When you think about preparing for your cruise vacation you probably picture packing a swimsuit and sandals. But there are a few key things you can take care of before your cruise vacation that can really boost your enjoyment. First ensure you have a valid passport. Next book your spa and shore excursions online. Finally assess your available credit and get plenty of cash to make sure you aren’t caught short at sea. These small steps add up to peace of mind so you can really relax during your cruise vacation.

If your cruise vacation takes you outside the borders of the US you should renew or get a passport as soon as possible. A valid passport is required to reenter the country from Canada Mexico and the Caribbean. If you’ve traveled a lot you want to make sure you have blank pages in your passport and check the expiration date. You don’t want to realize upon reentry that your passport just expired. For some who don’t yet have a passport it’s worth the money to get it processed quicker so it arrives in time for your trip. Make a few copies of your passport before the trip. If your passport is lost or stolen while you are gone these copies will come in handy. It’s a great idea to put one in your suitcase and give one to your emergency contact back in the states.

A month or so before your cruise vacation you’ll receive your documents. You will find information about shore leave amenities on board ship and other things that make your trip the best it can be. Most cruise lines allow you to make these kinds of reservations online. Those who wait until they board their cruise ship to do this will find a long line and inconvenient times available. You can step on board and begin enjoying yourself knowing that your spa appointment is not booked during dinner or a port.

A few months before your cruise vacation take a look at your amount of available credit Whether you must pay down your balance move money around or simply open another card you need to know as soon as possible. Expect that your cruise line will place a hold on your credit card for incidentals upon check in. This hold could range from $50-200 per day. Confirm your cruise line’s policy with a quick call. This is really important if you plan more hotel stays and car rentals during your vacation which mean multiple holds on your account. While you will ultimately only be charged for actual expenses it make take several days for it all be adjusted. You don’t want to find out that your card is declined during your trip because of holds.

It is also a good idea to bring enough cash for your trip. Even though you’ll use your credit card a lot there are times when you’ll need cash. Because of the high rate of fraud traveler’s checks aren’t taken as often as they used to. Most ships these days have ATMs but you can count on a high fee and they sometimes run empty. You’ll be very glad you have some hard cash to make purchases from street vendors and smaller merchants on shore. Also cash tips are a great way to recognize all the great service from your cruise ship staff. To avoid a lot of inconvenience on your dream vacation pack some cash.

Even a chaotic person can get organized for a cruise vacation. A little advanced preparation will ensure that you enjoy your cruise vacation from the moment you step on board. Get a valid passport make your reservations in advance secure plenty of credit and cash. These small but important steps will pay off in cruise vacation enjoyment. Of course pack your swimsuit and sandals and enjoy your trip!

About the Author – Denine Blanken
You can learn more at Cruise Ship Vacation Site.