Having recently returned from a cruise in Europe, author Tammy Whiting is ready to share some of her travel must-dos!
1. Do Get a Passport – There’s no leeway on this one! You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Europe.
2. Do Get Your Cell Phone Ready – Do you need to be easily accessible? Are you going to rely on Wi-Fi when it’s available? If you want to use your phone as if you were back home, your cell service provider probably has some good international options, like an International Day Pass, which only charges you for the 24-hour periods that it’s in use. You just have to make sure it’s activated on your phone the first time you ever use it.
3. Do Arrive AT LEAST One Day Early – I always say to arrive the day before you sail, but on a European cruise, it’s even more important. The flight times are long from the US, and lots can happen! Plus, coming in one day early helps you adjust to the time change. The first night, you’re probably going to want to go to bed around 6 p.m. Cheers to you if you can make it until 8 p.m.! Come in early so you can really enjoy that first night onboard.
4. Do Read Your Hotel Description Carefully – Air-conditioning in Europe is not a given, and beds can be much smaller than in a North American hotel. Make sure you know what you are getting!
5. Do Pack Light When Possible – You’ll probably be toting your own luggage at some point, so the lighter you can pack, the easier it will be. If you are planning to use public transportation at all, you may find stairs are your only option in some locations. If you are taking Uber or taxis, you may find they don’t have as much luggage space as you’d like. The smaller the bags, the better!
6. Do Take Advantage of Early Wake-Ups – After bedtime at 6 p.m., due to the jet lag, you’re probably going to wake up around 4 a.m., especially on those Northern cruises where it’s full daylight by then. If you do wake up, go see the city! Nothing will be open, but there won’t be lines for tourist attractions, and there won’t be other people in your pictures! One of our best mornings abroad was spent touring in Copenhagen and taking pictures of The Little Mermaid statue and Nyhavn without another soul in sight.
7. Do Use ATMs and Credit Cards – Those currency exchange stands you find in the airport are going to have horrible exchange rates. Use bank ATMs in the country to take out cash, and use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees whenever possible. Also, if the shop asks if you want the charge to run in USD or the local currency, always choose the local currency for the best exchange rate.
8. Do Get Pickpocket-Proof Day Bags – Pickpockets in high tourist areas are a fact of life. Many of them in Europe are incredibly good at what they do. They can have your wallet out of your back pocket—or your bag open and empty—before you’ve noticed a thing. Check Amazon for some great slash-proof/locking backpacks or body wallets.
9. Do Bring an Adapter/Converter – You’ll be fine with US plugs onboard, but don’t forget about the pre-night hotel! Many new hotels have USB and USB-C plugs, but don’t count on it. Bring an adapter for anything with dual voltage and a converter for anything without.
10. Do File for Vax Refunds – Keep your receipts, and if you spend a lot in local stores, stop at the airport and file for a Vax Tax refund. It can add up!
Do you have any tips for traveling abroad? Share them with us below!
About the author of the blog: Tammy Whiting is the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. Blogger, Space Force wife, and mother of two, Tammy has been involved in the travel industry for more than 15 years. Though she certainly enjoys vacations of all kinds, her favorite adventures around the globe have been on cruise ships. Tammy spent five years of her childhood in Europe as a military brat and has been a military spouse for over 30 years, living in almost every corner of the US. When she isn’t traveling, you can find her enjoying her family, buying camera equipment, and planning her next trip!
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