| You've worked hard to save for your dream cruise | | | | not put them in checked luggage) in their original |
| and you want to cover all your bases as you get | | | | prescription bottles to avoid any difficulty at customs. |
| ready to go. But planning can be stressful if you don't | | | | Two weeks ahead * Collect travel documents (cruise |
| know where to start. Here are some tips for pulling off | | | | tickets, airline flight information). Read all material |
| a glitch-free getaway. Thinking about a cruise * Read | | | | carefully to make sure the information is correct. If it's |
| travel magazines and shop for travel guidebooks. * If | | | | not, your travel agent can correct it. * If you don't want |
| you don't already have one, find a travel agent who | | | | to use your credit card on your trip, consider obtaining |
| specializes in cruises and begin a discussion about how | | | | traveler's checks (store the check numbers |
| to plan the best cruise vacation that will meet your | | | | someplace safe in case the checks are lost or stolen). |
| interests and vacation desires. * Ask family and friends | | | | * If you will need any foreign currency on the trip, |
| for suggestions. * Decide on the type of cruise | | | | consider exchanging some dollars now. * Have lots of |
| vacation you want and settle on a destination. Do you | | | | one dollar bills on hand for tips to crew members, tour |
| want to climb glaciers and kayak in Alaska, snorkel in | | | | guides and taxi drivers. One week ahead * Touch |
| the Caribbean or Tahiti, or visit historic sites in Europe, | | | | base with your house and pet sitters to reconfirm |
| Asia, or Australia? * Visit cruise line Web sites or | | | | arrangements. Also arrange to have mail held at the |
| contact the cruise lines directly to request brochures | | | | post office and stop newspaper delivery for the |
| and pricing information. Six months or more ahead * | | | | duration of your trip.Print a copy of your itinerary and |
| Settle on a budget for the cruise. Make sure to take | | | | contact information and leave with family or friends. * |
| into account every possible expense: plane tickets, | | | | Make two to three sets of photocopies of your |
| transportation to the pier, hotels, shore excursions, spa | | | | passport, credit cards, insurance, traveler's check |
| treatments, shipboard activities, bar bills even cruise | | | | numbers, and any other paperwork people would need |
| wear. * Book your trip through your travel agent. A | | | | if your wallet were lost or stolen. Give one copy to a |
| good travel agent will keep you on track and help you | | | | family member or friend. * Set out clothes to pack; buy |
| sort through everything from stateroom choices to | | | | what you need. Three days ahead * Reconfirm |
| visa requirements. * Select your ship and stateroom. | | | | overseas flights. * Make sure you have reading |
| Cabin choices range from butler-staffed suites to | | | | materials for your trip. * Make arrangements for your |
| inside staterooms without windows, and they're priced | | | | rides to and from the airport. * Leave a copy of your |
| accordingly. * Consider signing up for a travel | | | | itinerary and a set of house keys with a relative or |
| protection plan to protect your vacation if the | | | | close friend in case of emergency. * Check weather |
| unexpected should happen. Research travel protection | | | | forecasts for your destination. * Prepare your house or |
| plans offered by the cruise line, your credit cards, | | | | apartment for your departure -- eat or dispose of |
| travel agent or an independent agency; secure | | | | perishable food, water plants, set timers, pay bills, etc. |
| additional coverage if necessary. * Obtain your | | | | One day ahead * Reconfirm domestic flights. * Make |
| passports and visas, if necessary. Two months ahead | | | | sure all your luggage, including carry-on luggage, is |
| * Make sure you have a camera and luggage ready | | | | labeled both on the outside and inside with your name, |
| for the trip. If you get a new camera, learn how to use | | | | flight information, hotels, cruise itinerary and phone |
| it before leaving on the cruise. * Start researching your | | | | number. * Change your voicemail and e-mail messages |
| ports of call and your opportunities for shore | | | | at work. A little organization can make your pre-trip |
| excursions. To avoid disappointment, book popular | | | | planning easy and stress-free, leaving you to embark |
| tours in advance on the cruise line's Web site. One | | | | on your cruise vacation with a big smile on your face. |
| month ahead * Make a packing list. * Reconfirm all | | | | Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel |
| reservations. * Start making arrangements for pets | | | | journalist specializing in cruise travel. Anita is a weekly |
| and home care. * If you're on any medications, make | | | | travel columnist for and Tripso, and she is a contributor |
| sure you have plenty of your prescription on hand for | | | | to Fodor's "Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises |
| the trip, and be sure to have a second pair of glasses | | | | 2007". |
| if you wear them. Carry all medications with you (do | | | | |