17 Essential Things You MUST Do Before Every Cruise

If you're going on a cruise, you'll need to be prepared! These are the things you need to do before your cruise, or you could have a problem. This pre-cruise checklist for the last 30 days before a cruise, will help you to make sure you don't forget a thing!

Planning a cruise can get stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Keep a list of the things you need to do, including a cruise packing list, booking hotels, excursions & more.

If you're going on a cruise for the first time, this video is full of cruise tips that you need to know. Whether you're cruising with Carnival cruise line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America or on any other cruise vacation, this cruise advice will help.

RESOURCES I RECOMMEND

🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳

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CRUISE ESSENTIALS

Luggage tag holders:

*What I have: Carry-on Textured Luggage 21", 24" Textured Luggage checked bag

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FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Some of the video B-Roll footage courtesy of RCCL, Celebrity Cruise and NCHL
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Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

[Hawkeye]

Hotel tip for cruising out of San Diego. I found that the Wyndam Bayside was close to the cruise terminal, I just didn't realize how close. In the morning of our cruise the ship was literally right outside the hotel lobby. A simple walk across the street. Zero stressing.

[AlexP]

#18…ensure your “shopping cart” is empty if you have been looking at excursions or drink packages. Last year a cruiser showed up on embarkation and was denied because they had an outstanding balance, they left something in their shopping cart but did not either pay for it or remove it.

[charmanecurry]

On the last night I make a list of what I used vs what I didn't to give me a better idea of what to pack for my next cruise!

[jeffreyclinard]

What I've found works great is having packing cubes set aside based on needs. For my upcoming cruise out of Amsterdam, I'll have three set aside for this. The first one is for everything I need for the first night there (sleepwear, dental care, portable fan for airflow). The second is for everything I'll need for my day in Amsterdam (clean underwear, socks, shirt, razor, contact lenses, sunglasses, hat). The third one is for everything I need for embarkation day, including a few items for my carry-on (outside of day clothing, it will have a swimsuit and crocs).

It's nice having everything I need in separate cubes instead of having to dig into several to get what I need. Everything else can be packed by item and unpacked on the ship.

My travel vest with the zippered pockets always has chargers and cables for everything, plus carries everything I would normally keep in my pockets. It's easier to get to in-flight, and I can just put the whole vest on the scanner for security.

Oh, and since I lost my cell phone, I'm now carrying copies of all my documents in paper form. Plus I pack my old. I keep it updated (operating system and apps), and everything is stored in the cloud). If I lose my phone again, I can use that one.

[annrobertson]

I respect you because you confess your personal screw ups.

[allyrooh]

I stopped booking spa appointments. I always get a massage on the beach. Usually about $20 and much more enjoyable. Warning though, get it early in the cruise in case you get sunburned. Ain't no one wanting a massage with a sunburn!

[ScreamingEagleSid]

My wife & I have a printed list of ALL medications (including frequency & dosage) as well as ALL past surgeries, procedures & doctors, including specialties, phone & fax numbers. We find this very helpful when going to new doctors. It eliminates having to fill out forms & aids medical personnel to speed up our appointments.

[rickros]

I keep a bag for travel packed all the time...extra eye glasses, speakers, earbuds, chargers/cables, passports, vac records, nightlights, electrical adaptors, power strips...etc...

[pagrant]

get some emergency dental packs, like if you have a broken filling, crown . as getting hold of a dentist may be a problem depending on the ports you visit

[jackiemilton]

Thanks for all the important tips. It’s helping me understand what I need and must do list before my first cruise.

[Andrew-gloor]

Thank you Ilana for all your cruise knowledge!! You help so many people and make a huge difference!! Thank you!

[NicholasPyers]

Non-Americans should ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK BIRTHDATES in the booking confirmation. The system regularly screws up these by switching the Day with the Month !

The US uses MM/DD/YYYY for date formatting… while the rest of the world typically uses DD/MM/YYYY… and often despite entering the birthdays in the required format the system changes it behind the scenes.

[Cruise-hair-why-care]

Thank you for the great ideas. Don’t forget to always arrive in cruise port city at least the day before your cruise. Stuff happens, delayed or canceled flights, car problems, and the list goes on. Safe travels everyone!

[JudyAbert]

Instead of using the hangers in the cabin, I use the thin black felt hangers and hang all my clothes on them, then I put several items in two garment bags, folded on the top of my luggage. When I unpack in the cabin, all I need to do is take them out of the garment bags and hang them up. Easy and time saving!

[walkintheoutdoors]

I joined the roll call Facebook group for our upcoming cruise. People post tips about ports, hotel recommendations, etc. I didn’t know this existed. Thanks so much!

[DonLekei]

When printing all of your documentation, confirmations, etc., print a copy to PDF (PC use Print to PDF, Mac use the PDF drop-down at the bottom-left of the print dialogue) and save those in a cloud folder. On the devices you are taking, make sure that folder is set to "always keep on device". Really important ones, screenshot into a photos album (and include ID, E-Visas and credit cards) in case you have no internet). Finally, just before your trip, copy the folder to a waterproof camouflaged USB drive to keep with you in case you get separated from your luggage (or, heaven forbid, ship).

[Brody]

I have certain things that stay in my suitcase all the time. I just add too or remove depending on when and where I am travelling.

[rachellenale]

I seriously would be so lost without your page.. we hired a travel agency and all they did was book our cruise and the plane. That was it and it’s my first time cruising and no offense to the guys, but my husband as least isn’t into planning as much😂

[ThestuffthatSaralikes]

This is JUST what I was looking for!! We leave (first ever cruise AND family vacation!!) in 17.5 days… not that we’re counting…thanks! New sub!

[dawnhines]

First....I love your channel. So informative and helps me pass time between cruises! I am former Cruise Staff and love everything cruising. Here is my suggestion....there are people on group pages that know NOTHING about how shipboard expenses work, about printing out luggage tags and how to attach, how the embark day works, etc. There are often mentions but nothing combined. I think you should do a video on step by step the last 3 days leading up to your cruise and what you do. Then one step by step on embarkation day. Things like not putting on your cruise tags before flying but do put it on before you get to a busy cruise port, etc. Just a thought! If you have already done this I get it. I came today to look for one to link in our cruises page. Keep smiling! We love what you do!