Pre-Cruise Action Check List Creating A “Rock Star” Experience

Sometime ago,  I went online to search for a checklist to utilize for my families future cruises.  What I was looking for was NOT a cruise PACKING checklist which is commonly available. Instead, I wanted a pre-cruise ACTION checklist.  With Covid-19, cancelled cruises and having to wait over a year for our next cruise, having something fun to do was my goal. Since this list seemed to be missing from all my sources online, I took the time to created one.  I have posted smaller version of this theme online and gotten criticized for making the cruising process to complicated. My point of view is I love doing these types of details to insure my cruise experience is the best it can be. I also have a lot of time on my hands to do these items now with the Covid-19 pandemic.  I hope everyone whom reads this list,  gets something from it and the new cruisers see an item or two they want to use themselves.

My Personal Objective:

• Vision: To go on a cruise vacation that is stress-free, with NO HUGE bill on our suite portfolio at the conclusion of our cruise.  To make my vacation as “All Inclusive” as possible. The accomplishment of this vision will provide a one-week-a-year, where my family and I can feel like real “Rock Stars”.
• Onboard Credits: I actually have an objective for the week regarding my Onboard-Credits. I want to have ¾ of them left, on the last night of the cruise. For my upcoming trip, we start with $1,300.00 and should have $1,000.00 of onboard credits left over. I then give ALL the credit to loving wife. She usually goes jewelry shopping.  She LOVE this part of a cruise, UNLESS of course my adult 29 year old daughter is with us. Then my wife tends to buy our kids’ stuff instead of treating herself like the queen she is to all of us.  I wish she would be a bit selfish like me. HOWEVER, she is a giving mom first and foremost.
• Potential Result: The result of this approach, strategy and planning creates as close to an “All-Inclusive”, stress-free cruise vacation as possible. I just want one week a year for my entire family to be treated like “Rock Stars”. That takes planning.

My Action List Looks Like This:

• Create a Hard Document Cruise Folder: This folder will keep all your written, as well as, printed documents. This may include but not limited too: passports, licenses, birth certificates, and all other printed as well as received cruise related documents. One folder with everything makes your life a lot easier. I can’t count the time I have asked my family if they had their passport, driver’s license or other key document prior to leaving and they did not.
  • HINT: Purchase one of those folders with different sections for papers.  I am so CRAZY, I label each section of the folder.  An example why? I was asked for some document at the port once. I had so many papers in my folder, that I could not find it easily. That won’t happen again.
• Download the Cruise Lines Mobile Phone App: As far as I am concerned, these apps have really awful planning functions. Where they become very important is the day before embarkment and when we are actually onboard. That is when all your cruise information is easily accessible, the ship board mobile phone option (Great on-board purchase.) is set to go online (see explanation below). Your ships agenda is right there on your phone where ever you are on the ship throughout your cruise.  Super convenient especially for communicating on board with your party.
  • HINT: Play around with this app prior to boarding.  My experience is they are not always user friendly.
• Create A Homemade Calendar for your Week:  I use a Microsoft Excel Spread Sheet because my calendar is very detailed. I like to customize it to have exactly what I want on a-page-at-a-glance. Doing this activity months ahead of a cruise, is just fun for me.  By the time I get to the cruise, I have all the information on one document, color coded and ready to pass out to my family. I hand it to every family member. They then make fun of me and the work I put it. When I am not looking, they all then read it top to bottom. Allow me to highlight some items on the document below:
  • Days/Times Format: I have the day before through the day after the cruise added to my calendar document horizontally.  Then vertically, I start at 07:00 AM and go to 12:00 AM. The starting time has to do when we dis-embark for the last day or departing times for excursions. Some cruises, I start at 06:00 AM because that is when the cruise is back at its home port. Because I use Excel, this creates time area’s to add in activities during specific times.
  • Air Travel Details: I put in both arrival/departure flight information and color code it. It shows dates and times. This also includes flight numbers, and confirmation numbers. Doing this really helps at the airport when you did ticketless travel and you go to a kiosk.
  • Port/Air Transfers:  Just like airline reservations, purchase your transfers ahead of time and have them listed at the approximate time you want to utilize them. I only do transfers for flying back home.  I ALWAYS come in the day before the cruise and stay in a nice pre-cruise hotel. For arrive, I usually hire one or two Ubers or the hotel has a shuttle. It would have to be on interesting destination for me to rent a car.
