Sections
Welcome to the: CRUISE ADDICTS' PACKING TIPS PAGE and PACKING LIST.
PACKING TIPS:Check with your airline before packing, to determine the current limitations on bag number size and weight. Most airlines are now restricting passengers to only one checked bag, measuring no more than 62 linear inches (total height, width and length) and weighing not more than 50 pounds. Specific limits vary with different airlines, fare categories, and itineraries. Be prepared to pay significant fees for any excess.
Before packing any clothes make up a daily clothing plan list. Decide for each day and activity of the cruise, what you will wear, with what, and when. Then only pack those items. This helps to avoid over packing. Be sure to pack your list and stick to your plan as much as possible.
(Keep this in mind: If you plan to wear a purple floral top with khaki pants on Monday, and then a white blouse with green stripe shorts later in the week, do not be tempted on Monday, to wear the white blouse with the khaki pants instead. You will look very odd wearing the purple floral top with those green stripe shorts later in the week.)
If you are staying in a hotel pre-cruise, you will want to pack all your pre-cruise clothing and needs in a separate bag or at the top of your suitcase. It took ages to pack that bag; you don't want to unpack and repack it at the hotel, just to find your swimsuit that's in the bottom.
For couples traveling together, do not pack "His" and "Her" bags. Always pack your suitcase contents mixed, with both his and her clothing in each one; and making sure you pack complete outfits in each case. That way if one of the bags doesn't show up, you will both have something to wear.
Be sure to pack all your film in a lead lined bag in your carry-on. The x-rays on checked bags are so strong now that they can ruin your film.
Attach brightly colored ribbons, pompoms or tape to your suitcases to help you identify them in the baggage claim areas at the airport and at debarkation.
Pack all hanging items of clothing first in dry cleaner bags, before placing in a garment bag. This really prevents wrinkles.
Place fabric softener sheets between garments, as you pack to keep clothing smelling fresh. And don't toss them once you unpack. They come in handy if you make use of the laundry facilities that are available on some ships.
Have lots of zip lock baggies available as you pack. The list of uses for them keeps growing:
Pack all liquid and aerosol containers in zip lock baggies to prevent leaking or dispensing on your packed clothing.
Put tube-type containers (ie: toothpaste, salves, etc) additionally inside something crushproof.
Pack loose, smaller items of clothing (panties, bras, hose, etc.) in zip lock baggies to make re-packing after inspections quicker.
Entire outfits can be packed in the larger zip lock bags. Lay out your complete outfits (like one pair shorts, one top and under clothing ) and bag them, one outfit per bag. Keeps things totally organized. Makes packing and unpacking quick and easy.
Be certain to compress all the air out of the bags before zipping them closed, to decrease the room they take in your bag.
Reuse those bags for the trip home. Especially handy for repacking a damp swimsuit.
Have some fresh baggies with you also. I frequently bring a few cookies or some bakery items back to the cabin from the late night buffet. I store these in a fresh baggie and enjoy them with my coffee on the verandah the next morning. It makes a nice change from the usual Danish and croissants, that are the only pastry available on the room service breakfast menu.
When packing your carry-on bag, don't forget the airport security's "3 Ounce Rule" which says that:
All liquids, gels and aerosols carried onto the plane, must be in three ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half full, or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed.
All containers of liquids, gels or aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size plastic, zip-top plastic bag. Gallon sized bags or bags that are not zip-top, such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed.
Each traveler may use only one, quart sized zip-top bag each.
Each traveler must remove their zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in the bin on the conveyor for separate x-ray screening.
Check with your airport to verify allowed exceptions for: baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels and aerosols, including prescriptions and over the counter medicines.
If traveling outside of the country, remember that prescription medications are supposed to be in their original labeled containers. It is a good idea to include a few extra days worth of meds in case your return home is delayed.
________________________________________________
The most often asked question on any cruise message board has to be this: What should I pack? Here's your answer. If it's not on this list, you don't need it.
