If you’re new to cruising, you may be wondering what essentials should be on your packing list which might be different from a land based holiday. Although the days of carrying a steamer trunk may be long gone, for the majority of cruise guests today travelling light is essential - especially if your flying somewhere to join your ship. With this in mind, here’s a list of items to consider for every cruise.
A Sweater Or Light Jacket
Even if it’s 30 degrees on land, things can cool down once you are out on the high seas, especially at night, or if windy or bad weather should arise. An extra layer can also come in handy when you are exploring ashore; on a cool morning ahead of a shore excursion departure, or when arriving back at the ship late at night. Extra layers are essential at some cruise destinations, typically Alaska, where the weather can be changeable, and have you slipping out of your bathers into jeans and a sweater quickly.
Sun Protection
A hat and sunglasses are essential wherever you cruise, with a hat offering warmth too if it’s cold. Sunscreen is often something cruisers forget to pack, especially if they’re not heading to the tropics, but in some parts of the world, such as Australia, the sun an be strong even in winter, so plan to take a broad spectrum sunscreen for everyday use, with an SPF30 factor or higher.
Your Camera
With the introduction of cameras on smart phones and tablets, some people don’t always think to travel with a traditional camera anymore. They can be much more versatile and durable on a cruise, however, with some of the benefits including a larger memory, more functions for creatives, and more battery power. Remember to pack spare batteries, especially if you go on long excursions or have overnight stays in port, a charger, and extra memory if you’re not planning to download your creations along the way.
Medications
Make sure you have enough to cover the entire cruise, and extra for few more days in case of any delays and mishaps, as this will save on a trip to a ship’s doctor. Also carry copies of essential prescriptions with you in case. If you use over-the-counter medicines regularly, such as antihistamines, or need seasickness remedies, take a good supply to cover your trip. A basic medical kit is also worth considering, with items such as over-the-counter pain killers, band aids, and an antiseptic cream, as they can be expensive to buy on board, and there won’t be much choice. Buying medical supplies ashore can also be tricky, especially if visiting a foreign country, or remote destination.
Documentation
Well before you leave home, gather all important documents for everyone travelling in your party including passports, cruise tickets, airline tickets, cruise luggage labels, credit cards, travel insurance documentation, and anything else which you may need. And make copies to take with you, just in case.
Your Favourite Toiletries
Although many ships provide basic toiletries such as soap, shampoo and conditioner, they’re not always the best of quality. If you have particular needs such as a shampoo for oily hair, or gentle body wash for your skin, take your own. The same applies to other essentials such as toothpaste, shaving cream and skin care products; ships sell them on board, but they can be more expensive than those you buy on land, and there won’t be much choice in brands.
Reading Materials
If you’re not picky when it comes to books, you may be able to find something in the ship’s library if it has one. If you’re an avid reader, however, it’s best take your own. Also many ships do not offer much in the way of magazines, so is where an iPad, Kindle or another e-book reader can be handy, giving you a choice of many titles to peruse.
Entertainment
It’s not essential for everyone, but many people enjoy travelling with an iPod and a portable speaker to use in their stateroom. If you’re travelling with a laptop, and on a longer cruise, or a cruise with many sea days, you can also consider taking a selection of DVDs of movies or your favourite TV shows. While some ships have DVD libraries, and television programs on offer in staterooms, the selection available may be limited, or only pay-per-view.
Clothing and Accessories
Swimwear is a necessity for most cruises, as many ships have indoor or covered pools, and jacuzzis, which can be used in cooler or inclement weather. Today’s cruise ship spas also have facilities such as thermal pools and saunas where you will need to wear a bathing suit. Also important for any cruise is a good pair of comfortable, casual shoes which are good for walking on deck as the surface can be slippery when wet.
Formal Attire And Theme Nights
Many ships still have formal nights, which will require black tie outfits if you wish to dine in the main dining room or use the main bars. This means a dark suit and tie or tuxedo for men, and at least a cocktail dress for women. A rough guide is two formal nights per week of cruising, although rules vary per cruise line. Some cruises may also have theme nights, which can involve dressing up as pirates, or wearing Hawaiian shirts or country ‘n’ western gear.
Other Items To Consider
- A day pack can be useful when you exploring ashore, to carry water, a camera and other essentials.
- An umbrella is essential on some cruises such as in Alaska and Northern Europe, and where they’re not provided in your stateroom.
- A microfibre towel can come in handy for cruises involving beach visits and swimming ashore, where towels are not provided or allowed off the ship.
- A portable coffee mug suits people who like to make a brew and carry their coffee around the ship.
- A water bottle can be useful too for going ashore, or if you’re spending a lot of your time on deck.
- A power adaptor can be invaluable if you are travelling with many electrical items which need power and charging. Just check the type of sockets used on the ship.
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