16 more days...

Let's Review!

Here are some of the highlights of my past blog entries:

170 Days:  Carry-On Luggage
Continental will permit one bag plus one personal item per customer to be carried on the aircraft.
The maximum combined linear measurement (L + W + H) of the carry-on bag is 45 inches, up to 14 in x 9 in x 22 in. The maximum weight of the carry-on bag is 40 pounds.

163 Days:  Checked Luggage
Continental Airlines will accept up to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches. Outside dimension of a bag is equal to the width + height + depth of the bag added together.  (The second bag will carry an extra fee).

156 Days:  Packing Tips
TSA regulations state that liquid/gel/cream/paste/aerosol toiletries in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3 ounces or less to get through security checkpoints. And all of those containers must fit comfortably in a one quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type). Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

Keep any medication and important papers(copies of all your credit cards, ATM card, passport, birth certificate, driver's license, etc) in your carry-on bag. Packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea.

As an extra precaution, be sure to include identification inside each piece of luggage in case the external tag is lost during your travels. If you know where you will be staying during a longer trip, add your cruise ship information to your identification tags(or use the luggage tags provided by the cruise line). This will allow the airlines to contact you there if your luggage is lost, rather than trying to contact you back at your home address.

135 Days:  Credit Cards and ATM
Two weeks ahead of our flight out, contact your credit card company (and ATM / bank) to notify them that you will using your cards in Europe so they don’t put your card on hold.  I did this already and it was quick and painless.

128 Days:  Passport
Before you leave home, make two copies of your passport identification page. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives and carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport. It's also a good idea to bring along two or three passport photos; these should be identical 2" x 2" photographs taken within the last six months, featuring a front view of your face on a white background. ID such as a birth certificate (showing citizenship), and driver license (proving ID). If your passport is lost or stolen, having these will speed up the replacement process.  If you are uncomfortable carrying your birth certificate, take along a copy.  Having the original just speeds up the process of getting a new passport.

Record your credit card and ATM card numbers. Also record the contact numbers located on the back of each card.

Once on board the ship, store passports and vital information in the safe in your cabin. Carry a color copy of your passport while on shore excursions.  Carry your driver's license too.  It is accepted easily as ID.

Write down the name and phone number of the "ship's agent" for the port (which will be printed in each port day's onboard newsletter), and carry it with you. Putting it in your cell phone or other electronic device is a good backup, but put it on a piece of paper, too. You'll need to contact the ship's agent if something bad happens while you're onshore (i.e., you get sick/robbed/miss the ship's departure, etc.)


Thanks for the idea Karen!!  My easiest blog to date!