Setting sail for the 1st time on a cruise for our honeymoon. Any suggestions of things not to forget to pack, things to see, things to be aware of? Anyone out there traveling on these same dates? My husband and I are very excited for this trip
Things to pack: Flashlight, binoculars, extra batteries for your electronic devices, comfortable shoes, bug spray, and all your paperwork - copy of your pre registration papers, IDs, birth certificates, and if you have them passports.
Having a flashlight comes in handy if the ship were to loose power, and when getting up from bed for whatever reason and you don't wish to wake up your cabin mates. Binoculars really help bringing far items up close, ships aren't sailing by the islands within a few hundred yards, they sail a few miles away. You'll most likely be bringing some sort of an electrical device. The time you'll want to take that once in a lifetime photo usually occurs when you discover the battery has run down, or it's recharging. Having extra batteries means you get to take that photo. You be walking a lot on the ship and off in the ports. You'll also will be dining on well seasoned foods and drinking water with more salt than normal, causing your feet and ankles to swell some. Tight fitting shoes will become uncomfortable fast. If you're going to a beach - most beaches in the Caribbean have nasty sand fleas, or out in the at night - when mosquitoes are awake, you're going to wish you had some bug spray containing deet with you. You have to have your paperwork or you will not be able to board the ship. The cruise lines will not give you any refund if you arrive without your paperwork.
Hi runnteach, and welcome to cruise-chat.com. And, congratulations on your wedding and honeymoon!
Of the items listed above by Ron, the most important is the paperwork. NCL's documentation requirements may be found here. Essentially, if you are a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide proof of citizenship as well as proof of identity. Note that any documents you provide (such as birth certificates) must be certified copies, not photocopies.
Also be aware of NCL's new boarding policy (summarized here) requiring passengers to be onboard the ship at least TWO hours prior to departure time.
Now for the fun stuff. When you're onboard, you'll receive a daily program that lists the days activities. Be on the lookout for any Newlywed gatherings. (Sometimes, they combine it with Anniversary gatherings.) Our first cruise was for our honeymoon, and the cruise line did indeed make it special. So, be sure they know somehow (Your travel agent can handle this for you.)
Consider taking a power strip so you can plug in cellphones for charging, camera battery rechargers, MP3 payers etc. The strips have always worked for us. Electrical outlets in the cabins can be sometimes hard to find and in poor areas in the cabin especially when your in need of one.
Buy a cheap 10 to 20 pocket fold up shoe holder. Place on the back of the bathroom door. In the shoe pockets you can store sundries, and many other items. This is a very helpful travel item. There are so many items that you can place in the shoe pockets, and since the shoe pockets are clear, you can always see whats in each pocket. you can find these at local Walmarts for under $10.00.
Consider a cheap lanyard for carrying the ships cruise card. Just carry around your neck and you don't need pockets to carry the cruise card.
Also suggest a night light as the cabins are very dark at night and other than leaving the light on in the bathroom and closing the door, undoubtedly you will get up in the middle of the night to use the facility. Cabins can become tight quarters and the nightlights help guide the way.
Wine bottle cork screw.
Bunge cord if on a balcony cabin to hold the door open. Rocky seas will make the balcony door slide back and forth and become very annoying.
Collapsible clothes hamper for dirty laundry. It's easy to carry to the on board laundromat if the ship has on. Cost about $1.00 at the dollar store.
Just a few ideas. Get the fold up 10 to 20 shoe holder for sure!!!! It's a must item.
Most of all a good ATTITUDE.
Remember ..."An Attitude is like a flat tire...you won't get very far, unless you change it".
