Cruises are popular because they offer a variety of activities on a single trip. Not only do cruise ships have everything from water parks to 5-star dining restaurants, they also stop at several locations around the world.
The many activities can lead to confusion about the things to pack for a cruise.
Are you unsure about what to pack for a cruise so that you don’t miss out on any of the fun activities that will be offered? Then read on for our ultimate cruise packing list.
A Variety Of Clothes
When thinking of what to pack for a cruise the first consideration should be clothes for each occasion. Different types of cruises offer different activities so you should pack according to the type of cruise you are going for.
Still, you should pack a swimsuit and casual clothing for excursions and cruise ship activities, formal wear for black tie events. Also, take athletic clothes and shoes for adventure activities, sleepwear, underwear, and socks.
Motion Sickness Remedies
Many people get seasick when they get on a ship. Most of your cruise holiday will be on the sea, so add proven motion sickness remedies to your cruise checklist. This will ensure that you don’t spend the whole vacation feeling ill.
Some remedies have horrible side effects so look for those that have the best reviews and ratings. Also, remember to pack enough prescription medication to last your trip. Add over the counter medications like painkillers, hangover remedies, antacids, and hangover treatments.
Neck Wallet Pouch and Beach Bag
During your cruise, you will need to carry essential items like your cruise card for your room and beverages. A neck wallet pouch should be part of your cruise essentials.
Alternatively, a beach bag will come in handy for trips and visits to the beach. You may want to carry books, drinks, towels, etc. You will be very thankful to have carried a beach bag to contain these items.
Waterproof Phone Case and Underwater Camera
Some of the most popular things to do while cruising include activities such as water sports, snorkeling and scuba diving. You will want to capture these memories on your cell phone or an underwater camera. This is why you should include a waterproof phone case in the list of items on what to pack for a cruise.
Advances in technology have made it easy to find cheap waterproof phone cases online. If you can afford it, add an underwater camera so that you can take photos of all the underwater activities you will take part in.
Travel Umbrella
Unless you are extremely lucky, you will experience rain while visiting at least one of your cruise destinations. Prepare for this by including a waterproof umbrella when packing for a cruise.
Make sure that the umbrella is windproof as it always gets very windy when out at sea. Even if you don’t use your umbrella to hide from the rain, it will still come in handy on very sunny days. You can use it for protection against harmful UV rays.
Sunscreen, Mosquito Repellent, and Protective Clothing
Most cruise vacations take place in sunny locations so do not forget to pack sunscreen. UV rays have been linked to skin cancer. So sunscreen, visors, hats, sunglasses and protective clothing are items that must be in your suitcase when you go on a cruise.
Mosquito repellent should also be part of your cruise ship pack list. Many cruises take place in tropical locations where mosquitoes and other bugs lurk. Some of the mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria, so you must protect yourself against their bites.
Swimsuit Cover Up
If you don’t feel comfortable walking around in your swimsuit, consider packing a cover-up. These are exceptionally light kaftans or long tops that you can wear on top of your swimsuit.
They take up very little space in your suitcase so they are a must for your pack list. They make you feel decent enough to walk around the cruise ship or destination towns.
Waterproof Shoes
You will make many trips between the beach, ship, and town locations. This is why waterproof shoes are a useful item to add to your list of what to pack for a cruise. You can transition from snorkeling to walking on the beach to exploring a destination town and even dine at a restaurant without changing your shoes.
Normal shoes will get damaged by sand and salty water and you can’t wear flip flops for water spots. Comfortable mesh shoes are the perfect alternative.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
A hanging toiletry bag is useful on cruise vacations for several reasons. First, you can easily pack cosmetics and makeup in one place and prevent them from spilling on the rest of your belongings.
Secondly, it saves space in your cabin. Regular cruise ship rooms are quite small with little bathroom counter space. A hanging toiletry bag will save you a lot of vanity space.
Cash
Don’t forget to pack enough cash to cover tipping and the purchase of small items like street food and souvenirs. Local vendors will not always have machines to process your credit card or debit card payments. So you will need to pay for such items.
On top of this, you may need to tip waiters and other service providers that give you great customer service.
Powerbank and Universal Adaptor
It’s important to have a power bank or back up charger in case you can’t find an outlet to charge your equipment. This comes in handy for when you need your battery to take all your cruise pics.
Also, remember to carry a universal adaptor that will allow you to charge your equipment on any type of power outlet. If you must charge your equipment in a public area or use public Wi-Fi. Remember to install a VPN on your computer to prevent unauthorized access to your information.
Know What to Pack for a Cruise
Knowing what to pack for a cruise can save you a lot of frustration. Make sure you write down a checklist so you don’t end up leaving anything.
For more travel tips, read the rest of our blog.