Our Guide To Making A Cruise Packing List

It can be difficult to know exactly what to bring on a cruise, making packing a challenge, especially for first-timers. When you’re out in the middle of the ocean, you can’t just run to the convenance store to pick up an item you forgot.

Before you start planning your wardrobe you should visit your cruise company’s web site and find out what their dress code is.

To start you need to make a cruise packing list that takes into account the cruise line’s day and evening dress regulations, the activities you’ll be participating in both at sea and in port, the equipment you’ll need for getting there and making your cabin more comfortable, and the basics you’ll need for everyday life and emergencies.

We’ve compiled a list of the absolute must-haves for any cruise vacation. Get ready for everything on your next cruise by following our comprehensive packing suggestions.

Daytime clothing

When preparing for a cruise start with the fundamentals, like what you’ll want to wear each day.

During the daytime hours on all cruise lines, and especially on the larger ships, casual attire is customary. But casual daywear on a more affluent or luxury cruise ship will tend to be more upscale and sophisticated, so you may feel out of place in that funny tee.

In addition, what you bring should depend, in large part, on where you’re cruising and the expected weather. You’ll want to pack light beachwear for a cruise to the Caribbean, but probably hiking gear and heavy layers for Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Pack clothing that covers the shoulders and knees if you’re going to be visiting holy places in Europe, the Middle East or Asia.

You should always pack a pocket rain parka regardless of where you’re cruising, along with maybe packing a light jacket for that Caribbean cruise or a short-sleeve top for that Alaska trip, just in case the weather turns out to be unexpectedly rainy, hot, or cold.

Evening clothing

Carnival Cruise Line usually doesn’t require passengers to dress for dinner but may not allow shorts, cut-offs or tees in the Dining room. Several cruise lines do still require passengers to adhere to rigorous dress requirements for the dining room. For cruises on those ships, you’ll need to add a nice dress and sport jacket to that packing list.

Today you’ll often find recommended evening attire described as resort casual, elegant sheik or sophisticated formal with these phrases being specifically selected to allow for a range of individual interpretations. What you need to do is simply apply some common sense to your selection. While some cruise companies do allow jeans in the evening you should still dress them up with nice tops and stylish shoes.

Even if cocktail dresses, suits, ties, and jackets are required for the dining room, if you’d rather not dress up for dinner, you can still dine at the buffet, or head to one of the ships more casual venues. You still may discover that on formal nights, certain cruises will prohibit guests who are not appropriately attired from dining is some restaurants and shows.

Shoes

Footwear can take up a lot of the space in your luggage so you need to limit them to necessary choices only. Pack tennis shoes for casual wear and going ashore, flip-flops for the pool and beach, and your nice shoes for the evening. If you have to ladies, bring just one pair of heels by coordinating them with selected outfits. For some people and cruises, hiking boots, water shoes, or sandals may be a necessity but still question how important are they? Look for shoes that can do double duty. Select tennis shoes or comfortable slip-ons that can be worn for travel as well as casual days on board or for walking tours. Ladies, an upscale pair of flats can be worn both throughout the day on board as well as with a sheik outfit at night.

Toiletries and medicine

Soap and shampoo are standard amenities on almost all cruise ships, and conditioner and body lotion should also be available but you may have to ask your cabin steward. Again is packing these items a necessity? If you’re concerned bringing your own toiletries is an option the safest option but getting them in travel sizes is recommended.

Sunscreen is an important item on a cruise and bug spray is essential for some itineraries – think mosquitos.

Odds n’ Ends

One item we always recommend is a small, packable, lightweight backpack for going ashore. Take ashore things like a light weight rain poncho, water and leave extra room for shopping discoveries.

We also recommend a small, motion activated night light and temporary hooks for the cabin. Also carry extra needed batteries, a charger, OTC meds and a pocket first aid kit.

Happy Cruising!

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