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Myself and Lady Parker

Pack a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an emergency.

Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about spills. Most bartenders will fill it wit

Don’t be a deck chair hog. It’s inconsiderate to put towels and personal belongings on poolside lounge chairs to “save” them unless you are actually in the pool.

If you are prone to motion (sea) sickness, the best cabin location for you is on a lower deck in the middle of the ship (midway between the bow and the stern). Pitch, roll, and yaw—the movements made

Print cards with your name, address, phone number, & email address to share with new friends. Stiff, business card-style paper can be purchased at nearly any office supply store & having your cards ha

For minor emergencies, pack a first aid "kit" with antiseptic cream & bandages in your carry-on.

Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends.

Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are le

Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them.

Tap water on your ship is perfectly safe to drink; purchasing bottled water is only necessary if you prefer the taste.

Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes, whether you decide to use the laundry facilities or not.

Pack and WEAR a hat to protect your scalp, ears, and face from sun damage and premature aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles and dark spots.

Have a supply of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps and porters at the pier.

Don't bother packing beach towels, they will be provided for your use on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore.

At the end of the cruise, you will receive a bill for signed items. If extra charges appear, ask to see all the charge slips and get a copy of a modified bill.

You're never obligated to take an organized shore excursion. To explore a city more in depth or see something not included on an organized excursion, consider exploring on your own. If you explore

Remember to budget for shore excursion expenses. Excursion prices can vary greatly depending on your port of call, cruise line and activity. You're never obligated to take an organized shore excurs

Got your eye on that something special in the onboard mall? Resist the urge to buy until the last day of the cruise. Many items inevitably go "on sale".

At first, you may wish to carry the deck plan with you. Take a walk and familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship, and learn how to reach your cabin from the main stairways.

Sign up for spa services, sporting events, salon appointments and other activities as early as possible. Shore excursions can book up fast. If you haven't booked them before you depart, think about

It's never wise to leave valuables out in the open in your cabin. Lock them in your luggage or see if the ship has a safe.

Cruise lines vary in how gratuities are handled. A few cruise lines include tipping in the total cruise price or have a “no tipping” policy, and will inform you. Others will automatically charge your

Many ships sell an "unlimited soft drink" cup for kids. If you're traveling with young ones, this can be a wise investment and save you some significant cash.

Two-way walkie-talkies are a great way for family members to keep in touch while onboard the ship. If you don't have your own, many ships rent them for the duration of the voyage.