Tag: ADVICE

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Cruise Tips Cruise Travel

How to Prevent Seasickness on Your Cruise

I was born with sea legs so I never thought I would succumb to seasickness. Boy, was I wrong. You see, I come from a family of avid cruisers. We cruise at least once a year to places like Alaska, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Aruba, The Bahamas, etc. Cruising is our favorite way to vacation, and let’s face it, it couldn’t be any easier! Your lodging, meals, entertainment, and transportation and all rolled together in a sexy little package. Let’s face it, there’s one thing that can ruin all of that… seasickness!

There is nothing worse than being seasick and spending your entire vacation hurling in your cabin. Luckily for me, I have only been seasick twice- once crossing the English Channel on a ferry and once on a cruise ship that was sailing through a tropical storm.

What causes seasickness?

Before I delve into ways to prevent seasickness, let’s quickly touch on what causes the worst feeling in the world. Seasickness is caused when your inner ears and your eyes send different signals to your brain. Your ears are like, whoa! we’re moving! but your eyes see that you’re indoors (on a ship) so… you can’t possibly be moving. This wizardry is what causes seasickness. The brain gets all kinds of confused and bam! instant motion sickness. BLAH!

And my goodness, is it awful. It kind of feels similar to the flu. You get dizzy and nauseous, your body feels off-center so the whole room feels like it’s moving. You lose your sense of appetite and your body starts producing more saliva. It’s absolutely dreadful.

So what can you do to prevent sea sickness?

1. See your doctor before the cruise.

If you know that you’re someone who is prone to motion sickness do yourself (and your travel companions) a favor and get prescription-strength meds from your doctor before you leave. Better safe than sorry, right? Trust me… answer right on this one!

2. Stock up on OTC solutions.

There are all kinds of over the counter meds for seasickness. They range from pills to patches and sea bands. It won’t hurt to pick up a few before you leave. Amazon offers all of these solutions for a great price! We recommend Travel Wristbands, Motion Sickness Patches, Bonine, or Dramamine.

3. On-Board Solutions

Okay…so you didn’t heed your body’s previous warnings that you’re prone to motion sickness and now you’re stuck on a boat feeling the urge to ralph. Now, what do you do? Well… luckily the ships are actually full of remedies on the buffet line!

Natural remedies such as:

  • Green Apples
  • Ginger Ale/Sprite
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Peppermints
  • Pretzels
  • Bread

4. Other Preventable Measures

  • Spend as much time as you can on the deck. Use the horizon to maintain your equilibrium. Trust me, this works! This method helps you see the motion, which will fix those mixed up signals your brain is receiving.
  • Book a cabin in the middle of the ship. This is the natural balance point of the ship so you’ll have less movement.
  • Avoid trans-Atlantic crossings and the Caribbean during hurricane season.
  • Book your trip on a larger ship. The bigger the better! Larger ships have more stabilizers!
  • Avoid booze (sorry), spicy foods, and acidic foods.
  • Choose your excursions wisely. Trust me, you don’t want to go horseback riding, boating, or zip-lining while you’re nauseous!

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Fingers crossed that these tips help you enjoy your vacation as much as possible! Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

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Cruise Tips Cruise Travel Packing

10 Things Cruisers Need in Port

The beach next to the ship is perfect for snorkeling and swimming!

Hey, y’all! If you’ve been around the blog for a while you know that I’m an avid cruiser. Some of our favorite cruise ports are in Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Alaska. One of the most fun things about cruising is being able to head into port for a few hours to explore. When you disembark the ship, there are a few things cruisers need in port.

Things Cruisers Need in Port

1. Sail & Sign Card (or band, or medallion)

This is probably the most important thing cruisers need to have while in port. You’ll need your Sail & Sign Card, band, or medallion to check yourself in and out of the ship. This gives the crew real-time information about who is on board and who is still out exploring.

2. Identification

There are some destinations where simply having your ship card will suffice as identifications, however, there are ports where you’ll need government-issued identification to get through port security. I leave my passport locked away in my room safe and take my driver’s license with me to port. I use this travel wallet to keep all of my items together in one place.

3. Money

Okay… so this might sound obvious but you’re going to need access to some money. While you’re on the ship your ship card is attached to your bank account however, this won’t work in the port. Make sure you have a credit card, debit card, or cash money on you in port.

