PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

NOTE: We have already received questions from several of you so we have decided to add a new tab to the tabs section titled Questions and Answers.  We will utilize this tab to repost each question along with the answer we provide. As a reminder,  the tab section can be found towards the top of the Blog on the home page.

We also want to note that those of you viewing the Blog on devices such as iPads and smart phones will not see any of the photo streaming found on the home page, and the format of the Blog will likely appear different from what you will see using a computer.  If you have access to a computer take a look at the blog at least one time so you can see the difference in format and catch the photo streaming.

A few of you have asked about the luggage we are sending.  We wanted to mention that we are also taking a couple of large pieces with us which contain items we will need for our pre-cruise stay as well as cosmetics/toiletries and other items that we could not ship in advance and will be needed for the duration of this trip.  The good news is we are taking less luggage then we did last year when we sailed for over 120 days.

The idea of getting ready for an extended journey from home can be mind boggling.  We've already discussed some of the keys to all of this such as good planning, which can really prevent one from being overwhelmed with all of the details that go into the preparation of a journey of this length.  

We want to note that Crystal Cruises and our own Travel Specialist has been a big help with all of this.   The key is to figure out all that needs to get done, and by when, to list and keep track of each and every item, and then with each passing month to be sure to stay on top of all of this.  We make it a lot of fun and it is true that with each passing year it does get easier since we have prior years experience to fall back on.

We wanted to highlight some of these key items that we have taken care of in preparation for this journey.

• Wait Listed For World Cruise;   May, 2011
• Full Deposit For World Cruise; August, 2011
• Prepared Summary Spreadsheet For Each Day Of Itinerary Including Items Such As Historical Weather Temperatures (Highs/Lows) For Each Port, Times Of Arrival/Departure, Holidays, And Included Columns That Will Be Used To Note Items Such As Specialty Restaurant Reservations, And Shore Excursions; On-Going, Started November, 2011
• Selected Pre-Cruise Hotel And Travel Agency Made Hotel Reservation; April, 2012
• Prepared Lists Of Clothing, Cosmetics, Medicines, Toiletries Needed For The World Cruise And Noted Which Ones To Purchase; On-Going, Started May 2012
• Created Individual Clothing Lists for Casual, Informal and Formal Evenings For Each Of Us To Determine Clothing Requirements. On-Going, Started May 2012 
• Created A Tracking Form Of All Items To Take Car Of Prior To Leaving For The World Cruise, On Going, Started, May 2012
• Final Payment For World Cruise; May, 2012 
• Applied And Obtained Visas for Brazil; May, 2012
• Booked Airline Flights; June, 2012
• Made Two Specialty Restaurant Reservations For Each Of Five Voyages; June 2012 
• Researched Ports Of Call And Potential Shore Excursions  On-Going Beginning;  June, 2012
• Began To Reserve Shore Excursions Offered By Crystal Cruises; On-Going Beginning; June, 2012
• Reviewed Some Overland Excursions Made Available From Our Travel Agency;  July, 2012 
• Obtained Travel Insurance And Medical Evacuation Insurance Policies; July, 2012
• Provided Travel Agency With Copies Of Yellow Fever Vaccinations; July, 2012
• Obtained Information For Some Private Excursions For Some Selected Ports And Finalized Their Selection, September, 2012
• Requested A Couple Of Items For The Voyage With Crystal's On-Board Guest Services Group; September, 2012
• Created A Things To Do List Of Items To Take Care Of While On The Ship; On Going; Started September, 2012
• Created A Tracking List Of Things To Do To Get The House Ready For Our Departure; On Going, Started October, 2012
• Signed Up For Digital Film Making Course Offered By Crystal Cruises; October, 2012
• Obtained Flu Vaccinations; October, 2012
• Filled Prescriptions; October, 2012
• Made Arrangements To Ship Luggage To The Cruise Ship; October, 2012
• Made Arrangements To Ship Luggage From The Cruise Ship To Our Home; November, 2012
• Provided Travel Agency With Requested Times/Vehicle Needs For Private Transfers; November, 2012
• Made Reservations For Some Pre-Cruise Dinners And Other Activities November/December, 2012
• Commenced Packing; Starting In November and Completed December, 2012
• Notified Credit Card and ATM Companies Of Travel Plans; December, 2012
• Luggage Picked Up For Shipment Directly To The Ship;  December, 2012
• Finalized All Remaining Items; December, 2012

By taking care of all of these items over many months rather then trying to do them all in a relatively short time frame,  all of this should not become overwhelming and should be a lot of fun.

Periodically, we would receive items in the mail from Crystal Cruises that also has added to the excitement of the upcoming journey.

(Sizing Information Form For World Cruise Jackets & Shirts 
Which 
We Will Receive On-Board The Ship)

(Next Two Photos Show The Shore Excursion Booklets For Each World Cruise Voyage Accompanied In A Nice Keepsake Album That Holds All Of The Books Together)

(Final Documents For The Cruise Including Luggage Tags)

(We Shipped Six Suitcases Directly To The Ship Which Will Make It Easier During Our Pre-Cruise Stay And With Check-In At The Airport, Along With The Various Transfers)

Coming Next "We're Ready To Go".

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY........

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” – Dwight Eisenhower

Keith and Anne Marie