Whether you are headed directly to your cruise embarkation point or to the airport for a flight to a cruise on a distant shore, it is most important to heed this warning: I have seen so many people make the fatal mistake of packing their medication in their checked luggage. 

One should always transport this potentially life saving cargo in one’s carry on luggage and do not let it leave your side.

Bags do get lost with ever increasing frequency and if you are taking life saving medication, as I do, don’t take the risk of not having it with you all the time. Replacement in a foreign country is not only difficult but can also be very expensive as there are no government subsidies on the medication.

It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor to give you a letter listing all the medications you are taking and to take the boxes that the medications come in with you, as it shows your name and script details. I always take at least a week’s extra medication to allow for missed transport, strikes and general delays.

If a diabetic, which a large percentage of the population is, always take some jelly beans and a fruit bar as an emergency snack in case of delays. If travelling alone, alert someone on your plane or ship that you are a diabetic in case of a hypo ­– needing a quick hit of something sweet. If you have to come to someone’s aid, a glass of orange juice or cola (not diet) is a fast way to help.