There are certain must have apps that everyone should have before setting out on vacation. These are some of my favorites. There are other apps that I wanted to put on this list, but they only worked at their peak if you used specific products like iPhone or Gmail. I wanted apps that would work well for everyone. I have also deleted some that were originally on the list because they were kind of like Day Timers. They sound really good in theory but after a couple days I forgot they were even on my phone and stopped using them. These are all apps that I think are useful past the honeymoon stage.
Mobile Passport: Authorized by the US Customs and Border Protection, this app allows you to complete the paper form on the app before getting to customs to expedite your clearance. You simply fill in the information on your trip and receive a QR code that will be scanned when you reach customs. It's completely free and you get to go to an expedited line that is generally quite a bit shorter than the normal line. We did this on our last cruise out of Fort Lauderdale and it was the difference between 5 minutes in line and 30. Currently it's available at the Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port and 24 other US airports but they are expanding all the time. Check out their site to see if your city has it yet.
Pack Point: Forgetting stuff on your trip can be an unexpected expense, not to mention a big time waster as you try and find that bathing suit or a place that sells shaving cream, but we get it, a packing list isn't the funnest thing to sit down and make. Now you can let Pack Point create it for you. You tell it where you are going and what you plan to do when you are there and it creates a packing list for you. And even better, you can share the list with other travelers. Here is a little video that shows how it works.
Google Translate: I know a lot of the cell phone operating systems do this now, but Google has been doing it for a long time and this app does a few things the others don't. First, it can translate in 59 languages without an internet connection. It can also do two way translation so you can actually have a conversation with someone. You can also take a picture of a sign or a document in another language and it will translate it for you. Too cool.
Wifi Map: (iOS, Android) This app shows you wifi hotspots near you anywhere in the world. But... wait for it, they also give you the passwords for those wifi hotspots. A great app if you don't want to pay foreign data charges. You can even download apps of your location so you don't need to use data trying to find them. This is community app so you may have to try a few to get one that works, but for free, it's worth it.
Netflix: (iOS, Android) & Amazon Prime Video (iOS, Android) These may seem like no brainers to some people but for those that don't travel very often, you may not know you can download a lot of their shows to watch on your phone or tablet when you aren't connected to the internet, for example, on a plane, on a cruise or in another country. One of my favorite ways to get through a long flight is to binge watch a show. One episode just leads you to the next and before you know it, you are there. It's awesome.
Citymapper: I get that you probably use Google maps or Apple maps or one of the other navigation apps for getting around but Citymapper is a little different. It provides real time updates on public transit and a more detailed map for planning your travels around your temporary home away from home.
CP My Trips: (iOS, Android) It would be wrong if I didn't include this one, but in all honesty I love our app. If you have booked your trip through me, (or another Cruise Planner agent), you can view all of your upcoming travel information, book excursions, share your itinerary with friends, access a travel planner with a handy checklist for things to do before you leave, contact me from within the app and so much more. You can even start looking for your next cruise which gives you something fun to do on your way home. Just saying... :)
XE Currency: I feel like I had to list a currency converter and hands down, this is the best one available if you need one. Honestly though, who wants to pull out an app when they are at the cashier trying to figure out how much they are spending. I get that this can be a stressful thing, especially if it's your first trip out of the country, so here is one you can use just in case, but check out my How to Take a Great Vacation site first for information on converting currency and tips for doing it without an app.
Lonely Planet Guides: A great app that is simple to use and has just the right amount of information for a mobile app when you are on vacation. I wasn't going to include a guide, but once I checked this one out, and checked out my next destination of Sydney, AU, I had to include it.
These are all great apps and I think they are very useful but some of the most useful apps are going to be the apps for the airlines, hotels and cruise lines.
- The airline apps allow you to download your boarding passes and some allow you to access in flight entertainment, flight tracker, your Facebook page and even texting.
- The hotel apps often let you check in 24 hours before arrival and some allow you to choose your room or completely bypass the counter with a digital key. And get ready because they have some amazing things on the horizon for these apps that will blow you away.
- The cruise line apps vary greatly by cruise line and ship but some let your view your boarding passes, book excursions, and even make entertainment and dining reservations once on board.
They are all free so if they end up not being useful you can always delete them. Better to have them and delete them than wish you had downloaded them but didn't.
Keep checking back. I will add new ones as I discover them.