  • Pre-Cruise Hotel: Months in advance, I use companies like PriceLine.com, Hotels.com, others or my hotel loyalty points.  Doing this so early, allows for me to achieve a great location and value.  My challenge with my upcoming cruise for five (5), was finding a two-bedroom suite or to book two (2) hotel rooms. With some careful research, I found a lovely two bedroom suite. All hotel address and confirmation numbers are on the Excel calendar.
  • Pre-Cruise Dinner Meals: I ALWAYS get a dinner reservation for a restaurant we ( I ) really want to go too.  In Seattle, WA, on our upcoming cruise to Alaska, we choose the Palisades Restaurant for seafood. In New York City, we go to Carmine’s for Italian. In Miami we go to the Capital Grille for GREAT beef. This is purely selfish of me because these are restaurants I like .  It allows me, the only person in my family that plans the vacations, to eat where I want to eat. I get to pay for it also. Sounds only fair, doesn’t it?
  • Itinerary: At the top of every page, I list the port or country we are docking at or if we are at sea on that specific day. Under the times, I put the arrival and departure times at that destination. A great example is when cruising to Alaska, the ship cruises Glacier Bay all day. I know that day, I will be spending most of my time on our balcony of our suite.  Most likely I will have the butler do in-Suite Service for breakfast and lunch on that day.  Giving butlers heads-ups is a nice courtesy and always appreciated.
  • Specialty Restaurant Reservations: I like to dine later vs. earlier.  I also HATE waiting or being on a wait list for restaurants. I usually also have a odd amount of guests with me.  This next cruise, there are 5 guests in my party.  This is a tough table to reserve and very few available. With my suite, I have about a week prior to everyone else to make these reservations.  This benefit is a true plus for suite guests. The moment I can, I execute this important activity. My method is based on where the ship was that day, when/if we left for any excursion that morning, when the shows are being presented or activities are planned for that night. Examples are, Bingo, Go-Cart Track, Spa Treatment, Slot Tournament, or Broadway Production.
    • HINT: As a family, we ALWAYS do the Japanese Grille the last night of our cruise. It is both food and a show.  It has become a family tradition. Something to keep in mind when you pre-plan these restaurants, we also go for lighter foods when we had a tough or long day off the ship.
  • Spa Treatments: The key to these are that most folks want to do them on “sea days”.  That is also the most requested and expensive time slots.  I tend to choose the day we are at a port and NOT leaving the ship.  We call that a “family ship day”.  Much less expensive for the spa and usually some deals to be had. During “family ship days”, we also do a bar crawl due to the ship is so empty. The strategy here is the same for Specialty Restaurants and Show Reservations.  Coordinate based on the other reservations you might have.
    • HINT: If you have a special night planned, that would be the day you get your hair done. Pre-arrange a time coordinating with your evening activities. Another example is when I choose to get a massage. I like to take a nap afterwards, therefore I plan it that way.  Hard to do right before dinner, a show or right after breakfast. If you don’t plan, those bad times are all you can get.
  • End Of Cruise Strategy: I add the following items to my calendar for the last night and final morning of all cruises.  Before I discuss this topic, I hate the last night and final morning of a cruise. Reality sets in and so does a bit of depression, if you let it. These simple items make it better.
    • Pre-Plan Timing for Putting Your Bags Out In the Hall: Plan this activity and don’t wait until the last minute. Nobody likes to do this. A good plan is to start by pre-packing what you think you will need in the morning and to travel with. Put that in an over-night bag you will carry on/off. Because I do my best to enjoy this last day and night; I usually have those bags in the hall prior to my 3^rd  tequila shot. You judge where that hits in your day.
      • HINT: Remember the old saying, “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, FLOOR!”
    • Agree to Go to Breakfast as a Family the Final Morning: You can always have your butler, if you have one, bring breakfast to your room on the last morning. I do not recommend it. Lots of folks do and the food gets cold on the last morning.  My family showers, checks the suite, gets their travel bag, leaves the suite and spends time together at the main dining room or all-suites specialty dining area. This also allows you to say goodbye to your new friends.