Pro Tip- Almost everywhere you go will accept American currency, especially if you’re purchasing goods close to the port.

4. Phone

We live in a society where we are tied to our phones. Make sure you take your phone with you when you get off the ship. It’s great for emergencies, and to use as a camera. Just keep in mind that you may have roaming fees if you use your phone out of the country. I keep my phone in a waterproof case while I’m on the beach. I strongly suggest getting a waterproof case, even if you don’t intend on taking in the water.

5. A Watch

If you take your phone off of airplane mode, the time will adjust to the local time zone. Remember, as a cruiser you need to stay on ship time. Make sure you have a watch or keep your phone on airplane mode, so you don’t lose track of ship time.

6. Sunblock

Trust me, there is nothing worse than being sunburned on a cruise- especially if it happens early on into your cruise. Do yourself a favor and lather up! You can still get a sunburn if it is overcast and many people are not used to the UV index. Pack a good sunscreen and a Chapstick with UV protection.

7. Water

While we’re on the topic of taking care of yourself, make sure you take some water with you. Remaining hydrated is essential when you are in tropical climates. It is very easy to get dehydrated… especially if you’re drinking or soaking up the sun at the beach.

8. Mosquito Repellent

If you’re going to be spending time outdoors, it’s a good idea to spray yourself with a repellent. Many cruise lines provide aerosol cans at the gangway in high-risk areas (such as Belize) but don’t rely on them having it. It’s best to be pro-active. I use Bull Frog Mosquito Coast which is a combination of repellent and sunscreen. Two birds… one stone.

9. Gallon Size Bag

These little guys are so versatile! I always pack a few when I am traveling. They are great for storing wet bathing suits and keeping documents dry. You can also fill it half-full of ice and use it as a neck wrap in the event someone is overheated.

10. Pen and Paper

I actually take a Sharpie with me everywhere I go. It’s a super handy tool to have on hand. If Sharpie’s aren’t your thing, I suggest sticking a pen and a small notepad in your bag. You can use this to jot down important information such as boarding times, directions, etc.

What are your port essentials? Drop them in the comments below!

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

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Cruise Tips Cruise Travel Packing

The Ultimate Cruise Packing Tips & Hacks

The beach next to the ship is perfect for snorkeling and swimming!

Over the last decade, I have become a cruising experts. I’ve been on more than 15 cruises visiting destinations taking me all throughout the Caribbean and Alaska. During this time, I’ve learned a thing or two about cruising and I would love to share some cruise packing tips with you to help make your cruise all that more enjoyable. I should state that I sail exclusively with Carnival, however, a majority of my cruise packing tips, or hacks, can be useful to any cruise line.

Cruise Packing Tips & Hacks

Cruise packing is going to look different for everybody. For instance, if you have to fly into your departure port, you’ll be working with weight and baggage restrictions from the airlines. Trust me, I know that’s a pain! I dealt with it and made the best of it when I flew from Florida to Seattle for my trip to Alaska. Fortunately, I live in The Sunshine State and have the ability to cruise out of 4 different Floridian ports, all within driving distance. This makes packing a breeze!

Below is a list of things that I always pack when I cruise. Trust me, these items have made my life much, much easier! Feel free to click any of the photos for product information, reviews, and purchasing.

Over the Door Hanging Organizer

If you’re a heavy packer or sharing your cabin with others, you’ll want a bit of additional storage in your cabin, especially if you’re in an interior cabin! Cruise lines have done their best to maximize storage in the cabins but oftentimes, it simply isn’t enough. By bringing along an over the door hanging organizer, like one of the ones pictured here, you give yourself extra storage. I packed one similar to the organizer on the right. I hang it over the bathroom door and keep things like my hair straightener, aloe, medications, socks, undies, flip flops, shampoo, etc. You can load this thing down with all kinds of things!

You can also look into the organizers that tie at the top, rather than use a bracket to hang if your cruise line has banned this item.

​Yeti or similar tumbler

This is one of the first things that I started putting on my cruise packing list when I first began cruising. The cups that the cruise line provides for you are pretty freaking small. I have room service deliver me a carafe of coffee first thing in the morning and load my Yeti with coffee and creamer. The coffee stays hot a lot longer than the cruise line cups and I’ll have plenty of coffee to get me through the morning this way. Later in the day, I load my Yeti cup with ice and fill it full of juice from the Lido deck to enjoy while I’m poolside. This is a must, in my opinion! Make sure that you are courteous to other cruisers and use a clean cup to fill your tumbler.

