Cruise Travel: How To Prepare For Travel On The Ship

Cruise ships are a fun and engaging way to see numerous ports of call, enjoy a variety of activities and travel through beautiful regions. Cruise ship travel is, by nature, markedly different from any other form of vacation. So, you need to plan accordingly.

From packing to medical considerations, preparing for a cruise vacation goes beyond the basics of swim trunks and guide books. To learn about how best to prepare for a cruise vacation, keep reading for great tips on everything from packing your suitcase to warding off seasickness.

What to Pack on a Cruise Vacation

Ultimately, what you pack is going to depend on your destination. An Alaskan cruise will require different clothing than a Caribbean cruise at the height of summer.

That said, don't let land temperatures fool you. Particularly during the winter months, some cruises (like those leaving from L.A.) can be quite cold. Regardless of the forecasts on land, always pack a wind-resistant jacket and at least one set of clothes that will allow you comfort up on deck when things get chilly out at sea.

On the other hand, if your trip is during the warmer months of the year, be sure to bring plenty of comfortable, loose fitting clothing that allows you to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

Do you packing in a balanced way, squeezing in as much as you think you will reasonably need while bearing in mind that cruise ship cabins tend to be small.

You'll also need proper identification and proof of purchase to board a cruise ship. These will be required at every port-of-call, so pack your papers (including your health insurance) in a water-resistant envelope that's small enough to carry with you if you plan to leave the ship.

Medical Considerations

You will most likely need travel health insurance for your next cruise vacation. When purchasing travel insurance, try to find one that's geared specifically toward cruises and the legal intricacies of international waters.

This is an expense that seems easy to justify skipping under the assumption of thinking what can go wrong during a simple week-long journey. However, all travelers who have needed to place an insurance claim during or after a trip can testify to its value.

Secondly, pack any needed medications. You may even want to pack extras or a spare if you intend to go to shore. For example, an asthmatic may want to pack one inhaler to carry in a pocket and another backup just in case. Most cruise ships have a medical clinic and doctor or health professional on-board the ship, but this is typically a stopgap measure, not a full-proof backup.

Finally, if you're prone to motion sickness, you can prepare for your voyage with basic ginger root. An herbal remedy, ginger root has been proven to help with seasickness while avoiding the side effects common with many pharmaceutical motion sickness remedies.

Herbalists recommend taking the ginger root starting a few weeks before you actually leave on your cruise to help your body become accommodated to it.

What You Should Leave Behind

Always leave behind a full travel itinerary and emergency contact information with family and friends. Most cruise lines offer an emergency number that can be used by family and friends in case they need to get in touch with you urgently.

But don't make the mistake of assuming they will simply be able to contact your cell phone for a critical need. Odds are good that your phone will be out of reach.