WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE MY CRUISE?

What Do I Need to Do Before My Cruise?

We think a great cruise starts well before the embarkation day. Once your booking is confirmed, most cruise lines will give you access to an online portal offering you a world of information and options regarding your upcoming cruise. It's well worth grabbing a cup of tea and having a look, as it can both save you time on embarkation day and ensure you avoid disappointment once you're on-board.

Here are the 5 areas we think are the most important for you to have a look at:

Excursions

With most cruise lines, you can view their excursions programme and book online before you cruise. At Travel Routes we think this is well worth doing, as the prices will be the same – if not better – than when on-board, and believe it or not excursions do sell out. Booking in advance means you will be guaranteed a space on the excursions you want, and that you'll secure them at the best price.

Speciality Dining Reservations

Most cruise lines also offer the option to make reservations at the speciality dining restaurants. We think it's worth doing this as the most popular restaurants on the ship can book up very quickly, and this way you can make sure you'll get a table. If you change your mind as to which evening you want to visit once you're on-board, most will be happy and able to accommodate changes – subject to availability.

Spa & Beauty Treatments

Something else well worth thinking about in advance is the pre-booking of spa and beauty treatments. Particularly on days at sea, the spa can be one of the busiest areas on the ship and as you would expect, spaces are limited depending on the number of therapists and the capacity of the spa area. Equally, if you know you would like a beauty treatment ahead of a gala night or special dinner, then we recommend booking these in advance too.

Guest Registration

Just like checking-in online for a flight, you will need to complete various details in advance of your cruise. Most commonly these are your personal details, passport information, pre- and post-cruise arrangements, travel insurance details, and any medical information the cruise line needs to know. We recommend filling in this information as soon as you can after booking, as once it is done, you can relax and forget about the formalities, and simply get on with looking forward to your cruise. Filling in this information in advance will also save you time on embarkation day, helping you board the ship more quickly.

Luggage Labels / Tagging Information

When the date of your cruise gets nearer, you will also be able to download your luggage labels or tagging information from the online portal. When you arrive at the port on embarkation day, the first thing that will happen is a luggage porter will check your labels or ask you for your tagging information, before whisking your bags off. Having this ready to go will make this process a little smoother.

Please note some of the information contained within our cruise guide may differ once cruising resumes in the wake of Covid-19.

Ready to plan your perfect cruise holiday?

Simply complete the enquiry form to get in touch, or call our Travel Specialists on 0203 924 8888

Our Top Selling Cruises

Below is just a tiny selection of our best-selling cruise holidays. Get in touch to discuss your exact requirements and we'll help you find your perfect cruise holiday;

12-Day Canary Islands with Princess

This 12-day cruise with Princess Cruises departs from Southampton and heads for the warm sunshine of Spain and the Canary Islands. Enjoy 6 ports of call including Lisbon, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Madeira. During your days at sea you'll be able to enjoy the wealth of facilities on-board your Princess Cruise Ship including first-class entertainment and exquisite dining options. The best part of this cruise is that you don't need to fly, so your holiday begins the minute you step on-board!

September departures

Southampton > Lisbon > Gran Canaria > Tenerife > Lanzarote > Madeira > Vigo > Southampton

Cruise Holiday Includes

11 nights accommodation on the ship
Full board whilst on-board the ship
Port fees and taxes

From £799 per person

Price based on two people sharing a Interior Stateroom in September 2021. Other dates and cabin upgrades available. Simply enquire below.

Transatlantic & New York Stay with Cunard

Enjoy this Westbound transatlantic crossing aboard the iconic Queen Mary 2. She is a remarkable flagship, her style and elegance are legendary. With 7-nights at sea the choice is yours. There is as much or as little to do as you please, with more possibilities than you'll have time to discover. After your cruise enjoy 3-nights in New York with 2 full days to explore the 'Big Apple!'

Year-round departures

Southampton > Transatlantic Crossing > New York

Cruise Holiday Includes:

7 nights accommodation on the ship
3 nights accommodation in Manhattan, New York
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included on-board ship
A welcome bottle of sparkling wine
Port fees and taxes

From £1,249 per person

Price based on two people sharing an Britannia Inside Cabin on November 2021 departure. Simply enquire below.