Games

Wait, you pack games for a cruise? You’re darn skippy I do! I always add games to my cruise packing list!  You’ll actually probably be able to find some games on the ship (check the library) but I love packing games for sea days. Admittedly, I’m not much of a partier these days. Several years ago you’d find me in the ship’s clubs and bars dancing until all hours of the night. These days, I’m more likely to turn in early or organize a game night.

On our last cruise to Alaska, we had a game night during one of our Sea Days. It’s a great way to pass the time! One time, I invited a group of people that I met on an excursion in The Bahamas to join me for a game of Twister. Can I just tell you that was one of my best cruise memories? One game that I love bringing along is LCR because it is compact and can be turned into a drinking game or be played for money. I often take the games out of their boxes and pack them in a Ziploc to save space.

Sharpie

Sharpies a great thing to have on hand when you travel. If you’re traveling with your little ones, you can use them to write your phone number on their wrist just in case you get separated when you’re in port. I collect a green rock from every place that I visit. Afterward, I use the Sharpie to label where I got the rock. I do not recommend using the marker to write your cabin number on your key. If you happen to lose your card, the finder will have instant access to your cabin! Instead of writing my number on my key card, I write the cabins of the people I’m traveling with on the back of my card.

Gallon Size Ziploc Bags

These are great to have on hand! I take bags with me on excursions for storing wet bathing suits. They are also nice to have to pack away stinky socks and used underwear. I also like to use them to house my phone and other items I don’t want to get wet while at the beach.

Small Collapsible Cooler

If you ask, your cabin steward will keep this stocked with ice for you! These are great to have on hand to keep your bottles of water or other beverages cold throughout your cruise. They are nice to have on hand in your cabin and during shore excursions.  These are one of the newer items on my cruise packing list, although, to be honest- it’s not an absolute must.

Backpack

On the other hand, these are a must-have for your cruise. They are great for hiking through the jungles of Belize or Honduras, or zip-lining through tropical rain forests!  You’ll definitely want to add this to your cruise packing list.

Extra Hangers

Be sure to pack extra hangers! You’ll want to be able to hang all of your evening wear!

Power Strip

If you think that storage is a problem in your cabin, wait until you realize how few electrical outlets you have! Power strips are a must in my opinion. You’ll be glad you packed one when you need to charge all of your electronics or get ready for an elegant night!

Digital Clock

Believe it or not, your cabin will most likely not have a clock. This is completely intentional, but a little impractical considering how early many of the excursions leave. Sure, you could always schedule a wake-up call, but make your life a little easier and pack a digital alarm clock.

Lanyard

Lastly, pack a lanyard with you. It will make it easier to keep up with your room card! I like this Cruise Junkie one because it is detachable.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have these items with you when you head into port.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

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Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Cruise Packing Tips Updated: 11/17/21

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Cruise Travel Packing

What to Pack Your Cruise Embarkation Bag

The key to a successful cruise is preparation which is why I ensure I have all of the essentials in my embarkation bag.  Taking the time to take care of and organize things before leaving for your vacation can help it go much more smoothly. Making sure that you are organized from day one is the key to a successful vacation. Today we’re going to focus on what you should have with you in your cruise embarkation bag.

Embarkation day is one of my favorite parts of the cruise simply because it means that my vacation has officially started! Of course, days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are my favorite parts of the cruise as well! Embarkation day can be stressful though, even to a veteran cruiser, like me. Checking in can be quite the process but if you do a little preparation beforehand, it most definitely helps move things along a little faster. Let’s put it this way, the more prepared you are- the faster you can get to the fun!

Whether you’ve cruised or not, I strongly suggest taking a look at my 12 Things You Should Do Before You Cruise to help ensure you don’t miss any important steps! Part of being prepared is having everything you need on hand and easily accessible.

Six Things Cruisers Should Have in their Embarkation Bag

1. Passport– All cruisers must have a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal in order to board the ship.

2. Bank Cards– Although you set up your expense account prior to boarding the ship, I always keep my bank cards on me during check out just in case they need them.

