PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

The idea of getting ready for an extended journey away from home can be mind boggling and daunting.  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 preparing for a journey of this length.  

We want to note that Crystal Cruises and our own Travel Specialist have been a tremendous help with several of the items.   The key to all of this 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 week to stay on top of all of this.  We do our best to make it a lot of fun and it is true that with each passing year it does get easier since we have prior year's 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;   October, 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, Specialty Restaurant Reservations, And Shore Excursions; On-Going, Started November, 2012
• Selected Pre-Cruise Hotel And Travel Agency Made Hotel Reservation; January 2013
• Final Payment For World Cruise; April, 2013
• Prepared Lists Of Clothing, Cosmetics, Medicines, Toiletries Needed For The World Cruise And Noted Which Ones To Purchase; On-Going, Started May 2013
• Created Individual Clothing Lists for Casual, Informal and Formal Evenings For Each Of Us To Determine Clothing Requirements. On-Going, Started May 2013 
• Created A Tracking Form Of All Items To Take Car Of Prior To Leaving For The World Cruise, On Going, Started, May 2013
• Applied And Obtained Visas for China September, 2013
• Made Two Specialty Restaurant Reservations For Each Of Seven Voyages; May 2013 
• Researched Ports Of Call And Potential Shore Excursions  On-Going Beginning;  May, 2013
• Began To Reserve Shore Excursions Offered By Crystal Cruises; On-Going Beginning; May, 2013
• Booked Airline Flights; June, 2013
• Booked Post-Cruise Hotel; July, 2013
• Reviewed Some Overland Excursions Made Available From Our Travel Agency;  July, 2013 
• Obtained Travel Insurance And Medical Evacuation Insurance Policies; July, 2013
• Obtained Information For Some Private Excursions For Some Selected Ports And Finalized Their Selection, August, 2013
• Provided Travel Agency With Requested Times/Vehicle Needs For Private Transfers; August, 2013
• Requested A Couple Of Items For The Voyage With Crystal's On-Board Guest Services Group; August, 2013
• Created A Things To Do List Of Items To Take Care Of While On The Ship; On Going; Started September, 2013
• Obtained Flu Vaccinations; September, 2013
• Created A Tracking List Of Things To Do To Get The House Ready For Our Departure; On Going, Started October, 2013
• Made Arrangements To Ship Luggage To The Cruise Ship; October, 2013
• Obtained Typhoid Vaccinations; October, 2013
• Filled Prescriptions; October, 2013
• Made Arrangements To Ship Luggage From The Cruise Ship To Our Home; November, 2013
• Made Reservations For Some Pre-Cruise Dinners And Other Activities November/December, 2013
• Commenced Packing; Starting In November and Completed December, 2013
• Notified Credit Card and ATM Companies Of Travel Plans; December, 2013
• Luggage Picked Up For Shipment Directly To The Ship;  December, 2013
• Finalized All Remaining Items; December, 2013
• Final Document Received; December, 2013

If you take care of all of these items over several many months,  all of this should not become overwhelming, and should be a lot of fun.

Periodically, we received letters and other related information in the mail from Crystal Cruises that also added to the excitement of the upcoming journey.

The first communication was a very nice letter we received from Gregg Michel, who was President, Crystal Cruises in June. (NOTE: The new President and COO for Crystal Cruises is Edie Bornstein who assumed this position in October, 2013.)

In late September, we received a nice letter from World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy highlighting covering some of the special guest speakers, a new course on all of the apple devices, along with information and a card for us to return indication our sizing information for a World Cruise Jacket and World Cruise Collared Shirt which we will receive on board the voyage.  (NOTE: Returning for this voyage will be World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston who was the World Cruise Hostess in 2009, 2010 and 2011.)

(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, Received In Early November
Accompanied In A Nice Keepsake Album That Holds All Of The Books Together)

(Final Documents For The World Cruise Including Luggage Tags)

The Document Holder Can Hold An iPad Or Other Similar Device

(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)

We also received a nice invitation for the World Cruise Gala which is held the night before the World Cruise begins at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel.  Unfortunately, we are unable to attend as we will already be on the Crystal Serenity.  Instead, we will attend a World Cruise Gala on board the ship for those World Cruise Guests who are already on the Crystal Serenity.  The Gala on land will include Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing and is a Black Tie Formal event.

Coming next: "Many People To Thank".   We have so many people to thank as we prepared for our upcoming journey.  

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

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

Keith and Anne Marie