First Time Travel Tips: Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Preparing for a holiday is an exciting time, but everyone dreads the decision-making pressure that packing brings to the table. It’s always hard to know what to pack when going on a cruise – will you need a sequined evening gown and a tailored tuxedo, or can you make do with beach clothes and flip-flops? Well, let your worries ebb away, because this handy checklist will have you packed up and ready to go in no time.
Important Documents

Make a list of the essential documents you need to carry, such as your passport, any visas, entry permits or copies of tickets. Then, place all of them in a secure wallet or folder, so you can find them easily when you need them.

Suitable Clothing

Don’t hesitate to email the cruise company to confirm what kinds of events and outings you’ll be attending as part of the experience – then you’ll be able to pack your attire according to the planned schedule. Remember to include enough loungewear and comfortable clothing for when you’re touring the port towns.

Electronics

Think about what you’ll actually use while on the holiday – don’t take unnecessary valuables. You’ll probably want your mobile phone, and perhaps a Kindle, tablet or laptop. Remember to pack the chargers and add a layer of bubble wrap or soft clothing so that the items remain secure in your luggage.

Portable Battery Charger

The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. Whether you’re chilling out on the ship or exploring a destination, you’re likely to need your phone or tablet to take pictures or access the internet. A portable battery charger ensures that your electronic gadgets never run out of power, even if a charging point is temporarily out of reach.

Essential Medications

It might be difficult to obtain a prescription or important medicines while travelling, so make sure you carry enough of the specific medicines you usually need. Be sure to check that they’re still within their expiry date during the time you’re on the trip, especially if you’re planning to purchase them in advance.

Before You Go

It’s advisable to invest in comprehensive cruise travel insurance before you travel, not only to cover yourself, but your luggage too – this is probably the most important ‘packing’ tip there is!

If you’re new to travel insurance, it’s best to seek out a specialist who can help you choose from a variety of different options. Having insurance will allow you to rest easy – especially if you’re planning to carry valuables such as expensive mobile phones or designer accessories.

Packing for your getaway doesn’t have to be intimidating. Simply follow the useful tips shared in this article and speak to a cruise travel insurance specialist for advice on the best option to protect yourself and your belongings, and you’ll be ready to set off and discover the world!

Author Plate

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in single trip, annual and cruise travel insurance. The company offers great deals for various travel insurance policies, so clients can always rest assured that they’re fully protected no matter where they travel.

Why You Need Car Hire Excess Insurance

If you’re new to car hire, making sure you’re fully aware of all the ins and outs of your rental agreement is a must. Even those who have signed rental contracts before may be in need of a refresher – particularly when it comes to car hire excess insurance and why you need it.
To make sure you’re completely clued up and won’t get caught off-guard with any hidden costs, read through this article and learn how to save savvy during your rental journey.

What’s in the Contract?

Before you start thinking about purchasing additional protection for your hire car, you’ll need to make sure you’re aware of everything that’s already included in your contract. Most companies will offer a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which at a first glance may look pretty comprehensive. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case.

CDWs and LDWs not only come with a high excess charge, but also only protect you against repairs and replacements to the body of the vehicle. This means that payments for any damage done to the tyres, windows, undercarriage or windscreen will be coming straight out of your pocket. For this reason, having car hire excess insurance is a must.

Additional Cover: What’s Included?

If you choose to invest in car hire excess insurance, you’ll be well on your way to a fully protected, stress-free rental experience! Specialist companies offer comprehensive protection that includes the following:

• £800 to cover window, sunroof and windscreen damage • Up to £500 for the undercarriage • Protection for loss of or damage to personal possessions • Up to £50 per tyre for tyre repairs or £100 for a replacement

Some companies also offer a choice of single or annual multi-trip cover, meaning that you can judge how much you’ll spend depending on your frequency of travel – it couldn’t be easier.

The Claiming Process

Purchase your policy through a reputable company and you’ll be sure to enjoy a straightforward claiming process. All you’ll need to provide are some important documents regarding your rental: relevant invoices and receipts, your licence and documentation detailing your dates and times of travel. Any other supporting information is also always useful to have to hand while making your claim.

Once the claim is processed, you should have your money back in your account within a few days, so whatever happens you won’t be left out of pocket for too long.

Investing in car hire excess insurance is the best way to ensure you’re not caught up in the cheeky charges that hire companies often hide away in their documents. Purchase through a professional, low-cost company and you could save hundreds if anything unfortunate were to happen to your vehicle during the rental.

Author Plate Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car hire excess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.