3. Boarding Pass– Keep your boarding pass and passport handy at all times! Both of these documents will be checked multiple times before you board the ship.

4. Medical Information Sheet- One of the documents you’ll need to have filled out before you board the ship is a medical information sheet. The information is pretty generic, they’ll ask if you’ve had a fever or been sick within the last few days. Make sure you fill it out in advance.

Pro-Tip: All of these items can be stored in a Travel Wallet to keep them organized and all in one place.

 

5. Medication- It may be awhile before you get your luggage. Make sure you carry any necessary medication in your carry on.

6. Pens- I may go a little overboard in this department. I pack a couple of pens, a Sharpie, and a highlighter. These items stay in my bag during excursions so I like to have a few extras on hand, just in case.

Naturally, I throw some non-essentials in my bag as well. These include:

  • A notebook
  • A book
  • A sweater
  • A pouch with hand sanitzers
  • Chapstick
  • Small pouch (for my key fob)
  • Hair ties (again, I keep these in my bag for excursions so I like to have extras on hand.)

With these items in your embarkation bag, you’ll surely get your trip started off on the right track!  You should also check out 12 Things You Should Do Before Your Cruise and 10 Things To do on Your Cruise Embarkation Day, two posts that will help you get your trip started off on the right track.

All of these items get neatly placed inside a backpack. I keep my passport and documents in one section with my wallet and the remaining items in a different part of my backpack so they aren’t in the way if I need to grab something. Although I carry a bookbag (which is also the same bag I use in port), all of these items could easily fit inside of a large purse as well.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

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Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated 12/6/22

Categories
Cruise Travel

Embarkation Day: 10 Easy Ways to Make The Most Out Of Your First Day on the Ship

Embarkation Day is my favorite day of the cruise! Why? Simply because it means the cruise I have been waiting for is finally here! Of course, I also love Day 2, Day 3… you get the picture 🙂 If you’re anything like me, you’ve been planning your trip for quite some time. Here are some tips to help your Embarkation Day go as perfectly as possible.

Arriving on Embarkation Day

Arrive early- The earlier you arrive at check-in, the better. Many cruise lines, like Carnival, have you reserve your check-in time. My advice is to pick the earliest time possible! This makes checking in a breeze and gets us to the fun much, faster than those who are scheduled to check-in later.

Be Prepared– Make sure you have your boarding pass printed out beforehand. You should also make sure that you have already set up your expense account, filled out your health forms, and tagged your luggage with the appropriate luggage tags. Check out my list of 12 Things you Should Do Before a Cruise!

 

Ships docked in Nassau, Bahamas

Once You’re On The Cruise Ship

Explore the Ship– Your cabin will most likely not be ready when you board the ship (unless you have premium perks). Many of the cabin passages are closed off to travelers so cabin stewards can prepare the rooms for your voyage. There is so much to discover on each ship and there is no better time than on embarkation day to do it…well… unless you’re a night owl and explore while everyone else is sleeping, of course. This is one of the best times to get pictures of the ship. It’s also a great time to figure out where your meeting places will be and scope out potential hangout spots!

Bring a Well-Stocked Carry-on– There is a pretty good chance that your luggage will not arrive until later in the day. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is watch everyone else swimming just because you don’t have access to your bathing suit yet! 

 

Book Your Spa Appointments– Oftentimes, the spa will offer special deals on embarkation day. Take advantage of these deals by booking your appointments on day one.

Book Excursions– If you haven’t already booked your excursions, head down to the main lobby to check out what tours are available. Spots are limited on most tours and you don’t want to miss out! Need help selecting an excursion?

Meet Your Cabin Steward– Your cabin steward is the lovely person (or people) that will be taking care of your cabin each day. Trust me, you’re going to want to get to know them! Some cruise lines ask you to select whether you would like for your room to be tended to in the morning, or while you are at dinner- this is the time to do that! Your cabin steward can help you with things like replenishing your ice bucket, providing you with extra hangers, pushing your beds together, answering questions, etc. These are often some of the friendliest people you’ll meet on the ship!

Check Out the Daycare Options– If you’re traveling with children and will be taking advantage of the child care, I strongly suggest scoping it out on the first day. Get to know the folks who will be watching your little ones while you’re out enjoying some “you time”. If you did not pre-register, you’ll need to fill out the appropriate documents with them before you can take advantage of this service.

