How To Pack For A Cruise

Don’t let that last minute panic set in and forget to bring something – here’s a quick guide for things to pack when going on a cruise:

#1: Clothing:  Your location and length of cruise will determine how many articles of clothing and what to take.  Determine how many formal nights, and use the same attire each night with a slight variation.  For instance, the same black pants or skirt could be used each night with different tops, belts etc. Remember to take comfortable shoes with nonskid bottoms. This is definitely not the time for stilettos! Use packing bags designed for shoes, and place them nearest the wheels of rolling suitcases. For the other evening meals, you can take 1-2 pairs of pants with multiple tops. For daytime excursions, you may be able to get away with the 2-3 tops for every bottom ratio. If cruising in cold climates, remember to layer clothing. Remember to take several bathing suits if you are going to a tropical location, as well as several bathing suit cover-ups and flip flops. REMEMBER, there is a laundry on board, as well as a line in your bathroom for you to use to hang items you have washed out with the shampoo provided!

#2: Packing Cubes:  I love using the packing cubes for all articles of clothing that do not have to be hung in the closet.  Once in the cabin, take the packing cubes out and place in drawers or on shelves.  For hanging items, pack them in a lightweight hanging bag on the top of your packing cubes.  When you open your suitcase, the hanging clothes can be placed in the closet first.

#3: Toiletries:  Use a hanging toiletry case since there is never much space on the counter.  There is room for both of you in the cabin to hang your bags. In addition to the usual personal items, some that you may want to include are sunscreen, lip balm, mosquito repellent with Deet, small bathroom spray, Wet Ones for spot cleaning in the cabin, Tide Stick, something for motion sickness, such as Bonine or the natural Quease Ease found at marine stores, over the counter meds, such as Advil or Tylenol, Bandaids, or Downy Wrinkle Release. You can also use a small bag just for your medications, prescription or over the counter. REMEMBER, if you put liquids in your carry on luggage, they must not be over 3 ounces.

#4: For the Cabin: In a separate packing cube or bag, you may want to include a small flashlight, travel alarm clock, pop up dirty clothes hamper or bag, several sizes of Zip Lock Bags, a highlighter to mark activities on the daily schedule, small Post It Notes to leave messages on cabin doors, something to hang on the outside of your door to identify it easily, Thank You Notes for your cabin stewards and wait staff, multiple electrical plug or power strip for all of your electronics since outlets are few, camera battery charger and extra memory cards.

​#5: Bag for Daily Activities:  Whether you will be spending time at the pool or on an excursion, you will want a bag to carry items for the day, such as towel clips for your beach chair, sunscreen, water bottle or travel cup, hat or visor, disposable rain poncho, brochures, tickets for excursions, camera, picture ID or Passport, if necessary, a small journal to record your memories, deck plan, snacks in case you do not have time to stop for lunch on an excursion, and Tylenol or Advil.