Are you planning an exciting cruise vacation? You’re probably here because you’ve started to pack and realized that there’s got to be a trick to it. Well, for sure, proper packing is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. In my years of travel, I’ve probably broken every rule: forgotten my favorite party shirt, brought enough clothes for an army on a 3-day cruise, ran out of my medication and even once left my dress shoes behind at home (i had to wear flip-flops to my sister’s wedding). It’s important to consider your travel to the cruise terminal, embarkation, what you’ll need, and how to pack to minimize baggage/wrinkling etc., among the many things. It can get quite stressful trying to remember all the details. But by following our tips below, you should be able to pack efficiently and be prepared for most situations. Of course, if you have any ideas or tips on packing for a cruise that we missed, feel free to add them in the comments section below. Now, let’s get started…
1. Research Your Destination
Before starting your packing process, it’s crucial to research your cruise destination. Consider the climate and weather for the time that you’ll be on the cruise. It may be different than where you live. For instance, my Cruise this past December left from Miami where it was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I flew in from New York where we were in the 30’s! that was an easy one, but, consider that you may be headed to a hot and dry or rainy and cooler climate and don’t pack the wrong stuff! Otherwise, you will regret it.
Also, don’t forget to consider the cultural norms for the location you’ll be visiting. There could be some clothing choices you or I would think of as normal that might be considered inappropriate (or even obscene) in a different culture. For instance, it’s considered inappropriate for women (or anyone i’d guess) to wear a bikini on public beaches in Qatar and women must wear a Hijab in public in Iran. It’s also against the law to drive a car wearing sandals in Spain…but that one kinda makes sense. Keeping cultural norms in mind will help you pack appropriate clothing and any necessary essentials specific to that region, hopefully, avoiding an embarrassing moment.
2. Make a Packing List
When it all seems to be getting a bit overwhelming, creating a packing list is a good way to ensuring you don’t forget anything you may need. It can also help you identify things that maybe you can do without. Divide your list into categories such as essentials (See #4 below), clothing, toiletries, electronics, and entertainment. Consider breaking up your list on clothes into outfits or tops/bottoms. Or better yet, start with my handy Vacation Packing List. Feel free to use it, edit it, whatever.
My friend, Ann lives by this strategy. She’s always offering to create a list for me too! Her list are legendary for their detail. You only need to go to the level of detail that makes you feel comfortable. This strategy is meant to help you stay organized and avoid any last-minute panic, not to add to your stress. Take a deep breath…believe me – you’re gonna be fine if that favorite shirt get’s left behind.
3. Pack Light and Smart
While it may be tempting to pack your entire wardrobe for a week-long cruise, believe me when I say that less is sometimes (almost always) better. It’s important to pack light and smart for a cruise. For one thing, unless you’re traveling in one of those massive suites, the amount of clothing storage available is likely to be sad. While most ships have laundry services available, allowing you to re-wear certain items, those laundry services can be costly.
What is the strategy?
Well, most importantly, stick to versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched, reducing the number of items you need to bring. The strategy of 3-3-3 is often mentioned. This is where you pick 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 pairs of shoes that can all be interchanged. Best case, this can give you almost two-weeks of outfits!
Limit the number of pairs of shoes you include in your luggage. Pack comfortable, closed-toed sandals or water shoes with anti-slip soles. If you’re going on an Alaska cruise, pack at least two pairs of durable, waterproof walking shoes or boots with arch support. It’s essential to prioritize comfort over fashion. You’re gonna put in a LOT of steps on a cruise, walking back and forth from the pool to the buffet! You’ll also probably be walking around all of the ports in the cool places you’ll be going or walking on your excursions. Make sure those shoes are gonna handle it and not give you a load of blisters.
Other tips for packing for a cruise:
- Pack a warm sweater for walking around town or on the ship’s deck.
- Consider wearing your most bulky items instead of packing them.
- Carry valuables in your carry-on, such as passport, cameras, electronics, jewelry, and prescription medicine.
4. Don’t Forget the Essentials
When packing for a cruise, there are a few essential items that you should not forget. These include:
- Travel Documents: Passport, ID, cruise tickets, and any necessary visas.
- Medications: Pack any prescription medications you’ll need during your trip and consider bringing a small first-aid kit.
- Swimwear and Beach Essentials: Don’t forget to pack swimwear, sunscreen, hats, and beach towels if you plan on spending time by the water.
