Is there a date line as to what you should do prior to your cruise?

[ennazus]

I was wondering if there is a website that shows a date line as what one should do prior to your cruise (ie. at 6 months you should have your plane tickets, by X days you should have booked your excursions?) I'd love to see it if it is out there. :) Thanks!

[ennazus]

bumpity bump....

:bounce:

anyone?

[TnRobin]

Lets see, I leave in 18 days. I have bought my air line tickets and paid for my cruise. I am sure that if there is a list out there. I am behind as usual. I have confirmed that our summer clothes still fit. Do I get a brownie point for that one????? ;)

[din]

I have not seen a web site for what you asked for!!!

Other than booking for the cruise, I am assuming that you are on the cruise, the rest depends on the time of the year, what else you have to do etc.....

If you booked the cruise with air and transfers then you have nothing to worry about until you packet arrive before you can book excursions.

If you are planning the trip by yourself, like us, then I would suggest the following:

1. Air - we bought ours 8 months before the trip. Saw a price that we could not turn down. $149 pp round trip from the west coast.:D I would suggest that you watch the prices regularly, as you never know when it may offer something.

2. We arranged for the limo 3/4 months before the trip. That is me being prepared and paraniod!!!

3. Hotel - came in the night before. Use points so booked that three months before also.

BTW we went on spring break and that added to my sense that all the rooms and tickets will be sold out!!!!! :)

As for the other "stuff" on the ship, you have to get ob board for that.

Hope that helps. Anyone else have other thoughts!!!!

[prymsu]

I should type one up in project and share with all of you. I use one every time. I put dates like when the balance is due, what i need to do, such as line up dog sitter, notify teacher, notify post office, and tons of other stuff, as well as a mini packing list of things i really don't want to forget. I am a worry wart by nature, and i am much more relaxed when i know that i am getting stuff done according to schedule. I will try to get a plan together in the next few days, and then post a link on this site so anyone who would like to use it can.

[BethA]

Would love to have that list if you want to share. I find if I dodn't have everything planned and written down I can't remember.

[BethA]

Would love to have that list if you want to share. I find if I don't have everything planned and written down I can't remember.

[prymsu]

I guess i will just type it in the post, because i am not sure that most folks would have Project 98. This is in no particular order. I am looking at different plans i have used for various trips.

Book airfare (if you plan far enough in advance you can watch for a while and get the lowest rate)

Buy travel insurance.

Research trip costs and itineraries

Research weather conditions

Pack sunglasses

Make trip payments (i usually book a year in advance and then pay payments) i also track checks, dates and amounts...

Any immunizations needed (we have traveled extensively oversears so i always list this one)

Arrange for dog sitter

Save dog sitter money

Save tip money

Save spending money

Create spreadsheet for dog sitter and our folks (i put in flight numbers, emergency contact numbers and our itinerary just in case there is an emergency back home)

make postcard labels (this makes sending postcards a snap)

make hotel arrangements

notify before school program about dates

notify teacher/school about vacation dates

pack light jackets, swimsuits

pack autograph book

buy disposable cameras ( i always use these and label them with our address) include a few water disposable ones

pack passports and photo copies of important paperwork

pack medicines

pack first aid kit

research sites we are visiting

receive confirmation from cruise line or travel agent

receive tickets/itinerary for trip and then review documents

get some traverlers checks

guys to get haircuts

pack calculator (easy to see if i am getting a bargain)

pay trip balance

research shore excursions and customs limitations

pack some US stamps for postcards from US ports

pack plenty of suntan lotion and sunblock.

sorry this is so long. If there are lots of folks that have access to Project 98, I would be happy to put together a very detailed plan with lots more things to think about, and about how many days out...

Let me know.

[BethA]

Thanks, I'll print it and add it to all my cruise papers. Only 60 days to go!!

[prymsu]

I usually put this in a project plan. Then i can add notes to each task. I also try to estimate what i need to spend or save and have a column that is a start date and a finish date. It sure helps me plan much better than if i had to just think off the top of my head on what needed to be done.

All my friends give me a hard time, but let me tell you when ever someone has a big event or trip to plan, i am the first person they call to help get them organized.

[din]

prymsu: Are you a PM or something similar by profession???

:D

[prymsu]

how could you tell? What i would really love to do is plan special events and trips. Dont' think i could make a living doing those things though, or at least not enough to go on trips as much as we do. HA!HA!HA!

if there is enough interest i would be willing to create a project 98 schedule for anyone to use. One thing about having all this stuff together is that you can easily stuff the paper in your bag and have all your confirmation numbers and other important info in one place in case you need it.

[goofysgal]

Try this website. He also has a pretty extensive packing list.
www.geocities.com/Calgon1/Pre-Departure_Checklist.html (http://www.geocities.com/Calgon1/Pre-Departure_Checklist.html)

[ennazus]

Originally posted by TnRobin
I have confirmed that our summer clothes still fit. Do I get a brownie point for that one????? ;)

Yes, I'll give you a brownie point for that! ;)

Sue, Thanks for typing that up!! Excellent idea about the post card labels!! I printed out your list.

goofysgal-that was the website I was looking for! Thank you!

[tkd lisa]

TnRobin, you get a brownie point from me too. I had to pull them kids summer clothes out for a fit check, but for the opposite reason. I always buy clothes on the close out racks the year before for my kids to wear next year. In other words, I've just finished stocking up on sweatshirts and sweaters for the 02-03 school year, buying the size I think my kids will be next year.

Unfortunately, over the last year and a half, my kids have seemed to be stuck at the same size. So when I started packing, I pulled out all their new summer stuff to make sure that it would stay up on their skinny little waists! Darn good thing I did, because the new stuff is too big. So I had to dig through last years stuff to make sure that it was decent (12 weeks of summer day camp takes it's toll on those play clothes!!). So now, I'm sure I've got enough decent stuff to cover the little darlings for the trip!!

[bizybea]

I have confirmed that our summer clothes still fit. Do I get a brownie point for that one????

If the clothes fit, I don't think I'd be eating brownies!!;) :rolleyes: :D

[din]

Originally posted by prymsu
how could you tell? What i would really love to do is plan special events and trips. Dont' think i could make a living doing those things though, or at least not enough to go on trips as much as we do. HA!HA!HA!



Have on staff both program managers and project managers..
:D

[aks22]

This was a really good question and a great response with the link. Thanks for doing my thinking for me.
I'm adding stars!!
:smooth: