Compulsive cruise prep

[Shellbelle28]

I like this and intend to try it myself, but on the inside of my regular folder so I can still keep docs, passports, etc there as well.

 

Thanks! A free cruise prep idea!!

It really helps me to see a day at a glance and make sure we are where we need to be on time and don't have overlapping activities. Once I could not figure out WHY I could not book a dining reservation online. I finally got the answer that it was because I had an excursion reserved that wouldn't have had us back aboard by the dining time I was requesting. The spreadsheet helps me see stuff like that.

Also, since DH isn't involved in any of the planning, he can see what is coming up next instead constantly wondering or asking me.

[AmyJA]

I use Tripit too, but sometimes its linear layout is not useful. I like to see an overview of the whole cruise too.

This is my simple spreadsheet.[ATTACH]426527[/ATTACH]

 

Looks sotra like mine.

[Shellbelle28]

Looks sotra like mine.

Mine's got some gaps that need filled in!

[123linz123]

I almost embarrassed to detail my obsession with planning. Just to explain my spreadsheet will give you an idea, list by the Tabs:

 

• Countdown clock, with pictures of each port city;
  
• Budget page, costs, and payments;
  
• Itinerary, with all reservations;
  
• Info about airlines, pre-cruise hotel information, TA contact info, Lattidues #'s etc.
  
• Flight schedule
  

I made this reservation a year and a half ago

 

Love this idea, I can make one for every cruise and compare over the years.

[pe4all]

And i thought i was the only one who makes packing lists and puts things in the suitcase 2 weeks prior to leaving.

Just finished packing today for my 8/27 cruise! As I have been planning for this Baltic cruise for 9 months, everything is layed out day by day on a single sheet of paper "calendar" I make. Flights, hotel, dining, excursions, shows, etc. or each placed in a block I have drawn for each day. Some may call it obsessive - I call it being prepared!

[AmyJA]

Mine's got some gaps that need filled in!

 

 

I think of it this way....."look family.....I didn't plan down to the minute"

 

And ya know, I don't stick to it 100%.

 

OH...and by the way...you love Cagney's?

[Shellbelle28]

I think of it this way....."look family.....I didn't plan down to the minute"

 

And ya know, I don't stick to it 100%.

 

OH...and by the way...you love Cagney's?

The Cagney's reservations are placeholders for the most part. I was worried that with so many people getting 3 nights of specialty dining, it might get hard to get in, so decided it was best to have something reserved at the times that work for us. We have seven nights of specialty restaurants, and I know DH enjoys Cagney's so I booked there for every night except one at Moderno. Then once on board, if he says he wants to do something different, we can see if the concierge can swap it out for us. He hated Teppanyaki on the Pearl last time, the food is great but the noise is migraine-inducing, and he's Italian-American, so La Cucina can be a disappointment after mamma's cooking. ;p

[Shellbelle28]

I like this and intend to try it myself, but on the inside of my regular folder so I can still keep docs, passports, etc there as well.

 

Thanks! A free cruise prep idea!!

Do tell, what kind of folder???

I have a plastic document folder with a ZipLok type closure, but it's getting to the point where it is hard to stuff all the printed papers from NCL, etc. that I've collected to date into it.

[Mike D.]

This thread is great. It makes me feel better about my control issues.

 

I'll confess that I have a binder for each cruise. As the cruise comes up (and there are 5 scheduled), the front pocket gets my passport and an NCL lanyard. The binders sit on a bookshelf and get completed as I book hotels, airlines, and arrangements with NCL.

 

The first pages (in see through plastic) are my TSA Pre Letter and my Homeland Security Redress Letter (had an incident probably related to my name which is quite common). Then a section divider marked "Air" with all the airline ticket info. Then a divider label "Hotel" for the pre/post cruise arrangements. Next a section divider marked "Ship" with some luggage tag holders, the required NCL printouts (when they are available), all the Confirmations sent from NCL (yes, even the ones that are out of date), dining confirmations, the ship layout map obtained from the website, payment confirmations such as for the thermal suite or shows. Then in the final section other items like my word document of what to bring, my outside travel insurance policy copy, any maps of ports and notes.

 

As the cruise gets close, I do a word doc with what is booked for the day. It just shows day/date, location, item that is booked and its time. That list is removed from its special place in the binder and is posted on the wall with magnets and, generally, gets modified a bit after we're on board.

 

The binder gets shoved into my backpack which never leaves my person once traveling until I am in the stateroom.

 

I hadn't considered doing a spreadsheet. So I do have room for improved organization or OCD implementation.

[cincicruisers]

I love cruise planning. My husband likes that he just has to show up and enjoy himself. i already have a shore excursion booked and my cruise isn't until February. I also have everything paid for including flights, hotel, excursions, and casino cash well before the cruise. Now if the casino would be so kind and let me win it would be fantastic.

[2Oldpeopleinlove]

Do tell, what kind of folder???

I have a plastic document folder with a ZipLok type closure, but it's getting to the point where it is hard to stuff all the printed papers from NCL, etc. that I've collected to date into it.

 

 

Just a regular old Manila, which I will carry in my messenger bag. I can see I’m an amateur compared to some of you. Applause!

[Snowysmom]

Glad to see there are other compulsive planners. I have the toiletries and meds all set. The folder is ready.

