Timeline For Planning Your Cruise

You've worked hard to save for your dream cruisenot put them in checked luggage) in their original
and you want to cover all your bases as you getprescription bottles to avoid any difficulty at customs.
ready to go. But planning can be stressful if you don'tTwo weeks ahead * Collect travel documents (cruise
know where to start. Here are some tips for pulling offtickets, airline flight information). Read all material
a glitch-free getaway. Thinking about a cruise * Readcarefully to make sure the information is correct. If it's
travel magazines and shop for travel guidebooks. * Ifnot, your travel agent can correct it. * If you don't want
you don't already have one, find a travel agent whoto use your credit card on your trip, consider obtaining
specializes in cruises and begin a discussion about howtraveler's checks (store the check numbers
to plan the best cruise vacation that will meet yoursomeplace 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 cruiseconsider exchanging some dollars now. * Have lots of
vacation you want and settle on a destination. Do youone dollar bills on hand for tips to crew members, tour
want to climb glaciers and kayak in Alaska, snorkel inguides 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 orarrangements. Also arrange to have mail held at the
contact the cruise lines directly to request brochurespost 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 takecontact 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, spapassport, credit cards, insurance, traveler's check
treatments, shipboard activities, bar bills  even cruisenumbers, and any other paperwork people would need
wear. * Book your trip through your travel agent. Aif your wallet were lost or stolen. Give one copy to a
good travel agent will keep you on track and help youfamily member or friend. * Set out clothes to pack; buy
sort through everything from stateroom choices towhat 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 tomaterials for your trip. * Make arrangements for your
inside staterooms without windows, and they're pricedrides to and from the airport. * Leave a copy of your
accordingly. * Consider signing up for a travelitinerary and a set of house keys with a relative or
protection plan to protect your vacation if theclose friend in case of emergency. * Check weather
unexpected should happen. Research travel protectionforecasts 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; secureperishable food, water plants, set timers, pay bills, etc.
additional coverage if necessary. * Obtain yourOne day ahead * Reconfirm domestic flights. * Make
passports and visas, if necessary. Two months aheadsure all your luggage, including carry-on luggage, is
* Make sure you have a camera and luggage readylabeled both on the outside and inside with your name,
for the trip. If you get a new camera, learn how to useflight information, hotels, cruise itinerary and phone
it before leaving on the cruise. * Start researching yournumber. * Change your voicemail and e-mail messages
ports of call and your opportunities for shoreat work. A little organization can make your pre-trip
excursions. To avoid disappointment, book popularplanning easy and stress-free, leaving you to embark
tours in advance on the cruise line's Web site. Oneon your cruise vacation with a big smile on your face.
month ahead * Make a packing list. * Reconfirm allAnita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel
reservations. * Start making arrangements for petsjournalist specializing in cruise travel. Anita is a weekly
and home care. * If you're on any medications, maketravel columnist for and Tripso, and she is a contributor
sure you have plenty of your prescription on hand forto Fodor's "Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises
the trip, and be sure to have a second pair of glasses2007".
if you wear them. Carry all medications with you (do