Cruise Packing List – Know The Things To Carry For A Memorable Trip!

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Packing luggage for rail or air travel is an ordinary affair. But when you are going on a cruise, there are many hidden fears in the minds of the sea voyagers. Unpacking the luggage is the biggest thing they dread most. To lessen the worries and uncertainties, what is needed is a complete cruise packing list.

Imagine as a seafarer you have forgotten an item and you have to purchase it at double the price on the ship! Now, you realize how this list is extremely invaluable.

Before I start, here is an important packing tip:

If you are travelling with a spouse or companion, I suggest split your checked items into two suitcases. Even if one suitcase gets lost, you will have some clothing to wear in your second luggage. Won’t it be terrible if you lose your one-and-only suitcase that has all the clothes and belongings?

Also, don’t forget to carry in your handbag anything that you can’t live without (e.g. medicines, swimsuit, clean underwear). So that when you lose your luggage, you have at least your cruise essentials with you.

Cruise Travel Essentials

Here is your cruise packing checklist divided into separate categories. You may not need everything mentioned here – so modify it according to your style and preference. In any case, all items are worth considering.

1. Travel Documents Packing List:

• Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation

• Documents for the cruise travel

•  Passports and visas or any other proof of citizenship

• Vaccination certificate (if required)

• Driver’s license and auto insurance card (just in case you decide to rent-a-car when ashore)

• Medical insurance cards and medical history

• Copy of doctor’s prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking (or have stopped)

• Picture-ID (issued by the government) such as driver’s license

• Credit cards (it will be nice if you call up the credit card companies and inform them about your cruise travel considering you are travelling outside your country)

• ATM card (make sure you have called up your bank that has issued you the ATM card to notify them about your cruise travel)

• Pre-paid phone card or SIM card for mobile phone (they can also be purchased at your destination)

• Cash (for small tipping done aboard the cruise or when you feel the need to buy souvenirs)

• Currency conversion chart

• Emergency numbers for contacting home/best friends/ neighbors/colleagues

• Wallet

• Contact numbers (in case you need to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler’s cheque)

• Watch (it’s a nice idea carrying a pocket watch too)

• Copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, and itinerary. It is advisable to put one copy in your hand baggage, one copy in your luggage and leave one photocopy with someone at home. Scan all travel-related documents and email a copy to yourself so that if required you could access it all from any computer terminal.

Is this all when it comes to packing for a cruise? Nope, it has just started. Have a look at the next section.

2. Packing List For Reading and Writing:

• Contact lenses, contact lens cleaner (can’t be skipped!), glasses

• Extra reading glasses

• Sunglasses and reading sunglasses

• Guidebooks

• Foreign language phrase book or dictionary

• Maps (of the place that you are visiting)

• Newspapers/magazines/books (which you can read in the plane or when lounging by the pool). If you are carrying an electronic book (e,g. Kindle) then don’t forget to carry a charger along

• Notebook, pen/pencil (so that you can make notes to tell your friends/family/colleagues back home about your experiences)

• Business cards with e-mail ids to give to your new friends

• Residential address and email addresses of friends/relatives back home (so that you can send postcards, emails, or gifts)

• Photo album (will help you share pictures of adorable kids/ grandchildren, or pets with new friends)

The next section on what to take on a cruise is dedicated to the electronic-freaks.

3. Packing List of Electronic Equipment:

• Mobile phone and charger

• Tablet or e-book and charger

• Waterproof Phone case

• Digital camera (and yes, extra memory cards and batteries too)

• Battery charger

• Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins

• An iPod or mp3 player (so that you can listen to music in the airplane)

• Travel alarm clock (battery operated)

• Penlight (even nightlight)

• Laptop

• Plug adapter and converter (some electronic items such as cameras, computers, and e-books do not need a converter, but do need an adapter in hotels)

• Binoculars

• Underwater camera (needed for snorkeling or beach days)

God forbid what if you/your partner/ family member(s) fall sick during your cruise journey. Do you have any medicine kit with you? When thinking of packing cruise essentials, this is one part you should not skip. Read below.

4. Medicine Kit Packing List:

• Prescription drugs and other essential medications (for common cold and cough)

• Earplugs

• First aid kit (you know what it should have – Band-aids, bandages, Q-tips, Vaseline, antibiotic cream, anti-diarrhea medication, anti-nausea medicines, cortisone cream, aspirin/Tylenol)

• Hand sanitizer

• Handy wipes (for cleaning your hands when ashore)

• Moisturising hand lotion

• Rubbing alcohol or foot lotion (for soothing tired feet)

• Bug spray

5. Other Random Necessities:

• Ziploc bags and garbage/laundry bags

•  Swiss Army knife

• Travel pillow (collapsible) for long haulflights

• Playing cards

• Detergent pouches

• Duct tape

•  Sewing kit and scissors

• Hats/caps/visors

There are some items in cruise packing checklist, which can’t be neglected or ignored by women passengers. What are they? Read below.

6. Women’s Cruise Clothing Packing List And Fashion Accessories:

• Bras (do keep strapless bras if you need it for evening wear)

• Work out clothes and sportsbra

• Panties

• Lingerie/nightgown/pajamas/robe

• Pantyhose

• Slip/camisole

• Purses (for day and evening)
• Scarves and Belts (if you wear them)

• Gloves and socks (if cold weather is expected)

• Shoes and sandals (for day wear and evening)

• Costume jewelry

• Extra watch

• Swimsuit

• Sarong

• Flip-flops

• Dress/outfit for formal, informal and casual nights on the ship

• Shorts

• Tops (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)

• Capri pants

• Sweatshirt

• Evening sweater

• Hooded Raincoa

• Totebag

7. Women’s Packing List for Beauty Essentials:

• Blow dryer (though it is provided by ships, but still carry your own)

• Curlers/Curling Iron

• Comb/brush

• Hair gel

• Hairspray (non-aerosol)

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Shower cap

• Soap bar in a plastic container

• Deodorant

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Dental floss

• Mouthwash

• Tweezers

• Make-up mirror

• Make-up and make-up bag

• Make-up remover

• Cleanser

• Moisturizer and freshener

• Nail polish and remover

• Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)

• Razor and shaving cream

• Sunscreen SPF 30