2 weeks to go, what do you do?

[Scherzermk]

Our family leaves in 2 weeks for a 7 night Fantasy cruise. I just printed my packing list last night and started thinking, what else should I do in the next 2 weeks. What are your last minute to dos that make your trip more magical? Thanks

 

[AndreAggie]

I keep a basket in the spare bedroom for random things I won't need before the cruise...glow sticks, drink cups, pirate gear, pop-up hamper, beach bag, etc. Stuff that I normally don't travel with, but want to take on a cruise. I usually print out hotel, rental car confirmations just to have a paper copy.

 

[Hundredacre]

Make sure you have all your paperwork together now (you probably already do but just in case). Pretty scary when you can't find a passport or birth certificate for one person in your party the night before leaving. Yes it happened to us. We now have a permanent ziploc bag with all necessary documents so we are ready to cruise at any time.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Make sure your credit/debit card that your using on board is paid and if necessary, alert your card provider that you will be on vacation so they expect those types of transactions (not all cards require this, but a phone call to customer service never hurts).

If you need cash/foreign exchange, this is the time to get it. Don't forget the small bills you may want for tipping.

Alert the newspaper/mail carrier, if you need to stop or hold anything. Contact neighbors or whomever will be keeping an eye on your place.

Download any books/music you may want.

Alert teachers, if that's necessary.

Start playing Disney music any time, now to get in the mood.

Have a great trip.

 

[Jess_S]

Make sure you have all your paperwork together now (you probably already do but just in case). Pretty scary when you can't find a passport or birth certificate for one person in your party the night before leaving. Yes it happened to us. We now have a permanent ziploc bag with all necessary documents so we are ready to cruise at any time.

Definitely this! My parents wound up missing their vacation last year because they didn't look for their passports until the night before and weren't able to find them in time to make their flight. Had they looked earlier, they could have paid for rush replacements.

I also go over reservations and plans with my husband and make sure he is happy with everything. He basically doesn't pay attention to vacation planning at all until right before, so it's my only chance to get his input. Then, I print out confirmations for everything. I also confirm dog-sitting arrangements, stop the mail and put in book requests through the library if there's anything special I want to read on my trip. (Sometimes, I like to theme my reading to the trip).

 

[MSPeeler]

Our family leaves in 2 weeks for a 7 night Fantasy cruise. I just printed my packing list last night and started thinking, what else should I do in the next 2 weeks. What are your last minute to dos that make your trip more magical? Thanks

We will be doing a count down calendar, each day will be a Disney themed activity for us to do to prepare for our trip.
Some things include:
• watching our favorite Disney movie
• making yarn snack necklaces for our drive (fruit loops, Cheerios, pretzels, any that can be threaded)
• look through pins for pin trading and get lanyards ready
• goto dollar tree and let the kids pick out their own glow sticks
• goto the store to make dogs tags w/names and phone numbers if they get lost.

And don't forget to put a hold on your mail!

Have fun!!

 

[Scherzermk]

Great ideas everyone! Thanks! I totally forgot about calling the bank for our of state travel even though every year they turn off our cards after we use them in Georgia.
I had thought of putting in requests at the library and had my first ebook sent today. Yeah. Hopefully the second comes right before we leave. There's nothing better than reading (then napping) on those perfect lounge chairs. Is it deck 4? I have to find my way there quickly.

 

[myrtleturtle]

Thanks for the reminder about holding the mail!

 

[CScott095]

Definitely this! My parents wound up missing their vacation last year because they didn't look for their passports until the night before and weren't able to find them in time to make their flight. Had they looked earlier, they could have paid for rush replacements.

I also go over reservations and plans with my husband and make sure he is happy with everything. He basically doesn't pay attention to vacation planning at all until right before, so it's my only chance to get his input. Then, I print out confirmations for everything. I also confirm dog-sitting arrangements, stop the mail and put in book requests through the library if there's anything special I want to read on my trip. (Sometimes, I like to theme my reading to the trip).

So we leave this week and I've put my hands on our Passports everyday just to make sure! Nightmare!

 

[Kimberly9701]

Can anyone tell me what the glow sticks are for? First I've heard of it.

 

[TestingH2O]

Can anyone tell me what the glow sticks are for? First I've heard of it.

1. Use them on pirate night instead of buying stuff on board.

2. Hang them on doorknobs to act as nightlights to help navigate the cabin. It gets VERY dark.

 

[Kimberly9701]

1. Use them on pirate night instead of buying stuff on board.

2. Hang them on doorknobs to act as nightlights to help navigate the cabin. It gets VERY dark.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

Is it necessary to bring both birth certificate and passport. Somehow I can't remember ever seeing that info? I've read so much info im on overload

 

[Imahikergirl]

Is it necessary to bring both birth certificate and passport. Somehow I can't remember ever seeing that info? I've read so much info im on overload

I don't bring BCs. That is a document required to get myself a new passport if this one gets lost....and the PITA factor to try and get a new BC compels me to leave it behind.

 

[lbus42]

Is it necessary to bring both birth certificate and passport. Somehow I can't remember ever seeing that info? I've read so much info im on overload

I don't bring BCs. That is a document required to get myself a new passport if this one gets lost....and the PITA factor to try and get a new BC compels me to leave it behind.

Imahikergirl is correct. If you bring your passports, you will not need a birth certificate. A passport provides proof of identity and citizenship, whereas a birth certificate shows only proof of citizenship (other documents may be required along with it). You would have to show other forms if identification such as a driver's license to show proof of identity without a passport.