Honeymoon Cruise, Barcelona to Venice

[Coderguy]

Hello!

So I was sitting here making a check list and working out my honeymoon plans and I thought - "Hey, everyone on the ER forums probably travels, has great experience; and they probably have some great thoughts".

So... I will be in Barcelona for two days, then we get on the boat (Princess); Florence, Rome, Instanbul; some places in between. End in Venice for two days then fly home. It's a 12 day cruise.

Besides the standard check lists on websites; is there something I shouldn't forget? Something to optionally bring for this occasion? Something you wish you had with you? Anything you brought that you shouldn't have?

I recently purchased two suits; should I bring both or just the black one? Should I forget about things like shavers/cream/etc and just get it on the boat?

Are there 'purchases' I could plan on maybe making, such as a nice watch or something? Or should I absolutely 'go with my gut' on this part? Or avoid bringing too much spending money so I don't buy overpriced or fake stuff?

 

[Moemg]

Definitely bring your shavers and cream because they are so overpriced on cruise ships . The one thing I always take is a small back back so when you are touring for the day you can load it with the things you need ( water ,caps ,sunglasses ). I would definitely bring the black suit and depending on your luggage you could bring another one but one is usually enough. This looks like a great trip . Have a wonderful time & do not forget sunscreen !

 

[RonBoyd]

I know you didn't ask but... if you are a visitor to this Forum, you must be a LBYMer and this might help:

30 Ways To Save Money On A Cruise

 

[Moemg]

Cruise Critic is very helpful for things to do in the ports .

 

[rescueme]

My DW, me did this cruise (in the opposite directions) a few years ago.

I don't know if you've done a lot of international travel (along with cruising) but some things to keep in mind is that weight limits today are a PIA and also be aware that your luggage will probably be a bit heavier on the way back (due to the "treasures" you buy, but don't ship).

That being said, check with your airline on luggage weight limits. While you said you are taking two suits (for formal nights), you can check your cruise itinerary and see how many (depends on cruise line) you will actually have.

Consider only taking one suit (nobody will remember what you wore or even you at all after you leave the ship). If you can afford it, better yet, rent a tux (available through your cruise line). No hassles of packing the extra clothes (e.g. suit, shirts, shoes) that you will only wear for a few hours during the entire cruise. Also, it will save on luggage weight, as I stated before (and always has been a challenge - especially for my DW who packs different outfit/shoes for every day).

One thing we do (regardless of travel location) is to get rid of old clothes along the way (me, more than my wife) as you use/wear them. That includes anything you wear that you can see, and anything you can't . While it may not save a lot on weight, it does save on bulk.

As far as money - don't take much. Take your ATM Debit card to get funds and credit cards to charge everything else. Most of your expensive meals will be on the ship (paid for), and other than the ship casino, no cash is used (all goes on your sea-pass; you get a bill at the end). Just be sure to notify your card companies/bank that they know you will be out of the country and don't get tagged by using your cards in a "non-typical" (for your card use habits). Also take multiple ATM (different banks) and CC's, if available. Depending on country, if one does not happen to work, one of the others may.

As far as toiletries, we pack ours in the luggage (due to the restrictions on liquids), in baggies (so they don't leak), and toss everything when we leave the ship (toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.) While it's not a problem if you forget something (sure, you can get it on the ship if you really need it), there are certain items that you can't easily get. One my DW has a problem with is watch batteries. It never fails, and it's hard to find those on a ship or a local store (if you're on a daytour, you usually don't have the time or access). To solve that problem, she's purchased several "cheap" watches on board on previous trips (if available, usually on the last day to move the stock) and she always takes an extra along. Don't forget that you will probably have your cell phone so you can use that, along with using the cell as your alarm clock if wake up calls are not available on the ship or your hotel (probably are).

There are many, many travel ideas on this and other forums. I'm just giving you our consistent "sticking point" to our travels. The only thing I can recommend is take less of everthing than you think you need (especially clothes). The old saying was "take half your clothes and double the money". Of course today with everybody using credit/debit cards, you don't need to double up on the cash.

Have fun!

 

[Cruisinthru]

I would second someone else's suggestion of checking out cruise critic on the internet. They will have a thread going for your particular cruise. They will be talking for months before the cruise and hashing over all the details. I suggest you introduce yourself and se what they are planning on shore excursions.

We cruised from Italy to the Greek Isles, and Istanbul,etc. last summer on Celebrity. We did several tours that were arranged by the other passengers on our cruise. Everyone got together for the group tours via cruise critic. We saw so much more on our tours and paid far less than those that booked excursions thru the ship.

 

[kcowan]

We did the cruise from Venice to Barcelona then toured Spain for three weeks. On Cruise Critic we not only found our tripmates, but by checking previous cruises, we got contacts to arrange to travel independently while in port. For example, we took the hydrofoil from Naples to Sorento and six of us had a Mercedes and driver to do Positano, Amalfi, Revello and then did Pompeii in the afternoon. The shipboard tours only did the Amalfi Coast.
(40 people unloading and loading and compulsory shopping stops.)

You might find this useful. I put it together when planning our trip.
Celebrity Cruise Secrets

 

[Coderguy]

Wow,
Great input everyone! It's amazing even to this day the only way to find the best parts of the internet are through others. I've shown the thread to DF and we're looking over the cruise critic site!