Packing For A Cruise

Sorry it’s been awhile since I last posted, but this is “wave” season after all! A very busy time of year if you are in the travel industry. Booking last minute travel, processing final payments for those spring vacations coming up and getting travel documents or tickets out to those traveling in the next month. At this time of year, I also get many calls and emails regarding travel questions. Among the top of the inquiries is, “Help! What should I pack for my cruise?”

Since this seems to be a popular question and as I am starting to think about what I want to pack on my upcoming cruise on the Celebrity Summit, I thought I would take the time to post with some tips.

Now, I don’t profess to be an expert at packing, but after years of traveling (and specifically for cruises) I’m much better than I used to be. But, my husband doesn’t call me Imelda for nothing! I have such a hard time narrowing down my selections. I like to dress up and want to make sure I have enough choices along. My husband, on the other hand, likes to tell me (repeatedly), “Travel light, travel right!” If I was backpacking in Europe I might subscribe to that philosophy, but on a cruise that just doesn’t work for me. So over the years, I have found what I feel is a “happy medium.”

I’m not going to give a list of the specific items and the specific number of items needed for you to pack. I’ve seen those, and while they may work as a guide, I’ve never followed them to a “t.” What I am going to do is give you my tips!

Amy’s Tips For Less Stressful Cruise Vacation Packing

1.) Buy Downey Wrinkle Releaser Spray. Irons are not allowed in your stateroom. Some cruise lines do have self-service laundry areas. But, take it from me, the wrinkle releaser spray will save you time. Who wants to iron on their vacation? (I don’t even want to iron at home!)

2.) Buy Large ziploc bags. I know, you’re wondering where I’m going with this, but just hold tight.

3.) Plan your evening attire first. For example, on a 7 night cruise, the typical number of formal nights is 2. Start with formal wear. For men, a dark suit or tuxedo. Just bring one and then a change of shirt, tie and cumberbund. For women, 2 cocktail dresses, formal gowns or very dressy pant suits. The rest of the evenings are either smart casual, resort casual or elegant casual (different terms are used for differen lines.) For men, there is little variety. You will see either dress slacks, shirt and tie, or khaki pants with polos, or “Tommy Bahama” type shirts. For women, sundresses, skirts and tops/blouses, dress slacks and even nice capris are common.

*Hints: To save room, plan on wearing a “bottom” twice. For example, black dress slacks/skirt or khakis for men. Pick a neutral bottom to wear maybe your first and last evening, with two different tops to change the look. Also, if you stay with a color theme (something with black in it for most or all outfits) you will not require as many shoes. (It pains me to say that!)

4.) Daytime wear. To me, this is the more complicated part. First, you really need to know what your plans are for your port days. If you have plans to snorkel, scuba dive or beach it every day that you are in port, well, guess what your main attire is going to be? Swim suits and coverups. If you’d rather be shopping, or sight-seeing or golfing (the list goes on) well then that’s another story. For most cruisers to warm weather destinations (Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii) a combination of activities is attractive. Plan on bringing at least 2-3 swimming suits (hey, they don’t take up a lot of room!) and coverups or shorts and tanks to go over. If you are in town shopping, but may go to a beach after, wear a nicer coverup (sundress) over your swimming suit. For sight-seeing tours, nice shorts and t-shirts are perfectly fine. Keep in mind that some tours are more active than others.
If your tour includes hiking or a lot of walking, wear the appropriate shoes (athletic shoes or sandals; not flip flops.)
For Sea Days, again it will depend on what you like to do. If you are a newbie to cruising, you’ll most likely want to try and fit in as much of the activities onboard as possible. Whereas those veteran cruisers, may just be chillin’ by the pool all day.

Hint: I would say that the items of clothing that people tend to overpack on a warm weather cruise are shorts and t-shirts.
If you plan on spending a lot of time by the pool, or on the beach, invest in a couple nice coverups and cut down on the number of shorts and t-shirts you bring along (of course, this mainly helps the women, but then again, we probably have more items of clothing to bring along.)

5.) Shoes… Hmmm…this is very hard for me. I do think that the main thing that has helped me whittle down the number of pairs that I bring along is trying to have similar colors for all of my evening wear. For men, heck, it’s easy…dress shoes for formal wear, dress sandals or loafers for casual evening attire, athletic shoes and maybe some flip flops.

6.) Repeat – I mentioned wearing a sundress over a swimming suit if you plan on doing some shopping before heading to a beach.
Plan on wearing a sundress (or skirt and top) on a casual evening for dinner, and then after that evening, wear the sundress as a coverup. One outfit that serves two purposes saves room (and laundry!)

7.) Bag it! Ok, this is something that my husband tends to do more than myself. After ironing his polo shirts, or dress shirts, he places them in the XL zip loc bags (bigger than gallon size.) He believes this keeps them wrinkle free and saves room in the luggage (he presses the air out.) We also place all of our undergarments and anything that could leak (sunscreen, hairspray, etc.)in L ziploc bags. If you are flying prior to your cruise, and have a carry-on don’t forget that your liquids and gels must be in small bottles that fit in a quart size ziploc bag. For more information, check with your air line.

8.) Speaking of Carry-ons… Before you board the ship, make sure your carry-on includes your swim suit, coverup, toiletries, medications, sunscreen, sunglasses and a change of clothes. Your checked luggage will be taken by porters and delivered to your cabin later (could be a couple hours later.) So, whatever you would like to have available to you for the next few hours, place it in your carry-on.

9.) Divide and conquer! If you think that one suitcase for you and one for your dearest is the way to go…think again! What if one piece of luggage is lost (and it’s yours!)? Pack half of your outfits in each piece of luggage and the same with your significant others. At least you’ll have half of your outfits, until your other piece of luggage is located.

10.) Traveling with kids? Some extras that may be worth packing… Plastic sports bottles are great when you go into port. Fill up with ice and water or even juice/lemonade from the buffet to keep the kids hydrated. Sandwich baggies are great to hold some snacks for the kiddies (dry snacks such as, crackers or cereal, even a pbj sandwich from the buffet to tide them over.) Water shoes or aquasocks may be a good choice for children when you’re heading to a beach or snorkel excursion. Waterproof children’s sunscreen and lipbalm with SPF are very important for that tender skin! Don’t forget to pack hand sanitizer gel or wipes, children’s Tylenol or Ibuprofen, Pepto and perhaps children’s shampoo (tearfree for younger children.)

So, there they are, my tips! Take them or leave them. But, whatever you do, don’t fret. There’s always the shops and laundry service onboard!

Amy
A Room With A View – Cruise & Travel
800-571-3159
amy@aroomwithaviewtravel.com