Are you preparing for your cruise? Your excitement is building, and you can hardly wait. But so is your anxiety. Here is a “how to pack for a cruise checklist” that will eliminate all stress and give you the confidence to set sail. It will undoubtedly come in handy and save you a lot of time packing for the trip.
Check your list to ensure you’ve got everything you need for an exciting cruise. Easily mark off each item as you put it in your suitcase.
Prepare Your Packing List: What To Bring And What Not To Bring
Remember, you are more than a few miles away from home, where you can run and get what you forgot. You’re sailing, and your next port of call might be 1 – 3 days away. Most cruise ships have a shop on board to purchase what you need, but the price may be prohibitively high.
Let’s start by ditching bulky items like beach towels and jackets. You can replace the beach towels with a smaller bath towel or use what the cruise line provides. Instead of bringing a coat, pack a sweater and a shawl to keep you warm. Or if you are going on an Alaskan cruise, a down jacket is handy and will roll into a small compact size. Most cruise lines offer a built-in hair dryer in the cabin, so you don’t need to bring one.
When you think of packing, think “small space,” and what items will take the least room. Also, think of “duplication” what does the ship provide that you don’t need to bring?
It is critical, therefore, for you to decide what to bring and leave behind before the cruise. It’s best to know how to pack for a cruise checklist if you know what theme the trip you are on is. Make a list of the cruise activities and amenities you intend to join so you know what gear to bring.
How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist- Essential Items
Getting all the details about your cruise will help you create a how to pack for a cruise checklist for your trip. Start with essential items, including:
Important Documents
Keep the following documents in your bag for easy access.
- Non-digital airline tickets (if flying to your port of call)
- Passport and valid ID (keep scanned copies as well)
- Vaccination certificate for your cruise
- Medical insurance and history – For your how to pack for a cruise checklist this may include insurance you purchased for this trip or your personal medical insurance.
- Prescriptions and list of medications you take
- Cruise card and logs (itinerary, programs, schedules)
Personal Items To Go In Your Carry-on Backpack Or Bag
Keep the following items in your bag or backpack, along with the essential documents.
- Phone, charger, and earbuds
- Charger, extension bar, power bank (If you are flying, these must be in your carry on bags.)
- Cash, credit and cruise cards, wallet
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen, rain, and insect repellent (If you are flying, you must follow the 3-1-1 rule for carry on liquids.)
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Camera, extra batteries
- Binoculars
Activity-Appropriate Clothes, Shoes, And Accessories
Your cruise luggage should include the following items. Mix and match clothes and shoes that are in the same color palette:
- Formalwear (for men and women)
- Sweater, cardigan, shawl, sweatshirt
- Casual wear
- Swimwear
- Outdoor clothes – pants, shorts, t-shirts
- Sleepwear, underwear
- Dress shoes, sandals
- Flip flops, water shoes
With shoes, you may think you need different colors to match your outfits. Not so true! One primary neutral color will do the trick. Here is a little something I learned along the way; most people never notice what color shoes you wear or if you wear the same outfit 3 times.
Other Essentials
- Small first aid kit (you only need the basics such as bandaids and maybe some antibiotic ointment)
- Backpack or a beach tote (if you take a backpack, use it as a versatile piece for all of your cruise travel needs.)
- Toiletries (take small bottles and measure out your needs for the days you will cruise.)
- Resealable, waterproof bags
- Anti-wrinkle spray (for clothes) (If you use packing cubes, you may not need this spray.)
- Beach gear (snorkeling, goggles) (If you are taking an excursion, check to see if it provides these items.)
How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist Light (space saving tips)
Light packing for a cruise? There are time-saving and space-saving ways to pack light for a cruise and still take everything you need.
The following tips will help you optimize space, bring everything you need, and save you a lot of time.
Use Compression Packing Cubes
Compression packing cubes will help you stay organized and save a lot of space in your suitcase. Compression packing cubes keep clothes organized and wrinkle-free. They come in different colors and styles for each family member to identify belongings quickly.
Roll Your Clothes
Rolling clothes saves space. Small spaces can accommodate rolled clothes when folding may take more room. Roll your underwear between your rolled pants or shirts. You can also insert socks in pair of shoes.
Bring Shampoo Bars
Shampoo and conditioner in bottles take up space and add to the luggage’s weight. Shampoo and conditioner bars are eco-friendly and spill-proof. Use a travel soap container for shampoo and conditioner bars. In addition, bars are TSA approved to take in your carry on luggage when you fly because they are not liquids.
