether the cruise line requires a notarized letter from the other parent consenting to the trip.

• If your last name is different from your child’s, ask what additional documentation you should carry to establish your relationship to the child.

• If one parent has passed away, ask the cruise line what documentation should be carried, such as a copy of the parent’s death certificate, particularly if documentation from both parents would otherwise be required.

• In foster care situations, involve the child’s assigned case manager as early as possible in the planning process to determine what permissions and documentation will be necessary for the trip.

• If a child is traveling with a friend and their parents, find out what written consent or authorization is required from the child’s parent or legal guardian and whether the cruise line provides its own form.

And Don’t Forget Health Information

PLEASE NOTE: As a nurse and a mom, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of making sure important health information travels with a child as well.

I recommend having both electronic and paper copies of information such as:

• Allergies, including medication and environmental allergies

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications they take

• The name and contact information for their pediatrician

• Relevant medical and surgical history

To be honest, as a nurse and a mom, I make sure this type of health information is accessible on our phones for everyone in my own family when we travel.

And make sure people back home know you’re cruising and that their contact information is easily accessible. For example, if our elderly parents were cruising in the Caribbean, I’d want their adult children or another trusted person to be reachable should a medical emergency occur and questions arise about their health history.

Now Let’s Put the Pieces Together

Okay, now that we’ve considered who’s traveling, the destination and important documentation, it’s time to start putting those pieces together: matching your travel party with the right cruise line, ship, itinerary—and dates.

The entirety of the trip still needs to be considered along with the maximum number of days allotted for the vacation.

Let’s say you live in Florida, like I do, and you’re looking for a five- to seven-night itinerary departing from a Florida port. You also need to be home Sunday afternoon because everyone is back at work or school Monday.

If you’re working the Friday before vacation, we’d probably begin by looking at Saturday or Sunday embarkations.

Would a seven-night Alaskan cruise work with this scenario?

NOPE.

So, we’re being realistic and recognizing that sticking with Florida ports gives us the maximum number of cruise vacation days.

Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of cruise options from Florida, including itineraries visiting the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. But remember what we addressed earlier: the right ship becomes just as important as the destination.

A couple looking for quiet relaxation may have a completely different definition of the perfect cruise than a family whose kids want waterslides, activities and nonstop entertainment.

This is why I don’t believe there’s one “best” cruise line—or even one perfect cruise length for an allotted week of vacation.

What did I just do there?

Yes…there are plenty of three-, four- and five-night cruises, in addition to the traditional seven-night itineraries, that may work better for your particular situation.

There’s a best fit for you and your travel group.

Diane Levin, BSN, BA, RN

Travel Writer & Advisor

Checking In with Diane