    • Know Where To Go To Get Off The Ship:  This is one very important reason I always go in suites, now that I am older. Getting off the ship is tough for everyone.  You are worried about your luggage or airline departures. Crazy crowds and often time some rude cruisers.  When you are in suites, they often have a private escort and the service elevator off the ship.  My last cruise, from the time I asked to leave after breakfast, to the time I had my luggage and we were waiting on my ground transportation; was less then 15 minutes.  If you are cruising on a budget, no issue.  Been there and done that. Just know the rules and book your flight accordingly.  Rushing after a week cruise is NO FUN AT ALL!!!!
  • Excursions: If you had a calendar made with times at each port, you can see if going on certain excursions are worth the investment. They are NOT cheap.  If you are only in the port for a very short time, some excursions make you feel rushed.  The other important thought is to know when you have to leave for or come back from an excursion. This knowledge allows you to coordinate with other activities.  I usually book and pre-pay my excursions online well ahead of the cruise. Especially for certain favorite adventures that tend to get sold out. One of my favorite is the “Beach Villa” and the “All-Inclusive Cabana” which are both pricy and popular.
    • HINT: When you use a calendar, you can clearly see when activities conflict or just don’t work. I also have to say, this detailed organization is not for ALL ship activities.  Just the ones you have to lock-in a specific time or day. Can you still be flexible? Yes, of course. This is still YOUR vacation. The difference is you will have far less regrets at the end of your vacation because you missed out on something you really wanted to do. When planning, it was your choice to include something or leave it out!
• Pre-Register Online:
  • Great Starting Point for All Cruise Planning: This task is kind of boring and time consuming. It is really worth the time invested.  It also forces all of us to think about your personal passport expiration dates amongst other important planning items. In the last five (5) years, I did not realize one or more of my family members passports, would either be expiring prior or just after the cruise.
    • HINT: What no one seems to tell you is your passport has to be valid for months AFTER you return or it will NOT be accepted. This is the wrong reason to miss a cruise.
  • Create a Hard Copy: Doing the online registration also allows you to eventually print out your documents. You can’t usually print them out until you have paid for your cruise in full.  First, read them online, make sure every ones names and information is right. When they are perfect, print and take them with you to the port.  They are kind of like a boarding pass.
  • Read Details in all the Documents Carefully: Make sure your documents show the perks, reservations and pre-purchases. This information usually also shows specific days and times. Examples are drink packages, specialty restaurants, internet packages, spa packages, shows and more.
    • HINT: Put the documents in your Hardcopy Cruise Document Folder. Doing this, allows you to visualize your cruise, the people going and your needs.  It is something to look forward to vs. a hardship.
• Luggage Tags: 
  • Print: After you paid your cruise in-full, around 60-days prior to your cruise and when your online registration is done; the site usually allows you to print out your luggage tags on your home printer.  Do so and make some extra’s copies. I usually print four copies per person.
    • HINT: One of the things I do is take the PDF file they give me, put it in my drawing program. Then I add the names and addresses for each cruisers.  I just like things neat.
  • Buy:  Go to Amazon.com and purchase the inexpensive heavy duty cruise luggage tag that is both plastic with metal handle link. Amazon.com link.  These tags allow you to put your printed paper tags in plastic, with a metal ring to attach to your luggage.
  • Caution: One year I used the luggage tags the cruise line sent me in the mail, by the time we flew to the airport and to the port, they were all ripped off. Thankfully, the port luggage guy saw this and I did some at the port.
    • HINT: Have all tags ready, however don’t put on your luggage until the night prior to leaving.  Someone in your party always changes or adds a piece of luggage at the last minute.
• Contact Cruise Line Customer Service Pre-Cruise: (see examples of topics below.)
  • CPAP Supplies: Every cruise, I ask for CPAP supplies that include extension cord, power strip, and special water.  This is always done for me and is complementary.
  • Medical or Food Needs: I have no medical or food needs.  However, members of my family often time have. These needs have been handled every time by the respective cruise lines.  All you have to do is ask them ahead of time.
  • Memory Foam/Egg Crate Mattress Pad:  We usually go with our adult children, whom use either the sofa/couch or murphy bed.  These tend to be very uncomfortable so we pre-order the mattress pads.  Most of the time, this is no issue and at no cost.
