The Devil is in the Details - Part 1

Whenever going on vacation there are numerous details that must be considered, planned for, and completed.  On a World Voyage that number multiplies.  I have broken this post into two parts as it turned out much longer than I had originally envisioned it.

How do I book my cruise? -  Basically there are two ways to book a cruise – you deal with the cruise line directly (on the phone or on-line) or you have a travel agent do that for you.  Some people prefer booking their own because they then “control” their booking whereas if you use a travel agent (TA) you must go through them (the cruise line will not talk to you directly).  I have always used a travel agent.  Back in the dark ages (pre-Internet) it was basically the only way to go.  There were dozens of brick and mortar travel agencies where you could pick up brochures and get advice.  Now these are becoming slowly extinct.  Today many people who use a travel agent use one they have never met with whom they talk on the phone or through e-mails.  My last TA was in Maryland and my current one in Seattle, Washington.  One major advantage of a travel agency is that you often receive perks you would not get booking yourself (see my post on “Why I Chose HAL”).  I also feel that the TA knows the ins and outs of dealing with the cruise lines and if there are any problems, knows who to talk with to solve them.

Insurance – I used to travel all over the world with no insurance.  Like many young people, I thought since I was healthy I didn’t really need it.  Once I retired and was on a fixed income, I realized that any illness or accident could bankrupt me.  Medicare does not cover me outside of the country and neither does my supplemental insurance so travel insurance is a necessity.  I often use insuremytrip.com or TripInsuranceStore.com to compare coverage and costs.  In buying travel insurance you must decide what is important to you.  For me, I want good medical coverage, emergency evacuation (like a helicopter picking me up and taking me to a hospital), repatriation (returning your remains in case you don’t make it through the cruise – on my first world cruise we had at least four people pass away before it was over), and cancellation coverage (after final payment the cruise line only refunds a small percent or, if very close to departure, none of the cost of the cruise). On a thousand dollar cruise I could afford to lose that.  On one that costs tens of thousands, not so much. Travel insurance often costs 8-10% of the cost of your vacation and that percentage increases dramatically as you age.

Money Matters – I pay my bills on-line, have automatic payments, or pay a year at a time so that is easy. 

Since world cruises often start in early January and run past April 15, how you are going to complete your income taxes has to be considered.   Some people who take world cruises file for extensions so they can complete there taxes upon returning home.  Before my first world cruise, besides writing a will, I gave my daughter power of attorney.  Because of this she can complete my taxes for me (and she is nice enough to agree to do it!) and take care of anything pertaining to my house.  I also had her added to my bank accounts. 

As to cash to spend in the various countries, I usually get money from an ATM.  They are usually easy to find (sometimes even in the cruise terminals) and you will get the best bank rate for currency exchanges.  Traveller’s Cheques have just about gone the way of the dodo.  Some cruise lines will not accept them as well as many merchants.  You can also get currency before you leave home through a local bank.  I bank at a credit union that does not deal in foreign currencies so I have to get mine at AAA.  This is usually the most expensive way to change money because exchange rates are horrible and they often charge a handling fee.  Luckily, many countries (especially in tourist areas) are happy to take US dollars. Most stores and restaurants take credit cards so often you don’t need any of the local currency.  (Be sure to ask your credit card company if they need to know where you are traveling so they don’t block your account.)  You can also usually get local currencies on the ship but again the exchange rate is very much in their favor.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Smooth sailing until next time!