What All Smart Cruisers Do in The Days Before A Cruise

[@bella_aussie_of_sk]

We attached our baggage tags before arriving at the ship but upon boarding we found out our allocated cabin was someone else's! Luckily our bags arrived at the (wrong) cabin at the same time as we did! After visiting guest services, we discovered we had been given an upgrade from inside cabin cabin to oceanview! The kerfuffle was worth it! Hahahahaha!

[@susancook1448]

I hope they don’t do this to us! I like a midship even if it’s inside cabin

[@jeffreyclinard2002]

I had a similar experience on the Oosterdam, except I found I'd been upgraded at check-in. Then, within an hour of the rooms opening, passenger services called me to ask if I would change so some group could have adjoining rooms. I didn't mind (and I hadn't even used the toilet in the room). I didn't have your luck with luggage though. It was tagged with my original room, and I'm pretty sure the crew was working off the manifest they created before sailing with my upgraded room. It took some time before I got them.

[@floydwolfe9331]

This has happen several time to me where I arrive at my cabin and my pass would not work so go to conceaire to find out I been upgraded, which does but a delay on my luggage to catch up to my new location. But each time so far it does eventually show up.

[@yt_energy]

so the room card that you were given didnt tell you that you were a different cabin, you had to go to guest services to find that out?

[@highpsi11]

Gary's range of experience is exhaustive! I feel overwhelmed just listening to these videos, but I'm slowly learning!

[@ZacharyCobb]

Digital versions of physical documents is a great idea thanks.

[@lovecruisin6457]

I booked a 2 week cruise around New Zealand in Feb 2024 a year ago. I checked the app to make dining reservations 6 months ago and many of the time slots were already gone! When I check dining times in February to see if I could switch a few days I discovered all dining times were gone except really late dining times for a solo diner. If I had waited until a month before the cruise I would not have gotten a shared table.

[@texasboy5117]

We cruise about 4 times a year and do just about everything you noted. It makes the trip so easy to have done about 98% of the planning months in advance.

[@donkiml5805]

We saw so many people unprepared in Iceland. Even in the summer the winds make it very cool sometimes. We saw people from Hawaii wearing tropical type clothes and flip flops with cruise sweatshirts. I don’t know how they made it on excursions. Iceland also has limited OTC medications, most requiring a physician’s order. Your suggestions are so spot on.

[@broccanmacronain457]

We were definitely one of those sets of people. We flew to Iceland a few days early for a Norwegian cruise. We were leaving in late June and were expecting moderate weather at least in the 60s. The days we were awaiting the cruise were in the 40s and 30s with sleet coming down all three days so we had to pick up a couple of warm sweaters to wear under our jackets (luckily wind and waterproof) Once we got on the cruise weather cleared and we had a great time.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I keep copies of all documentation when I travel, but in future I will keep them in a folder like yours, rather than folded and tucked away. Lovely visuals in this video. Thank you!

[@abigailgerlach5443]

I do a few things before I leave home. I stop my mail. I contact mybank, credit card company and my cell phone company. I copy all my paperwork and give a copy to my sister (especially insurance). I use my bank's bill pay and set up all my bills to be paid while I'm gone. It's peace of mind.

[@kays749]

We did that cruise in the opposite direction. The best tip here is watch the weather. It was blazing hot in Brazil and freezing on the Falkland Islands. Pack accordingly.

[@floydwolfe9331]

I have one comment of my own, After my 3rd cruise I located and purchase a pair of smart looling deck shoes which I wear entire time aboard cruise ships, even formal nights , doesnt matter how wet deck get these shoes are close to slip prove. Prove this to my self when mens wash room was recently mobed and shoes still had good grip.Shore excursion is when I wear my casual shoes, abone arriving home my deck shoes is hand clean, and repack in suitcase where it stay stored till next trip. 23 cruise more and still performing well.

[@kathywest7205]

This is a keeper Gary! Such a great checklist to go through before any cruise 👍

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks, good to hear! I had not thought about the process I had got into doing until on that trip and a few people asked me about it!

[@napoleonsdauphin]

Your small comment about having Skype credit to call your mum's landline made me smile. I remember doing that years ago to stay in touch with my parents and grandparents.

[@purplerose9041]

Excellent video. One thing that I always do one week prior to embarkation is calling the hotel(s) where we will stay pre-cruise and post cruise to confirm our hotel reservations, especially overseas. This is just to make sure the hotels still have our reservations because I normally book our hotels and flights at least 6 months out.

[@stevebartley628]

I love the ‘invisible’ selfie stick

[@paulkoza8652]

You are a gold mine of information, especially for novice cruisers such as myself.

