BOOKING A PASSAGE
Once you've selected your destination, you'll find that cruising is one of the easiest vacations to plan. There are no hotel or dinner arrangements to make, the itinerary is pre-set, and travel to and from the port is often included in the cruise package. Cruise lines work hard to make your journey to the ship easy and stress-free. If you are flying to your port of departure, a uniformed representative from the cruise line will meet you at the airport and transport you and your luggage to the pier. There, you will turn in your tickets, passports and completed forms and will receive a cabin key and boarding pass--your luggage will automatically be transferred to your cabin.

A PREPARED CRUISER IS A HAPPY CRUISER
To help guarantee smooth sailing, there are a few pre-vacation preparations to make. Apart from selecting your destination and type of accomodations you desire, one of the most important things you'll need to do is get a passport and visa. Your cruise line can tell you whether or not you'll need a passport. To make the application process as seamless as possible, contact a passport agency, clerk of courts office or your local post office, and allow yourself plenty of time for processing. If your destination doesn't require a passport, you may need a certified copy of your birth certificate. It's also a good idea to carry some means of photo identification for security checks at the airport and at the port.

You should receive your tickets one month to two weeks prior to your departure date. To save time when boarding, be sure to check these documents carefully for accuracy and complete any necessary paperwork before you leave home. Your ticket packet will include baggage tags provided by the cruise line. Complete them to help insure that your bags make it from the airport to your cabin without getting lost at sea.

PACKING--KEEP IT SIMPLE
Now all that's left to do is the packing. A common sense approach in selecting clothing appropriate for the climate of your destination and the type of cruise you are taking is a must, as is ruthlessness in limiting the amount of clothing you pack. Unlike airlines, most ships don't care how much luggage you bring, but there is limited closet and drawer space in the cabins. It's recommended that you carry prescription medicines, your tickets, passport and visa, valuables and other essentials, as well as a change of clothing, in a carry-on bag, and that you keep these items with you until you reach your cabin.

As for dress code, during the daytime, shipboard attire is usually casual, and bathing suits, shorts and slacks are appropriate. Dinner and evening attire is generally more formal; for men, a jacket and tie, and for women, a dress or pant suit. Some luxury cruise lines request that men wear tuxedos or dinner jackets and women wear cocktail or evening dresses for dinner. Other cruises, such as Windjammers and some adventure cruises are very casual in their dress codes, and permit shorts and t-shirts at dinner.

If you'd like more specific information about a cruise line's requirements or need assistance in obtaining a visa or passport, visit navi-Travel Cruise Vacations.


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