Going on my first cruise?

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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. Since 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 can and want to take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- 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.

I have been on the NCL Spirit and its a nice ship, you'll enjoy. Just eat all of the free food; no need to pay to eat in all of the "specialty" restaurants on ship.

las vegas golfer

You are so going to love this. Cruises are the best type of vacation to take. Do everything you have an interest in and don't let anyone stop you from having fun. Don't know what kind of cabin you have, but take a power strip, as the outlets are few, if you have a room with a balcony, take something (like a bungee cord) to hold open the door. Eat at every special food place they have, and walk when in port to lose that weight. If you want more info. please feel free to E-Mail me, I am happy to help... Most of all Enjoy!!!

venus_smrf

Sunscreen. I've gone on cruises before, and I was completely shocked to discover that they didn't sell it. You'd think that would be a no-brainer, but apparently not.

Also, you'll obviously want an extra two or three swimsuits--no need to worry about towels--and then just whatever else you'd bring on a regular trip. Are you going to restaurants? Pack clothes for that, if so. Also, if you're going on any excursions off ship, you may want to consider bringing your own gear. It was worth the extra hassle for me, because renting equipment can be surprisingly expensive. Also a sweater or jacket, because no matter how hot it can be, the ships get windy.

Oh, and a good hairdryer, if you're a girl. Mine went out on me while I was at sea, and I had to wait until we landed in a port to get a new one. Doesn't sound like a big deal...but the women know it is.

Addicted to Y!A

I would answer, but Tinkertoy's answer is so amazing I can't think of anything else! EXCEPT, if you have any snorkel gear, bring that too so you don't have to rent it.

wondering

I have been on 3 cruises with NCL and I'm also going on the Spirit for the Western Caribbean cruise in a couple of weeks.
What I have learned is not to over pack - plan to wear things like shorts more than once. You don't need a lot of extra shoes, my sis-in-law hasn't figured that one out yet and still brings about 7 pair - 2 pair (3 max) is more than sufficient. Plan to bring a sweater or light jacket. You are in the Caribbean, but on the ship it can be breezy in the eating areas.But in saying that, plan for space in your suitcase for items purchased while on vacation.
We didn't enjoy the production shows on the first cruise, but have since and they are fun and free..
If you are an early riser and are a coffee drinker, take advantage of room service. It is nice to sip coffee while waiting for the rest of your party to rise and shine. I just figured that one out on the last cruise.
The spa services are nice, a bit spendy, but nice. Be prepared for the upsell of products after the service - not high pressure, but be prepared to say "no thank you".
The first cruise we went on was the hardest decision, etc. didn't want to make mistakes. After that it was downhill - they are easy and lots of fun.

Beckylou

These are some excellent answers :)

Pick out what you think you will need. THen pack only half of it lol. I always overpack.

I like going to cruise critic website because people give reviews of their trips and you can hear what's closed, what's open, very up to date info on the vessel and excursions etc.

Have fun!

Mary L

I have no idea why people take power strips! I have NEVER needed an extra outlet. Also, don't bother with a hairdryer since every cabin has one! The only toiletries you need to bring are toothbrush, toothpaste, and sunscreen, since all the rest are provided. As to clothing to bring, you will want sneakers for all the walking, water shoes or flipflops for hot/wet pool decks, and (for the ladies) flat shoes for evening. Bring 2 swimsuits and a cover-up of some sort, but no towels, which are plentiful and provided. Check the web site for their clothing suggestions for daytime and evening stuff. One more thing -- you will definitely want a tote bag! A tote bag is for stuff like your ship ID, key, sunglasses, sunscreen, book, casino cash, and daily program -- very handy!

Nessie

Pack extra underwear because people on cruises tend to urinate more often and spontanously
also pack extra toothpase because cruise line water is contaminated

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