[@philipnawrocki8278]

Gary - Great info and of course you are a pro at planning / cruising / etc. As a yearly cruiser, I would say that this itinerary is much more complex than many and given the typical demographic for Holland America, it is easy to see and predict that there would be many traveler issues for check-in, etc. I am traveling with my parents next month and the amount of "pre-work" and info for this cruise would probably overwhelm them as it did for many of the passengers you experienced. Perhaps a future video on best cruises for different age demographics, mobility issues, and beginner vs experienced cruises? I think that would be a great one for you to do!

[@jeffpankin]

I check my phone’s available memory to make sure I’ll have enough room for new photos and videos I shoot on the cruise. Sometimes I need to remove and back up photos I’ve already taken.

[@docsmctink]

Wonderful reminders Gary! I save many of your videos in my cruising folder on my iPad. When I’m ready to cruise, I can review the ones I need and make my lists of things to do etc. it’s a great review and it’s also like listening to a friend while planning! Thank you so much for your help!

[@AlonsoRules]

I think one of the most important things pre-cruise is work out where the Ports are and how to get to/from them. Just because a Port has "Rome" or "Paris" in the name does not mean it is within 2 hours of those cities. My first cruise thankfully is out of Manhattan Cruise Terminal however access to that one is not a breeze with public transport.

[@cbpd89]

This is why your channel is so great! Having a good trip is all about the time you put in before hand to plan and prepare, this gave me a few things to double check before my next cruise. Thanks!

[@Ivehadenuff]

I am going on my first cruise on Regent in October. It was a spontaneous decision on my part. I am learning so much from your channel. I booked day before yesterday and know nothing.

[@datavortex]

People on Disney Cruise Line book excursions crazy early. The most popular ones routinely sell out within minutes after going online as midnight US Eastern Time (UTC-5). So do many onboard activities like massages and extras for kids such as the Royal Gathering. DCL customers really need to be on the ball! Don't wait for your mobile app alert to book your activities, they'll all be sold out by then.

[@cherifurr3935]

So true!

[@chriswilliams6568]

Yes that is due to families, so when one person books excursions, they are booking 4-5 spots on each excursion. So they fill up faster. Good observation.

[@cherifurr3935]

Like, a minute after midnight the day you’re allowed!😂

[@Love2Cruise]

It’s the Disney park experience on the sea!

[@TheFletcher53]

Thanks Gary. My wife and I recently completed a two week Mediterranean cruise on the Enchanted Princess. We prepared in much the way you outlined. We expected to have some bumps, but experienced none that I recall. We hope to cruise again in Europe next year, and will be looking at your channel for advice. We did use a data only e-sim on our phones while in ports. We chose not to purchase the ship’s wifi and beverage packages.

[@lloydharris1272]

If you are doing a long trip - check to see whether your over the counter meds are available in other countries. Saves having to carry months and months of supply.

[@hortensehorseman5328]

So much great information. I’m getting ready for my first cruise. A little preplanning and organization makes a more enjoyable cruise. Thank you!

[@calumshaw]

Great vlog Gary! Number One, I would have thought for everyone is downloading the cruise line app. I love the Princess app and pre-cruise always ensure I'm in the "Green Lane" by checking at least weekly. Finally, most lines these days have set times for passengers to board; it just amazes me how many people demand boarding when they arrive even though they may have arrived hours before their allotted boarding time. And for first timers, your booking may say preferred boarding, but that still means you can only board during your allotted time, not "anytime".

[@markakira8988]

Very helpful, intelligent, thoughtful content. This information, if used, separates the 1% from the masses. *Never leave anything to chance!*

[@sarafleischer1523]

We scheduled a celebrity cruise in May 2022 sailing in late October 2023. They had a 25% off excursion sale early this year and we booked everything then for a better price. We may use local tours for several ports because the itinerary seemed a little better. Prices were similar to the ship because of the very early purchase

[@lynnfranklin5098]

My folder has saved many headaches Good reminder

[@labrat9786]

The problem I've had with reservations before sailing is that I've not been allowed to use my OBE to pay for them.

[@janetroberts4359]

My daughter and I have always made a folder for every trip, including road trips. This goes way back to when she was a small child and I was a single parent. In addition to trip details (reservation confirmations and such) this was an actual slim binder that contained a certified copy of her birth certificate, a certified copy of my custody court orders, and several photos of her and I together over the years. This assured customs officials that I was her bona fide legal parent ( customs officer on a crossing into Canada: “We love binders!”).

