
Packing Tips For Your Cruise
I’m guessing that you have been on many vacations before, and have packed countless suitcases and think how can packing for a cruise be any different. Well, it is kind of, but don’t worry – I’m here to help! There are certain things you can think about that will ensure you are ready for all situations that come up as part of holidaying on a cruise ship.
Who are you packing for – I only pack for myself, so men and children – look away, this article isn’t for you!
LOCATION
When you are thinking about what to bring, firstly think about where you are going and what you are likely to be doing. A suitcase for a Caribbean trip will not be the same as the one you want to live out of if you are visiting the Norwegian Fjords in October! Think of what the weather may be like. Check the forecasts and pack accordingly. You may wish to bring a little rain jacket regardless of where you are going. Yes, it also rains in the Caribbean! If you plan on visiting religious sites, wear clothing that will cover your shoulders, arms and legs. Ideally, your suitcase will be made up of mix and match things that can be worn in different combinations.
ONBOARD DRESS CODE
Is there a dress code you need to follow? Virtually all ships still have some sort of “dress up” night. The level of what they class as “dressed up” depends on the ship and the line. Some ships are a lot more formal than others, and there will be an expectation that you wear certain things. The days of tuxedos and bow ties are dying off thankfully, and most have gone down the line of “resort casual”, which is obviously subjective. My “best” may be a full length evening gown, but it could just as easily be a knee length cocktail dress, or a pair of pants with a dressy top. For men it’s a bit more difficult. There may be a requirement to wear a jacket, shirt with a collar, a tie even. Check your ships dress code and pack accordingly. I think it is important to point out though – You don’t HAVE to dress up at all. The worst that can happen is there would be a restaurant that you might not get into – or a bar that that is “dress code only” until later in the evening. On my most recent cruise, NCL, I think I saw about 3 men dressed up like James Bond. The rest were just in normal clothes that you might wear to your local “nice” restaurant.
FOOTWEAR
Shoes as all women know are vitally important!. You will walk on a cruise ship vacation much more than you can imagine. You need to bring a pair of shoes/sandals/sneakers that are worn in a bit and comfortable. There is nothing worse than finding yourself walking around Rome, slipping around the cobbles in a pair of heels and then finding you have some lovely blisters forming
Maybe also bring some nice flip flops and sandals to wear around the pool or for casual day wear, and you may want some more elegant footwear to tie in with your evening attire.
The clothes I bring break down as follows:-
1) Casual daywear
2) Dressier evening wear
3) Pool wear
4) Nightwear and underwear
5) Sports wear. (who am I kidding, I don’t do sports!!)
HOW TO PACK EFFECTIVELY
Roll your clothes in the case as opposed to folding them. This really does help in minimising creasing. Bring some crease release spray.
If you are anything like me you will bring far too many shoes and clothes! Only you will know what you want to wear, just bear in mind any weight restrictions on luggage. If you intend on travelling light, think in terms of mix n match, and layers. It really doesn’t even matter if you wear the same thing twice.
Lots of people love using the packing cubes. I have seen people use these and it looks like they do come in handy if you are in a cabin where space is at a premium. It also helps you keep your cabin tidier if everything has a place, and you can literally lift that cube and put it “as is” on a shelf. I am actually going to get myself a set of cubes for my next trip and intend on using them for underwear and socks.
You may wish to build up an emergency kit containing things like Elastoplast, painkillers, Imodium, sanitary protection etc. You can buy a lot of this onboard but it will be very expensive. I have a little bag always ready for trips that contains my preferred shampoo/conditioner, moisturiser toothpaste and brush, contact lens stuff, etc. There will be some form of shampoo and soap in your cabin but I’ve never found one that my hair likes.
ELECTRONICS
We all travel with our phones and i-pads and things that need charging. Your ship will have varying types of sockets and USB ports, and these may not be compatible with your plug. So bring a universal adaptor.
If you bring an iron for your clothes it will be confiscated. All cruise lines are tightening up on what they will let you bring, so if you need something like an extension lead eg for a CPAP machine you should ask them to provide you with one, at the time of booking ideally.
CARRY ON
When you are lining up to get on the ship, they will take your case off you. You may not see your stuff again for several hours so make sure you have a carry on with everything you are likely to need for that first day. Here’s a list of what I would put in my carry on:-
Passport
Cruise paperwork
All my money and cards
Medication
Valuables
A swimming costume , cover up, suntan lotion, hat, sunglasses , flip flops
A change of clothes for early evening
A book
A pen and a notebook for journaling
My carry on bag is usually a large day bag which doubles up as a beach bag or a shopping bag.
Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be a drama, keep it simple and remember on most modern cruise lines glam is only an option!
That’s all for now, happy cruising!!