Cruise Critics 15 ways to prepare for your cruise

Thank you to Cruise Critic for publishing this article to help you make your cruise stress free. Here is the link to the full article. 

1. Fly in a day early

Don't start your cruise panicking about missing the ship when your flight is delayed or canceled. If you're flying, arrange to arrive in your port city the evening before, and start your vacation with a nice dinner and leisurely breakfast before heading to the terminal. If you're driving, allow extra time for traffic, pit stops and unexpected delays. In general, leave plenty of wiggle room in your itinerary. If you leave home with exactly enough time to get to the port for the tail end of embarkation, you're asking for trouble.

2. Get cash in advance

If you're flying into a foreign city to catch your cruise ship, consider acquiring some local currency before you leave home. In most cases, you can find an ATM at the airport, but Cruise Critic editors have had some white-knuckle moments overseas when airport ATMs were on the fritz.

3. Plan transfers in advance

Baggage claim is not the place to first start thinking about port transfers. Whether you book through the cruise line, hire a private transfer, get a hotel shuttle or use public transit or a local cab, have your plan in place before you go. Make your reservation in advance, or at least know which bus line will take you to the port or the approximate taxi fare from the airport to the cruise port. You don't want to be stranded mere miles from your ship.

4. Know what time embarkation starts and ends

Your ship's departure time is usually later than the cutoff time for checking in. Double-check embarkation times and plan to show up with at least half an hour to spare.

5. Show up early...or late

Most cruisers want to maximize their time onboard. So they all show up at the port right when check-in begins, leading to crowds, long lines and lots of wait time. If you want to breeze through embarkation, show up on the later side when most people are already onboard. Or if you must be the first onboard, arrive at the port super early. You will wait ... but you'll be the first in line to board.

  6. Be a VIP, or buy your way to faster embarkation

Many suite passengers and upper-tier loyalty program members get access to priority embarkation. Depending on the port, these special people can check in via dedicated VIP queues or in exclusive and comfortable lounges. Some lines -- think Carnival's Faster to the Fun program -- allow regular passengers to pay for the same privileges. If you just can't stand to wait in line, consider upgrading for special treatment.

7. Bring a change of clothes, a jacket and a hat

Cruise terminals are not always the most climate-controlled spaces. Some even make you wait outside if you arrive too early. As the temperature at the cruise port might not be the same as in your home town, we recommend stashing a change of clothes in your carry-on. You might want to throw in a pair of shorts and a sun hat for warmer climes and a jacket and possibly a warm hat for breezier or chillier destinations. It's a small price to pay to keep the kids from whining, "I'm hot! I'm cold! Can we get on the cruise ship NOW?"

8. Prepare for queues.

Chances are, you will have to spend some time on embarkation day waiting in line. We say: Cruise like a Boy Scout and be prepared. Bring snacks to keep the munchies at bay, drinks to stay hydrated, entertainment for your impatient kids (or spouse?) and even some sort of travel stool/folding chair if you have trouble standing for long periods. Plus, you can make the lag time go faster if you have a good attitude and use the opportunity to chat with your soon-to-be shipmates, find out what people are doing in port and plan your afternoon onboard.

9. Have your official documents in order

There is nothing so dream-crushing as getting to the cruise port only to discover that you left your passport at home or don't have the right visa to cruise. Before you leave home, make sure you have all the official documents you need -- from cruise tickets to government-issued IDs. Don't forget to order or print out cruise line luggage tags.

10. Know where those documents are

Once you have all your papers in order, put them all together in an obvious section of your carry-on. Don't be that person frantically strewing underwear and electronics all over the terminal as she digs through a suitcase looking for her cruise docs. Affix luggage tags at home or at the airport so you don't have to chase a porter down to make sure your bag gets to the right cabin.
 
11. Don't try to smuggle contraband onboard

Embarkation day will be much more peaceful if you don't get busted by ship's security. Whether it's drugs, booze or a really powerful curling iron -- leave it at home. (For the lowdown on what beverages you can bring onboard, see our story on cruise line alcohol policies.

12. Be ready for the embark photo -- or politely skip it

Pretty much every cruise Iine tries to take your photo on embarkation day. Why they think the travel-weary look with carry-ons slung across your shoulder is a good one to memorialize, we don't know. So consider yourself forewarned: either throw on some makeup and hairspray and a fresh shirt, or politely say "no, thank you" to the photographers and keep on walking.

13. Pack light and pack smart

Cruise Critic always recommends that cruisers bring a small carry-on onboard with a change of clothes, bathing suit, important medications and anything else essential to have for the first afternoon onboard -- since you never know when your checked luggage will turn up. But if you bring a heavy shoulder bag or an overstuffed roll-aboard prone to topple, you'll likely find yourself getting grumpier the longer you have to schlep it through the terminal and around the ship. Employ smart packing strategies and bring a light backpack or smooth-rolling carry-on for maximum convenience.