[@FraserAtSea]

This year so far, I’ve found boarding SO efficient when I’ve got the cruise line app downloaded, I’m signed into it, and I’ve got my boarding documents ready to go. Recently in Barcelona, it’s been taking me less than 20 minutes to go from the car park to my cabin on the ship - it’s been absolutely amazing. Compare this with my boarding for my Alaska cruise last year (where it was more complex as more to do in the terminal), it took us over 2 hours at Seattle - a huuuuuge improvement when you can do as much as possible in advance!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes! And it’s even worse boarding in Vancouver as have to go through two sets of immigration and it’s a mess!

[@owensmith7530]

Apps for cruises are a pain, given that two of the people I cruise with don't have and refuse to have smartphones. How long before it's going to be impossible to board without a smartphone? Would that be fair?

[@AnnWalker-g8f]

Love your folder. Mine is 1/2 that size. I love the organization. (used it when I taught in China)

[@walterjrobinson]

These are simple basics and planning! Even before our first cruise some 16 years ago, we were able to find instructions and "what to expect" to make the experience easier. Thanks for the videos as always and if people aren't doing this basic research after dropping thousands of dollars it makes you wonder.

[@gratefultube]

Gary -- thank you SO MUCH for this video and the peace of mind it fosters.

[@BillPeschel]

I really appreciate you going into detail on route-specific cruises. I don't know if we'll ever go to South America, but if I do, I'll feel much more prepared for anything thanks to your video.

[@jeffreyclinard2002]

What I prefer to do with phone service is get a visitor SIM card. In Europe I use Orange Holiday, while in Asia I used a Hi!Tourist. I mostly get them for data services. It does insure that I can be contacted when on shore excursions as well as on the ship, either through my temporary number or via various messaging or voice over IP apps.

[@cherifurr3935]

I need to figure out how to do that when traveling to Europe…

[@andreanittel2240]

we will be booking our own excursions on our upcoming cruise as the ship's choices are a fortune!

[@juanitafurtado8805]

Yes, read EVERY email from the cruise line. Holland America recently upgraded me significantly which i didn't realize until the last minute because i didn't read an email thoroughly.. A quick call lto the cruise line cleared up my confusion when i received a boarding pass with a different cabin number. Almost had my bags delivered to wrong cabin with the original luggage tags which i had printed before they changed me

[@NancyD2]

I was STRESSED getting our excursions booked. We are 60 days out and about 10 days ago I had surgery so I was not firing on all cylinders! But I had to get all 4 of us booked and had to have the other 2 booking theirs. STRESSED I tell ya. Full availability. Easy peasy. Apparently I was the only person on that ship stressed about it! I *think* we're all green lined on the app. I gotta check with one to be sure she got it done. I do have to make sure we have enough baggage tag holders.... I know my family gets annoyed with me for all my pre-trip stressing, but we get what we want when we want and everything goes off without a hitch. Now.... if the US Government would just get my passport processed (It expired in December and our trip is in July so we had to get a new one).

[@jlawrence0181]

As usual, you make a lot of great points and I think that after six cruises, we are doing more of this. We carry copies of the documents as well as pictures of the documents in our phones. One thing that I dislike on Holland America is that they make you wait until the very moment that you are scheduled to embark on the ship EVEN when there is no line. Celebrity, on the other hand, will tell you to come on board if they are not busy. What gets confusing in the Caribbean is that you get to one port and the currency is Eastern Caribbean dollar. In the next port, things are in Euros. The great "deals" that you thought you were getting were actually NO deal. Another great deal.

[@clifb.3521]

love the Drop Box for travel doc storage idea

[@suzanne5971]

I appreciate that you have created chapters to jump to. Very helpful. Well done video!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Glad they were helpful! I add them on all my videos as I also like as a viewer when channels I watch have them!

[@marilynnkadan7948]

Thank Gary, as always i appreciate your voice, your smoothness of vlog outline& even though i haven’t book long over 20dys- all hints i follow through the yrs. I hope to get to southern hemisphere some dy.😊

[@eddiehenrik4869]

Love your videos and tips. The thing I do most before a cruise? Get excited!!!!

[@deborahgold7285]

When in Argentina, be aware of the “red” and “blue” exchange rate for US dollars. There is an enormous difference between the two. The “street” rate was close to 400 pesos to the US$, nearly double, yes, double, the “official” rate of about 200 to the dollar, (as at April 2023). There’s no problem finding “cambio” when on any shopping street where they’ll buy dollars at the unofficial rate. Don’t buy too much as there are strict limits to what they’ll buy back and you probably don’t want to leave with any excess Argentinian currency. Bring US$10’s and $20’s and exchange as you need it. If you use a credit card, you will be exchanging at the lower of the two rates, meaning you’re paying almost double for your goodies. Keep that in mind when booking tours in Argentina. They’ll be at the lower of the two rates if booked in advance on a credit card. There may be little you can do about it for tours, but be aware. We were also surprised at how difficult it was to find and use bank owned ATM’s in Brazil. Other than at the cruise port in Rio, we were stymied, using both US and Canadian cards and having pretty good Portuguese skills. In future, I’d acquire a few hundred $ worth of Brazilian currency prior to any Brazilian intensive cruise. We’ve never had a problem with ATM’s elsewhere on the planet. Make use of Uber where available. It’s cheap, safe and reliable. It’ll save you a fortune.

