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