Alaska Hubbard Glacier with Celebrity

Enjoy a 8-day cruise onboard Celebrity Eclipse as you set sail to discover the spectacular scenery and amazing attractions of Alaska. From the dramatic glaciers, majestic mountains and the amazing wildlife including whales, there is sure to be something to amaze you on this fantastic cruise. The price also include 2-nights in Vancouver at a downtown hotel. (CXC)

May to September departures

Vancouver > Inside Passage (Cruising) > Sitka > Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) > Juneau > Ketchikan > Inside Passage (Cruising) > Vancouver

Cruise Holiday Includes

International flights from the UK in Economy
7 nights accommodation on the ship
2 nights accommodation in Vancouver
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included while on-board
Classic beverages
Gratuities
Transfers and taxes

From £1,599 per person

Price based on two people sharing an Inside Cabin between May and September. Simply enquire below.

Gems of the Danube River Cruise with Scenic

Enjoy a classic 8-day river cruise along the Danube to discover the historical wonders of Europe from Budapest to Nuremberg. All while enjoying the elegant atmosphere and exquisite service on-board a 5-star vessel with Scenic River Cruises. (SCN)

April to October departures

Munich > Nuremberg > Regensberg > Passau - Linz > Melk - Dürnstein > Vienna > Budapest

Cruise Holiday Includes:

International flights from the UK in Economy
7 Nights accommodation on the ship
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners and premium beverages
Complimentary Wi-Fi
All gratuities
Transfers and taxes

From £2,399 per person

Price based on two people sharing a Standard Suite between April - October. Itinerary also operates in reverse. Simply enquire below.

Southern Caribbean with Holland America

What better way to see the Caribbean than on this amazing 14-day Southern Caribbean cruise with Holland America. The cruise takes in 9 diverse islands of the Caribbean on a round-trip voyage from Fort Lauderdale onboard the elegant and spacious Volendam. (HAL)

March to April departures

Fort Lauderdale > St. Thomas > St. Kitts & Nevis > St. Lucia > Barbados > Grenada > Guadeloupe > St. Maarten > Puerto Rico > The Bahamas > Fort Lauderdale

Cruise Holiday Includes:

International flights from the UK in Economy
13 nights accommodation on the ship
1 nights accommodation in Fort Lauderdale
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included while on-board
Signature beverage package
Gratuities
Port fees and taxes

From £2,599 per person

Price based on two people sharing an Inside Cabin between March and April 2022. Simply enquire below.

Charms of South America with Regent Seven Seas

This 10-night cruise with Regent Seven Seas takes in stunning ports in three countries along the east coast of South America. Visit vibrant Rio, colourful Buenos Aires and charming Montevideo among others. Enjoy luxury cruising with almost everything included from fine dining and drinks to wifi and gratuities.

November 2021 departure

Rio de Janeiro > Buzios > Ilha Grande > Sao Paolo > Porto Belo > Rio Grande > Punta del Este > Nagasaki > Montevideo > Buenos Aires

Cruise Holiday Includes

International flights from the UK in Economy
10 nights accommodation on Seven Seas Explorer
All-Inclusive
Speciality Dining
Selected shore excursions in each port
Gratuities
Transfers and taxes

From £5,239 per person

Price based on two people sharing a Deluxe Window Suite in November 2021. Simply enquire below.

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Our Truly Individual holidays are designed around you and allow you to have everything, just the way you like it!
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Leave the hard work to us - we'll organise all of your flights, accommodation, excursions, logistics & the special touches!

Our Travel Specialists are genuinely amongst some of the best in the business with many years of travel experience.
We'll help you to create your perfect Truly Individual holiday, offering our expertise and guidance at every stage.
We’ll take care of everything, which means all you have to do is relax and enjoy a perfect holiday, every time!

From your first booking, you'll join My Routes Rewards - one of the most rewarding ways to travel and exclusive to us!
We only work with travel partners we trust to ensure you'll enjoy the quality you expect.
You can rest assured that every holiday is 100% financially protected by our membership with ATOL (11104).