Anticipation builds... but you'll need to come down off cloud nine for some practical considerations. We've tried to capture the really important things-and some of the merely convenient stuff-that you should keep in mind to prepare. These may not all apply to your cruise; however, you may be surprised by what you hadn't thought of doing.

3-6 months before sailing

• Check with your travel agent or the State Department for the identification required for your cruise. (Passport, Proof of Citizenship. Proof of Identity etc.)
• Gather the necessary identification needed. If you need to replace a lost birth certificate, apply for a new passport, or renew one that is about to expire,( Passports must be good for 6 months past the last date of travel ) start the paperwork now. The sooner the better!
• Apply for any visas required by the countries on your itinerary. If visas are required, your travel agent can provide applications or you may use a professional visa agency.

60 to 75 days before sailing

• Make the final payment on your cruise fare. Due dates vary by cruise lines and certain itineraries, but your travel agent should remind you when the payment date draws near. Failure to submit the balance due on time can result in the cancellation of your reservation.
• Begin your wardrobe planning now. Try things on to make sure they fit and are in good repair (it's amazing how stains can magically appear months after something has been dry cleaned). Set things aside in your closet.
• If you need to shop, get started so you have time to find just the right thing (and perhaps to return or exchange just the right thing). You may also need to allow time for alterations. Start early-last minute shopping for just the right thing can be hazardous to your nerves.
• Make kennel reservations. (If you are traveling during a holiday period, you may need to do this even earlier.)
• Arrange for a house sitter.

If you are cruising, but your kids are staying home:

• Make childcare arrangements.
• Go over children's schedules to make sure they'll have everything they need while you are gone (a gift for Suzie's party, supplies for school project, permission slip for field trip).
• If you have small children, you may want to put together a small bag of treats for them to open while you're gone-tape yourself reading a favorite bedtime story or singing a lullaby (as long as it's you, it will sound fantastic to them).

If your children are traveling with you, see the tips below for 30 days and one week before sailing.

30 days before sailing

• If you purchased an air/sea package, call your travel agent for the details of your airline schedule. Request seat assignments and any special airline meals.
• If your children are sailing with you, check their wardrobes now (do it too early and the real little ones may actually grow out of things).
• Make appointments for any personal services you wish to have prior to your cruise. For example, a haircut, manicure, pedicure, etc.
• Get out your luggage and check the locks and zippers. Check for anything that might have spilled inside on a previous trip.

2 to 4 weeks before sailing

• Pick up your cruise documents from the travel agent (or receive them by mail).
• Examine the documents for accuracy (correct cabin number, sailing date, and dining arrangements) and make sure that names are spelled correctly. If there is something you don't understand, ask your travel agent or the cruise line now.
• Read all the literature in your document package for suggestions specific to your cruise. Most cruise lines include helpful information.
• Go over your personalized packing list again. Finish shopping.

1 week before sailing

• Finalize your packing list and continue organizing everything in one area.
• Buy film and check the batteries in your camera.
• Refill prescription medications with an adequate supply (and bring along a copy of the prescription if this is critical medication).
• Make two photocopies of your passport or ID and credit cards. Leave one copy with a friend and carry the other separately from the originals.
• Get cash and/or traveler's checks at the bank. If you use traveler's checks, keep a separate record of the serial numbers. Get a supply of one dollar bills for tipping baggage handlers (at the airport, hotel, pier, etc.).
• If you are visiting ports of call other than in the Caribbean, you might want to exchange some money ahead of time.
• You may also want to put valuables and jewelry that you won't be taking with you in the safety deposit box while you're at the bank. (See "1 day before sailing"-you may want to put some of the contents of your wallet in the safety deposit box as well.)
• Arrange to have your mail held at the post office or ask a neighbor to pick it up.
• Stop newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to bring it in for you.
• Arrange for lawn and houseplant care or snow removal during your absence (if necessary).
• Leave your itinerary, the ship's telephone number (plus the name of your ship and your stateroom number), and a house key with a relative or friend. If the ship's telephone number is not included in your documents, your travel agent can obtain it for you.
• If travelling with small children, purchase small games or toys to keep them occupied while en route to your embarkation port.

3 days before sailing

• Confirm your airline flights; departure times are sometimes subject to change.
• Put a card with your name, address, and itinerary inside each suitcase.
• Fill out your luggage tags and follow the instructions in your cruise documents regarding attaching them.
• Complete any other paperwork that the cruise line included with your documents (foreign customs & immigration forms, etc). Do NOT wait until you are standing in the pier check-in line to fill them in!
• Do last minute laundry and tidy up the house.
• Pull out the luggage and begin packing.

The day before sailing

• Take pets to the kennel.
• Water houseplants and lawn (if necessary).
• Dispose of any perishable food in the refrigerator.
• Mail any last minute bills.
• Set timers for indoor lights.
• Reorganize your wallet. Remove anything you won't need (check cashing cards, department store, or gas credit cards, etc), put it in an envelope, and leave in a secure place.
• Finish packing and lock your suitcases.

Departure day

• Adjust the thermostat and double-check the door locks.
• Turn off the water if there is danger of frozen pipes while you are away.
• Arrange to be at the airport a minimum of two hours before your departure time. (Or earlier for international flights-follow the airline's instructions.)
• Have photo ID and/or passport ready for check-in.
• Slip your car keys, parking claim checks, and airline tickets in your carry-on luggage. Never check these items.

• Don't bother packing beach towels, they will be provided for your use on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore.
   
• Notify the cruise line of any special dietary restrictions when booking your cruise and follow up on the arrangements a couple months before embarking.
   
• Store your valuables in your cabin safe.
   
• Remember to check the weather with the cruise company and pack accordingly.
   
• Tap water on your ship is perfectly safe to drink; purchasing bottled water is only necessary if you prefer the taste.
   
• Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket.
   
• Pack toiletries, clothing, and other items in clear zipper top bags for faster security examination of your carry-on at the airport and pier. This method makes it easier to repack if your bag is emptied and searched.
   
• Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your ship. If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often the case, to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry the passport copy ashore with you. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home.
   
• Binoculars are as useful indoors as they are outside. Typically you might think they are only for bringing far off wildlife and sights within view, but take them into museums, cathedrals, and other buildings to examine the details of artwork, sculptures, and architectural elements.
   
• Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change them before you think the old ones are “dead.”
   
• Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of a nasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from injury and aging.
   
• Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long line at the Purser's Desk ( aka  Guest Relations, or Reception Desk ) that last morning after your final bill arrives.
   
• Don't you look gorgeous in your formal attire? Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory. There's no obligation to purchase any photos you don't care for.
   
• Set aside gratuity money and keep it in your room safe. Many cruisers compute the "recommended" amounts in advance and get cash in the proper denominations before leaving home. If your ship automatically charges gratuities to your onboard account, you may adjust the amounts according to the level of service you receive.
   
• Make spa and salon appointments as soon as you can so you won't be disappointed—prime appointment times fill up fast!
   
• Set aside a few moments every day to pack up your used clothing and spend the last afternoon of your cruise doing fun things while your fellow passengers are packing to go home.
   
• If you are prone to motion (sea) sickness, the best cabin location for you is on a lower deck in the middle of the ship (midway between the bow and the stern). Pitch, roll, and yaw—the movements made by a ship—will be less noticeable in that area.
   
• Don’t miss the morning sun in your inside cabin. Before you retire for the night, leave the television tuned to the channel with the “view from the bridge” and you’ll awaken with a “window” on the outside world. Remember to turn the sound off.