Become a Home Based Travel Agent

A Travel Agent’s Cruise Vacation Checklist
By Nancy Norris

As a travel agent, you have done your due diligence and booked your clients on the perfect ship that meets their needs, lifestyle and budget. But, we all know it shouldn’t end there, not if we are hoping to maintain these clients for life. Making our clients feel valued and important to us is a key to sustaining the relationship and what sets us apart from the impersonal online booking sites. To that end, I have prepared a Cruise Vacation Checklist that can be easily personalized for a specific client and given to them as just one of the helpful tools I provide to help them prepare for their cruise. For those clients who are new to cruising, going over the items on this list with them and providing explanatory details can be beneficial in easing their apprehensions and giving them a head-start to a successful experience. So, this is my list. If you find that it might helpful to you, feel free to personalize it for your own needs.

CRUISE VACATION CHECKLIST
(Helpful tips to make for smooth sailing)

Prepared for “Clients Name(s)”  
“Clients Ship” on “Sailing Date”

Before You Leave Home:

____ Purchase travel insurance (make sure to keep contact info with you as you travel)

____ Obtain required visas, vaccinations and immunizations if needed

____ Pre-register guest information online and print out e-docs if applicable

____ Make sure you have proper valid identification (picture ID, birth certificate, passport, etc)

____ Sign cruise ticket and any other required forms in document package/or online

____ Don’t forget the credit/debit card you plan to use for onboard shipboard account
        (same one used when completing your online registration)

____ Leave a copy of passport and credit cards w/family member or trusted friend

____ Remember to stop mail, newspaper delivery, etc.

Packing Tips:

____ Pack both casual and formal or cocktail wear ( __ formal nights on your  __ night cruise)

____ Cover dresses and suits in cellophane dry cleaning bags to prevent wrinkling

____ Make sure to place identification inside bags as well as outside

____ Do not lock checked luggage

____ Helpful convenience items (depending on itinerary):

            Camera (w/extra batteries or charger)
            Chapstick/lap balm
            Travel alarm clock & Nightlight
            Extension cord or power strip
            Hanging shoe caddy or toiletry bag
            Moisture wipes or travel size hand sanitizer
            Ziploc plastic bags
            Sewing kit and small scissors
            Sunscreen and sunglasses
            Small travel umbrella
            Underwater camera
            Binoculars
            Photo copy of your passport and driver's license
            Folding/collapsible tote bag (preferably with a zipper)
            Corkscrew (make sure it is packed in checked luggage)

____ Carry-on: Include change of clothes for 1^st day/evening; necessary toiletries; meds and valuables / remember the 1 Quart Ziploc bag and 3 oz. rule for liquids and gels

Embarkation:

____ Make sure cruise luggage tags are attached to checked bags and leave with porter at pier to be delivered to your stateroom ($1-$1.50 per bag is standard tip). If you did not receive luggage tags these can be obtained from porters at the pier.

____ After passing through security, proceed to check-in and have all required cruise documents completed and ready for processing (cruise ticket, ID and credit card)

Once onboard:

___ Confirm dining assignment (If not as requested, visit the Maitre’d)

___ Reserve any shore excursions that are on your “must do” list (if not already booked online

___ Make reservations for specialty restaurant and spa treatments if desired

Last Night:

____ Gratuities: If not pre-paid/automatically charged to shipboard account – distribute cash envelopes

____ Packing to leave: Luggage must be placed out the night before and collected in the terminal after disembarking the ship. Make sure they are properly tagged. Keep your carry-on with you and don't forget to leave out an outfit to wear home.

Checklist Provided Courtesy of
“Your Agency Here”