What do i pack for my 7 night cruise?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

Here's my recommendations based on the almost 20 cruises I have been on, including all over the Caribbean.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear (more than one), shorts, 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.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

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 worry too much about what your 3 year old wears, most any clothes will be OK for the toddler.

-- When you pack don't over pack. Plan to wear most clothes twice, mix and match tops and bottoms. You will likely wear evening wear for a short period since you will be in shorts and/or swim wear most of each day and change for dinner. All ships have laundry service if you need something cleaned and only Carnival has self service laundry mats.

Most cruises 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 in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Kids will be fine in clothes other than swim wear but must have on shoes. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.

- 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. 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.

- Cruise lines charge a lot (about $15 to $25 per photo) for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Take your own camera and ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

- The cruise lines do not allow you to bring alcoholic beverage on board, EXCEPT some do let you bring a bottle or two of wine or champaign. If you will be cruising on Princess, RC, Holland America, Celebrity or Carnival each person age 21 or older can bring on one bottle of wine or Champaign FOR YOUR CABIN.

- If you can 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. 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 use the pool, hot tub or gym as soon as you get on ship, take clothes for that because your luggage will likely not get to your cabin until about 6:00 PM or later.

- Join the cruise club for the line you go on, its free, because its your ticket to cheaper future cruises with that cruise line, plus they generally have some special benefits or gifts for club members.

Julie T

Here are some other packing tips...

- a nightlight. The rooms are wicked dark.

- an alarm clock if you are taking any early departure shore excursions.

- plenty of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping in port and taxis.

- One of those XXXL Ziplock bags for dirty, sandy, clothes

- Small Tupperware container to hold snacks for your little one. You can score plenty at the breakfast buffet for the day.

- Light jackets. It is still cool on the decks in the evenings.

- A power strip. There is only one power outlet in the room.

- If your taking a stroller, leave the big 4-wheel drive model at home and only take a small, umbrella type stroller.

- Pack anything you need/want before midnight, including any meds or things for the little one in your carry-on luggage. It can take up to midnight to get your luggage in your room.

- Also, pack your valuables/breakables in your carry-on

- A lanyard for your room/account key card

- Mark the handles of your luggage with brighty colored yarn, ribbon or plastics marking tape (from the hardware store) to help you find your luggage after de-barkation. There will be a sea of mostly black luggage and the colored markings make your bags easier to find.

coolliz2444

2 formal outfits/dresses/suits
2 semi formal/ blouse and pants/skirt/dress shirt and skirt
3 casual outfits/khakis/dress shirt/sundress/casual wear

Swimsuits, change of clothes for the 3 year old, flip flops, sunscreen, medication, chargers, toys, coloring books, stroller, jackets, shoes, tshirts, shorts, toiletries, power strip (optional but they come in handy), straightner/curling iron, camera, extra batties, extra memory cards, camcorder, camcorder dvds/tapes, sunglasses, money, credit cards, ID, birth certificate, passports, marriage license, carry ons, mp3 player, cell phone, and any other things that you can possibly think you might need.

Evelyn L

Pack:

Clothes for the week
Bathing suits
Towels (though they have towels on the cruise)
Sun Block
Any medicine you might need for headaches, cramps, indigestion in case you get sick from being on the boat, drinking or the food.
passports
identification
cash
credit cards
something nice to wear for dinner
comfortable shoes
camera/video camera

Scottie

Pack easy mix and match clothes. A few simple accessories (fancy scarves, a pashmina & sarongs) can very quickly change an outfit! Don't pack too many pair of shoes or handbags-you'll never use them......don't panic about forgetting anything.......all you need is your passport and credit card-most cruise ships have everything else! Enjoy..

Kev G

you should pack 8 days of comfortable clothes and pack a back pack with stuff your kid would like to play with.

Here's a pretty comprehensive packing checklist:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/know_before_you_go/what_should_i_pack
It breaks things down into "travel essentials" and there's a "warm-weather cruise" section, too.

And if you like to travel light, this is a guide to "minimalist packing":
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/know_before_you_go/what_should_i_pack/minimalist_packing
It only includes the bare essentials, and some tips on how to make everything fit into a carry-on ... or just extra space for souvenirs. =)

Also - if you are checking luggage, be sure to bring one set of everything you and your family need for the first night in your carry-on. Sometimes it can be late before the ship delivers your bags.

Have a wonderful trip!

cmelendez6604

hey if ur flying u def..want to interpack which is like put a few things of yours in ur husbands bag and so on just in case one bag is lost.....u want to pack a power strip for ur camera, phones etc...b/c theres only 1 outlet in the room....an over the door plastic shoe rack is handy for storing everything...from ur toothbrush to socks...it keeps everything organized...clothspins for hanging wet bathing suits...most of this stuff u can get at the dollar store....ummmm....sunscreen and underwater cameras b/c stuff like that is expensive onboard.... that's all i got for now!! HAPPY CRUISIN!!!

beybeifais

If the cruise has a formal night a nice evening dress would be one.
lots of sunscreen,
medicines
some warm clothes.
comfy shoes to walk around with.
A hat or something for the heat
bathing suits
windbreaker
sewing kit

Jet

a tight, low-cut, midriff-baring, white cotton blouse; Victoriaâ€™s Secret red push-up bra. A short denim micro mini-skirt; white thong. Red high-heeled pumps. No stockings.

Bikini

Toothbrush

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