How to Pack for a Cruise

Posted on January 16th, 2009 by Elaine

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For some people, there’s one great way to spend vacation: go on a cruise! They get to bask in the sun, visit various places and stay on a luxurious ship with the best accommodations. Before you hop aboard, you must make sure you’ve got all the items you need. Don’t have any idea where to start? Here’s how to pack for a cruise.

Create A Packing List

Having a list helps keep track of all the things you need during the trip. At a glance, you’ll be able to spot which items you already have, and which ones you still need to get. Write down different categories, such as clothing, equipment, entertainment and toiletries. As soon as you’ve got an item and packed it, cross it off the list.

Aside from that, make a list of the things you need to do before you leave. If you have arrangements for kids or pets, or a pile of bills to take care of, make sure they’re all set before you go.

Watch Your Luggage

It’s not just what you put in your case that matters, but also what kind of case you use. What shape and size are you planning to bring? A case that’s too big might be good for carrying all your clothes, but lugging it around may be troublesome. Opt for a good-sized case that can fit plenty of items, but can be stowed away easily.

If you’re going with someone, pack a few of your clothes into his or her bag, and vice versa. If one of your bags gets lost, you’ll have backup clothes to use while waiting for your bag to be found.

Another tip: Make sure you have carry-on luggage. This is where you’ll place your important belongings, including your wallet, credit cards, medications, camera and other gadgets.

You should also leave some space in your luggage for all the souvenirs and purchases you’ll buy. You’ll be surprised at how much room these small objetcs can occupy in your bags.

Know How Big Your Room Is

The size of the room can also determine what type of luggage you’re bringing. For example, if you’ve got a small and narrow room, a few smaller bags may be better than one big suitcase. Find out the room details before you get on board. The cruise line will give you details on how big your room is, including the size in square feet and the map. If not, you can get the information on their website.

Prepare A Variety Of Clothes

The general rule when packing for a cruise is the same when packing for other trips: pick light-weight clothing, especially those that can be layered in case temperature and mood changes occur. It’s also good to pack non-creasing fabrics, so you won’t have to iron your clothes.

Get different clothes for locations you’re going, and for different weather conditions. Even if you go to the warm Caribbean, chances are it’ll be chilly during the evening. Check the weather for each port you’ll be visiting. You can check online for the average temperature.

Make sure you also know the local customs of the places you’re going, to help you avoid trouble. Some historic churches don’t allow visitors to wear shorts. In some places, women are expected to cover their hair.

Be prepared for the cruise line’s dress code. In some ships, there are strict dinner codes, requiring black tie attire, while some just have casual attire.

Your footwear also matters. If you’re going to encounter areas with devil waves, or if you’ll be doing a lot of walking around, high heels might not be a good choice. Opt for flat shoes or sandals instead.

A Few More Tips

Bring credit cards or traveler’s checks. Cash is good, but with cards, you won’t worry about having the right currency.
Clothes that you can wear several time during the trip are great.
If you’re with kids, bring portable communication devices, like walkie-talkies, with you.
Check the laundry facilities available on board.

Packing appropriately can determine how relaxing or troublesome your cruise will be. Just remember these tips, and you’ll have a wonderful and worry-free vacation.