[@user-kh8oi5xr1d]

Just getting back into cruising and been watching a lot of your videos. Great information!

[@christianetscharf3861]

Great video, with explanation and beautiful landscape. Started my own check list right now :) Thanks for sharing❤

[@Roundhay2718]

There are still Covid testing requirements? Was that due to the country or the line?

[@vanceb1]

We were on HAL a couple of months ago. It was a transpacific trip from Japan to Seattle. They required a negative Covid test within 48 hours of the departure date. It was a big pain in the butt. HAL said Japan required it but the website for the relevant agency said they didn't require it. We got one anyway. It was a big headache but that's a story for another day (we had to get the test done in Bangkok on a weekend).

[@sonjacooper4312]

We are doing a similar South American cruise. Port tip here would be amazing. Love your channel and your advice is invaluable. 🤩

[@blessingsoutlaw]

Perfect! Preparing for my first cruise so these tip are invaluable, thank you! BTW, inside the U.S., the pandemic has been officially declared “over” therefore vaccination and mask requirements are no longer in place. Is the cruise world reducing requirements these days too?

[@jeffreylevin9616]

Great Info. Your really organized. I am stressed out just thinking about all those Covidtest requirements and how to prepare. Going on my first cruise in the Caribbean in July so I should be okay for now. One day I must write down all your websites for private excursions and other info on ports.

[@desertpinevintage]

Your binder of travel documents is great !

[@blargblarg5657]

Saved nearly two hundred bucks by booking through the providers' websites. Just book at the same time as the cruise if available.

[@brandonthailand2062]

COVID requirements = no cruise

[@lsharon2175]

I like your binder. My stuff is in an envelope for me and my young daughter but a small binder is a better idea. Thanks!

[@MichelleWalterdoesArt]

One thing that was super confusing about the cruise I took a month ago, was if we needed a visa to disembark in Turkey and go straight to the airport. We DID, and i finally got my payment to go through on the Turkish website (i think i had to use a Mastercard instead of Visa). And then the dumb thing I did was when we disembarked (at 1:30 am, so maybe that's why), is i packed my folder of papers (including our printed visas) in my suitcase, which was on the other side of passport control in the cruise terminal! I'd assumed I wouldn't need them until we got to the airport, which I realize now is dumb. fortunately, i found the PDFs of the visas in my email and we didn't get delayed.

[@tuvia4082]

Great info from the seasoned pro, thanks Gary.

[@richd6362]

Thank you, Gary. Very helpful checklist.

[@yvonnemckenna4192]

We are peas in a pod! I do a lot of these things so that my cruise is mostly worry-free. On a recent Aus-NZ trip I was thrilled to embark in less than 15 min due to the VeriFLY app.

[@marilynmcphail9221]

Great checklist! I love this itinerary; would love to do one similar.

[@idmbadvisoryltd3205]

I also take a folder.... my family tease me mercilessly, but I swear by it. I also use Dropbox. At least I now know I'm not the only one 😅. BTW, I'm doing the reverse journey from BA to Valparaiso and then onwards to FT Lauderdale in 2 weeks! Took your advice on clothing layers from another video.

[@vanceb1]

We recently went on HAL on a transpacific cruise. They "encouraged" using the Verifly app. I wasn't comfortable putting such personal information on an app from a company I never heard of. The topic came up several times on the cruise. The comments on the app were almost 100% negative. It was difficult to use and generally unreliable.

[@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731]

Would like to see a review of this cruise as it is in our bucket list.

[@AndreaShink]

Good to know that 'Covid Theartre' is still alive and well in South America... before I plan a cruise there! Thanks, Gary!

[@rah5931]

Hard to believe they’re still falling for it. Masks? Really??? Vax requirements? After all the studies showing it’s ineffective? Wow.

[@neutrino78x]

Holland America seems good, it's very good that they do not use flag of convenience 🙂 I fear that the age group might be older than me though, I'm 45. 🙂 (don't get me wrong, Tips for Travelers is an example of a Cool Older Guy, I wouldn't mind hanging out with guys like him on a cruise. lol 🙂)

[@RTD3]

Just curious, does anybody else notice that when you call any Holland America customer service number, they don't know what they're doing and they're usually rude? We won't sail with them, anymore, until they get their act together.