THE PACKING LIST
This bit of advice is obvious, but worth repeating. While traveling always keep these ESSENTIALS on your person or in your closely guarded CARRY-ON BAG:
____ Identification documents (passport, birth certificates, visas, etc.)____ Jewelry and valuables____ All cruise, airline, insurance and hotel tickets, confirmations and documentation.____ Prescription medications. ____ Wallet - As much as possible, limit wallet to necessary contents: ____ Money ____ Traveler's checks ____ Credit cards - two, in case there is a problem with one ____ Driver's license - even if you intend to use a passport as your ID, you may need to drive a rental car, or a vehicle on excursions ____ Driver's insurance card ____ AAA card, especially if you have booked your hotel room through AAA ____ Health insurance, dental, prescription card, etc. ____ Phone cards ____ Used gift card, magnetic strip type. (Use to access the cabin safe.) ____ Past passenger card (for those on-board bookings.)OTHER ITEMS TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON BAG:
____ Name and contact information of your travel agent - in case there is a problem with the booking____ Suitcase keys, if you use locks____ Gum for flight____ Ear plugs, (Ear Planes)____ Cruse line luggage tags____ Make-up case - The items in this are expensive and difficult to replace while on vacation, so this counts as a valuable item.____ Reading material____ Spare contact lens____ Glasses - prescription / reading / sun____ A copy of your complete final packing list. Also leave a copy at home to use for insurance claim purposes should your bag unfortunately go on it's own permanent vacation.____ Return address labels. Use these whenever you have to fill out anything, like your color coded baggage claim suitcase labels at the end of the cruise. Also stick them on your disposable cameras and the non-disposable kind too. Actually stick them on anything that you hope will find its' way back to you, should you lose it.____ Postage stamps - for post cards. (But remember you will need to use local postage on the islands. Local postage stamps can usually be purchased at the purser's desk.____ Small address / phone number book or list ( to address postcards)____ Personal/business cards - to exchange phone numbers with new friends.____ Music - tape, disk or mp3 player, ear phones, CD's, batteries, etc.____ Cell phone - in easy to get at pocket, ready to remove for security check____ Small notebook for taking notes, to use later when writing your cruise review____ Small calculator____ Pencil, pens____ Magic marker____ Highlighter - to highlight items on the ship's daily activity paper____ Your one quart-size zip-top clear plastic bag as allowed by the TSA containing any liquid or gel type items. Pack in easy to access part of bag, ready to remove for security check. (Remember that some items from your make-up case will need to be put in here.)____ Pouch with all usual purse contents, (Kleenex, brush, Tums, etc.)Note: You don't want to carry your purse separately as it will count as one of your carry-on items. Occasionally only one carry-on is permitted on the plane. Also the fewer items you need to keep track of while traveling, the fewer the chances of something being lost or stolen.
HIS CLOTHES - numbers vary with length of trip:
____ Tees____ Shorts____ Casual long pants (i.e. khaki's)____ Collared casual shirts, or polo shirts____ At least one Caribbean styled floral shirt for Caribbean night____ Formal shirts____ Cuff links ____ Suits (jacket and pants)____ Tuxedo, cummerbund, bow tie, shirt button studs, suspenders,etc.____ Sport jacket & dress pants (if your ship does a semi-formal night)____ Ties ____ Tie clip / tack / bar / chain / etc.____ Underwear____ Sleepwear____ Robe - (If your cabin level does not provide robes or if "one size" will not fit.)