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While most cruise lines are essentially cash-free these days and will even place crew gratuities on your credit card, there are some instances when you’ll need cash. Plus, we’ll provide some guidance on a handful of items that are better left at home, either for safety and policy reasons, or because they simply waste precious space in your suitcase. For easy transitions from water to land, purchase products made from durable, quick-drying materials. Passport or Birth CertificateWhere your cruise sails from and where you’re headed determines what you’ll need to bring in terms of identification and even visas. We recommend checking to see which documentation you need by clicking here, if you’re a U.S. citizen, and here if you’re a citizen of another country. The Right Mix of ShoesYou’ll want to toss some sneakers into your bag if you’re interested in doing things on board like playing laser tag, jumping on the zip line or hitting the Sports Court.
Pack dryer sheets to keep clothing smelling fresh
For water sports like kayaking, consider a dry bag to stow your camera gear, smartphone and wallet and prevent them from getting wet. Waterproof cases for your cellphone and camera are also useful, as well as "beach wallets" that let you go into the water with your credit cards and cash on your person. It's easy to fill a carry-on with footwear alone when packing for a cruise.
What to Pack for a Cruise (2024) - Condé Nast Traveler
What to Pack for a Cruise ( .
Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Place socks, scarves and small items in shoes and handbags
There are cruises that go to almost every corner of the globe. No matter where you’re going, get ready to pack your bags, hop on board, and set sail. This is a growing category that I have added to my packing list. With more and more apps, I have to give more thought to what I need to have on my phone for travel, what I consider e-packing. Royal Caribbean ships have standard plugs, and most Caribbean ports have the same electrical outlets as those in the United States. However, for your pre-and post stay for international cruises, you may require adaptors and converters.
Make Your Luggage Stand Out

If you can carry it with you to your cabin, you are welcome to take it aboard. Still, many people choose to check larger or heavier bags instead of carrying those by themselves. These bags are then delivered to your room later in the afternoon or evening.
The cruise line will send you designated luggage tags, too; add those onto your luggage before embarking the ship. Tuck away your driver’s license, too (as well as an international driver’s license if you plan on renting a car abroad). Foreign travel also means having a passport on hand that’s stamped with any visas, if necessary. Once you get the luggage unloaded, you’ll want some smaller bags on hand for the many adventures that await during the course of your cruise. Sandals and flip-flops are must-haves for pool and beach days, while more elegant shoes are de rigueur for fancier evening dinners on board.
We like that the one shown here only costs around $7 for a bottle. One of our pastimes on the ship is to watch people struggle with laying their towel on their beach chair. With the ship constantly in motion, there is almost always a breeze on deck. So while you’re trying to relax, the corners of the towel are whipping up and down. We like to call the day after the first day at sea “Lobster Day.” That’s because many people spent the first day getting too much sun and look like a bunch of lobsters walking around the ship.
Cruise Cabin Night Light
Our checklist of things to pack for a cruise is completely free. While we cover all the items in detail below, you can click the image (or click this link) to download the printable PDF. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Although you'll find hand sanitizer stations throughout your cruise ship, you'll still want to pack your own. We’ve focused on what you need to pack for a cruise… but there are many things you don’t need to bring.
Open Edit Strappy Midi Dress
It’s much easier to prevent a sunburn than it is to deal with one. Don’t forget magnets.You can use them to hang your lanyards, hats, sunglasses, notes/activities, excursion tickets, door decorations, etc. One idea to bear in mind is that to minimize the number of clothes you take, your aim should be to create a capsule wardrobe with key pieces that can be worn with each other. I even took it with me on a recent trip to England and it kept me really warm. You can choose from lots of different colors and it’s reasonably enough priced so you can have different colors. One of the best things I have bought for any kind of travel is this Large Soft Cashmere Silky Pashmina Solid Shawl Wrap.

Most of Royal Caribbean’s ships sailing to these cooler destinations have a covered Solarium with a heated pool. If you’re cruising somewhere cool, consider packing a long sleeve swimsuit to keep warm. If you’re going on a cruise, it’s essential to pack a portable phone charger, especially if you’re sailing on an older ship with limited outlets and plugins. Older ships might only have one or two outlets in each stateroom - and they likely won’t be near your bed. 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. Now that you know what to put on your cruise packing list, you'll also want to know what to leave out.
To keep other items like wallets, cell phones, sunglasses and water bottles organized and always at the ready, bring along an over-door shoe organizer with clear pockets. Chances are, you’ll enjoy every day of your cruise in perfect health, but it’s good to be prepared for small ailments that might pop up like a scratchy throat, a headache or a blister. I recommend that women wear a bathing suit cover up that looks like a sundress, or actually IS a sundress, when going on shore excursions. You may be going to the beach, but there may be other stops along the way and you’ll want to look like your dressed. Although many cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises have their own drink’s package some also allow you to bring a limited amount of bottles of wine and other soft drinks onboard. Always check the policy of the cruise line with whom you are sailing.
It’s still buttery soft, but fits more like a jacket without the draping of the women’s design. Another option is an adapter that plugs into a European outlet, adapting it to a 110-volt U.S. standard outlet. That allows you to use both the European and U.S. outlets in your cabin. Hang the toiletry bag outside the bathroom — it makes sharing the already-cramped bathroom easier.
Even if you do opt for a drink package, you’ll still be reaching for these babies the morning after a bit of alcoholic overindulgence. Shoe bags prevent sand or dirt from getting on your clothes and other belongings. I don't know about you, but my flip-flops and water shoes do not belong next to my snorkel or my water bottle. When your bags arrive, pull out each cube, unzip, fold the top underneath the filled bottom portion of the cube and place the entire thing in a drawer without unpacking it. Use as many as you need to organize each person's things the way you would want them organized in the cruise cabin's drawers.
You may even want to make a DIY wet bag and put wet bathing suits in large ziplocks after a beach excursion. Use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space and keep your belongings organized. The hard shell will protect your luggage from the weather, and keep your clothing and other items dry. After you complete your cruise online check-in and fill in health questionnaires, it’s a good idea to print out your travel documents.
For example, in Rome, there is no access to the Vatican or St. Peter’s Basilica with exposed shoulders or knees. If you are bringing on wine or champagne, this will also need to be packed in your carry-on. Planning ahead can be a great time-saver, as no one wants to use valuable vacation time doing detours while in port in a search for a forgotten item. Or missing out on a great activity, such as a galley tour, because you don't have closed toe shoes.
This bag’s sole purpose is to carry all of your essentials for each destination, and maybe haul a few souvenirs back from port. It should be able to fit a water bottle, extra jacket, towel, and other useful items, but also light enough that it doesn’t weigh you down during a day of sightseeing. While every cruise is different, and every itinerary has its own packing requirements, there are a few items that I find myself always tossing in my bag regardless of where I’m headed. From versatile travel bags and waterproof apparel to game-changing gadgets and toiletries, these are the 15 must-have things you'll always find on this avid traveler's cruise packing list. There are a few more odds and ends to help ensure that your cruise packing list is seamless.
Comes in convenient portable packages that you can quickly throw into your day bag before heading ashore. You may even find yourself wanting to leave a tip for a great bartender onboard, as well as for your cabin steward on the final evening of the cruise. If you are a light sleeper, you will benefit from bringing earplugs onboard to help drown out any noises that may awaken you, like the thumping of the nightclub, chatter from next door, etc. Most cruise lines prohibit standard power strips, as they pose a risk of starting a fire if too many devices are plugged in.
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