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13 things you should do before every cruise

You've booked your cruise. You've booked your flights. You've booked your pre- and post-cruise hotels. Now, it's just a matter of counting the days until your on-the-water adventure begins, right?

Well, not quite.

There are many (mostly) little things you still need to do before you begin your journey to the pier to board your ship.

From downloading your cruise line's app and using it to check in for your trip to signing up for ship-based activities in advance, here's our handy checklist of 13 things everyone should do before leaving home for a cruise vacation.

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Check in online

Yeah, I know, you were going to do this anyway. But, just in case you weren't: Know that it pays off big time to check in online before your cruise.

There's a lot of paperwork required to check in for a cruise, including (at many cruise lines) filling out documents asking for personal information such as your name, address, gender, date of birth, nationality and even pregnancy status; emergency contacts; and your pre- and post-cruise travel plans. You'll also be asked to set up an onboard account and submit a photo of yourself.

If you do this all in advance online — and many lines now require that you do — you'll be able to board your ship quicker than if you wait to do it at the pier.

Note that in most cases, you can check in online for a cruise many weeks in advance. At Royal Caribbean , the check-in window opens a full 45 days in advance of a sailing. At Carnival Cruise Line , check-in opens 14 days before departure.

Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

Check your identification documents

Long before you check in for your cruise, you should take a glance at whatever identification document you're going to use during the check-in process to make sure it hasn't expired — or is even close to expiring.

On many cruise itineraries, you will need a passport , and many countries that cruise lines visit require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave the country. Many countries also require at least two blank pages in your passport. If your passport is full of visa stamps, it's time to get a new one, even if it hasn't expired.

Download the cruise app

Many cruise lines now have apps you can download to your smartphone. The apps vary in capabilities, but many will show you a daily list of activities on your ship and everything you have reserved. Many also will let you make restaurant reservations and book shore excursions and other activities.

A few will let you order drinks and other items (think: pizza and beer) to be brought to wherever you happen to be standing. That's pretty cool, right? The best part: The apps will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.

Some of the apps also will aid you with the check-in process. The Celebrity Cruises app, for instance, lets you check in for a cruise with relative ease. You'll even be able to submit the security photo the cruise line requires using the Celebrity app. The app also will show your Celebrity Xpress boarding pass, so there's no need to print one in advance of heading to the pier.

Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea

Print out your documents

In theory, you don't need to print your cruise boarding pass if you have it on your mobile device, but I still always do — and I recommend you do the same.

I always keep a hard copy of every travel document — including pages that show my itinerary and reservation numbers for related hotel stays and flights — in my carry-on bag.

There are several reasons to do this. One is that you never know when your mobile device will die or have a connectivity issue that results in the document you need not being available. But you might also encounter authorities — an immigration official at a border, for instance — who will want to see hard copies of your itinerary before allowing you to proceed.

Tell friends and family about your trip

It's always a good idea to let at least a few people close to you know you're leaving on a trip. Give them a rough outline of where you're going and tell them how to contact you in an emergency. This might seem like obvious advice, but a reminder never hurts.

I have forgotten to do this at times — and while it's never resulted in a crisis, it has gotten me in trouble with the family.

I found myself in the big-time doghouse in late 2020 with my 75-year-old, always-worries-when-I-travel mom after forgetting to tell her I was heading to Barbados at the last minute to report on the first Caribbean cruise after the COVID-19 crisis began. She only found out I was out of the country when one of her friends saw me on TV talking about how I was quarantined in my cabin on the ship due to an outbreak of the illness. You can imagine her reaction. Lesson learned.

Also: Call your mom.

Research ports in advance

On some vacations — a beach trip, for instance — you don't have to do much research in advance. You just show up and figure out your days on the fly.

Most cruises aren't that way — at least if you want to get the most out of them. At the heart of most cruises are port calls that, in many cases, are short, often just a few hours. You want to have a plan for what to do in these ports, or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.

Once you know which ports you'll be visiting, do as much research as you can. You can read TPG's guides to the best excursions and activities in destinations like Alaska , the Caribbean and the Mediterranean .

Join a Facebook group for your cruise line

Another great place to get ideas for what to do in ports and on ships — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines.

I belong to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group and the Holland America Line Fans group. On these pages, you'll find thousands of cruise fans who often are only too willing to answer questions you might have about your upcoming trip. I've met some wonderful people in these groups, some of whom have become my longtime friends on Facebook.

Sign up for private tours in advance

Booking a shore excursion directly through your cruise line is easy. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof — it's all arranged. But booking tours through your line isn't the only option, and it's not always the best choice.

In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions in advance through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals .

Often, independent tours will be more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your traveling group is big enough, you might even book a private tour just for your friends and family with an independent tour operator.

