Saturday, April 13, 2024

Travel Writer-approved Cruise Packing List

what to pack on cruise

Even costume jewelry can be pricey, so keep it with you in the luggage that you carry on board. This is especially important if you arrive at your ship after an overnight or early morning flight, and really need to brush your teeth or put in your contacts once you make it to the ship. The shops on the ship won't open until after sailaway, and they might not have everything you need. (When they do, get ready for sticker-shock prices.) In that case, it's a good idea to pack a few extra meds for that unexpected headache or mild case of heartburn. If you or your family members take any regular prescription medications, vitamins or supplements, pack them in your carry-on bag. Even if you don't need them for the first 24 hours of your cruise, you don't want to risk losing them and going without them for the entire trip.

Towel clips

Magnetic hooks corral caps, visors, belts, backpacks, jackets and charging cords. Magnetic whiteboards allow you to leave messages for cabinmates. If everything you pack coordinates with everything else, you can mix and match endlessly.

cruise packing hacks you need to know before you sail

I learned this cruise packing hack from TPG's Ashley Kosciolek, but I learned it the hard way. I initially ignored her advice and found myself roaming the streets of Bonaire in search of duct tape to repair a scuba fin broken by baggage handlers. I've also faced cracked luggage and even sunglasses that could have been salvaged if only I'd had some duct tape. If you're packing a straw hat, you'll need to protect it inside your luggage.

LifeStraw Go Filtered Water Bottle

That way you can be sure you get back before the ship leaves port, as well as keep track of when any scheduled activities onboard are about to happen. This one is only around $15 and is water resistant (a must on a cruise). You'll want to pack items specific to the activities you aim to do in port. Leave room on your cruise packing list for items that will change based on your destination and planned tours. Pack one outfit for every day, or plan to do laundry on your cruise ship. For example, I'll dress up a top with a skirt or dress pants for dinner, then wear the same shirt with jeans in port the following day.

Reusable travel bottles are a good solution, especially if you don’t need a large quantity of product. As with most trips, clothing is going to your primary focus and take up the bulk of your suitcase. 17 Worst Cruise Packing MistakesEven the savviest cruisers make mistakes. Laugh along (and learn how to stay prepared) with these "not so perfect" packing stories. Top 10 Cruise Packing TipsFrom keeping personal documents close to leaving room in your suitcase for souvenirs, here are 10 packing tips for a smooth sailing.

what to pack on cruise

In the event that you are going on a snorkeling tour, you need to remember to only bring eco-friendly sunscreen, as most tours now only allow that type of sunscreen on their excursions. In case of rain, stay dry with a small umbrella or light raincoat, and prevent bug bites with some travel-sized mosquito repellent. A few protective items keep cruisers comfortable on board the ship and on land. To guard against harmful UVA and UVB rays, pack sunglasses with UV lenses, sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or more and a brimmed hat. This is a growing category that I have added to my packing list.

If this happens, if your luggage is lost or misplaced at an airport, it can be forwarded to your destination by the airline. Alternatively, open up one suitcase under the bed and throw all your dirty clothes in there as you go. Cruise ship showers are notoriously cramped and often lack functional amenities. Cruise ship walls are typically magnetic, so you can use magnets to make your cabin more usable. Keep your daily newsletters, invitations and excursion tickets in order with magnetic clips affixed above the desk. While you're at it, download your cruise line, airline and pre-cruise hotel's app, as well as the Mobile Passport Control app to speed up the customs process.

Daywear, evening and sleepwear can all be placed in their own packing cubes. Consider bringing along an inexpensive watch so that you can be sure to stay on ship’s time in the cruise ports of call. If you’re going on a cruise, you’ll want to pack towel clips to keep your towels from blowing away with the sea breeze. Even though I love packing cubes and hanging toiletry bags, sometimes, a good old ziplock baggy is what you need. If you’re packing for a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise, make sure to pack reef-friendly sunscreen and aloe vera for potential sunburns.

A Travel Writer's 16 Caribbean Packing Essentials - Travel + Leisure

A Travel Writer's 16 Caribbean Packing Essentials.

Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

what to pack on cruise

Of course, the destination and weather will dictate what exactly makes it onto your cruise packing list. For a Caribbean cruise, you'll want plenty of beachwear; for an Alaska cruise, you'll want rugged clothes for hiking and warm layers for the frequently changing weather. In the Middle East and Asia, you might need an outfit that covers the shoulders and knees for visiting religious sites.

And whenever you have a choice, pack for comfort, not style, especially in the shoe department -- we'll give you extra points if you can combine the two. What are the most important items you bring in your carry-on bag for your cruise? Travel size disinfecting wipes are great for a quick cabin disinfection on the first day of your cruise. Although your cabin will be cleaned when you arrive, you can use the wipes for the remote, telephone, mini fridge door and other items that might be touched more often. Since you may only get your luggage at the end of the day, consider bringing a change of clothes to refresh in the late afternoon, or even to wear to dinner. Hopefully the weather will be nice and you’ll need your sunglasses on a sunny Sailaway day.

Just be sure that your power strip doesn't include a surge protector; those are banned from most cruise ships, as are extension cords. For long and overnight flights to your cruise, pack accessories for the plane. If you've scheduled a pre-cruise hotel stay, consider packing the necessities for that overnight in a separate bag so you don't need to unpack and repack your main suitcase. Popular themes include white night, pirate night and Halloween — and, yes, cruisers do go all-out with costumes.

However, the prices are expensive and they aren’t open 24 hours. It’s much cheaper and more convenient just to pack a little of everything with you so you’ll have it at the moment you need it. One important tip — no matter which sort of fan you bring, you want something compact. Remember that you’re going to have to lug it to the ship and back home. Some lines, such as Holland America and Carnival, also allow you to bring on a limited number of cans of nonalcoholic drinks such as soda, juice or seltzer water.

If you take prescription medicine, bring enough for the trip and a few extra days' worth, just in case. Like hotels, cruise ships typically provide soap and shampoo in your cabin. However, it's hard to know whether your hair will respond well to the onboard products or if you'll hate the scent.

Don’t forget to pack lip balm with an SPF for each member of the family, to avoid unwelcome swollen lips on a cruise. If you have specific products you like to use, it’s a good idea to pack your toiletries in leakproof travel containers. One of the best pieces of packing advice I ever received was to use packing cubes to pack for a cruise. They help keep cruise outfits organized and stay mostly wrinkle-free. The hard shell will protect your luggage from the weather, and keep your clothing and other items dry.

Remember that if you’re visiting churches, mosques, or other religious sites on your adventures ashore, it’s expected that shoulders and bare legs are covered. You should also be able to segue from a fun-in-the-sun beach outing to a rainy-day city walking tour with ease. There is a detailed list of prohibited items on Royal Caribbean's website, and among many are items that heat up, which can cause a fire hazard on the ship. Anything that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of guests and crew are prohibited. Although there is plenty of food and drinks on the cruise, there are times when it is helpful to have a pre-packaged snack on hand.

This small carry on suitcase could be all you need for short cruises or might even be perfect if you prefer to pack light for your cruise. If you’re flying into your cruise port, consider a suitcase style carry on with spinner wheels for convenience. This hardshell piece is both reasonably priced and has excellent reviews. While many cruise lines offer complimentary shampoo and conditioner in stateroom bathrooms, they aren’t likely to be the products you use at home.

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