Asian cruises homeporting from Manila are rare. So if you’re one of those who managed to grab Costa Serena’s offer to sail from Manila to various destinations across Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, your next step is to start preparing for your much-awaited cruise!
Combining sponsored and personal trips, our team has been on more than 20 cruises, spanning both Asian and North American routes. We’ve sailed on a wide range of cruise ships, from more modest vessels to some of the largest in the world! Along the way, we’ve picked up plenty of lessons about the dos and don’ts of cruising, and one of them is knowing what to pack. This can truly make or break your cruise experience.
If this is your first time cruising, a little preparation will go a long way. Having the right documents and essentials ready will help you have a smooth-sailing experience from embarkation to disembarkation. On our most recent cruise aboard Costa Serena, here are the documents and items we secured and prepared before setting sail.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are traveling soon and still on the planning stage, you can also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including immigration requirements and all our recommended hotels and tours. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. We have a compilation for destinations around the world.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Costa Cruise Ticket and Voucher
On the day of embarkation, you will be asked to hand over your cruise ticket and your voucher at the check-in counter at Eva Macapagal Cruise Terminal in Manila. Have both a hard copy and a digital copy ready, just to be sure.
The ticket has all the important information, such as your:
- Cruise Details
- Cabin Number
- Checklist and Reminders
- Embarkation and Disembarkation Instructions
- Boarding Form
- Luggage Tag
In case you are still looking for a travel agency to book a Costa Serena cruise from Manila, you can get in touch with Avian Summit Travel Corporation. It’s one of the top agencies that are part of the #Choose Premium network, and is both IATA-certified and DOT-accredited.
Here are the contact details:
- Mobile/Viber: +63 928 291 7170
- Email: aviansummit@gmail.com
- Facebook Page: Avian Summit Travel Corporation
- Instagram: @aviansummit
- Tiktok: @aviansummit
Passport
Since this counts as an international cruise, and you’ll be traveling outside the Philippines by sea, you’ll need to bring your passport. Make sure to carry a photocopy of the bio page, too, because your passport will be taken from you for safekeeping upon embarkation. But before you panic, relax and breathe easy, as you’ll get it back a day before disembarkation.
Having a photocopy of your passport is especially important if you’re also planning to explore each stop (port of call) in another country or international territory. And, of course, your passport must be valid for at least six months.
eTravel
You can submit your eTravel form within three (3) days or 72 hours before your scheduled departure time. You can accomplish your travel declaration through the eTravel official website or the eGov app. You’ll see two types of travel declarations: New Travel Declaration and New Cruise Ship Travel Declaration. For cruises, select “New Cruise Ship Travel Declaration”.
Remember! You need to complete two travel declarations: one for departure and another for arrival. If you don’t have onboard internet access, you can fill out your Arrival eTravel form when the ship docks at the Port of Manila, while waiting for your group’s turn to disembark.
Travel Tax
The travel tax is not yet included in your cruise fare, so ensure that you make your payment online via the TIEZA official website or the eGov app. Save and keep a copy of the receipt, as you will be asked to present it at the check-in counter during embarkation. Digital copy is okay, but you can also produce a hard copy for backup.
Costa App
Make sure to download the Costa App before the cruise. The app will make your life on board much easier and more convenient. Some of the perks include letting you:
- Browse daily activity schedules
- Navigate the deck map and ship directory
- Track the ship’s current location
- Check the real-time weather updates
- Use the onboard chat features
- Monitor your onboard spending
- Purchase internet packages
Luggage Tag
As mentioned, you’ll find your luggage tag together with your cruise ticket. Don’t forget to print the luggage tag and attach it to your check-in baggage before heading to the port. Most likely, you’ll be printing it on paper. To make it more durable, you can buy a luggage tag cover, have it laminated, or fully cover it with transparent adhesive tape.
Speaking of luggage…
WHAT TO PACK
Each passenger is allowed to bring one 30-kilogram check-in luggage and one seven-kilogram hand-carry bag. Leave extra space in your luggage if you are planning to do some shopping, whether on board or at the ports of call.
Day Bag
In addition to your personal hand-carry bag, it’s also a good idea to bring a day bag or a small bag for onboard exploring and shore excursions. It can be a sling bag, a crossbody, or a small tote.
Personally, I like using a small canvas tote to carry essentials like sun protection, medications, a power bank, ID, and phone while wandering around the ship. For shore excursions, I usually add a portable fan, a photocopy of my passport, wallet, and water container. We’ll go into more detail about the specific items to pack later.
Clothes/Outfits
We usually prepare two sets of outfits per day:
- Casual clothes for daytime activities
- Smart casual or more polished attire for evening shows or fine dining
Of course, you have to complete your look with the right footwear. It’s safe to bring a pair of sneakers/trainers, formal shoes, and sandals or flip flops. From our experience, cabins don’t come with in-room slippers, so be sure to bring your own.
If you want to attend evening events, especially themed parties, it’s better to check the suggested dress code for each soirée you’d like to join. During our last Costa Serena cruise from Manila, we took part in the following:
- White Party: all-white outfit
- Retro Party: colorful 50’s – 90’s ensemble
- Masquerade Ball: formal attire paired with a matching mask
Other themed celebrations during that sailing included the Latin Party, Golden Party, Italian Night, and Revival Party.
And if you want to enjoy a refreshing dip in one (or all) of Costa Serena’s swimming pools, don’t forget to pack your favorite swimwear! Finally, consider bringing a light jacket and a scarf or shawl, especially if you’re someone who tends to get cold easily.
Toiletries
You’ll typically find towels, toilet paper, a hair dryer, and a 2-in-1 shampoo and bath gel in your cabin. Aside from these basics, you’ll need to pack your own toiletries and skincare essentials.