Related: We skipped the cruise ship excursion and went with ToursByLocals — here's what happened

Sign up for activities in advance

Some lines will let you sign up for shows, tours and other activities (including meals at specialty restaurants) before sailing using online portals. If you want to be sure you get a seat for a specific show on a specific night, or a specific tour or restaurant reservation time, it's a good idea to do this. It's common for popular shows, tours and restaurant reservation times to book up in advance.

If you don't sign up for activities in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel — but I'm a big advocate of advance planning. You'll find it particularly pays off when sailing on a giant ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas , where there are thousands of other passengers competing for restaurant reservations and show tickets.

Related: The 15 best cruise ships for people who want to never grow up

Consider travel insurance

It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising or any other sort of travel. We hate to bring it up, but you might need to cancel your cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, perhaps, you need emergency medical attention during your sailing. Maybe the flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure.

These sorts of things can happen to cruisers, and they're all situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about cancel for any reason add-ons .

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Pack wisely

For starters, pack early ... and be strategic. Throw all the clothes you think you'll need on the cruise in a pile, then take away half of them. We promise you won't need them.

Most cruising these days is casual, and you only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. If things get dirty, no problem. Some ships have launderettes on cabin decks where you can run a load or two of laundry every few days. If not, you can send laundry out to be cleaned on board for a fee in most cases (you might even get this for free if you have status with a cruise line ).

The extra cost of doing a few loads of laundry on a ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the little treasures you'll find along the way.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service

In addition to packing light, pack anything you think you might need for the first few hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag . This means things like medication and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, a hat, sunscreen and other items that'll let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun. A porter will likely take away your main bag as you arrive at the port, and you might not see it delivered to your cabin for several hours.

Put your phone in airplane mode

Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories online are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships.

This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that'll show up weeks later on your phone bill.

You can find ways to make calls and access the internet from ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that'll let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) by Wi-Fi without using phone data. Some phone companies also have cruise-specific plans you can buy in advance of a voyage.

Personally, I never go that route. I keep it simple. I just put my phone in airplane mode the moment I step on board a ship and never switch it back on. I then turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, buy a Wi-Fi package and do all my calling, texting and web surfing over the internet. That way, there's no chance I'll be surprised by an unexpected phone charge.

Get ready to unplug from work

Really, this should go without saying, but you are heading on vacation . Google that word (and scroll down past the entries for the Ed Helms and Chevy Chase movies to the Wikipedia entry).

This trip is going to be all about taking a break from work , not spending hours every day dealing with the latest crisis back at the office — or, at least, it should be.

In the days leading up to your trip, make sure you wrap up any pressing work projects, let your co-workers know you'll be offline, reply to any outstanding emails and — most importantly — turn on your out-of-office message.

Trust us: You'll be so much happier.

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Glow in search of beautiful bioluminescence near Dana Point

Keep your peepers peeled for bioluminescent plankton, as well as critters like birds and sea lions, on a bioluminescence night cruise., by alysia gray painter • published may 27, 2024 • updated on may 27, 2024 at 2:56 pm, what to know.

• Bioluminescence Night Cruises, presented by the Ocean Institute
• June through Sept. (select dates); 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• $55; $10 admission for infant/toddler guests

CATCHING AN IRIDESCENT FLASH... across the ocean's surface isn't a totally unexpected experience for the lover of the damp. You might have seen a spyhopping whale or a splashing seabird or perhaps the sun glinted off a large wave in an especially dramatic way. After a moment, you may discover that the sudden source of light was not quite what you thought it was, magic though a whale or seabird or cresting wave most certainly is. But if you're on the ocean and you sense a gentle glow, you could be witnessing bioluminescent plankton, one of nature's most ethereal experiences. Of course, the world brims with wonder, but detecting these tiny critters lighting up the water is a moment to be remembered, and it is just this moment that the Ocean Institute is glowing, er, going in search of over several summer nights. If this illuminated adventure tempts you, you'll want to make your way to Dana Point for the potentially dazzling boat trip, but do secure your ticket ahead of time.

24/7 Los Angeles news stream: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are

BIOLUMINESCENCE NIGHT CRUISES... will set out over a few warm-weather 2024 evenings, beginning June 6. " Bioluminescence Night Cruises are a unique opportunity for individuals and families to witness the magical glow of the ocean at night," said Jack Parker, Port Captain of Ocean Institute and Captain of the R/V Sea Explorer. "Our cruises provide a glimpse into the fascinating world of bioluminescent organisms and the intricate ecosystems they inhabit." While you never know quite what you'll encounter — the "forces of nature determine the abundance of bioluminescence at any given time" — the crew does lower a meter net some 600 feet to gather "thousands of drifting organisms" from way down deep. A potentially luminous lark out on the starlit ocean awaits; find tickets now for select dates during the coming summer.

Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.