    • HINT: Make your request respectful and always ask to be informed it there is a cost involved. Usually there is none.  Have that written confirmation handy and in your cruise document folder.
• Print the Received Correspondence Emails:
  • Customer Service: Every cruise, I communicate with the cruise lines customer service department.  Sometimes it is with the Suite Concierge as with NCL Haven.  My requests are usually simple. Examples mentioned above. When they respond, I print their responses.
  • Spa Services: If you pre-book spa service like massages, you usually have chosen the specific days, times and types of services.  In addition, you may have taken advantage of a pre-cruise value package special.  I did a pre-cruise massage spa package that provided 20% off. It was very expensive. When I got onboard, in the VIP lounge (Michaels Club on Celebrity), the spa representative was selling treatments. We met, I explained I already purchased the packages at a discount. She told me that would be invalid for that cruise.  I pulled out all the documents I saved and printed.  Showing her the proof and seeing she was completely confused. I immediately called the spa company from the lounge, had the documentation for dates, information and times. The issue was fixed. NOT the way I wanted to start my cruise holiday for sure. Don’t get angry, just have proof. I usually don’t really need it.
  • Reservations: When you pre-book reservations for events, shows, restaurants, ECT. the cruise lines send you an electronic conformation. Print them.
  • Confirmation Documents: What I like about these are the fact that my perks are listed. In my case, I get a $300.00 onboard credit and dinner-for-two at the French Specialty Restaurant on NCL. This is exclusive from American Express Platinum card benefits . I need to see it in writing. This document also shows me the cruise lines perks listed which again includes additional on board credits along with all other perks provided to me at time of booking. On that same Celebrity Cruise Lines voyage, the VIP Suite Concierge told me my wife and I DID NOT have the Adult Beverage Package. I pulled out the documents where it was listed, handed it to her. Asked for her to do what she had to do and get back with me.  20-minutes later the issue was handled. It was the cruise companies whom messed up. Again, not the way I want to have my first few minutes of my vacation effected.
    • HINT: As discussed earlier, keep these documents very organized in your Hardcopy Cruise Document Folder. Just having them is not enough, accessing them if and when you need them is just as important. Remember, stress-free.
• Create and Print Instructions to the Crew:
  • Pre-Written Crew Instructions: My cruise is 265 days away.  I have four (4) three page letters to specific crew members already drafted.  They are to my Butler, Room Steward, Wine Steward and Concierge.  This approach works especially well for butlers in my past experience. Working with cruise ship butlers is a fine art.
  • List Your Requests: These documents are both a “Pre-Thank You Note” and a “list of service” my family enjoy and request.  This heads up to the crew has given us some of the best service we have ever gotten on a cruise ship.
  • Extra Gratuity: I usually put in an extra something in the letter and let the crew member know that we ALSO pre-paid their gratuity pre-cruise.  I essentially tip twice and have no issue doing so. I also give them the extra tip on day one, which has been a No/No for some veteran cruisers. These lists of requests are both very specific and nothing more then most people would ask during their cruise.  I just know what we like as a family. Nothing should be over-the-top.
    • HINT: Really put thought into these corrispondences.  Be kind and complementary. These folks work really hard.  Ask, don’t demand.  Let the crew know they work so hard especially behind-the-scenes.  This is especially important for butlers.  On there document, let them know a little about the likes and dislikes of each cruiser.  For example: My adult son LOVES cheese cake.  A past butler brought him a different cheese cake every night.  My wife love Chardonnay.  The butler replaced the complimentary champagne with a bottle of Chardonnay.  My daughter loves smoked salmon for afternoon snacks. I love crunchy cookies and milk before I go to bed. Done, Done, Done.
• Pre-Payments:
  • Gratuities: Most cruise lines provide the option to pre-pay your gratuities.  Some lines, provide this gratuity as a perk.  I approach gratuities’ three ways.
    • First, I always pre-pay my gratuities upfront with the cruise line.  I am going to pay it anyway, so why not do it ahead of time. Gives me the feeling the cruise is truly an “All Inclusive” event.
    • Second, pre-cruise, I write a thank you note to key crew members with a bit more gratuities inside.  I mentioned this earlier. The Covid-19 pandemic has taken the livelihood away from these hard working crew members.  This is my way to give them a kind of catch-up, gratuity scenario. 