[@tina-joyherrick3622]

I'm a soon to be first time cruiser who recently booked 2 cruises with Holland America. I used a separate company to purchase due to some additional bonuses. I was having trouble with the Navigator app loading properly with both cruises showing the items I'd either purchased or had as booking bonuses. I called yesterday and was connected to a wonderful customer service representative who asked me specific questions about what I could or couldn't see, what I wanted to know or confirm. She went through each item and told me she could see things I couldn't and confirmed everything I thought I should be seeing. She explained some times there is a bit of a delay with things loading but she could "see" everything in the HAL system. She then offered to send me an email detailing what she could see so I could cross check with my TA. She was terrific; friendly, professional, patient and very easy to work with--true to her word, I later recieved a very detailed email from her with everything explained. If she is any indicator of customer service and support; you might be good to go again.

[@MiaHessMusic]

Thank you Gary, excellent advice as always!!!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for watching, Great to hear!!

[@francesgill8621]

Excellent video. Very important

[@kling8460]

Didn’t know Chile still had covid restrictions. Will give that a miss. Rest of the world is back to normal thankfully.

[@terrifromm5085]

Another excellent video. Great tips!!

[@d.3243]

Your folder is genius

[@romey0769]

thank you for the information bud.

[@sunspotk]

Thanks! so much, Gary!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 much appreciated

[@pamelabarber1033]

Gary great tips thanks

[@loumello8813]

Excellent information.

[@wholefoodsvegankitchen]

do all cruises require a covid vaccination? I will be going on a celebrity cruise and have health reasons in which I do not want vaccination.

[@silviaeaston]

FYI.... for seasickness, the cruises give out (FREE) medication pills, both in the medical/ infirmary and Guest Relations....

[@michaelscott5155]

Thanks!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks!

[@alcarpenter979]

Thanks for the great video. Is there a specific place that you check the cash usage for different ports like you mentioned at 7:25?

[@THEOMD57]

With cruise ships built bigger and bigger , chaotic situations are more possible to occur ...

[@stargazer5073]

What about cruises on the Mississippi? Any tips?

[@lesleywaghorn1627]

Really useful. Thanks, Gary:-)

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear!!! Thanks for watching

[@juliatarrel1674]

I've heard that the casino 'money cage' - the people who convert dollars to chips and vice versa - can exchange large bills for small and vice versa. Can they also do currency changes?

[@kellyanderson6245]

How did you book your anytime dinning dinner slots? I am going on the Oosterdam in a few weeks.

[@play4keepz1]

Any good cruise lines that depart San Diego?

[@IMOO1896]

Are cruise lines still requiring a Covid test prior to, or at the time of check in?

[@natashabrehem9088]

I wondered the same thing. It seems strange at this stage. In many countries around the world, Covid has been "over" for over a year already. In South Africa, it's been a non-issue since about March 2022.

[@cherifurr3935]

Every cruise line has different policies, a lot depending on countries you’ll visit.

[@danakolpin1289]

Have you ever sailed with Silver Seas?

[@camf7522]

9 things!

[@neutrino78x]

Do they really want you to tip using cash? That's extremely inconvenient. They need some kind of system to tip at the end of the cruise via their web site....or just include gratuities in the price of the cruise. 😞

[@valentinatyrina1047]

I thought all COVID testing has been lifted.

[@ChristineF55]

How many copies do you make of passport and vaccine records?

[@toneddef]

One thing he hit quickly was the fact that he keeps a complete set on documents on his phone, as well as a set in the cruise binder. So, documents can be kept in Dropbox and printed accordingly. This is a great idea for different things.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

At least two with you, hard copy and digital. I also find it useful to give a third set to your emergency contact people. If they need to act on your behalf or get in contact, they’ve got all your info too.

[@cherifurr3935]

All good advice! It amazes me the people who don’t check the weather forecast a week out.

[@andreanittel2240]

we still need to do Covid tests?

[@cherifurr3935]

Just for certain countries.

[@AliceConsortium]

No

[@macaw2000]

You really seem to be into the COVID thing

[@tammyporter7760]

Dress for Alaska

[@jldisme]

⛵

[@landeeld9596]

I thought covid testing and screening was a thing of the past

[@andreanittel2240]

Is masking a thing again??????

[@cherifurr3935]

Take masks. Rules are different and change all the time.

[@AliceConsortium]

No

[@amandadean3948]

These examples just sound like poor planning by some of the cruisers. Most of them must have been new to cruising.