I’m settling in on the Silver Dawn, but we have a sea day before visiting our first port. So, I decided to follow up on a friend’s request to describe my pre-cruise organizing. Over the years I have created a three-page Word document to help me plan. What? I have friends. Stop laughing…

Months Ahead

• Vaccinations – I’ve found that proof of receiving the Yellow Fever vaccine is darn-near a universal requirement for entering other countries. However, there may be other vaccines you are advised to have. In the Phoenix, Arizona area we have about 10 Passport Health offices (300+ nation-wide) that will review your itinerary and make health-oriented suggestions, as well as offer jabs. Depending on your health care plan you may have other options.
  
  Last year I took an Asia cruise and they suggested I vaccinate for Japanese Encephalitis, which involved two shots before the trip. Later that year I also visited East Africa, and they advised getting Rabies shots (because I had no documented proof of getting it in my youth), which also needed two shots before travel. Getting a third dose for each vaccine months later extends the effectiveness of both for years, so I got those last week.
  
  My father was in the military, so we traveled every few years. Thus, I’ve gathered a handful of vaccine records. Recently I scanned them and copied the individual vaccines into a spreadsheet. I carry copies on my phone and laptop and I keep a print-out in my cabin safe. You never know…
  

• Passports / Visas – If you have never traveled internationally, you need to get a passport. The amount of time it takes to receive your passport has gotten quicker in recent years, but many organizations (including Silversea) require you to provide your passport number far in advance of your trip. In addition, it cannot expire less than three months after your last day in each country.
  
  Many countries require some kind of visa. There may be exceptions for cruise travel, as we are usually only there for a day or so. The joy of long-term cruising on Silversea is that do all that paperwork for you. Mostly. They do not do the visa work for the “overland experiences” field trips you may optionally take. For example, I am taking an extended three-day tour of New Zealand while the ship is sailing to Australia, so I needed to get a “New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority” e-visa (NZeTA). Many countries now offer online access, so there is no need to mail your passport to a consulate. Note that each country has their own rules for how early you can apply and how long you can stay on a tourist visa.

• Electrical – Different countries have different power standards, including the outlet shape and size. This gets all the more complicated if you are visiting many countries during a single trip – and I am visiting over 50 ports and dozens of countries for this world cruise.
  
  I advise using the Internet and check what the countries you are visiting use. I have found good information on “World of Sockets“, but there are others. Be aware that adapters do not change the voltage!
  
  I have a Ceptics adapter kit with two US three-prong , two USB-A and two USB-C outlets. You can slot one of six included plugs onto the back. Since I am visiting some “non standard” locations, I also purchased an expansion pack with additional plugs. This is overkill for single-destination travel, but essential if you are crossing the globe. Be aware that the plugs only install in one direction, which may be an issue. During last year’s East Africa trip one of my hotel rooms had outlets right above the top of the desk, so my adapter could not attach on those as it extended too low.

Weeks Ahead

• Travel Insurance – Totally depends on your health plan. But double check, things could have changed since the last time you looked. You’ll want at least medical evacuation and missed connections options. Consider some kind of “cancel for any reason” option as well.
• Mobile Phone – Totally depends on your current plan. I use a cheap “North America only, pay data as you use it” plan at home, but change to an international, unlimited data plan as my departure approaches.
• Bills – The Internet has made paying bills easier. I have automatic withdrawal for all my monthly bills and with ship-board internet I can check accounts while on the ocean. For this particular trip, I will need to do my US and Arizona taxes on the ocean, as I don’t get home until June.
• Postage – I use a mail service while cruising. I forward my mail to one of their addresses and they scan the front of each letter. I can then ask them to open and scan the contents. The cost depends on how many pages you expect to scan each month.

Days Ahead

Here’s the basic packing section – what are you bringing. My packing documents has sections for toiletry (my father called it a “Dopp Kit“). Contents depend on the length of your travels. Example: For whatever reason I had six travel-size toothpaste tubes – I grabbed them all. I ran out of dental floss during last year’s Asia cruise. Don’t forget about prescriptions.

Since I enjoy photography I have a camera gear section. And I’m kicking myself, as I bought a cool shoulder strap for my East Africa trip last year, but did not update my packing list and left it at home. Lesson learned – update the packing list as soon as you get new gear!

Finally, I have a list of files I want to copy from my home computers to my travel tech – laptop, tablet and phone. Passwords, friends/family contact information, camera/lens manuals, travel insurance documents, scans of credit cards and passports, music and so on.

If it’s been some time since you’ve traveled, double check your luggage. I updated my 20+ year old luggage set last year.

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Next Up – Cozumel, and hopefully Chichen Itza!