FamAbLE

How do we really prepare for a cruise? You might imagine some elaborate, weeks-long process, but honestly, it often feels like a last-minute scramble around here! With so much going on before a trip, packing sometimes ends up being one of the last things on our minds – a far cry from our early travel days when bags were packed weeks in advance. I think that comes with a bit of travel experience; you start to get a better sense of what you truly need.
Living in Ohio means flying is almost always our first step to a cruise. Driving to a port can eat up precious vacation days, something we’re only willing to do if absolutely necessary. So, we’re usually on the hunt for the best flight prices, often booking within a couple of months of our departure. Before that, we’re keeping an eye on average prices using tools like Google Flights and Hopper to get a feel for things. We tend to lean towards the cheaper tickets, often on budget airlines, and we definitely prioritize direct flights whenever possible.
Now, I can’t speak for Brandy, but I know a pre-trip conversation always revolves around the crucial question: how many pairs of shoes are really necessary? Since we usually each have a personal item for carry-on and then check a bag or two depending on how many of us are traveling, space is at a premium. Our personal items typically hold our valuable and essential backup clothing, just in case our checked bags decide to take their own vacation. The checked bags are usually for clothes and those larger liquids, like sunscreen, that can be ridiculously expensive in tourist areas.
For me, my personal item is usually dominated by camera gear for our videos, leaving just enough room for a change of clothes. So, most of my stuff ends up in the checked bag. Even now, we still face the packing dilemma: what to bring and what to leave behind. It really depends on the climate and time of year. Cruising in January out of Florida, for example, you might unexpectedly hit a cold snap – like our last Carnival Jubilee trip in Galveston, Texas. So, the internal debate begins: do I need that sweatshirt? How many of this or that do I actually need? If I’m unsure about the temperature, I’ll usually just grab a zip-up hoodie, figuring that will cover me if it gets cooler. Brandy, on the other hand, continues her battle with the shoe count. Do you really need five pairs of sandals? (She’s getting better, though, and I think we all are, even Cora and Aidric, who are pretty easygoing.)
Beyond the bags, the essentials are making sure all our documents are in order. We usually make a trip to the bank for some cash in various denominations for tipping, as ATM fees can be a pain. While some avoid them, we often use credit cards, especially those with zero foreign transaction fees and good rewards. I like the security of getting notifications for every charge and the ability to dispute anything that looks off. Plus, those reward points can add up! We always make sure to only charge what we can pay off in full by the due date to avoid interest. So, that’s a little peek into our pre-cruise prep – a mix of strategic planning and last-minute decisions!