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When we first booked our cruise we were so excited!  Seven days in the Caribbean – what an amazing week we will have. But after you book the cruise, what is your next step. 

Here’s are a few tips to get ready for your cruise 

First things first…check your passport.  (Or apply for a passport before you book your cruise). Make sure your passport is good for atlas 6 months after your cruise.  If it is due to expire within the six months, be sure to renew it before you travel.  

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If you are not local to drive, book your flights to arrive at least one day prior to departure. I advise not flying in the day of. Even with a morning flight there could be delays and traffic. The safest bet is to book a hotel and stay the night before your cruise near the port.

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Book transportation from the airport to the hotel. There are many companies that offer private or shared shuttle service to the hotels. You can Uber but check going rates. We found it very expensive to Uber or Lyft from Orlando to Port Canaveral so we took the shuttle. 

Once you book a hotel, arrange shuttle service to take you from the hotel to the cruise terminal.  There are loads of shuttle services that are very affordable. They pick you up outside the lobby of the hotel, load your luggage then drop you off at the cruise terminal. 

Book transportation for your return flight. Most shuttle services offer round trip prices so be sure to book the return to the airport or hotel. When booking your return flight give yourself plenty of time. It took us two hours to disembark and get the shuttle. Then allow a bit extra for traffic.  We were told that it normally not take that long but best to give yourself extra time

Now that transportation is booked you should start looking at excursions. You are visiting a beautiful destination so why not get off the ship and explore a little!  

The cruse line will have excursions available to purchase in each port. Have a look on the website and see if anything interests you.  There is a wide variety of excursions available for all activity levels. You can go snorkeling or parasailing or just sunbathe at a beach. You can hike or rent a car to explore. helicopter tours, jet skis, resorts and spas, so many options!

Next is to plan your week on the ship. Do you want to visit the spa?  Are you interested in their photo package?  Are you celebrating a special occasion and want your cabin decorated?  Do you want to eat at the specialty restaurants?  Have an idea of what you want to do so you can make arrangements and reservations for the week

Look to see if your ship has formal nights or special nights. For example, most ships have a formal night where guests get to get dressed up for dinner. They also normally have a white party, so everyone is encouraged to wear white clothing 

Another good thing to remember is to alert your credit card and bank cards of your travel plan. This way you won’t get off shop and try to buy a T-shirt at a local shop and trigger a fraud alert on your card!  Be sure to check local currencies if you plan to explore the ports of call.  Some places you visit may not accept credit cards so it is always a good idea to have a small amount of foreign currency for souvenirs!

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