What Essentials to pack for a Cruise

Once you have been on a cruise, you generally learn from your mistakes and know what to pack and what to leave behind, but for your first cruise here are a few guidelines.

Pack plenty of clothes for all types of weather. A sea breeze can make those Caribbean temperatures appear quite cool at night. I remember crossing the Equator off the coast of Ecuador on a cruise around South America and could not believe the daytime high barely reached 60F due to cold ocean currents and a strong wind. On the same cruise a couple of days later, walking around a dusty Colombian town required loose cotton clothing and a sun hat and glasses, so be prepared for all temperatures. Cruises all have formal evenings so take a cocktail dress for ladies and a lounge suit or tux for men and enjoy the occasion. The Captain’s cocktail party, Gala dinner and people watching afterwards is all part of the fun, even if you are not used to it, so don’t miss out because you haven’t packed the right attire.

Three things I always pack are wire coat hangers, a highlighter pen and a plug-in night light. Your steward will provide extra coat hangers, but it means waiting for him to produce them before you unpack. Better take your own extra hangars and unpack at speed so you can get out and orientate yourself with the ship. Cabins at sea are pitch black at night and there are hundreds of obstacles between the bed and the bathroom. A plug-in nightlight gives a soft glow and avoids many bruises! Your highlighter pen means you can read through the daily program of events which is delivered to your cabin each evening and quickly mark the things you want to do for reference later. A sealable cup, such as you might carry in the car is another good idea. Coffee and soft drinks are available in the cafeteria 24/7 so you can fill up your cup on your way to your favorite sunbathing stop and save a fortune on bar drinks without having to leave your chair.

Your cabin space is very compact, so use flat suitcases rather than soft bags for your luggage. These will slide under the bed for storage after unpacking. Larger bags can be given to your steward and stored in the ship’s hold. Above all get onboard and enjoy your cruise. As long as you have packed your passport you can always buy what you have forgotten at the next port of call!

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