Cruises are a popular vacation choice for many people, offering a unique and exciting way to travel and explore new destinations. However, if you’ve never been on a cruise before, knowing what to pack and how to prepare can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re sharing our first cruise experience with you and how we’re preparing for our cruise.
Norwegian Sky Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
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Airplane Route & Stars Photo Credit: B. Mello / Shutterstock
Preparing For Our Cruise To The Eastern Caribbean
Today, we have 108 days left before our first cruise adventure to the Eastern Caribbean. For the last few months, we’ve been planning, saving, and compiling a list of items we’ll need on the flight, the ship, and the hotels.
As I mentioned in our last post, we are cruising on the Norwegian Sky for nine days, leaving from the port of Miami with seven ports of destination. Our final payment on the trip was made in February, allowing us to focus on purchasing some cruise essentials.
The Flight Plan
We just recently received our flight itinerary from NCL, and as a first-time cruiser, I was shocked by the flight plans I received. Illya and I are flying out of Sacramento, CA, on a different day than the kids. The flight plans have us leaving a day ahead on a different airline than the kids and have us arriving in Miami, the day and time they leave the Sacramento airport.
Before you freak out, the kids are in their early 20s, but they are first-time flyers. I called the travel agent we used and made a couple of calls to NCL’s flight department.
It turns out that because we opted in for the buy one get one free flight promotion, there was no guarantee that we would all be flying at the same time. Unfortunately, this was something our travel agent failed to tell us. Had I been informed of this when booking, I most likely would have opted out of this part of the package.
As I shared recently, I became a travel agent advisor; this a lesson learned to always be in contact with my clients and keep them up to date on every piece of information and detail about their trip so that they have the best experience and that it’s a positive, memorable one.
Photo Credit: Mondrian South Beach Miami
Preparing For Our Cruise Part 1
The Hotels
Since our flight leaves in the evening, in preparing for our cruise, I booked a hotel room close to the airport so the kids would be nearby and not stress about rushing to their flight the following day.
As a travel agent advisor, I can research and get the best hotel deals. Since flights can be unpredictable, we all arrive in Miami the day before embarkation day. Even though we are all flying on separate airlines with layovers, we all come to Miami on the same day.
For the hotel in Miami, I reserved two rooms at the Mondrian South Beach. It is set on the stunning waterfront of Biscayne Bay and just minutes from the port of Miami, where the cruise ship leaves.
The hotel is nearby, with only a 15-minute Uber ride to the port. Our ship leaves port in the evening, so our goal is to freshen up, eat breakfast, and try to be at the port early afternoon. My review of the hotel will be in a future post.
The hotel the kids will stay at in Sacramento is only a 7-minute drive from the airport and terminal they will be flying from.
I chose hotels that were not only close to the airports but also gave us a better deal without compromising comfort. After all, you want comfort and coziness when on a plane for 6 to 7 hours and up getting up early.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Transportation
We will drive from home to the Sacramento airport, which is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes away. Since the kids will be staying at a hotel near the airport, we’ll get them settled into their surroundings so they know how long it takes to get from there to the airport before departing the following day.
We plan to utilize the airport’s long-term parking garage and split the cost. The garage charges a maximum of $19/day, or approximately $209 for 11 days of parking. The garage parking puts them close to the terminal from which they leave.
Once we arrive in Miami, rather than using a transfer voucher, we will use an Uber to get to the hotel from the airport. I feel it’s much easier this trip to use an Uber than to deal with a car rental.
Our hotel is on Miami Beach. From MIA (Miami International Airport), it’s a 21-minute Uber drive for us, depending on traffic.
The kids fly into Fort Lauderdale airport. They will have about a 32-minute Uber drive, depending on traffic.
On the day of embarkation, we have a 15-minute Uber drive from the hotel to the Port of Miami.
Luggage
In preparing for our cruise, we did a lot of research and watched a ton of YouTube videos when it came to luggage. We all have individual carry-on and checked luggage choices, but we all chose this carry-on backpack for our personal carry-on item. I’ve used mine a few times already on our previous trips, and it’s the perfect size and very comfortable to wear. Even though Amazon lists it as a Women’s backpack, it comes in many different colors and men can use them too.
We’ll use this backpack for an extra change of clothes, a liquid bag for easy access when passing through security, passports, particular documents, a laptop, and maybe our GoPros. It has a pocket for a battery charger for my phone and laptop. I might also include a small purse for when we arrive at the hotel; I can transfer my wallet and a few items like lipgloss and lotion.
After researching online for my choice and our daughter’s carry-on luggage, we decided to go with luggage from Beis. I love the hard case option with this luggage, and it’s not just stylish, but the layout of the sections inside is perfect. Our daughter had already purchased luggage, but after seeing the design and sections inside Bei’s luggage, she opted to buy luggage from Beis. She’ll pass on the luggage she already purchased to her brother. I’ll have a review of the luggage in a future post.
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
Preparing For Our Cruise Packing List Essentials
We are gathering all the packing items we will need for preparing for our cruise, and I will share with you what those items are in the future. I always start preparing items and the luggage a few months ahead of our trips so I can get a visual of what may be needed and what we may not want to bring.
We are ordering items from Amazon and other suppliers that will benefit us during our trip, including some items recommended by those who have cruised before.
The one item at the top of our list was the Apple Airtag.
I’ve used them a few times already during our travels, and they’re a great way to keep track of where your luggage is during transport through the airport in case it is lost during your travel.
Preparing For Our Cruise -Packing Insights
Because we are planning a first cruise, we will share what we have purchased in upcoming posts in preparation for our Eastern Caribbean Cruise. This will be based on the research we have already done and tips from others.
The items we share in preparing for a cruise are what we feel will suit our family’s needs. We will give our honest opinion on whether something worked or didn’t work.
Preparing For Our Cruise Highlights
There is quite a lot of pre-planning to be done when planning a first cruise before you cruise. From securing passports to arranging travel insurance, we are leaving no stone unturned in our pre-cruise preparations.
Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Line
We are excited about preparing for our cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line and can’t wait to embark on this 9-day voyage.
Embarking on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in July 2024 is a destination on our travel bucket list.
With a 9-day voyage on the Norwegian Sky, we’re eagerly anticipating unforgettable adventures and breathtaking sights.
We’re meticulously planning every detail to make the most of our time onboard and ashore.
In upcoming posts leading up to our embarkation day, we will share more in-depth about our 9-day itinerary and the planning we did leading up to this remarkable journey. And needless to say, as a travel advisor, I can offer clients the perfect insight to cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Photo Credit:NCL.com
Preparing For Our Cruise-In Summary
Our excitement for embarking on our first Norwegian Cruise is palpable. The anticipation of exploring the captivating landscapes, immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture, and indulging in unforgettable experiences is beyond words.
Each day, from the breathtaking ocean waters to the charming coastal towns, will be a new chapter in our Norwegian Cruise adventure.
We eagerly await the chance to unwind and bask in the luxurious amenities onboard, savoring delectable cuisine and relishing top-notch entertainment.
Traveling with Norwegian Cruise Line is an extraordinary journey filled with lifelong memories and endless possibilities.
Our countdown begins as we envision the experience of a lifetime on the horizon.
You can view Mini Travel Adventures 4 Us highlights and adventures on our Portfolio Page. Until next time…
Planning A Cruise Tips and Suggestions
We welcome any tips for planning a cruise. Feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below.
HI! WE’RE THE BERGALA’S
Every year, our family sets off on a new adventure, traveling to fun destinations where we learn, grow, and experience new things together. Here at MTA4U, we love sharing our tried-and-true travel experiences to help you plan your next unforgettable vacation.
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