- Comfortable Shoes: Cruise ships often involve a lot of walking, so don’t forget to pack comfortable shoes for exploring the ship and on-shore activities.
- Electronics and Chargers: Bring your phone, camera, chargers, and any other electronics you’ll need to capture and document your cruise experience.
Don’t forget to take a look at my Vacation Packing List for a more comprehensive list of things to consider!
5. Utilize Space-efficient Packing Techniques
To maximize space and keep your belongings organized, consider utilizing space-efficient packing techniques such as rolling clothes, using packing cubes, or vacuum-sealed bags. These techniques can help you fit more items into your suitcase while keeping them organized and wrinkle-free.
Roll your clothes instead of folding them. This can save space and reduce creasing. Trust me…this works. Of course, I also have a lot of travel friendly clothes that are both light-weight and wrinkle resistant. Look for materials that offer just the right blend of lightweight packability and durable quality. Wrinkle-resistant, easy-to-maintain synthetics, such as nylon or polyester, are ideal for travel, while versatile styles that you can dress up or down to suit different occasions will help to save space.
Use packing cubes to organize your clothes into categories. This will make unpacking a breeze when you get on the ship. All I usually do is pull the cubes out of my luggage, drop them into a cubby and push my suitcase under the bed. It takes me like 30 seconds! The packing cubes linked above on Amazon also have compression built in, making them even bigger space savers.
6. Follow Cruise Line Restrictions
Each cruise line may have specific restrictions on luggage size, weight, and prohibited items. Of course you’ll find things like firearms, weapons, and illegal drugs, but did you know that some cruise lines prohibit extension cords, power strips or surge protectors? Royal Caribbean prohibits all three! Royal Caribbean also has a prohibition on baby monitors and clothing steamers. You’re likely to even find things like fireworks, bleach, and surfboards banned. While Princess Cruises expressly forbids flat irons, Norwegian Cruise Line allows them as long as you “use them responsibly.” (Is there any other way?) Alcohol is one of those items that differs among cruise lines and you should check their policy on what’s allowed. Some will allow you to bring wine under a specific amount (usually a single bottle) but they’ll charge you a corkage fee if you want to open it outside of your cabin. Oh, and did i mention that corkscrews are prohibited? (just kidding,..maybe…you should definitely check!)
Strangely, cruise lines generally allow matches and cigarette lighters. So for those tracking at home, items that could accidentally cause a fire are forbidden while those items that are designed to start a fire on purpose are cool to bring. Since it’s all a little confusing and often specific to the cruise line, I’ve dropped a few links below to help you learn more:
- Norweigian Cruise Line Prohibited Items List
- Disney Cruise Line Prohibited Items List
- Carnival Cruise Line Prohibited Items List
- Virgin Voyages Prohibited Items List
- Royal Caribbean Prohibited Items List
An important caveat on “illegal drugs” noted above. Since some states and local governments now allow the use of marijuana and CBD products for medical and/or recreational use, it can be a little confusing but let’s be clear: All of the cruise lines follow the federal prohibition of cannabis products. This includes vape, edibles, medical or recreational marijuana, CBD oils and CBD products. If you are in found in possession of anything within this broad (and growing) category, you will be denied boarding and potentially suffer fines and other legal penalties.
Make sure to review these guidelines before packing to avoid any issues during embarkation. Review the rules just before you pack to make sure nothing has changed. While we at it, keep an eye out for communications from the Cruise line since they will likely send you last minute information about your cruise as embarkation approaches.
7. Leave Room for Souvenirs
Remember to leave some extra space in your luggage for souvenirs or any items you may purchase during your cruise. It’s always exciting to bring back a little piece of your trip! Of course, make sure you pack fragile items carefully. Don’t pack valuable items in your checked bags. If you need to jettison clothes to bring souvenirs home, you’re doing it wrong!
8. Pack a Carry-on Bag
Lastly, don’t forget to pack a small carry-on bag with essential items like a change of clothes, toiletries, and any important documents. Keep this with you on embarkation day. This will come in handy in case your luggage gets delayed or misplaced during the embarkation process. As mentioned above, consider including your valuables in your carry-on bag.
Hopefully these tips will have you well-prepared and packed efficiently for your next cruise vacation. Bon voyage and enjoy your incredible adventure on the high seas! Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you found this useful.