    • Third, I create a thank you note with gratuities for those NOT included in the cruise lines gratuity plan.  This includes, if applicable but not limited too; Wine Stewards, Butlers, and Concierge.
      • HINT: I like to gamble onboard, especially slot machines.  I am also not a great gambler. In the past, when cash was needed for all tips, I had to go to the very expensive cash machines on board.  Now, they are all pre-paid and the extra bit I give in the thank you notes are sealed in an envelope. Funny thing, I don’t gamble quite as much anymore.
  • Reservations:
    • Pre-Cruise Reservation Window: Cruising today is much different then the past. Restaurant, Show and Activity (Go-Cart Tracks) reservations are needed on many ships. We should always know the pre-cruise online time frame window prior to your cruise. This window is usually based on your cruise line loyalty status and or the level of suite/cabin you have. Regardless, book all your reservations as early as you can. To make my life even easier, I pay for all I can including excursions, pre-cruise.
    • Children Programs: Please be aware that the kids programs have a limit to the number kids they let in. Reserve and or get there early and make sure you know the exact policies.  This will insure your children always get a spot. This usually can only be done onboard.
    • Shows & Activities with an Investment: A point about shows and activities that have an investment.  If you decide you want to go to one of these shows, they usually cannot be booked until you get on the ship.  If they are important you, do that booking right away as you get on board. That allows your relaxation to begin right away with no worries.
      • HINT: You have to know exactly where to go for certain reservations so do your due diligence prior to boarding.  Let me highlight a few examples. First, The NCL Vibe Beach Club.  This is an adults only sundeck, bar and hot tubs with a fantastic view. Their number of admissions are truly limited. You need to get to the guest service desk quick and only those on the line, physically present, can purchase a pass. Second, Go-Cart Track and Hot Glass Blowing activities.  They need to be scheduled, especially the Go-Cart Track which is very popular.  Find the kiosk or desk to make sure you have these reservations locked in early.
  • Spa Treatment: I personally don’t like these very expensive spa treatments provided by cruise ships. The combination of high cost, average service and especially upselling is my reasoning. However, I have still had them in the past.  If you choose to have spa treatments like massage, shaves and hair? Reserving them early pre-cruise and for the exact time you want them. Remember, most folks do these activities on “sea days”.  If you want the same popular times, book and pay for them pre-cruise. Read the fine print on the spa services prior to booking.
    • HINT: Most of the spa treatments can be discounted up to 20% if you buy them in a package pre-cruise.  Look for the email that most cruise line sends you pre-cruise or call the spa company directly. In additions, prior to the cruise, stand in front of your bathroom mirror and practice saying, “No Thank You”.  This is for the spa team members when they attempt to upselling you a service that is a higher priced treatment.  I HATE UPSELLING ON A CRUISE!
  • Pre-Flight to the Port: 
    • ALWAYS The Day Before: I always recommend flying in to the port the day before the actual cruise. This is because I almost missed several cruises due to flight delays and cancelations. The stress this creates for you and your family is just not worth risking. I don’t care if you don’t have a connection and it is a direct flight. We have had issues with those as well. Just do yourself and family a favor, book your flights for arrival the day before your cruise.
    • Buy Your Airline Tickets Early: The key to Pre-Flight airfare is to buy it the day it becomes available from your airline. An example is I could not book or buy my airfare until 300 days prior to the flights. I literally was on the airlines website at 12:01 AM booking my travel. My reward was the best price, seating or if I used points, the lowest point amount.
    • Cruise Line Air Fare Option: Some say, only book air with the Cruise Lines.  This is an EXCELENT idea, just understand how it works. If you do air travel and get delayed missing your cruise. The cruise line is responsible to get you to the NEXT port to join your cruise. The prices are usually very good and also can be less than if you book them.  The issue for me?  I don’t want to miss my cruise or miss a day of my cruise, so I fly in the day before. Having the cruise line handle your air and coming in the day before is NOT an option. It can happen only if you purchase, through your cruise line, the pre-cruise hotel as well. The cruise lines hotel prices are very high in my experience, so I do it myself. Regardless of what you choose, just do it way ahead of time.
