First Cruise Packing Tips

The packing tips for a cruise are probably the most important of all the cruise help articles, and essential first cruise tips for beginners. Good tips for going on a cruise may save you time, and a lot of unpleasant surprises.

Generally, the passenger cruise ship travel is about best deals by cheapest fares, cruise ships lines ratings, and issues, like best cabins, family cabins, dining options, entertainment, etc. However, the sea voyage often is an air land and sea travel adventure, therefore LIGHT PACKING is another essential issue for your best  ship vacation experiences. After all, it's a ship vacation, not an appointment for a fashion show, nor a survivor challenge.

Suitcase Packing Tips for a Cruise Travel

• Prepare and follow a list of what you are going to take along your trip.
• Check if the airfare is included in the cruise price. Cruise lines usually offer both with the savings being passed on.
• When arriving at the embarkation port by air, check the airline restrictions (luggage size and weight policies).
• Buy a durable hard-side suitcase, with built-in locks; a backpack for the shore excursions. Label each piece of luggage with name and phone number.
• Use money belt for items of crucial importance (documents, money, valuables, all the keys).
• Pack heavy items (shoes, toiletries, chargers, etc.) at the bottom of your suitcase.
• Don't pack beach towels (they are provided on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore).
• Don't bring bottled water (the tap water on board the cruise ships is drinkable).
• You could use the cruise ship's laundry service, thus reducing the size of your luggage.
• Have a supply of one-, five- or ten-dollar bills for tipping.
• Don't pack photo films or memory cards in checked luggage due to the airport screening procedure - put them in the carry-on.
• Before leaving home, turn off the telephone ringers and set up the answer-machine. Or simply turn off the phone.
• Request an "Authorization To Hold Mail" card from the post office (you can retrieve your mail after your cruise vacation).
• An anti-thieves advise: don't bring expensive jewelry on your ship cruise vacation, especially on the shore excursions.
• Store your valuables in the ship purser's safe rather than in the cabin safe.
• Bring a duck tape roll (for emergency luggage repairs, marking your luggage at the terminals, etc.).
• Take the binoculars with you when touring museums, cathedrals and other historical buildings for better examination of their details and elements.
• Liquor must be placed in the checked bag.
• Sunglasses with full UV protection, sanitizing wipes with active ingredients beyond just alcohol, skin protection lotions (sun is also reflected off the water - on boat trips and shore excursions, at beaches; use sunblocks with high UV and AB protection ratings).

Cruise Clothing Packing List and Tips

• Examine the dress code policy of your cruise line. Some cruise itineraries are more casual (Caribbean, for example), some are more or less formal and strict (like Europe).
• The ship vacation is just like any resort-based vacation, so pack casual, comfortable, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying clothes (lightweight microfiber, preferably dark colored), swimsuits and workout outfits (for pools, saunas, health clubs, etc.)
• According to the kind of shore excursions you may take, pack appropriate accessories (like hiking boots, rain gear, fleece jackets, snorkel gear, etc.)
• Plastic zip-lock bags for dirty/ wet clothes, an empty soft bag for souvenirs.

Cruise Checklist Packing Electronics

• portable computer (reading materials, maps, guides, media, etc.). Most cruise ships now feature Wi-Fi connections.
• cell phone/ charger (it can be used as alarm-clock)
• camera/ camcorder (memory card(s), spare batteries/ charger)
• media player/ radio (headphones)- small flashlight, binoculars
• power strip (an extension cord) for low-wattage items to cover all the places in the cabin (on most ships the smaller cabins have only 1 power outlet in the cabin and 1 in the lavatory)
• bringing a plug-in surge arrester is also advisable concerning personal electronics.

Considering the issue of packing for a cruise vacation, don't forget the "accretion effect" of all trips: it's always more weight on the way back home. Well, may be not more body weight (though the marvelous cuisine on the ship would be a serious factor toward this one), but surely there will be more baggage weight in terms of duty-free shopping, souvenirs, new clothes, etc.

Closely Related Articles

• First Cruise Packing for Men.
• First Cruise Packing Tips for Women.
• Packing Checklist for a Cruise.
• Cruise Packing Lists (for Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean).

Have a good time packing, and enjoy your best ship vacation! Good luck!