Time to check the TiVo and be sure all our shows are being recorded while we are gone. I don’t know why but it seems that we always lose some when we are not here to be sure that machine does it’s job.
That’s just one of the “critical” items we check before leaving on a cruise. If you have been following this series on getting ready to cruise the Ruby Princess, you know there are a bunch of other, way more important things to check and be sure of. You also know that technically, we can leave the house with only our boarding cards, passports and a credit card and be allowed to board the ship. I keep bringing that up because this question comes up a lot, especially from those who have not cruised before.
I think that all stems from the deadline from government authorities saying everyone HAD to have a passport no matter what as of last June. Passports are indeed a great idea and highly recommended but for guests sailing on what we call a “closed loop” cruise from the United States who are United States citizens, they can board the ship with an original birth certificate or certified copy of an original birth certificate and a photo ID. Some time in the future a passport will be required and if you’re going to sail or travel much you should have one anyway. But for now, don’t let not having a passport squash your vacation plans. Do pay attention to the rules though, they will eventually change. Also, if it makes you feel better, call your cruise line to hear it directly from them. They do own the ships and ultimately will decide if you can or can not board. In the travel business we call that “hearing it from the horses mouth” …whatever than means. (Does anyone know where that comes from?…just curious…Mr Ed, are you reading this?)
Something we don’t want to hear is “Have a good time? Your house was broken into while you were gone!”
We used to simply take the dog to the kennel, turn on some lights so it looked like we were home and hit the road on vacation. These days we have a house-sitter who lives where we do when we are not there. I was surprised at how inexpensive this is compared to coming home to find your house broken into for use as a gang membership ritual of some sort. At first we used the neighbors but then figured out they too might be in a gang so we turned to professionals for this service. Google “house sitters” for more information about what is available in your area and for sure consider going that way.
Funny how things change over time. I remember as boy we would go on vacation for a week someplace and not even think to lock the front door. But that was half a century ago in Kansas. We’re not in Kansas anymore and it is surely not 1960…or 1977, the year the television program “The Love Boat” cruised on to the scene, planting the seeds that would eventually lead us here, to a sailing of the Ruby Princess, great, great, great granddaughter of the original Pacific Princess in the show.
While Princess Cruises has pulled away from the whole Love Boat thing for the most part, the cruise line still embraces it’s heritage with occasional sightings of Gavin MacLeod , the ship’s Captain and expert at Love and Romance at company events and promotions around Valentines Day among others.
Tip: before sailing on a Princess ship, review the company history and that of the Love Boat television show. Much like viewing Forrest Gump a number of times before dining at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co so you can wack the servers there in the head with their own triva game, being prepared is important. That, combined with research about the ship you are on, especially the deck plans, the ports you will visit and other related topics adds depth and a richness to the whole experience. That gets you more out of it and that means a better value (our theme for 2010) and an enduring memory that will last a lifetime.
Another great tip, this one from Shirley in Vancouver who writes
” Well if you are going on a two week cruise… I would highly recommend clothes that are a little larger for the second week… I am sorry they feed you so well that you will need a few looser clothes for the second week. I remember on my first cruise… I met some people and when hanging out in one of my new friends cabins… she was picking out something for that night… and I said what about this one… and she said “OH NO” that is my second week dress…. got to save it til next week cuz I wont be able to fit in this one next week… lol… soooo true… lesson learned.”
Thanks Shirley, I had forgotten that!
Do you have tips we have not covered here? Time is running out so send them today. You can comment here or send an email to Chris@YourCruiseDream.com. Twitter users join in @orlandochris and tag it #followmeatsea for some crazy fun.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).