• Sunday 02 December 2012

  Cruising is a fantastic way to travel and experience cities and countries, but what you pack and do before you go, can really make a difference to your overall holiday experience.  I have put together a few hints that I think will help you have a more enjoyable experience when preparing for your cruise. 1. Packing your carry on bag Make sure you pack a carry on bag that has a change of clothes, some  toiletries and all your important documents for your first day, as your luggage that you check in for the cruise can take up to 6 hours to arrive to your cabin. Things like a swimsuit and a change of clothes for later in the day are a must. This also goes for the last day as well, as your luggage will be collected early in the morning or even  the night before on some cruises and you don't want to be disembarking the ship in your pajamas! 2. Arrive Early Arrive early at the port so you have time to spend on the ship and beat  the queues at check-in. To help this many cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean enable you to check in online so the whole  process at the port is so much faster and less stressful. 3. Cabin Storage It may sound strange, but a small over the door hanger is great to hang all those bits and pieces from the day like swimsuits and beach towels as space is at a premium in the cabins.  You can get these cheaply and easily in home stores. 4. Get Charged Up An extension cable with extra plugs is very handy as often there aren't enough plugs (or they are just not in the right place)  for everything you need to charge like phones, cameras, and ipods. Just be sure to bring a converter with you if you are cruising  internationally as the plugs will be different. A surge protector is also handy for different voltages. 5. Choose what's right for you Finally and most importantly do your research. Make sure you choose a ship  and itinerary that is right for you, and not just what the most popular destinations at the moment are.  Do you like  the big ships with all the bells and whistles and bars and entertainment, or would you prefer a more intimate experience on a smaller ship. Would  you prefer an itinerary with lots of beach stops or are you more interested  in history and culture.  This is important as this choice at the beginning of the booking process  will have a large determination on your cruise holiday enjoyment.