Cruise tips couple princess cruises marty and jessica ansen australia 20240501 p5nd1t.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 2 years ago

The most important cruising tips, from a couple who's just set off on their 130th cruise

Sarah Swain
Sarah Swain

Every week, 9Travel shares a top travel tip from our readers or our writers. Have something to share? Email us at travel@nine.com.au for a chance to be featured in an upcoming story.

They're about to get on their 130th cruise.

And Aussie couple Marty and Jessica Ansen have made headlines around the world for their devotion to a life lived mostly at sea.

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They have sailed roughly 770,000 nautical miles over more than 2,300 days on ships - which is more than six years.

READ MORE: What it's like on the world's newest cruise ship

Marty and Jessica Ansen spend much of their time on cruises.

Marty and Jessica Ansen spend much of their time on cruises. Supplied

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The Brisbane great grandparents, who are both 77, have just headed off on Coral Princess for their tenth trip around the globe.

It is also their 52nd consecutive cruise.

By the time they get off they will have will have done more than 26 months on the ship - much more than any of the crew.

And while they've been to all the destinations already, there is one place they are excited to see again.

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"We are happy to revisit the Scandinavian countries," Marty said.

READ MORE: Five must-do excursions on a Princess Alaska cruise

Coral Princess arriving into Melbourne last month.

Marty and Jessica Ansen have just headed off on Coral Princess for their tenth trip around the globe. Getty Images for Princess Cruise

And having spent so much time on cruise ships they of course have plenty of advice.

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Here are their top tips.

Take a backup credit or debit card

"Replacing a lost or stolen card while overseas is not for the fainthearted," Marty said.

Take clear copies of your passports.

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Consulates find it a lot easier if you can provide a copy ready to go when you disembark, they advised.

Wear your heaviest clothing

"Jessica and I have one piece of luggage, usually under 20kg," Marty said.

"We also each have one bag of hand luggage. Going on board, regardless of weather, I wear my heaviest clothing."

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human hand is using an adapter for power line

Be sure you have the right adapters.  Getty

Leave toiletries at home

"Leave consumables like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and any creams and potions at home as Princess provides basic toiletries and anything you do need can be bought at the first port," Marty said.

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Check electrical connections

"Check what electrical connection is used onboard and have the right adapter ready to charge your devices,' Marty said.

Many ships have American and European plug points, while newer ones may have USB connections too.

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Get insurance

Make sure you're covered for cruising - and take a copy of the details, the couple said.

Marty and Jessica Ansen with one of the Princess Cruises captains.

Marty and Jessica Ansen with one of the Princess Cruises captains. Supplied

Bring prescriptions

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As well as checking you have enough medication, you should also bring paperwork.

"As an extra precaution carry copies of scripts so that if you do run out or lose your medications it will be easier to prove what you need to overseas pharmacies or doctors," Marty said.

Pack essentials in hand luggage

It sounds simple but some people do forget.

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When you get on a cruise your checked luggage is taken to your cabin and may take a few hours to arrive.

So you'll need to keep important items with you.

"Place all jewellery, passports, visas, medication money and credit/debit cards in your hand luggage for easy retrieval," Marty said.

READ MORE: All the things I learned on my first cruise

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Coral Princess left Sydney this week to sail around the world over the next 110 days, making it the longest world cruise to leave from Australia.

It takes in ports from Sri Lanka to Scandinavia, Iceland to Peru before arriving back in Sydney on August 9.

During the trip, 2,000 guests will travel over 34,000 nautical miles, stop at 47 destinations, see 32 countries, and visit six continents.

Meanwhile, Princess has just launched its newest ship, Sun Princess.

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Do you have a better cruise tip? Or another travel tip you want to share with 9Travel?

Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could just be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.

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