Let’s Get This Party Started!

Eat!– Let’s face it, most of us look forward to cruise food. I know I’m guilty as charged. Not sure where the food venues are? Follow the crowd to deck 9 to check out the Lido deck. Or…strike out your own path and discover many of the other eateries onboard!

Pro-Tip: Everyone and their mother (literally) will be at the buffet. Either find another restaurant or wait until a little later to avoid the rush.

Grab a Drink- Last but not least, grab a drink! You may even stumble on a sweet Happy Hour Deal! Relax and enjoy the special of the day! Your vacation has officially begun!

 

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

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Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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    Post Updated:  12/6/22

    Categories
    Cruise Travel

    12 Things You Absolutely MUST Do Before Your Cruise

    Did you know that there are some things you absolutely must do before your cruise?  One of our favorite things about cruising is the fact that you don’t have to do a lot of planning to make the trip successful. With other overseas trips, you have to arrange for transportation from Point A to Point B, have to book hotels, figure out where to eat, what to do, etc, etc. With cruises, however, all of that is planned out for you and wrapped up in a nice little package.

    It’s truly a stress-free way to travel! 

    Of course, cruise companies can’t take care of EVERYTHING for you, here’s a quick list of 12 Things You Should Do Before Your Cruise!

     

    The gorgeous blue waters of Aruba.

    12 Things You Should Do Before Your Cruise

    1. Firstly, dig out your passport, passport card, or birth certificate. You’ll need these in order to board the ship. Passport holders are also super handy to have. I love this family passport holder. It is the perfect way to store everyone’s passports, identification cards, and credit cards all in one place. Trust me, organization is the key when checking in! If you don’t have a passport, check with your cruising company to see if you can sail with just your birth certificate.

    2. Fill out the necessary documents. If you haven’t already, create an online account on your cruise line’s website. Once you’ve added your booking, you’ll be provided with a checklist of documents that you’ll need to fill out in advance. These forms may include customs forms, health questionnaires, etc. Filling these out in advance will help your check-in process run much more smoothly! Trust me, everyone in the line behind you will appreciate it!

    3. Next, print your boarding passes and luggage tags. Again, this is done at your cruise line’s website. These luggage tags are excellent to have on hand!

    4. While you’re on the website, set up your expense account.

    5. Then, Book Excursions. Many excursions fill up quickly, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. Make sure you don’t miss out on your first choice by booking early!

    6. Purchase any additional packages. This includes drink packages, spa packages, Faster to Fun Passes, etc.

     

    Click to download your free packing list.

    7. After that, create a packing list. I have found by jotting everything down on paper, it helps me out tremendously! It reminds me of anything that I may still need to purchase or dig out from the depths of the closet. Trust me, you don’t want to wind up on a cruise ship without your bathing suit, sunscreen, or even dress shoes! Once you’ve created your list, look it over a few times and think about the activities you’ll be doing on the cruise. For instance, some excursions, such as zip-lining and horseback riding, require that you wear closed-toed shoes. While you’re at it, check out What Every Cruiser Needs in Their Cruise Embarkation Bag.

    8. Charge it! Gather all of your chargers so you don’t leave any behind!

    9. Next, make two photocopies of your passport, identification cards, and credit cards. Keep one in your luggage and leave one behind with a trusted friend.

    10. Always, always, always call your bank before traveling abroad. Let them know what countries you’ll be visiting and when you’ll get back. TRUST ME! You don’t want to have your account frozen while you’re away.

    11. Speaking of money, go ahead and hit the ATM and pull out some cash money for your trip! You’ll need cash on hand for tipping shuttle drivers, porters, tour guides, etc.

    12. Lastly, if you’re flying, be sure to weigh your baggage! The cruise line won’t care how heavy it is but your airline sure will!

    We hope that this list of things to do before your cruise helps get your trip started off on the right fin…err…foot.  Safe travels!

    Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

    Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Cruise and start planning your dream vacation today!

    Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure

    Be sure to save this pin for later! You’re going to need it come vacation time! Be sure to give me a like on Facebook for more great cruise advice. See you next time!

      **This post contains links for your shopping convenience**

      Posted Updated: 5/15/22

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