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Alexandria Manion
Delta Zeta

As seniors, I know many of us are looking forward to our highly anticipated senior cruise with what seems to be the entire senior class of the LSU Greek community. Before we set sail, let’s take a look at a few must-dos as we embark on the vacation of a lifetime.

Before you leave…

Travel documents

Do not forget to bring your passport. You will need this document to check-in and must keep it safe at all times throughout your cruise. While on your cruise, keep your passport locked in your stateroom safe. Carnival does not require a passport. However, if you do not have one, you must bring your birth certificate and driver’s license. Be sure to make copies of your passport and/or birth certificate and driver’s license before you leave for safety purposes.

Pack lightly

Remember, while we are going to have the time of our lives, our living arrangement for the week will be rather tight. To make you and your roommates more comfortable, make sure to pack as lightly as possible. Ladies, I know this may be a struggle, but I know we can do it. Personally, I foresee myself having to limit the amount of shoes I pack for this trip… always my downfall!

Carpool

It costs $16 a day to park at the Port of New Orleans. If you do the math that brings the grand total to $80 for our fabulous five-day cruise. I suggest either carpooling with your cruise roommates to minimize the parking costs per person. Or, ask your parents to drop you off and pick you up. Cruising right out of New Orleans definitely beats paying for a flight to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to board the ship. It’s a lot more convenient, too!

Don’t be late!

The Carnival Elation sets sail at 4 p.m. Typically, check-in and embarkation begins around 11 a.m. Be sure to give yourself enough time to acclimate yourself to your floating home for the next five days before the ship leaves New Orleans. Also, you will want to be up on deck as we sail away. There is nothing like a view of the great Crescent City from the Mississippi River.

On board…

Make yourself at home

Take the time to explore the ship once on board and make sure you know where everything is from the dining room, to the gym, to the pool and of course the bar. Also, give yourself some time to unpack once your luggage arrives to your room. If possible, try to store suitcases under the beds to make as much room in your stateroom as possible.

Think twice before charging

While on board, your stateroom key will serve as your means of a credit card or cash. This makes it easy to forget exactly how much you're spending while on board. Those alcoholic beverages really do add up. Keep track of all your purchases while on the ship to prevent a surprising grand total on your bill at the end of the week. You can always head down to the concierge desk of the ship and politely ask for a copy of your statement anytime during the cruise.

While on shore, cash is the way to go

When purchasing souvenirs and food while ported in Cozumel and Progreso, be sure to bring plenty of cash on shore. For security reasons, it's best to leave credit cards in the safe in your stateroom. Don’t forget to make copies of your credit cards before you leave, too.

Partake in the feast

Formal dinner is served at 6 and 8:15. Check your room confirmation for your assigned seating. While food is available 24/7 on our cruise, you don’t want to miss the fabulous multi-course meals offered at formal dinner.

Ladies, there is a spa!

From spa treatments to fitness classes, be sure to stop by and see everything the on-board spa has to offer.

Coming home…

Pack up early

As much as we won’t want to leave, it's easiest to pack your bags before enjoying your last dinner and night out on the ship. We will dock in New Orleans bright and early the next morning, and our bags will be checked to disembark before we do on the evening prior to disembarkation. The last thing you want to have to do is rush through packing or miss the last night out because you have to pack your bag in time for it to be checked.

Look back on the cruise… and smile.

We are seniors, and most of us are just more than a month away from graduating. Let’s have the time of our lives so we can look back on our senior cruise as a success and one of the highlights of our years as Greeks here at LSU.

Bon Voyage!