Packing for a Cruise

Packing For a Cruise

You are going on a cruise. What a great vacation!! These are a few tips about packing enough but not too much.

Color coordinate your clothes. Mix and match neutrals with a color or two and you will have lots of outfits. You will need shorts, slacks, jeans, nice shirts, T-shirts and sport shirts. For the formal nights, a long dress or skirt, suit and tie and shoes you can wear with other outfits. Several bathing suits with cover ups, sandals or flip-flops. You can wear sneakers or shoes around the ship or on excursions.

You will need a sweatshirt, sweater, or windbreaker for layering on the days it is cool and breezy on deck. A hat or scarf would be good. Small backpacks or totes are good for excursions and around the ship. They can hold your camera, water bottle, sunscreen, etc.

A small powerstrip is a necessity if you have more than two things that need to be charged. Cruise ships typically only have one outlet in a cabin. Binoculars will be welcome for viewing sights on board. An over the door shoe bag is useful for corralling bathroom supplies and small items. A foldable duffel bag carries souvenirs or dirty clothes home.

You should carry a change of clothes, important medications, camera, jewelry, necessary IDs, cruise documents, and electronics in a carryon bag you keep with you. It is also a good idea if you are traveling with family to split your belongings on more than one bag. Both tips will be worth it if your luggage doesn’t arrive in your room when you do. Remember camera memory cards, batteries, ear plugs (in case of noisy neighbors).

Ships provide shampoo, soap, and hair dryer so you don’t need to carry those.

Pack about half of what you think you will need. And have a great time!