Ahoy there! So you have decided to sail through destinations as your leisure holiday and wondering how to pack for a cruise vacation? Isn’t it overwhelming when you have to write down items on Post-it notes as they come to you and then worry about losing them? Don’t worry! We have put together a list of the most essential things to carry for your cruise vacation so that you don’t have to rack your brains and waste your time on it. Here’s what you would need for your cruise trip.
Inside your carry-on bag
The main documents you should always carry with you all time while boarding and deboarding the cruise are :
- Passports, IDs, vaccination cards, and visas along with copies.
- Cruise tickets, cruise itinerary and other important documents for the cruise
- Hotel information in case of stays on shore.
- Keys.
- Emergency numbers
Make sure you have easy access to these first thing.
Apart from that you would need to pack the following:
- Wallet, Currency and International Banking cards.
- Travel Insurance
- Medication such as antacids, painkillers or prescription-based medications,
- Sea sickness patches or bands
- Portable water bottles
- Camera
- Laptop/Tablet chargers
- Portable chargers
- Headphones
- Waterproof phone case
- Basic First-aid kits
- Vitamin Supplements/Hydration packets
- Non-perishable snacks and healthy treats
- E-reader/books
- A change of clothes
- Universal Travel Adapters
- Travel guide book
You must be wondering why a carry-on bag has so many items. It might take some time while you board a cruise ship to get settled for your baggage check-in process to finish and for your bags transported to your cabins. So, in the meantime, you can stash whatever you require on the cruise in this carry-on bag.
His and Her Clothing Packing List
Are you confused about what to wear on a cruise? While you might have several options to choose from, don’t overwhelm yourself and overpack for your cruise holiday. Rely on this basic checklist to make sure you carry all essential items of clothing for a comfortable cruise holiday.
For Men:
- A sleek suit( in case of a formal events)
- Swimwear, swim goggles
- Gym wear and sneakers
- Airy T-shirts, shorts, casual shirts.
- Coats, thermal wear and sweatshirts(for cold destinations)
- Comfortable pyjamas for a good night’s sleep
- Innerwear, belts and socks
- Casual, modest clothes in case you plan on visiting cultural sites or religious places during offshore excursions.
- Dental care kit, Shaving supplies
For Women:
- Evening gowns and stylish sandals (in case of formal dinners)
- Thick clothes, jackets or thermals or loose, airy tops, shorts, capris and dresses depending upon where you are cruising
- Innerwear and socks/stockings
- Dresses or loungewear onboard the cruise
- Jeans for excursions in warm destinations.
- Swimwear with cover-up
- Gym wear
- Layered clothing such as stoles, scarves and cardigans.
- Winterwear in case of cruises to Alaska or Northern European destinations.
- Nightdress for your slumber
- Casual, modest attire in case you plan on visiting cultural sites or religious places during offshore excursions.
- Stylish clutch or handbag
- Travel jewellery organizer and cosmetic bag with makeup in travel-size containers
- Dental and grooming care kit, feminine hygiene products
Try packing light using methods like 5-4-3-2-1 or capsule wardrobe to make your luggage less bulky. Mix and match your attire during casual days. Your clothing checklist also depends on the weather of the destinations you visit and the duration of your cruise vacation.
Accessories
- Sunglasses, hats and sunscreen for Asian, Middle Eastern Mediterranean, and Caribbean cruise destinations.
- Gloves and warm headgear (for cold destinations)
- Comfortable, walking shoes and formal shoes(in case of formal events)
- Flipflops to use near pools and wet areas
- Light jacket to use as layers for cooler areas or airconditioned areas on the cruise.
For Kids
- Ginger candies to deal with sea sickness
- Snack bars
- Swimsuit and coverups
- Diapers/Swim Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Toys stuffed animals and games/video games
- Bug sprays or Insect Repellent
- Night laps for additional brightness during the nights
Toiletries
- Laundry kit with Stain removal pens, laundry bag and detergent
- Hand sanitisers
- Travel-size Sunscreen, Moisturisers, shampoo, body wash and chapsticks
- Wet wipes
- Perfumes and deodorants
- Disposable toilet seat covers
- Beach towels
Other Essentials
- Magnetic hooks for extra storage.
- Lanyards and baggage tags for cruise cards
- Laundry bag to keep used clothes separate from clean clothes
- Potpourri if you want to give your cabin a personal touch of fragrance
- Extension cords
- Ziplock bags for waterproof storage
- Pack Aloe vera gel if you are in warm destinations and want to soothe a sunburn.
- Travel aids such as travel pillows, sleeping masks, and earplugs can add extra ease in case you have a long journey back home after your cruise.
- Sticky notes, pens and highlighters come in handy to leave notes for the crew or highlight certain things on your cruise plan, itineraries or documents.
Tips:
- Make your packing list early to avoid last-minute rushes. Label your bags for easy access.
- Even though you are packing for a cruise vacation, think as if you are packing for a stay in a resort. Apart from a few changes, the basics of packing remain the same. Just consider the destinations’ overall weather, port of call and onshore excursion climate and pack accordingly.
- Don’t try to break into new shoes, not just on cruise vacation but on any vacation. Strolling with blisters on your feet is not a fun way of enjoying a vacation.
- Use packing cubes to categorize and organize your items for better access. Use compression bags to pack bulky items such as winter coats etc. Use electronics organizers to keep cables and chargers organized properly. Add a collapsible carry bag to store items you purchase on shopping trips.
- Make sure you carry hard copies of all important documents, cruise itinerary and emergency numbers. Though downloading and accessing through your digital devices is easy, it is always a good option to have a backup in the old-fashioned way in case something happens to your electronic devices. With cruise ship packages, you do not have to worry about keeping in mind several reservations. Hence, you might be required to print out just a handful of documents.
- Keep your cruise packing checklist with your documents so that you don’t misplace items or leave anything behind after your cruise holiday is completed.
Every traveller is unique and their needs are also diverse. Your cruise packing list also will need changes depending upon the destinations you are cruising to, how many days you will be spending away and what activities you will partake in during your cruise vacation. This checklist covers all the important aspects needed for a smooth sailing experience on beautiful journeys. But it isn’t concrete. Feel free to tweak this cruise packing checklist to add items and tasks as per your wish. It can be frustrating to return home at the end of the journey and realize you forgot something important back on the cruise. So, take a print of this checklist or save it on your digital device. Add two columns of checkboxes alongside each item so that you can use the same list to pack your bags easily once your cruise holiday is finished.
