Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Travel Writer-approved Cruise Packing List

things to pack for a cruise

You don’t need a pair of shoes for every cruise outfit, but you do want to pack comfortable shoes for the activities you plan to do. For Caribbean cruises, a big beach bag or good size backpack is essential to pack towels, sunscreen and everything you need for cruise shore excursions. Depending on which cruise line you’re sailing, the cabin may not have the same outlets as the United States, and it most likely won’t have USB ports either. That’s why my “what to pack for a cruise” list has some crossover with my “things to never forget when traveling overseas” list. My universal Saunorch power adapter, which has settings that cover more than 150 countries all in one device is crucial.

Cruise Packing Checklist: Clothes

A kid broke an arm on the ship and needed surgery, so a family of five disembarked in Ketchikan — not exactly a cheap end to their vacation, I'm guessing. Later in the sailing, a sick passenger was airlifted directly off the ship by the Canadian Coast Guard before we made it to Victoria. You will encounter slippery slopes and rocky roads — and that's just walking through Alaska port towns. You might be participating in more daring activities than normal, such as flying in helicopters, hiking across glaciers, kayaking icy waters or zip lining through forests. No matter how many times you've cruised before, you might be shocked at how much planning you need to do for an Alaska sailing. Get these things wrong, and you might miss out on your big Alaska cruise experience.

Shoes

They are also great for keeping wet clothes separate from dry. We also like to put smaller liquids that we bring onboard in the bags in case they accidentally spill. For instance, on a seven-day cruise, you really only need 3-4 outfits as you can wear the same thing twice. There’s still plenty to pack, but don’t let it be so much that you can’t handle your bags yourself. It just makes things much easier when you don’t have to lug around a couple of oversized, heavy bags.

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan

Most nights, the dress code is smart casual, which means you look comfortable yet tasteful in anything from a skirt or dress to long pants, chic jeans, and a stylish top or button-down. Tiny containers like pill organizers and contact lens cases are handy for packing small things like earrings, necklaces, small dabs of cosmetics or medications. Before you buy special travel organizers for jewelry or cosmetics, consider repurposing items you have at home. As electrical outlets are in short supply in most cruise cabins, you'll need a battery-powered light, preferably motion-activated, if you don't want it on all night. Cruise ship cabins can be extra dark at night, especially if you've pulled the blackout curtains closed or have booked a windowless inside cabin.

I've also faced cracked luggage and even sunglasses that could have been salvaged if only I'd had some duct tape. A wet-dry bag is one of the most important things to bring on a cruise, especially if you’re looking forward to a dip on the last day aboard. Toss wet bathing suits into one of these bags and pack it in your suitcase without worrying about getting the rest of your clothes wet. These wet-dry bags are large enough for at least two adult-sized swimsuits.

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Take lots of zippered plastic bags in various sizes

Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Set sail in style with the Mission Essential Duffle Bag from Deux Mains, a handcrafted luxury goods brand sustainably made in Haiti that helps artisans earn a livable wage and health insurance. Yes, it’s made of leather, but it's sourced in small batches locally to reduce waste and carbon emissions, and the high quality is made to last.

Some Lines Let You Pack Non-Alcoholic Drinks; Take Advantage

T-shirts, shorts, tank tops, hoodies and long-sleeved T-shirts are a no-no for men in the evenings. The great thing about cruising is that the cruise lines are pretty lenient on what and how much you can bring. If you’re used to flying, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There are no real baggage limits (within reason) and things like liquids don’t have to be contained to three ounces. Whether you are hanging by the pool or don’t want to leave your valuables on the beach while taking a dip, a waterproof case is a must-have.

Alternatively, open up one suitcase under the bed and throw all your dirty clothes in there as you go. It might be cheaper or more convenient to pay for someone else to do your washing mid-cruise if it means you can avoid checking a bag. You don't want to be stranded in a foreign country with your only credit card deactivated because a scammer forced you to shut it down. Getting to the terminal is the most difficult part of going on a cruise. Being prepared with a few essentials will make the check-in process and the first few hours on the ship more pleasant.

I am preparing for a British Isles cruise in the fall: here's what I think I should pack - Cruise Blog

I am preparing for a British Isles cruise in the fall: here's what I think I should pack.

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While your stateroom will come stocked with premium bath amenities, you might want to bring travel-sized bottles of your preferred products, too. Apart from clothing, shoes, and accessories, you’ll want your stateroom bathroom and vanity well-stocked with all of your favorite personal hygiene products from home. A wristwatch is key, especially when cruising between time zones (so you won’t stress about missing the ship while out on an excursion), while an umbrella or poncho can help save a rainy day.

You can never entirely predict the weather where you are cruising. Even on a Caribbean cruise, you could encounter an afternoon rain storm or chilly dining rooms and theaters on board. Prioritize clothing you can layer, such as sweaters, lightweight vests and zip-up hoodies.

The hard shell will protect your luggage from the weather, and keep your clothing and other items dry. Since cruise passengers drop luggage off with the porters outside the cruise terminal, it is possible for rain and other weather to have an impact. You often have to walk quite a ways through customs and the cruise terminal, which can get exhausting with all that luggage.

things to pack for a cruise

The photos you'll enjoy most when you look back next year are the ones of your travel partners enjoying the trip. Take those, then spend your time soaking up the enchantment of this place. The news, the email correspondence and your Instagram followers can take a back seat until you're back home. An Alaska cruise is the ideal time to hit pause on your digital life. Sure, you want to capture the amazing scenery, but you know what?

One other bonus is that fans provide some nice white noise when you are trying to sleep. That can be especially helpful on a ship where noise in the hallway can creep into the cabin. Most notably, Carnival and Royal Caribbean allow you to bring your favorite drinks with you. Instead, if you have a favorite drink, it’s nice to be able to bring it with you so that you can enjoy it during your vacation. Different cruise lines have different rules, but the amount will either be one bottle per adult passenger or one bottle per cabin. A glass of wine can easily run $8-15, with gratuity added on.

Packing for a cruise is an art form, and everyone has their favorite cruise packing hacks. Cabins tend to be small, so it can be difficult to figure out where to put dirty clothes. A collapsible laundry hamper is a great way to keep clothes in one spot. Once the hamper is full, I refold the clothes and put them in my suitcase. Because most of the walls in cabins are magnetic, many cruise lines allow travelers to use magnetic hooks.

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