I have a list of clothes to bring and have started gathering them. I can't take out the suitcases until the dog is at the kennel. He gets too upset. He does have fun at the kennel so that is good. One week to go.

[2Oldpeopleinlove]

Glad to see there are other compulsive planners. I have the toiletries and meds all set. The folder is ready.

I have a list of clothes to bring and have started gathering them. I can't take out the suitcases until the dog is at the kennel. He gets too upset. He does have fun at the kennel so that is good. One week to go.

 

I've already had my clothes in and out of the suitcase “just to see how they fit.” The thing is, this is only our second cruise but it will probably be our last. Having a son who has a family living in France makes most of our travel decisions for us, and we're looking into living out of the country nine months of each year. So we are dragging this one out as long as possible!

[jamminlion]

I compulsively clean. I hate returning from a trip thinking I have to clean the house. Day before I change sheets, leave myself fresh towels, etc. helps ease the post cruise blues, and uses up nervous energy pre cruise.

[smillerholmes]

I almost embarrassed to detail my obsession with planning. Just to explain my spreadsheet will give you an idea, list by the Tabs:

• Countdown clock, with pictures of each port city;
  
• Budget page, costs, and payments;
  
• Itinerary, with all reservations;
  
• Info about airlines, pre-cruise hotel information, TA contact info, Lattidues #'s etc.
  
• Flight schedule
  

I made this reservation a year and a half ago

 

OMG - This is so me! I love this thread - Type A people unite!

[2Oldpeopleinlove]

I compulsively clean. I hate returning from a trip thinking I have to clean the house. Day before I change sheets, leave myself fresh towels, etc. helps ease the post cruise blues, and uses up nervous energy pre cruise.

 

I do that before every trip, no matter where, how or how long.

[VillaHappy]

Bermuda on Dawn, September 7-14

 

Hey, we are, too!!!!!

[Shellbelle28]

I also have a small plastic basket (currently overflowing) on my office/sewing room table that I toss things into that I know I'll be packing...AS THEY GET DELIVERED BY AMAZON!! [emoji41]

[ExitPrints23]

I am totally an over planner! Last trip, when our excursion got canceled I cried because I had put so much energy into finding the perfect one.

 

Usually the month before we go I start a Pinterest board for each destination, one for the boat, one for wardrobe, one for travel hacks etc. It helps fill those Amazon urges without having a credit card attached [emoji12]

 

 

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[Jana60]

When it gets this close—less than a month away—I’m so ready to go that I keep looking for ways to prepare. So far I’ve set aside all my clothes and toiletries and bought a minifan recommended here and compostable plastic straws.

 

Keep me off Amazon! Tell me what else I can do, like downloading music on my iPad last night, that won't cost anything but keep my cruise compulsion satisfied!

 

 

You think your a planner? Dear you have NO idea!!! By the time I’m done you will find yourself bowing to the master planner! My cruise isn’t until September 16th but I have purchased precruise hotel, airfare, Cruise, spoke with all of these to arrange in advance approval for my mobility scooter’s lithium ion batteries, investigated and purchased tours for each port of call for my cruise, scheduled dinner reservations for three specialty dining and two dinner shows, scheduled reservations for two evening shows, have planned my daily itinerary for each day of my cruise, Have a packing list indicating not only what I am bringing but into which suitcase items will go, and I have begun gathering my usual cruisewear into the guestroom closet in preparation for future packing. I never actually pack until the day before the cruise but I always make sure everything I’m taking has been laundered, ironed, and checked for any needed repairs. Oh and we mustn’t forget the jewelry and accessories, medications and first aid, documents, electronics and charging cables for various electronics, Toiletries, purses, shoes, and swimwear.

 

 

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Edited August 11, 2018 by Jana60

[firstimer2009]

You are my people! My husband packs morning of a trip. Do I have grey hair over this?? Yes! We have a Med cruise planned for Sept 2019 and I’m already testing out coffee pods to buy for the room. Oh yes and have a list of other things to buy in advance. The good news is when I get on the plane I let it all go.

 

 

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[AZ Irish]

Another OCD cruise planner here. Can anyone relate to causing a cruise companion anxiety due to TMI?

I'm over 20 cruises now & traveling with a "newbie". Thought I was being helpful with all my suggestions but figuring out that some folks just like to wing it -or rely on the cruise planners to do all the thinking :rolleyes:

[firstimer2009]

I do that before every trip, no matter where, how or how long.

 

 

 

My mother died suddenly when she was on vacation when I was 29 years old. I’ll never forget walking into the house and it was immaculate. That stuck with me and I always have to clean before I leave on a trip. Even for a weekend.

 

 

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[Jana60]

I compulsively clean. I hate returning from a trip thinking I have to clean the house. Day before I change sheets, leave myself fresh towels, etc. helps ease the post cruise blues, and uses up nervous energy pre cruise.

 

 

I always clean before any trip and also before any surgical or special procedure. I have this hidden fear that something might happen and people will see my house looking messy. I can’t imagine why it would even matter what my house looks like if I don’t survive a surgery but I’m sort of a compulsive neat freak so even when I’m in heaven someday, I don’t want anyone to see my house dirty!

 

 

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[pianoetudes]

And i thought i was the only one who makes packing lists and puts things in the suitcase 2 weeks prior to leaving. I have my daily spreadsheet done too and my cruise is in October

I do suitcase packing two weeks before leaving for overseas or cruise trips. I do it because I'm forgetful.

 

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