Spectrum of the Seas: A Perfect 6-Day, 5-Night Journey Comes to an End!

We embarked on the Spectrum of the Seas cruise departing on June 24, with stops in Kumamoto and Nagasaki. Two moms, an 8-year-old child, and a 2-year-old toddler joined this trip, truly experiencing the joy of "spending almost every waking moment eating, drinking, and having fun." No wonder it's often called the "wellness retreat at sea" 😉 Let’s start by sharing what everyone is most concerned about: the required documents and must-have items for boarding! 📄 Travel Documents (Make sure to prepare everything!) ⭐ Original passport (to be collected and kept by the cruise staff after boarding) ⭐ Two photocopies of your passport (needed for shore excursions, so be sure to have them ready) ⭐ Two photocopies of your cruise ticket (for verification or emergencies) ⭐ Luggage tags (if you plan to check in luggage, print and attach them in advance) 🔎 Additional Notes: Parents traveling with children do not need to bring birth certificates or household registration documents. These are not required by the cruise and will only add to your luggage burden. 🎒 Must-Have Items ⭐ Sufficient changes of clothes If laundry service is not included in your ticket, plan for one outfit per day. The high humidity at sea means clothes dry slowly. Balcony space is limited and not ideal for drying clothes due to strong winds. Disposable undergarments can be a more convenient option. ⭐ Replaceable showerhead A standard round connector will suffice. Some travelers opt for models with basic filtration features. ⭐ Sun protection: Hat, umbrella, and sunscreen are essential! Remember to reapply sunscreen after water activities to avoid sunburn under the strong sunlight. ⭐ Digestive aids/supplements Meals on board are mostly buffet-style with a wide variety of options. If you tend to eat rich or large meals, consider bringing digestive supplements to keep your stomach comfortable. ⭐ Japanese yen in cash Some restaurants and shops during shore excursions do not accept online payments. Having cash on hand is recommended (we missed out on buying souvenirs in Nagasaki due to a lack of cash, which was a bit disappointing). ⭐ Swimwear, goggles, and swim caps Prepare these in advance if you plan to participate in water activities. Swim caps are currently not mandatory, so decide based on your needs. ⭐ Common medications: such as cold medicine, fever reducers, band-aids, iodine, etc. Families with young children should bring extra emergency supplies. ⭐ Water bottle Water is available all day in the buffet area, so there’s no need to bring bottled water. It’s a good idea to fill up a bottle in the evening to have water in your room overnight. ⭐ Charging devices and adapters Cabin outlets are two-prong. If you need to use three-prong devices, bring an adapter. We used two-prong cables, which worked perfectly. 📌 We’ve gathered plenty of tips from this trip and will share them based on our daily itinerary. Hopefully, this will provide a helpful reference for those planning to board the Spectrum of the Seas!