      • HINT: When you book your cruise early with your cruise line, there is often a free or discounted airfare associated with it.  Always research this option because it usually does not last long. Sometimes you can also gain both the discounted airfare and pre-cruise hotel.  This is a great idea but does not happen often.
  • Port/Airport Transfers: They are usually very reasonably priced ($20.00 Per Person for Seattle, WA) and well organized.  My experience is that it is usually large air conditioned tour buses. They are located outside the port. We only us this option for the end of the cruise due to coming in a day early.  I have also hired a car, cab and Uber based on how quickly my flight leaves that day. Just think it through.
  • Ship Casino:
    • Slot Tournaments: One of my favorite things to do on a cruise ship is play slots.  I pay for an entry for each of my cruisers pre-cruise.  We make a deal, if anyone wins, they share the winnings. You can paid ahead of time on the cruise lines website. These are usually $25.00 per person. We rarely win. We always have fun.
    • Line-Of-Credit: If you gamble a lot, contact the ship casino for a line of credit. Just like Vegas, it makes your casino life a bit easier. Gamble responsibly.
    • Free Cruises from the Ship Casino: I always gain a players card onboard.  I have had many contacts with the ship casino department offering me a free casino cabins.  They will also allow you to have a deep discount on the ships suites or VIP section with this plan. Look at the fine print.  This may not provide any normal perks.  Know what you are or are not getting. There is no “Free Lunch”.
  • Internet Upgrade: Let me be crystal clear here, the internet on a cruise ship is AWFUL.  Even if you pay extra for streaming or premium services.  I still purchase it pre-cruise or upgrade my internet perk.  It is usually about $80.00 to $100.00 when upgrading from a perk.  I only get one device for my suite so only one person in a suite can use it at any given time.  This keeps my adult kids and wife, in-the-moment and off their darn phones.
  • On-Board Mobile Phone/Text Connection: I absolutely love this option. This is about $9.00 per cruisers.  It allows you to text and call your fellow cruisers in you suite.  Just think about someone forgetting an event or a reservation because they are asleep on the sundeck. Happens every cruise. This can only be purchased when you get on the ship. Don’t get frustrated when you order it. Sometimes, it takes a bit to get it to work right.
  • Upgrading Your Adult Beverage Package: If your cruise came with a perk of an “Adult Beverage Package”, you just got a GREAT deal. If it does not? You need to ask yourself if getting a beverage package is work the INVESTMENT. I ALWAYS have the adult beverage package when cruising, always.  When it is a perk, I usually upgrade it, if possible. The best example is with NCL, the perk is the “Premium Adult Beverage Package”. By the way, it is a perk but NOT free.  You have to pay a 20% tip fee when you get this perk.  What I do is upgrade to the “Premium PLUS Beverage Package” and do it pre-cruise when possible. Why you ask? I like specialty coffee’s at almost every meal; I don’t like having my drink prices limited to $15.00 each including tip; I like to drink premium alcohols especially on my vacation; I love that I can order at any bar or restaurant imported gas/no gas waters; most importantly, my wife can order bottles of selected wines at any meal, then she can bring back the rest of the bottle to our suite. I plan this so she has at least a full bottle for hanging out on the deck at night. My approach again to treat my family like “Rock Star” for one week a year.
    • HINT: If all you can get are glasses of wine.  You can order two-at-a-time.  Order two and head to the suite.  I am more then happy to go to the closest bar if and when my wife finishes those two glasses for a refill. If you get a cabin for more than two passengers, sometimes the extra passengers don’t get the Adult Beverage Perk.  In this case, the actually package is very expensive.  Just buy a bottle alcohol which comes with mixers from room service.  It will cost you about $100.00.  You will save a ton and have a nice bar in your suite. 

Seems like a lot of work doesn’t it?  Here is the way I look at it. I had three cruises cancelled.  I booked my next cruise over a to a year from now.  I was disappointed when the cruises cancelled. These listed activities gave me a way to keep the cruise top-of-mind.  The fun for me is just thinking of something and adding on my list on my homemade calendar. Please remember my goal. I want a stress-free cruise with little or nothing on my portfolio to pay when the cruise is over. This is my plan to achieve an All-Inclusive cruise while being treated like a “Rock Star”.

If you have any other question, contact me at: Gary.Tilkin@GaryTilkin.com. Cruise well, stay healthy and respect your fellow cruisers.