Unlike air travel, cruises don’t usually impose the 100-ml liquid limit. This means you can bring your full-sized bottle of shampoo, lotion, moisturizer, and other personal care items without any hassle.
Sun Protection
While we do need sunlight for our daily dose of Vitamin D, we must not overdo it. Too much exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays is also not good. Wearing protective garments, seeking shade, and regularly applying sunscreen or sunblock are some of the ways you can protect yourself from the sun.
Aside from the items mentioned above, we love wearing a hat or a cap (I have lots of them!) and sunglasses. Sometimes, I also use a scarf or a shawl for extra coverage during the day. While it’s not exactly sun protection, a portable fan will also come in handy to beat the heat, especially during hot and humid summer days.
Medicine
Pack your go-to medicines for headaches, stomachaches, fever, cough, colds, flu, and motion sickness. If you’re on prescription medication, make sure to bring enough for the entire trip.
I’ve never gotten seasick on my previous cruises, so I usually skipped bringing any medication for it. Big mistake! On this particular cruise, we hit some strong waves (maybe it was the season), and it finally got to me. Haha! I just lay in bed, held on to my trusted nasal inhaler, and rubbed ointment on my temples. Lesson learned: Never say never!
The Reception/Customer Service Desk can also provide medicine for motion sickness. For other medical issues, you can go to the ship’s onboard clinic, though keep in mind that additional charges may apply.
Universal Socket Adapter
You’ll find three different types of power outlets inside your cabin: Type B, Type F, and USB ports.
A Type B plug has two parallel flat pins and a round grounding pin, but it can also accommodate a Type A plug, which has two flat pins. A Type F plug, which is commonly used in Europe, features two round pins (4.8mm diameter) and grounding clips on the top and bottom.
Since the Philippines typically uses Type A, B, and C (two round pins) plugs, most of your devices should work just fine. Still, it’s a good practice to bring a universal adapter as a backup to avoid any socket or plug issues onboard.
OTHERS
Credit Card
All onboard charges are settled in US$ (US dollar). There are no ATMs on the ship, and debit cards are not accepted, so a credit card is your best option. You’ll need to link it to your Costa Card, which works as both your onboard ID and payment card.
Here’s how to link your credit card to your Costa Card:
- Find a Costa Card kiosk. These are located throughout the ship. We spotted two on Deck 5, Midship section, near the shops.
- Prepare your Costa Card and credit card. To start, choose the “English” language.
- Tap your Costa Card on the reader. Wait for the next on-screen prompt.
- Insert or swipe your credit card. Wait again for confirmation.
- Credit card successfully linked to your Costa Card! You can also link other cabins to your credit card by selecting “Other Cabins”, then following the instructions on the screen.
Backup Cash
If you don’t have a credit card, be sure to bring enough USD in cash before embarking. You’ll need to deposit at least USD 150 per person to settle your onboard transactions.
Have backup cash with you also, especially if you are planning to join shore excursions or explore the ports of call on your own. Choose Premium’s Hospitality Desk also offers an onboard money exchange service, just in case.
Internet Connection
Staying connected during the cruise is easy. You can purchase Costa Serena’s onboard internet package through the Costa App. Just pick the plan that works best for you. On our last cruise, these were the available options and their rates at that time:
- WhatsApp Package. Stay in touch with friends and family through WhatsApp, sharing photos, videos, and voice messages. Rate: $6 per day
- Social Package. Aside from WhatsApp, you can also access your social media accounts — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Rate: $15 per day; $10 for 2hrs
- Full Package. This gives you unlimited access to the internet — mobile apps, messaging apps, social media, emails, and more. Rate: $20 per day; $39 for 24hrs; $15 for 2hrs
If you’re joining a shore excursion or doing a D-I-Y onshore exploration, secure an eSIM or turn on your phone’s data roaming. A pocket WiFi also works well for day trips at cruise stops or ports of call. Just remember that it’s not very reliable onboard, as it usually only works when the ship is docked or close to the shore.
For a day trip or shore excursion, you’ll only need a one-day data connection. However, most eSIM packages have a three-day plan as their minimum. Fortunately, we found options that offer a one-day data plan on Klook!
Power Bank
If you think you’re spending most of your time outside your cabin, or you are going on a shore excursion, a power bank is a must-have. You’ll likely be using your smartphone non-stop while exploring other destinations (ports of call) — taking lots of photos and videos, navigating with Google Maps, using Google Translate, researching, messaging friends, and more.
Keep your battery running and avoid draining it completely for a smoother and hassle-free trip!
Water Container/Tumbler
Each cabin has a complimentary 1-liter bottle of water. You can refill water any time using this provision at Prometeo Buffet Restaurant, one of the onboard complimentary dining places. Or you can bring your own water container or tumbler.
It’s important to always hydrate, especially when the weather is humid and hot.
Special Travel Permits
Some passengers need to secure special travel permits. This can either be a:
- DSWD Certificate for minors traveling without their parents
- Travel Authority for government officials and employees
WHAT NOT TO BRING
We will also include a list of prohibited items, so you can prevent delays and other issues during embarkation. For safety and security reasons, the following items are strictly not allowed on board.
- Explosives
- Weapons (including imitations and replicas)
- Heating Devices (hair dryers, hair straighteners, etc.)
- Handcuffs
- Animals
For the complete and updated list of prohibited items, you can check it here: Costa Serena Prohibited Items List
More About #ChoosePremium Brand
Officially launched in 2017, Juan World Philippines, Inc. is a reputable tour services provider catering to Philippine travel agencies. The company offers a wide range of tour services to different travel agencies in the Philippines, including its signature #ChoosePremium line of tour packages.
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