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Glen Powell said he almost went broke waiting for 'Top Gun: Maverick' to debut because Tom Cruise didn't want it on a streamer. Then it made $1.5 billion.

• Glen Powell said he was "waiting for my life to change" when Tom Cruise delayed releasing "Maverick."
• Powell said this led to his bank account "depleting" during the pandemic.
• He also had success with a movie premiering in theaters instead of on a streamer with "Anyone but You."

Glen Powell said his bank account was "depleting" as he waited for "Top Gun: Maverick" to arrive in theaters after Tom Cruise delayed the sequel's premiere during the pandemic.

The actor played Lt. Jake "Hangman" Seresin alongside Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, and Jon Hamm in 2022's "Maverick," and his performance as the arrogant pilot won audiences over.

In an interview published in The Hollywood Reporter last week, Powell said he was having financial difficulties after Cruise refused to have "Maverick" released on a streaming service. During the pandemic, most studios delayed filming and releasing their movies or put them on streamers while theaters were closed.

Related stories

"I'd never made any significant amount of money on a movie, including 'Top Gun,' and I was depleting a bank account to a point where my accountant was like, 'This pandemic cannot last much longer,'" Powell said.

Cruise had faith in the film, which is why he wanted to ensure its theatrical release. But it was difficult for Powell at the time.

"Tom was already Tom; I was waiting for my life to change," he said.

It seems it was worth the wait. According to Box Office Mojo , "Top Gun: Maverick" raked in $1.495 billion worldwide.

Powell saw similar success with a theatrical versus streaming release with the recent R-rated rom-com "Anyone but You," which features Sydney Sweeney .

"We had offers from every streamer, and it was guaranteed [paydays] and a much bigger budget, but Syd and I really have a very similar worldview about Hollywood," Powell said.

"We said, 'If we make this on a streamer, it won't have any cultural impact,'" he said. "And everyone was saying rom-coms were dead theatrically so we knew we could get hosed, but we thought, 'Let's take the gamble,' because what if we could bring them back?"

That gamble paid off because the sleeper hit made $219 million (according to Box Office Mojo) against an estimated $25 million budget , which was likely helped by Powell's and Sweeney's star power and their embrace of rumors that they were secretly dating in real life.

Powell said: "Even if it's me taking my clothes off on the side of a fricking cliff, it's like, you got to do some shit in here that makes noise."

Watch: What 12 movies from 2022 looked like behind the scenes

• Main content

Glen Powell Recalled That Tom Cruise’s Decision To Delay “Top Gun: Maverick” For Two Years Nearly Left Him Broke

“I was depleting a bank account to a point where my accountant was like, ‘This pandemic cannot last much longer.’”

BuzzFeed Staff

Though Glen Powell’s global fame was significantly boosted last year by his starring role in Anyone But You , many would consider Top Gun: Maverick to be his true Hollywood breakout.

In the hit sequel to the 1986 classic, Glen plays Hangman, an arrogant Navy pilot selected to undertake a high-profile mission led by Tom Cruise’s Maverick.

Glen narrowly missed out on the part of Rooster, which ultimately went to Miles Teller .

And now, in a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter , the actor opened up about how the casting was a saving grace — both for his career and his bank balance.

For context, Top Gun: Maverick was initially meant to be released on June 24, 2020 , but its release date was pushed back several times because of the pandemic.

At the time, star and producer Tom Cruise was adamant that the $170-million production shouldn’t go directly to a streaming service, and as a result, the movie was put on hold for two years until they could release it in theaters in May 2022.

It goes without saying that this wound up being a great choice, with the movie eventually grossing $1.5 billion worldwide. However, as it was Glen’s biggest casting to date, the film’s delay left him pretty strapped for cash.

“I’d never made any significant amount of money on a movie, including Top Gun , and I was depleting a bank account to a point where my accountant was like, ‘This pandemic cannot last much longer,’” Glen said, recalling the two-year delay.

Of his costar, he added: “But Tom was already Tom; I was waiting for my life to change.”

In 2022, Tom confirmed that letting Top Gun: Maverick go straight to streamers simply wasn’t an option for him, saying: “That’s not going to happen. Ever… I make movies for the big screen.”

It’s unclear whether Tom considered that the delay would inadvertently put some of his castmates in financial trouble. However, Glen seems not to have held it against him, having previously described the actor as “one of a kind.”

“To make movies on that scale, if you want to make a Top Gun: Maverick , with that budget, you have to be able to justify your value as a star and your creative influence to make sure that movie will play everywhere,” Glen told GQ in 2022 .

He continued: “That’s where studios trust Tom. They look at Tom, and they go, ‘Yeah, you know how to do this, go do it.’ I find that to be a really fun challenge. Do I have the ability to do that?”

You can read Glen’s full Hollywood Reporter profile here .

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• Glen Powell
• Top Gun: Maverick

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