PACKING FOR YOUR CRUISE

Everyone – yes, everyone packs too much the first time they cruise.  I know I did; however, over the years I have learned and now pack a little smarter.  Let me give you a few tips.

 

What do you NEED to bring?

 The answer to this depends on what you're planning to do while on vacation. 

 If all you plan to do is lay by the pool, drink and eat at the buffet, then you don't need to bring much more than a bathing suit or two, flip-flops and a cover-up. 

 Personally, I don't suggest this because you'll miss out on a lot of fun stuff.

 Packing for the men is pretty easy … nice slacks and a collared shirt for the evening, shorts and comfortable shirts for the day and a bathing suit (with a shirt) for by the pool.

 Packing for the ladies is a little harder, but it doesn't have to be.  Remember, you're on a vacation but at a resort that had limited closet and storage space.  Plus, if you're flying to the port you have a weight limitation.  Keeping all that in mind, let's look at what you will need.

 If you're going to go ashore (whether taking a paid excursion or being an independent) you will need a good pair of walking shoes.  Many of the places have a long pier you have to trek down in order to reach the actual land.  It's normally made of concrete and it's darned hot.  Those cute little sandals look and feel great when you start out, but by the middle of the day your feet will be begging you for mercy because they really are not made for all the kind of walking you will be doing.

 

If you're planning to eat dinner in one of the dining rooms, either the complimentary or the alternative (you pay extra for the privilege of dining in the alternatives), you will need something dressier.  I don't suggest bringing those 3 inch (or higher) heels.  You are on a ship.  It isn't always the steadiest environment.  It depends on how fast the ship is going and on the weather.  Yes, they make your legs look so good, but when you sprain or break something because the weather and wave action made the ship lurch, you'll have to take them off anyway.  I learned this the hard way.  Now I bring flats or shoes with lower heels.

 If you coordinate your outfits you'll only need one pair of shoes for the evening…depending on how long the cruise is.  Keep in mind you can get 2 pair of flats in the same space it takes to pack one pair of those stilettos. 

 If you plan to walk on the outdoor promenade (before or after dinner) you might reconsider that lovely outfit that has the full skirt.  It's a lovely time of day to be outside.  The moon and stars are shining brightly on the water.  Very romantic, except you'll be spending all your time trying to keep your skirt from blowing over your head and won't have much time to think of romance.  Trust me, bring along straight skirts or dressy slacks.  The wind can be quite … well, windy.  (A side note – the wind can really mess up the hairdo you spent so much time on too.)   

A plus side of packing those spandex pants is they don't wrinkle and they take up so little space in the suitcase – leaving some room for the trinkets you'll pick up along the way.

During the days in port you will want to wear comfortable clothing.  Keep in mind when you are in a foreign country you have to follow their local rules….for instance, if you plan on visiting a church while on tour you might not be allowed inside if 1) your head isn't covered (ladies need to bring a small scarf just in case) or 2) you don't have on long pants or a skirt (both men and women).  Check with your tour director before booking so you are prepared.  Short shorts are a no-no almost everywhere – except at the beach.

 I suggest bringing a shirt for each day on ship as well as a pair of walking shorts or pants for every 2 days on the ship.  No one will notice if you wear the same pair of shorts or pants twice.

 

What DON'T you need to bring?

 -     Towels

I never thought about bringing towels, but recently when I was talking with a first time cruiser I was asked how many suitcases he could bring.  I asked him why he would  need more than one or two; the response was he needed at least one to carry all the towels for the week as he never used a towel more than once.

 

The cruise line supplies all the towels you will need. 

You have a set in the bathroom when you arrive.  If you choose to use them more than once, fold them and leave them on the towel racks.  If you want fresh ones, put them on the floor or the counter and the cabin steward knows you want then replaced.  These towels are normally white.

When you go to the pool area, don't take towels from your cabin.  There are all the towels you could possible need in the pool area.  These towels are usually a dark blue.

When you are going ashore to a planned water activity, your cabin steward will leave you a colored towel to take with you.  This one you have to bring back yourself.  Sometimes there is a member of the crew that collects them from you and carries them back to the ship.

      

-     Bottled Water

I bring one (1) bottle on board with me; however, you do not need to bring a case of water with you.  Yes, if you purchase it onboard it could be costly, BUT the water on the ship is good water.  Fill your bottle or container from the dispenser on the buffet deck OR simply fill it from the water faucet in your cabin. 

-     Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap

The ship provides bar soap at the sink and there is normally a dispenser for shampoo,  conditioner and body soap in the shower.  These work wonderfully well.

The only time I would bring my own shampoo is if I NEEDED to use something special.

 -     Pillows, Sheets and Blankets

 If you can't sleep unless you have your own pillow, then by all means, bring the pillow.   However, the pillows provided are usually pretty darn good.  As to sheets and blankets ...you don't need them.

 -     Hair dryer

Every cabin on every ship I have been on over the past 10 years has had a good hair dryer.  One time it didn't work but within minutes the cabin steward had a replacement for me.

 -     Alarm Clock

This one is tricky.  When I travel, I always bring one.  I'm anal about getting up on time and am ALWAYS afraid I'll oversleep – BUT I have found the Wake Up Call feature on the phone in the cabin works very well.

 -     Handbags

Ladies, a ship is not a place where you carry your suitcase sized handbag around.  You don't use money on board.  You don't use credit cards on board.  So leave it at home.                                   

Bring something small you can hang around your neck or if you must, across your body, to carry your ship card, tissues, lip gloss or chapstick and your sun glasses.

If you do bring your handbag on board, take your keys, wallet and cell phone out of the  bag and put them in the safe in your cabin.  You won't need them for the duration of the cruise.

 

When packing keep in mind you are going to a resort, not camping out in the wilderness. 

The ship will have most of what you need.  This doesn't mean you can't take something, it just means you don't HAVE to pack EVERYTHING.

 

I've learned to pack very simply and not to worry if I've forgotten something.  Try to do the same.

 

Happy Cruising!