14. Know your stateroom number

Have you ever gotten onboard and headed for the crowded embarkation-day elevators, only to realize you have no idea where you're going? (We have.) You might have memorized everything about the ship and your cabin and still can't recall the exact four-digit cabin number -- and most cruise lines don't print it on your cruise card for security reasons. So write it down in an obvious spot, and memorize it before you step onto the ship. In any event, you'll need to remember it for the rest of your trip. (Read cabin reviews here.)

15. Avoid the buffet if you can

Most cruise travelers board their ships and head straight to the buffet (occasionally the bar, then the buffet). This practice makes the buffet a madhouse for a few hours, with tray-toting passengers tripping over stray carry-ons, and disoriented travelers not watching where they're going as they try to work out where the pizza counter or deli bar resides. If your ship has an alternative dining venue open, head there instead for a more Zen-like first meal onboard. Braving the buffet anyway? Know these 10 commandments of buffet etiquette.

--by Erica Silverstein, Features Editor

$500 Onboard Credit with Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line and American Express Offer up to $500 Onboard Credit!!

Book the Haven or a suite by October 31, 2011 on select seven-day or longer 2012 sailings and receive a $500 onboard credit. Simply pay in full with any American Express^® Card and use promo code PGAXOX when booking. View all applicable sailings at www.ncl.com/axp

***

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Reservation MUST be paid IN FULL with any American Express card (deposit & final payment) Offer valid for all accommodations in The Haven, and general suite accommodations. Mini- Suite category excluded.

Offer is valid for new individual and new group bookings and cannot be held as group block Qualifying new individual reservations can be moved into existing group Onboard credit offer is per stateroom, in U.S. Dollars and will be applied to the 1st and 2nd guest on the reservation Onboard credit has no monetary value and is non-transferable.

It may not be used toward onboard service charges Singles paying 200% are entitled to full onboard credit value Offer combinable with GWAR4, GWAR6, LATITUDE, LATVIP, LATOBC1, EASYFARE, PGHOT, TAFSP, PGAARP, TPPM1, TPPM2, TPPM3, TPPM4 Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion's Terms and Conditions Government taxes & fees, and onboard service charges are additional IMPORTANT NOTICE: Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, Norwegian Cruise Line will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 per passenger per day Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability, subject to change without notice, may be withdrawn at any time, and will be applied to select sailings Offer combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Promotion valid in United States, Canada, and international select markets Norwegian is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. Ships' registry: BAHAMAS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ©2011 NCL Corporation Ltd

A List of Eco-Themed Cruises

Ecological Themed Cruise Offerings

Source: CLIA September 29, 2008

The world’s natural treasures – magnificent, untouched landscapes, rare ecosystems and extraordinary plants, birds and animals – tend to be in out-of-the-way places, often remote and inaccessible for all but the most intrepid adventurer. And cruise vacationers.

One of the greatest advantages to travel by ship – in addition to the ease and comfort, great dining, entertainment and educational programs – is the ability to sail to parts of the world that are otherwise difficult to access. The magnificent fjords of Chile, the mighty wilderness of Alaska, the remote islands of the tropics, and, of course, the incomparable splendor of Antarctica: these are just a few of the remoter regions of the world that serve as destinations for a wide variety of cruise itineraries on ships small or large. What’s more, even on cruises featuring popular beach, recreations and shopping destinations, a surprising encounter with nature – volcanoes and waterfalls, wildlife preserves, ziplining through tropical canopy forests, exotic birds and butterflies – is almost always on offer.

Here is a sampling of cruise lines offering Nature/Environment Themed Itineraries in Alaska, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Antarctica and other parts of the world:

AZAMARA CRUISES
Twenty varieties of hummingbirds and 227 species of birds are the featured attractions on bird watching eco tours in the wetlands along the Copalita River in Huatulco, Mexico for Azamara guests on Panama Canal itineraries. Other nature thrills in the region include ziplining in the canopy forests of Costa Rica in search of tropical butterflies, exotic birds and other creatures of the rainforest.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
Among the nature-themed activities offered on Carnival's far-flung itineraries: whale watching and an eagle preserve adventure in Alaska; ecological snorkel tours in Cabo San Lucas; white water rafting near the jungles of Costa Rica, exploring the waterfalls and sulfur springs of Dominica in the Caribbean; and a nautical adventure in the Bay of Fundy, home of the legendary "reversing falls."

CELEBRITY CRUISES
The 92-guest Celebrity Xpedition offers all-inclusive, environmentally-conscious cruises in the Galapagos Islands. A guided tour and onboard naturalists certified by the Galapagos National Park are features of every itinerary, as are hikes and walks to provide an in-depth exploration of the islands’ unique fauna and flora.

COSTA CRUISES
The spectacular Tijuipe Waterfall and splendid beaches compete for star billing with a visit to the “Sloth Project” dedicated to preserving the Brazilian habitat of this endangered animal on Costa’s “eco-excursion” in Ilheus. And, in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, at the southern end of South America, dolphins, sea lions and Antarctic gulls are some of the attractions on Costa’s coastal marine adventure.

