Calling all cruise experts - packing advice?

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Mary L

I have read the previous answers, and there is some very good advice! Natty D must be packing for a world cruise, though . . .

Here's what I take --
in the zip-top plastic bag for security there will be
toothpaste
tube of lipstick and minimal makeup in small amounts
small tube of anti-itch cream for any bug bites

in the suitcase there is
1 outfit for "formal night" -- slinky and light weight
1 pair dressy pants for other evenings -- color black
2 nice tops to go with the dressy pants -- slinky and light weight
1 swimsuit and coverup
2 or 3 pairs of knit shorts (don't wrinkle) in neutral colors
3 shirts to go with the shorts (knit, don't wrinkle)
1 nightie -- slinky and light weight
1 pair flipflops (for hot and/or slippery pool deck)
1 pair flat black shoes to go with all evening clothes
1 very small black purse to go with all evening clothes
minimal sewing kit for emergencies, with nail clipper rather than
scissors, a thimble, a couple of needles and a few pins stuck
into a piece of paper, a few safety pins, pre-cut lengths of
thread in black, white, and colors of clothes I am packing, all
in a sandwich bag
undies (thongs if you like them -- take up less room!)
a tote bag unless you're sailing with Holland America, which
gives one to each passenger

in my purse are the following --
passport
tickets
other ID
a credit card
medicines, in sandwich baggies with extra labels from the
pharmacy (takes up a lot less room!)
money
house key so I can get back home

I wear to travel --
tennis shoes (too large to pack)
sunglasses and/or sunhat

There are some obvious things NOT on my list, such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, and hairdryer. All are provided in your cabin except for sunscreen, but it is too large to be allowed in a carry-on and you can buy it on shore before you leave or on the ship or on your first stop. The numbers of daytime clothes seems to be not enough, but if you like to spend time at the pool you won't wear daytime clothes very long and can wear them more than once. If you really need another shirt, buy a t-shirt! As to a book to read, you can stick a paperback in your purse or go to the ship's library and read for free. Other than a reliable but inexpensive wrist watch (so you don't overstay time of shore and miss the boat!), leave your nice jewelry at home. You don't need it, and who are you going to impress anyway -- a bunch of strangers? Makeup should be the bare minimum, since you won't want it during the day.

You certainly can manage with a carry-on size bag! I do, and I always take a bag of needlework, too!

If you by chance find some lovely souvenirs that will simply overflow your carry-on, you can bite the bullet and check your suitcase on the way home and carry your treasures. Or, stick your purse and your souvenirs into your tote bag, which will still keep you legal with the airlines. (But don't buy a bunch of perfume or liquor since you can't take that through security -- you would then have to check your bag!) Don't trust a shop to ship anything to you -- even they will admit that things often don't arrive.

dave.greg

And a partridge in a pair tree.
You need a change per day plus semi and formal wear. Shorts and tee shirts will do for most things but in the evenings I love to put on a suit. It's not expensive but I never wear it otherwise. People at your table will be dressed from nice to idiotic.(sorry) Sometimes it just feels good!
Make sure you carry on a change of clothes and sandles etc. as well as travel docs and meds. Your luggage will arrive as late as 8-9 pm.
But it will arrive.
!st night diner is casual shorts are ok.

randall_nd

We always to take more clothes than we need. Actually, on a cruise, you shower more than when you're at home, so clothes don't get as dirty. You can also wash out tee shirts and hang them on the clothesline that's in your shower. We have never lost a checked bag. You also want to leave a small amount of room for souvenirs.

Mayday

Most ships offer laundry service - some self serve, some you have to send in. You could try bringing cutting down on the stuff you bring and use the laundry service
If your main reason for being afraid is lost luggage, then put what you really need (documents, medicines, clothing for some days, etc.) in your carry on and pack the rest in a suit case. I've been on 80+ plane flights including 10 to/from Miami, and I've only had lost luggage once

Dusie

1/3 of my clothes go into my 24" checked bag. 1/3 of my clothes go into my husband's checked bag (and his in mine). 1/3 of my clothes go into my carry on. I make sure each third is sorted by complete outfit. That way if the airline loses my bag I still have 2/3 of my clothes. I put important documents, id's, medication etc into my carry on. I try an take as few pairs of shoes as possible. They are the heaviest things I take and to me the weight of my bags is important so I don't incur excess weight charges from the airlines. I only carry one paperback for the flight and then use the ships library for my "beach reads". Then I donate my paperback to the ship's library or to the crew collection. The other heavy things are toiletries, so I only take travel/sample sizes of each.
I always fly in the day before we sail. Its so much safer, so you have less chance of missing the boat, literally. So if I have forgotten anything or need more sunscreen, I just pick it up in the port city. It's also so much more relaxing to get a good night's sleep after you fly and before you sail. I think of it as an extra day's vacation.
Have a great trip.

sally b

Many people wear clothing more than once on a cruise. This is getting more prevalent since the airlines started charging for extra luggage.

Kristina L

I'm a minimalist packer. I take one carry on and a tote bag.

My carry on has:
2 pair jeans
2 pair shorts (I re wear these)
7 shirts
10 pair socks (if you get wet you'll really appreciate this)
1 pair flip flops
1 pair walking shoes / hiking boots
1 swimsuit
1 wrinkle free dress
Hat / sunglasses
Toiletry bag with: toothbrush, toothpaste, razer, sunscreen,
chap stick
Tote bag: books, magazines, camera / accessories, legal forms, ID & money (cc)

Oddly, I wear a good portion of this stuff on the boat. Like the boots, hat, sunglasses etc - so I don't have to wear about it taking up space.

If I can't fit it in my carry on, something comes out. When I take more, I never use it, so why haul the stuff all over the place, know what I mean?

Natty D

Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork

* airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
* cruise documents
* passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for requirements)
* vaccination certificate (if required)
* driver's license and auto insurance card - in case you decide to rent a car when ashore
* medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
* copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
* another picture ID - if you don't take driver's license
* credit cards - be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area
* ATM card
* pre-paid phone card
* cash or traveler's checks (be sure to keep traveler's checks receipt in separate location)
* 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary - pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both - "just in case")
* contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler's checks
* emergency numbers at home
* currency conversion chart
* wallet and fanny pack
* watch - dual time zone watch is perfect!

Reading Material and Necessities

* glasses, contacs, contac 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
* home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home - for sending postcards, emails, or gifts
* photo album

Electronics and Camera Equipment

* plug adaptor and converter
* cell phone and charger
* PDA and charger
* laptop computer
* binoculars
* film camera and manual
* extra film (don't put undeveloped film in checked luggage)
* disposable underwater camera - for snorkeling or beach days
* digital camera and manual
* extra memory cards for digital camera
* batteries for digital camera
* battery charger
* extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
* walkman and tapes (for walking on deck or on treadmill)
* small travel alarm clock - battery operated
* lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
* small flashlight
* night light

Medicine Kit

* prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
* 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/advil)
* germicidal hand cleaner
* handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
* hand lotion
* rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
* bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes and "nonos" ashore)
* sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock

Other "Necessities"

* duct tape or strapping tape
* 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 are lost on the outbound trip)
* zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
* corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
* Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
* small umbrella
* collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
* Crazy glue
* playing cards
* sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)
* shoe horn for getting those shoes back on your swollen feet
* sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
* travel-sized Woolite
* clothes pins
* empty folding tote bag - for souvenirs or the beach
* hats/caps/visors
* insulated large coffee mugs

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