Author: Susan Dunn, Personal and Professional Development Coach
Source: articleage.com

“What You Must Know if You’re Taking a Cruise,” by Susan Dunn,
Personal & Professional Development Coach

Being a coach, I speak on cruises. I took my first cruise about
4 years ago. I asked a friend who’d cruised a lot what I needed
to know and she said, “Nothing. Just have fun.” I disagree.
Having cruised many times since then, I’d like to pass on some
tips to help you enjoy your cruise more.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE

Medicare doesn’t cover expenses incurred outside the US. Many
insurance plans provide little or no coverage for international
or out-of-network travel medical expenses. Find out about yours
before you go. Then fill in the gaps with travel insurance.

Also investigate: 1.Insurance to cover cancellations and
interruptions, and cost of delayed or lost baggage 2.Financial
Default Coverage for financial failure of airline, cruise line
or tour operator 3.Terrorism Coverage for reimbursement if you
cancel trip due to terrorist incident in departure city or
itinerary city 4.Medical Evacuation Coverage, Medical Reunion
and Return of Mortal Remains, all of which can be very costly.

PACKING

Pack the “little” things because they get “big” on a trip.
Bandages or Neosporin will cost you 5 times as much and also
waste hours of pleasure time while you search for them.

Take along a small basic first-aid kit and comfort kit. Yes, the
ship has an infirmary, but it’s a long trip down there, and an
expensive one.

Think of things you use over a week’s time – antihistimine,
eyedrops, lotion, aloe Vera, anti-diarrhea medication, hair
dryer, needle and thread.

If it’s important to you, bring it. The last cruise I was on
supplied numerous toiletries, but no hair dryer.

WARDROBE

Formal night! It’s the reason some cruise. It’s the reason some
won’t.

Let me set your mind at ease. If you don’t want to go to formal
night, you can avoid it. Most cruises have a casual buffet
option with delicious food every night, 24 hour hot dogs and
pizza, and 24 hour room service.

If you want to participate in formal night, tux rental is
available – http://www.cruiselineformal.com . Most ships keep
some inventory onboard, but it’s best to order early. There are
usually tailors on board.

What will others be wearing? The last cruise I went on, I saw
very few tuxes. What do you see? Everything. Western formal,
including the cowboy hat and boots, dark suits, nice slacks and
coats. Cocktail dresses for women, pantsuits, prom dresses.

The Captain’s Cocktail Party or Reception is another chance to
dress, mix and mingle if you like. It is also completely
optional. Dress is generally dark suits for men, and cocktail
dresses for ladies.

It’s slippery on deck, so bring some good gripping shoes. Don’t
try and break in a new pair of shoes on your vacation. Some
excursions require a lot of walking, and so does getting around
on the ship.

Day wear is resort casual. No need to spend a fortune on clothes
unless you want to. Some cruise lines provide bathrobes, or
bring your own for poolside and dining in buffet.

If you get a sunburn, or if you want protection, bring along a
light shirt with long sleeves.

Hot tubs often contain enough bromide to bleach out your bathing
suit and also relax the elastic. Bring an old suit, or an
inexpensive one if you plan to sit in the hot tub a lot.

LUGGAGE

Between airline, dock and ship, it’s unrealistic to assume
nothing will happen to your luggage. Common sense would dictate
buying the most sturdy and least expensive baggage you can find,
i.e., don’t give a crystal goblet to a toddler and then be
“surprised” it gets broken.

PHOTOGRAPHS – AN UNDERUSED OPPORTUNITY

They want to sell photos! Photographers are operating nightly,
with various backgrounds (including traditional), black and
white as well as color. They are pleased to photograph you as
many times, in as many ways, as you like. If you’re in need of a
new professional head shot, bring along your suit.

HEALTH

You don’t have to gain 20 lbs. unless you want to. Cruises offer
tracks, workout rooms, exercise programs, dancing, lite menus,
low-calorie menu options, low-fat desserts, salad bars, and
plenty of active excursions ashore, including just plain
vigorous walking.

You can also do the thing you do at home to effortlessly
increase your activity level. Take the stairs instnead of using
the elevators. Get up and get your own drinks. Offer to get
people seconds at the buffet. Volunteer to go back to the room
for forgotten items.