Don't Shipwreck the Family Reunion

So you’ve decided a cruise is perfect for the family reunion. Everyone’s going to be there, ranging in age from 4 weeks to 80 years. Cruises offer a basically hassle-free vacation. You only unpack once. They’re friendly to all ages, have a menu to suit anyone, you can meet and part, you don’t need a designated driver, and there’s plenty to do. There are also new friends to meet.

However, it can be a shipwreck if you don’t plan for a few things. As someone who presents on cruises, and has taken quite a few, here are some tips for happy sailing.

Consider safety and health first. Then you’ll be free to enjoy yourself and have fun.

SAFETY

Children and seniors can get lost and confused in new surroundings, and the larger cruise ships have many floors and thousands of passengers. Consider bringing walkie-talkies so you can keep in touch.

Make sure everyone pays attention during muster – when they tell you what to do in the case of an emergency.

Remind your children the same safety rules apply at sea as on land. They’ll be given wristbands when they board. Make sure the care procedures for the children’s recreation program meets your standard, and caution your children to stay where they’re supposed to.

Many surfaces on the ship’s deck are constantly wet. Instruct children not to run – for their own safety and also because they can topple others. Take caution yourself. Bring along some beach-type shoes with traction.

Also bring insect repellant. When we docked in a Mexican port, we were invaded by a swarm of killer bees. Fortunately they fell in love with one of the pool speakers and were easily vacuumed up, but you never know. There’s Dengue fever in some ports, and mosquitoes on a Russian cruise were really bothersome.

Read the State Department updates for any international travel. Consult your personal healthcare professional about immunizations you might need, i.e., DPT is recommended for Russia, where there is diphtheria. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets can be found here.

Don’t stray too far from your group or go places that make you feel uneasy. Trust your instincts. Keep in mind that laws in other countries are different. You are no longer in Kansas. If you rent equipment in another country, think about what you’re doing. Does it look reliable? How do you know? What will you do if it breaks down?

Plan sensible clothing, particularly shoes. You may be on cobblestones or pebbles where it would be easy to turn an ankle if you aren’t in sturdy walking shoes. Don’t try and break in a new pair of shoes on a cruise.

Many times you’ll be leaving your country in the winter heading for the Caribbean and it’s hard to remember about the sun! Bring hats, visors, sunglasses, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts and other protection.

Many hot tubs contain enough bromine (by health department requirements) to bleach out your bathing suit and also weaken elastic if you’re in there a lot. Consider taking an old one, or an expensive one.

LIABILITY

If you’re going to be doing any driving, check on what your current policy covers, and the need for foreign liability insurance.

HEALTH

Next check to see if your medical insurance covers you worldwide. Medicare doesn’t cover expenses incurred outside the US, nor do many insurance plans. Check with your insurance company and check with Medicare. Check again.

You can fill in the gaps with travel insurance, but make sure you read the fine print and get MEDICAL travel insurance. Some cruises offer you “travel insurance” when you book, but it may only cover cancellations, trip interruptions, lost or delayed baggage, financial failure of carrier, or terrorism. Which you may want too, but it isn’t medical coverage.

What you want is medical coverage outside the US. This should include medical evacuation (unless you relish having emergency surgery wherever you might happen to be), medical reunion, and return of mortal remains, all of which can be very costly.

Bring written proof with you that you have the insurance. Even then, bring a credit card with ample available credit on it. Someone on my last cruise had to go to the emergency room in Cozumel and they would not accept any insurance – not the ship’s, not anyone’s. Only a credit card.

Yes, most ships have doctors and infirmaries, but they probably don’t have an x-ray machine, and things can happen to you on land as well.

WELLNESS

It’s perfectly possible to come back from a cruise in better shape than when you left. There are healthy dining alternatives, work out rooms, swimming pools, tracks, active excursions, Tai Chi, dancing, and all the elements for an active healthy vacation.

FIRST AID

Pack a small first-aid kit with you. Some things are available in the infirmary, in the ship store, and certainly on land, but can be costly, and also it will take you time to hunt them down; time better spent having fun. Having your own blister bandages, tube of Neosporin, and anti-diarrhea prescription might save you hours of time!

MEDICATIONS

Pack enough of your prescription medications to get you through the vacation and then some, and keep them on your person. You never know when your luggage will be lost or delayed, or when you might be delayed getting back home.

FOOD & WATER

Check State Department guidelines again. There are places it isn’t recommended you drink the water. Use your common sense about where you eat, or ask the ship staff for advice.

FUN

Now for maximizing the fun part.

Some people cruise for the formal night[s]. Others wish it would go away. There is always most always a casual buffet alternative. Check your itinerary on this.

If you want to rent tux and full attire, go here. Most ships keep some inventory onboard, but it’s best to order early. There are usually tailors on board.

PHOTOGRAPHS

The larger ships are geared to take photographs and want to sell them to you. They are very accommodating and you don’t want to miss this opportunity. Yes, they can arrange your family group of 30 people around the staircase and take a beautiful shot, but also get a Christmas card photo of you and your husband, and a special portrait of your 80-year-old mother.

Bring different wardrobes and take advantage of different groupings and backgrounds. Photographers are standing around in the evenings looking for people to photograph, so don’t be shy. They’re perfectly happy to oblige. You are not limited to one shot!

What opportunities am I talking about? Besides the cherished formal-night portraits, a group of college women traveling together appeared in their cruise bathrobes. One family group all wore khaki shorts and their red family reunion t-shirts. Another couple had their 4 children dressed for a Christmas photo, and an individual was dressed in her business suit getting a black and white head shot for her website.

Planning ahead can assure smooth sailing. Bon voyage!

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