Any tips on what to pack to go on a cruise to Belize and Costa Maya?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on about 20 cruises and here's what I suggest based on my experiences:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:
-swim wear (at least 2),
-shorts, tank tops and "T's"
-sandals,
-beach shoes,
-your snorkel equipment if you have it,
-sun glasses and sun screen,
-lotions,
-a cap or big hat for the sun,
-a book if you are a reader,
-your music player,
-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym,
-good walking shoes,
-your camera, and
-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice. If you are going to the Caribbean you will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the shipâ€™s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't. We always take the formal stuff off after dinner and a photo or two and go back to casual stuff.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

-If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take some one dollar bills (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.

jonasbrothers1202

Essential items:

- airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
- cruise documents
- passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for the requirements)
- vaccination certificate (if required)
- wallet and fanny pack
- dricer's license and auto insurance card in case you decide to rent a car when you are ashore
- medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if travelling alone)
- another picture ID if you don't take your driver's license
- credit cards (be sure to call credit card companies before travelling to alert them that you are travelling outside of your normal area ATM card)
- watch
- pre-paid phone card
- cash or traveller's checks (be sure to keep traveller's checks receipt in a separate location)
- 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports.visas, itinerary (pack one copy in carry on, one copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home)
- contact numbers to report lost or stolen credit cards or traveller's checks
- emergency numbers at home
- prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
- glasses, contacts, and contact cleaner
- extra reading glasses
- sunglasses
- reading sunglasses
- guidebooks and other port of call information
- foreign language phrase book or dictionary
- maps
- reading material (books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool)
- journal or notebook and pen/pencil for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences
- business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
- currency conversion chart
- plug adaptor and converter
- cell phone and charger
- PDA and charger
- home and email addresses of friends and relatives back home for sending postcards, emails, or gifts
- laptop computer
- binoculars
- film camera and manual
- extra film (dont put undeveloped film in checked luggage)
- disposable underwater camera for snorkeling or beach days
- digital camera and manual
- extra memory cards or digital camera
- batteries for digital camera
- battery charger
- extension cord with multiple plug-ins
- duct tape or strapping tape
- walkman and tapes for walking on deck or on treadmill
- small travel alarm clock (battery operated)
- lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
- extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return trip (better than locks, but one-time use only)
- extra luggage name tags in case yours get lost on the outbound trip)
- zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage or laundry bags
- small flashlight
- night light
- corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
- Swiss Army knife or something similar with a screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
- small umbrella
- collapsible travel pillow or long airplane flights
- ear plugs or "ear planes"
- small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, vaseline, dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone cream, aspirin, tylenol, and advil
- crazy glue
- playing cards
- sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)
- bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for the mosquitos and "nonos" ashore)
- sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock
- germicidal hand cleaner
- handi-wipes
- hand lotion
- rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired and hot feet
- sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
- travel sized Woolite
- clothes pins
- empty folding tote bag for souvenirs or the beach
- hat, cap, or visor
- insulated large coffee mugs

Women's Cruise Clothing:

- bras (including strapless if needed for evening wear)
- panties
- lingerie, night gowns, pajamas, robe
- compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
- excercise or walking socks
- trouser socks or pantyhose
- camisole or slip
- purses (day and evening)
- belts
- scarves
- gloves and stocking cap (if your expecting cold weather)
- walking shoes
- walking sandals
- rubber sandals for reef walking and beack
- evening shoes
- costume jewelry and extra watch
- swim suit
- swin suit cover-up, pareo, or sarong
- thongs or flip flop shoes
- work out clothes and jog bra
- dress or outfit for informal nights on ship
- dress or outfit for formal nights on ship
- dress or outfit for casual night on ship
- shorts
- tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, and long-sleeved)
- capri pants
- slacks
- windbreaker jacket
- sweatshirt
- evening sweater
- raincoat with hood

Women's Miscellaneous:

- blow dryer
- curling iron or curlers
- comb or brush
- hair gel
- hair spray (non-aerosol)
- shampoo
- conditioner
- shower cap
- bar soap in plastic container
- deodorant
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- tweezers
- make-up mirror
- make-up and make-up bag
- make-up remover
- cleanser
- moisturizer and refreshener
- nail polish and remover
- nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
- razor and sh

kellifromkeller

Tennis shoes for sure and of course your swim suit.

Costa Maya is very green and has walking tours of the temples which are really cool but its a long day of walking and hiking so I wouldn't recommend flip flops

justme

The temps down there will be in the 80's, so pack summer clothes, beachwear, something for formal night (if you intend to participate). I wont elaborate on that stuff since the others already made a pretty good list.

I will add, that if you intend on going on excursions that are well inland (like to the Mayan ruins), you may want some good walking shoes, long pants, and most of all bug spray!! Dont forget the sun block also.

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