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CRYSTAL CRUISES
Crystal offers several opportunities worldwide for guests to get to know the wildlife and environment of the exotic destinations they visit. Some examples include swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand; visiting Siberian sled dogs in Russia; riding elephants at the Bali Elephant Safari Park or spotting dragons at Komodo National Park in Indonesia; getting up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and wombats at Caversham Wildlife Park and Zoo in Australia; and traveling to the exclusive Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary in Ketchikan, Alaska.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE
One of Disney’s newest offerings on Castaway Cay, the line’s private island, is the opportunity to swim and interact with Southern Stingrays in a private lagoon. Aptly named Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, the program features the history and biology of the animals; feeding, touching and interacting with them, and a chance to snorkel among the rays under the guidance of marine specialists.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
With more than 60 years experience offering cruises in Alaska, Holland America’s nature themes feature opportunities to experience such wildlife as orca and humpback whales, puffins, dolphins, Dahl’s porpoises, bears, seals, sea otters and the full extent of Alaskan marine and land birdlife. Shoreside activities can include everything from leisure walks through northern rainforests to kayaking with a pod of whales, dog sledding and a snorkeling adventure in the clear waters of Mountain Point in Southeast Alaska.

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HURTIGRUTEN
The mysterious wilderness of the “White Continent,” Antarctica, with its icebergs, whales and orcas feeding only feet away, and penguin populations in the thousands, is the featured attractions on adventures on the MS Fram, the world’s newest expedition cruise ship. Guests explore the rarely visited Marguerite Bay, with its ice-covered islands and surrounding towering icebergs, to discover the only known breeding colony of emperor penguins on the west side of the Antarctica peninsula.

MSC CRUISES
Views of humpback whales as they arrive in the warm Caribbean to mate and raise their young is a favorite activity for MSC guests at the private Cayo Levantado in the Dominican Republic while across the Caribbean, in Cozumel, Mexico, passengers have numerous choices of nature-related activities, including sea kayaking, a beginning SCUBA experience, tropical jungle exploration by Jeep, swimming with bottlenose dolphins and XCaret natural Adventure Park, the largest of its kind in Latin America.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
In Acapulco, Mexico, local environmentalists teach NCL passengers about the endangered Golfina sea turtle. Guests are able to see the baby turtles in various stages of development, from egg to the holding tanks where the hatchlings become ready to return to the sea. After a short walk down to the shoreline, many guests name the turtles as they are released into the wild.

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PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess this year is offering a new Galapagos Discovery cruisetour on select Royal Princess South America and Panama Explorer itineraries in November. The program features a full day of touring in Quito, airfare to the Galapagos and three days on the M/V Galapagos Legend for exploring the unique islands and their wildlife, including sea lions, iguanas, the famous tortoises and the world largest colony of waved albatross.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Regent offers a popular nature/ecology-themed program for young cruisers called Ambassadors of the Environment. Featured on Alaska itineraries on the Seven Seas Mariner, the program is run under the auspices of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. An ideal choice for families wanting share a unique experience, Ambassadors of the Environment features hands-on experiences and a wide range of learning adventures about Alaska, the sea and its wildlife.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
On Seabourn Legend’s Central America cruises to Panama, Belize and Costa Rica, nature is served alongside luxurious pampering, with a wide variety of outdoor pursuits available, including tree climbing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, river rafting and quad-bike tours. Kayaking, aerial tramways through the jungle canopy and excursions to such places as the Green Iguana Conservation Project are other options.

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SEADREAM CRUISES
Seadream guests on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, are treated to one of the most spectacular bioluminescent bays in the world. Tiny dinoflagellates sparkling with blue-green light as well as silvery fish flashing in the dark help create a magical and educational experience. Using a non-polluting electric boat, expert staff explain the delicate, rare ecosystem and many passengers even choose to mingle with the sparkles by slipping into the bay.

SILVERSEA CRUISES
Antarctica, with its frosted white wilderness, natural ice sculptures like enormous works of avant-garde art and astounding animal encounters found nowhere else in the world, is the modern explorer’s final frontier. And it is the destination of Silversea’s small expedition ship, Prince Albert II, which travels there on several roundtrip voyages from Ushuaia, including an 11-day cruise departing December 11, 2008.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Famed for its untouched natural beauty, jungles and rich variety of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a destination for Windstar voyages between November and March. Shore activities include the Curu Wildlife Refuge; snorkeling in Isla de Cano, a biological reserve; a tropical nature tour; an exploration of the rainforest by ATV; a rainforest and waterfall horseback riding adventure and a “Congo Canopy Trail” zipline adventure.

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Documents needed for cruises

U.S. citizens must bring one of the following WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant documents in order to sail on a Carnival cruise that departs and ends from the same U.S. port:

• Valid U.S. Passport
• Passport Card
• Original or legible copy of a Birth Certificate (issued by the Department of Vital Statistics)
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Enhanced Driver's License
• Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (i.e. Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card)
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Copies of the following will NOT be allowed:

• US Passports
• Naturalization Papers

Originals, or copies will NOT be allowed:

• Baptismal Certificates
• Hospital issued "Certificate of Birth"

It is recommended that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port, traveling with a passport facilitates customer's disembarkation experience. It also makes it easier to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should you miss their scheduled embarkation or need to fly back to the U.S. for an emergency.