Bring Laundry Supplies
Bring laundry supplies instead of more clothes. Most cruise ships offer expensive laundry services, but you can use the self-service laundry facilities instead. Bringing your supplies is cheaper than the ship laundry service and buying them on the ship. Try using dryer sheets instead of liquid softeners in your how to pack for a cruise checklist.
Bring Mix-and-Match Shoes
Bringing shoes for every outfit takes up a lot of space. Try to bring shoes for formal wear, but you can also go casual. Bring a pair or two to mix and match for different attires.
Flipflops are great for the beach and the pool, but comfortable sandals may go well with your formalwear. Just make sure the colors are neutral and interchangeable.
Bring Mix-and-Match Clothes For Your How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist
Bring multi-functional clothes to optimize your luggage space. How about that beautiful black cardigan? You can wear it casually or when you go to a fine-dining restaurant. Pack a sundress to wear casually during the day and as a bathing suit coverup. You can often dress a sundress up or down with jewelry and a shawl.
Weather Outfit & Back-up Clothing Options
Arriving at ports of call in different weather conditions is the tricky part. You may enjoy the sun on the ship’s deck, but it’s chilly and cold when you disembark. Not to mention nights may be cool, but the noonday sun is hot.
If you’re going on a warm-weather cruise, the how to pack for a cruise checklist should include loungewear and beachwear. Pack your jeans, hiking pants, and sweater if you’re going on a cool-weather cruise.
Today’s fashion hiking pants are interchangeable for outdoor and for a nice dinner. Polyester jogging pants and leggings are both acceptable versatile pants.
Bringing a warm layer is always a good idea, even on a summer cruise when you plan your how to pack for a cruise checklist. A blazer, a lightweight zip-up, or a neutral-colored cardigan are all good choices. They are simple to match and take up little space in your luggage. Choose one that fits your style and is comfortable.
Personal Care Items & Necessary Gear
Cruise ships have changed what they provide. Your cruise line will know if they provide any toiletries you can use and leave yours behind.
Include lotion, sunscreen, and bug repellent in your how to pack for a cruise checklist since not all ships provide them. The shops on the boat may carry something other than your preferred brand or scent.
Bring toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss, and contacts or glasses. Pack a razor and shaving cream (for men) and makeup and moisturizer (for women).
Some things are personal, and we, especially girls, just have to bring them. Determine what those things are and make sure to pack them.
Bags, Wallets & Special Stowaways
If you need a handbag, bring a small one that is good for excursions and your formal dinner night. And use your backpack as a tote for sunscreen, towels, and toiletries when you go to the beach.
You also need to include waterproof, resealable bags in your how to pack for a cruise checklist. Use them to separate your wet clothes or to keep your devices dry.
Pack some cabin essentials in your luggage. Examples are a hanging organizer for toiletries and heavy-duty magnet cabin hooks for extra storage in your cruise cabin. A refillable water bottle will come in handy to stay hydrated and use your cell phone as a night flashlight.
Electronics & Gadgets
Aside from your usual devices, you must also bring a new electrical extension bar to charge them. Make sure that the extension bar is still in its original packaging. The cruise line crew may not allow electrical items that they consider unsafe.
Last Minute Tips On How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist
When you think you have everything packed and ready for your cruise double, check your how to pack for a cruise checklist for items you may need to add.
Check the following last-minute tips before you leave for your cruise:
- Confirm your flight/cruise bookings to ensure you’re good to go.
- Notify your credit card or bank about your trip
- Modify your phone plan (if needed) to include roaming capability
- Bring your how to pack for a cruise checklist to help you pack to return home.
FAQs About How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist
Here are some commonly asked questions about how to pack for a cruise checklist.
Can you wear jeans to dinner on a cruise?
It depends on which cruise ship you travel. For most cruise lines, jeans are acceptable during the day, but formal attire or business casual, which does not include jeans, is what to wear to dinner in the evening.
How much money should you take on a cruise?
Don’t forget to pack some cash for your trip. The average money needed each day is between $90 – $130. Take at least $100, but most take around $120 per day to spend.
Can I use my debit card on a cruise ship?
You can use a debit card as your primary card for onboard ship incidentals. However, you cannot whip out your debit card and use it to buy things like wine and shop items on the ship.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on cruises, here are some additional posts about cruises:
How To Pack For A Cruise Checklist – Conclusion
Nothing beats getting everything ready, organized, and packed days before the cruise. Enjoy your cruise, knowing you have everything you need for how to pack for a cruise checklist.
Our how to pack for a cruise checklist article will help to simplify your vacation packing needs. It helps you identify what you should and should not bring, saving you a lot of time.
Happy travels, my friends.