Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---10-Things-Every-Boomer-Needs-to-Know
                      Nancy Parode
                      
                      
                      Life after 50 should be all about following your passions 
                      and exploring the world. One of my favorite ways to do both 
                      is to take a cruise to a far-off location. Not only does 
                      cruising allow you to see the world from a completely new 
                      perspective, but, it is also a fantastic way to make new 
                      friends. In addition, unlike the stereotypical lounge-in-the-sun-drinking-cocktails 
                      cruises of the past, modern cruises offer so many ways to 
                      learn new things and explore your passions.
                    Cruises are fun and relaxing, 
                      especially if you think ahead and reduce your pre-cruise 
                      stress. Women travelers, in particular, also need to consider 
                      personal health and safety issues when planning a cruise 
                      vacation. As you prepare for your upcoming cruise, consider 
                      these ten essential cruise tips and tricks.
                    Read the Fine Print Before 
                      You Book and After You Board
                    Before you pay your cruise 
                      deposit, take time to read your entire contract so that 
                      you understand your cruise line’s policies. Pay particular 
                      attention to cancellation and refund policies.
                    Once your cruise begins, 
                      you’ll receive one or more daily bulletins in your 
                      stateroom. Read them carefully so that you will know what 
                      to wear to dinner, which special events take place each 
                      day and what schedule changes you should know about.
                    Buy Travel Insurance
                    Your travel insurance policy 
                      should include travel medical insurance, medical evacuation 
                      coverage, trip delay and trip cancellation coverage, at 
                      a minimum. Travel medical insurance is essential if you 
                      are a U.S. citizen covered by Medicare, as Medicare does 
                      not pay for any health care expenses incurred outside the 
                      United States.
                    For maximum flexibility, 
                      consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage; 
                      if you are worried about hurricanes, illness or some other 
                      issue not covered by a traditional travel insurance policy, 
                      you can use this coverage to recoup most of your prepaid 
                      trip costs. CFAR coverage is expensive, but it does not 
                      cost as much as canceling your cruise and forfeiting all 
                      of your payments. You can read our other article on how 
                      to find travel insurance after 60.
                    Leave Your Valuables at Home
                    For true peace of mind, bring 
                      costume jewelry with you on your cruise and leave your valuable 
                      pieces at home.
                     
                     
                    Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---2
                    Bring a Carry-On 
                      Bag
                    Your carry-on 
                      bag should contain not only your prescription medications 
                      and other essentials, but also anything you might need to 
                      make the first few hours of your cruise more enjoyable. 
                      Pack a swimsuit, towel and book and head to the pool while 
                      you are waiting for your checked baggage to arrive in your 
                      stateroom, or toss in a pair of walking shoes and get some 
                      exercise on the main deck.
                    Create Multiple 
                      Outfits from Basic Pieces
                    De-stress 
                      your cruise by packing black, navy blue or neutral bottoms, 
                      colorful or sparkly tops and a couple of light, dressy throws 
                      or jackets to wear to dinner. Choose a similar color scheme 
                      for daytime wear. Choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle 
                      easily. Combine pieces in different ways, add a scarf or 
                      necklace to your outfits and enjoy your day. No one will 
                      notice if you wear the same pair of black trousers two or 
                      three times during the cruise.
                    Bring enough 
                      clothing so that you won’t have to do laundry for 
                      at least a week, and try to choose wrinkle-free fabrics. 
                      Standing in line at the ship’s laundromat is never 
                      the highlight of a cruise vacation.
                    Arrive at 
                      Your Embarkation Port One Day Early
                    Your cruise 
                      ship will depart on time, whether or not you are on board. 
                      Avoid problems resulting from late flights, highway traffic 
                      and bad weather by getting to your embarkation port the 
                      night before your ship sails. Book a hotel room, have the 
                      front desk clerk arrange a taxi ride to the cruise terminal 
                      and enjoy a quiet evening before you head to the ship.
                     
                    Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---3
                    Secure Your 
                      Stateroom
                    Always lock 
                      your stateroom door, and never assume that you are safe. 
                      Some crew members have universal keys that give them access 
                      to all staterooms, and fellow passengers may try to enter 
                      your stateroom without your permission. Bring a safety device, 
                      such as a door stop alarm, that will alert you to unauthorized 
                      entry. Be sure to keep valuables in the ship’s safe, 
                      not in your stateroom.
                    Wash Your 
                      Hands
                    Washing your 
                      hands frequently is your best defense against norovirus 
                      and other shipboard illnesses. Wash your hands in hot, soapy 
                      water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing well. Using hand 
                      sanitizer is helpful, but does not replace proper hand washing.
                    Go Ashore 
                      With a Group
                    There’s 
                      safety in numbers, as the old saying says. Don’t strike 
                      out on your own in an unfamiliar port. Instead, find a few 
                      people who share your interests and go on a shore excursion 
                      or independent journey with them.
                     
                    Cruise-Tips-and-Tricks---4
                    Don’t 
                      Overindulge
                    You’ll 
                      enjoy your cruise vacation more if you eat and drink in 
                      moderation. You’ll be safer and healthier, too.
                    Do you have 
                      cruise tips or tricks to share with your fellow travelers? 
                      Please join the discussion and “like” and share 
                      this article to keep the conversation going.
                    Let's Have 
                      a Conversation!