What I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise: Part 3

You Booked the Cruise. Now What?

You paid the deposit and officially booked your cruise. Now what?

There can be months—or even a year or more—between booking a cruise and actually stepping onboard. While it may feel like there is nothing left to do but count down the days, there are several important details to take care of along the way. Staying ahead of deadlines, documentation, insurance, and other requirements can help prevent unnecessary stress as your vacation gets closer.

Mark Your Calendar

Once the deposit has been paid, one of the first things I recommend doing is setting a reminder for the final payment deadline. I like the idea of setting that reminder at least a day before the payment is actually due rather than waiting until the last minute.

Missing the final payment deadline can put your reservation at risk of cancellation and may result in the loss of some or all amounts already paid, depending on the cruise line, fare type, and cancellation terms.

This is another great reason to work with a travel advisor. Your advisor can help keep track of important dates and may also be able to assist with processing those transactions. Knowing whether your deposit is refundable or nonrefundable is another key consideration when booking.

There are also some practical things worth putting on the calendar early. If needed, notify your employer of your vacation dates to secure the time off. If you have pets, start making arrangements for boarding or begin interviewing potential house and pet sitters. Some HOA and master-planned communities may also request or require residents to notify them of extended absences or provide information about anyone who will be staying in or caring for the home while they are away.

And while we're talking about things that shouldn't wait, let's talk about travel insurance.

Travel Insurance

Should you wait until your vacation is close to purchase travel insurance? Absolutely not.

Travel insurance should be considered shortly after making the initial trip deposit. Some policies offer time-sensitive benefits when coverage is purchased within a specified number of days following the initial trip payment or deposit. That window is often around 14 days, but it varies by insurance company and policy, so always verify the specific deadline for the coverage you are considering.

Depending on the policy and when it is purchased, certain benefits related to pre-existing medical conditions may also be available.

Some travel insurance companies allow travelers to initially insure the amount they have already paid toward the vacation and then increase the insured trip cost as additional nonrefundable expenses—such as excursions or other vacation components—are added. Again, the specific rules vary by policy, so it is important to understand the coverage you are purchasing.

Can't you just purchase insurance through the primary vacation provider, such as the cruise line? Of course you can. However, I find it prudent to compare coverage, exclusions, benefits, and pricing before making a decision.

Personally, I have purchased travel insurance directly through the company I was traveling with as well as through a third-party company. Consider working with an experienced travel advisor to review available options and pricing, and be mindful of any time-sensitive deadlines associated with the policy you choose.

Travel Documents

It is my strong recommendation that all travelers—yes, even infants—have a valid passport and verify well in advance that it will meet the applicable validity requirements for their itinerary. Some destinations require passports to remain valid for a specified period beyond the dates of travel, which can be as long as six months.

I've been asked, "What if my family is taking a cruise, embarking from Miami, sailing the Caribbean, and returning to Miami for disembarkation? I thought we only needed a valid U.S. ID, such as a driver's license, and a birth certificate?"

My response has stayed consistent. Consider a couple of scenarios:

What happens if you don't get back to the ship in time at one of the ports? What if you or a loved one becomes ill or injured in another country and cannot return to the ship?

If you unexpectedly need to fly home from a foreign country, you will generally need a valid U.S. passport for international air travel back to the United States. Without the appropriate documentation, assistance from a U.S. embassy or consulate may be necessary to obtain emergency travel documents. That can turn an already stressful situation into an even more complicated one.

Another key piece of advice: Always check the cruise line's current documentation requirements as well as applicable U.S. government and destination-country requirements.

Additional documentation may also be necessary when a minor is traveling with only one parent, with an adult who is not the child's parent or legal guardian, or when the child and accompanying parent have different last names. Requirements vary by cruise line, itinerary, destination, citizenship, and individual custody or guardianship circumstances.

Here are some situations that should prompt you to investigate documentation requirements well before departure:

Traveling Situation	Documentation to Investigate
Minor traveling with one parent	Consent or documentation from the non-traveling parent may    be required. Additional documentation may be necessary in cases involving sole custody or other legal arrangements.
Parent and minor have different last names	Consider carrying documentation that helps establish the parent-child relationship and explains any name changes, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other applicable legal documentation.
Minor traveling without a parent or legal guardian	Parental or guardian consent and authorization for medical care may be required.
Minor in foster care or another guardianship arrangement	Additional court, agency, guardianship, or travel authorization may be required.

This information is intended as general guidance and is not an all-inclusive list of travel-document requirements. Requirements can vary based on the cruise line, itinerary, destination, citizenship, and individual family or custody circumstances. Always verify current requirements with your cruise line and the appropriate state, federal, and destination-country authorities well before travel.

A Note From the Nurse in Me

As a registered nurse, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the value of traveling with basic health information for each person in your party.

Important information to have readily available may include:

• Traveler's full legal name

• Date of birth

• Emergency contact names and phone numbers

  • Include one or two emergency contacts who are not traveling with you. Many cruise lines request an emergency contact as part of the check-in process.

• Allergies

• Current prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Relevant medical history

• Relevant surgical history

• Advance directives or other important medical documents, when applicable

I recommend keeping this information accessible on a mobile device and carrying a paper copy. Phones lose power, get misplaced, break, and occasionally decide not to cooperate at precisely the wrong moment.

Download the Cruise Line App

Most major cruise lines have an app available for download. Once your cruise is booked and the deposit is paid, it is a good idea to download the app, create your login, and connect your upcoming cruise reservation.

Depending on the cruise line, the app may allow you to view your itinerary and reservation details, purchase vacation add-ons, explore dining and entertainment options, book excursions, and eventually complete portions of the online check-in process. Of course, you can always run those extras by your travel advisor before making a decision. We'll take a deeper dive into various add-ons and excursions in a future installment.

As your sailing date approaches and online check-in becomes available, the app may also be used to enter required information, select an arrival or boarding time, access boarding documents, and review or complete available safety or muster information.

The exact process varies by cruise line, so don't assume that downloading the app—or even watching available safety information—means you have completed every check-in or muster requirement. Pay attention to the instructions provided by your particular cruise line before sailing and once onboard.

What's Next?

Booking the cruise is just the beginning. Staying ahead of payment deadlines, travel insurance, documentation, health information, and cruise-line requirements can make the months leading up to your vacation far less stressful. A little preparation now can prevent a lot of scrambling later.

In the next installment of What I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise, we'll tackle packing for your cruise—what you really need, what you can leave at home, what belongs in your carry-on, and a few things you may not realize you shouldn't pack at all.

Diane Levin, BSN, RN

Travel Writer & Advisor

Checking In with Diane