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you planning to take digital photos? One of the most forgotten items is an extra memory card. Because I travel with my laptop and CDs, I have been begged by fellow passengers to download their camera's full media cards to a CD. If you forget extra memory cards, your vacation pictures will be limited to the capacity of a single digital card. And won't that be disappointing?

10. Batteries for electronics? Make sure to pack the extra power you'll need for those iPods, MP3 players and digital cameras. And, if you are traveling to a European destination, bring along a voltage power converter and plug adaptor. My husband found out the hard way (when he blew out his palm pilot charger) that not all the outlets in a cruise ship cabin are American voltages.

11. What of your house? Cruise durations can be at least a week and many much longer. Have you made arrangements for your pets? Your houseplants? Have you turned down the water heater temperature? Have you alerted your neighbors nearby that you will be away for awhile? Have you left a key with a trusted neighbor? Have you canceled your newspaper? Remembering to settle things at your house before you leave, will make for a much more relaxing vacation.

12. You will burn on the open sea under the bright sunshine. Even in cooler weather. So, whether you are bound for Alaska or the Caribbean, be sure to pack your favorite sun block product.

13. Formal clothing is a must onboard cruise ships. That is, if you plan to attend a formal dinner in the ship's dining room. If not, don't worry about it. But do pack more than just casual clothes; even in the less formal dining areas, cruisers are expected to dress neatly.

14. A second swimsuit is a good idea if you don't relish the thought of struggling into a wet clammy one every day.

15. If you love to shop, then bring along an extra suitcase. I always pack a collapsible bag into both my husband's and my suitcases. They're great for bringing back souvenirs, like that Jamaican beach painting and that African giraffe statue, you just had to have.

A cruise ship vacation is a wonderful way to relax; ensure that relaxation by taking care of the details before you cruise.

Learn more about this author, Sheree Zielke.
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