____ Swimsuits____ Light jacket____ Sandals____ Shoes____ Water shoes - if planning to climb Dunn's River Falls, or similar excursion.HIS BATH SUPPLIES:
____ Soap (only if you prefer your own brand)____ Toothpaste____ Toothbrush____ Shampoo ( only if you prefer your own brand)____ Deodorant____ Dental floss____ Razor____ Shave cream____ Hair spray ____ Hair styling product (mousse, gel, pomade, etc)____ Hair brush____ Comb____ MouthwashHER CLOTHING LIST - numbers vary with length of trip:
____ Formal dresses / outfits____ Evening wrap____ Blouses / tops____ Shorts____ Slacks____ Capri's____ Bras____ Panties____ Slips____ Hose and socks as needed to match outfits____ Swimsuits____ Pareo wraps and/or swimsuit cover-ups____ Caribbean style outfit for Caribbean night____ Sleep wear____ Robe - (If your cabin level does not provide robes or if "one size" will not fit)____ Slippers____ Shoes as needed (heels, dressy, casual, sandals, tennis, water)____ Flip-flops - to wear to the pool____ Light weight jacker / sweaterHER BATH SUPPLIES:
____ Shower cap____ Razors____ Shampoo (if you prefer your own brand)____ Conditioner____ Bar soap ( if you prefer your own brand)____ Comb & brushes ____ Q -Tips____ Contact lens equipment: case, cleaner, soaker, rinse____ Hair styling product - gel, mousse, etc.____ Hair spray____ Deodorant____ Lotion____ Floss____ Toothpaste____ Toothbrush____ Powder____ Eye drops____ Makeup kit____ Feminine products - selection is very limited in the on board shops____ Hair ornaments, clips, bands, etc.____ Hair dryer____ Curling wand / Hair setter____ Hand or magnifying mirror____ Nail polish - color, clear____ Nail file / emery board____ Nail scissors / clipper____ TweezersEXCURSION / POOL SIDE SUPPLIES:
____ Beach bag / back pack - large, for shore excursions____ Beach bag - small, to carry up to the pool____ Beach towels - not needed for traditional cruise____ Snorkel and/or scuba gear____ Small container of Vaseline - necessary for a man with a mustache to make a snorkel mask seal across the upper lip____ Small (six pack) cooler (use to pack refrigerated medications during travel, then use to take a snack to the beach)____ Dog treats to feed fish while snorkeling____ Sun screen, pack plenty ____ Insect repellent____ Aloe or after tan gel____ Cruise Addicts drink bucket, or insulated water bottle (Fill with ice tea, etc. in the buffet area to take to the pool)____ Clips to secure your beach towel or swim cover-up to the lounge chair at the pool. ____ Water safe on a string____ Binoculars____ Wet-one packages____ Hand sanitizer____ Ponchos____ Umbrella____ Large plastic bags - Always put one in the bottom of your tote bag and camera bag. Handy to cover these items in case of rain, or on boat excursion.CABIN USE / ORGANIZING SUPPLIES:
____ Cruise Addicts' flag, to fly from your veranda____ Small framed photo of your kids to place on the night stand____ Travel alarm clock____ Ear plugs, in case the neighbors are noisy, or if the disco is closeby____ Laundry bag / collapse-able laundry hamper____ Extra hangers____ Bottle/wine opener____ Hand disinfecting solution____ Kleenex (Pack your own if you want the soft kind.)____ Wet ones pack ____ Over door hook/s____ Air freshener____ Back-of-door shoe pocket hanger. (This is essential for small cabins with little storage. Hang this inside bathroom of cabin. Holds all your shave cream, brushes, toothpaste, etc.) ____ Closet shoe compartment hanger. (This only works if there is room enough in the closet. If so, it really helps organize your stuff. Especially good on Princess Grand class ships, that have large closets with no door, where all your stuff is open to view.)____ Laundry detergent (to wash the salt or chlorine out of your swimsuit.)____ Shout-it-out stain remover wipes____ Lint remover____ Fabric freshener (Febreze) - to eliminate odors on fabrics____ Downy Wrinkle Release spray____ Static Guard____ Small sewing kit____ Scotch tape____ Super glue____ Nail polish remover pads____ Duct tape ____ Extra batteries for all the electronics that you've packed____ Charging cords for electronics you've packed(cell, mp3, etc.)____ Small flashlight____ Electrical extension cord____ Electrical multiplier strip (Most cabins have only one outlet.)____ Night light (essential for inside cabin)____ Bungee cords - needed to hold open veranda door on some ships, if you want it to stay open. (Actually the cruise line would prefer you not do this, but...) Also can be used as a short clothes line.____ Clothes pins - to hold the curtains closed when the ship rocks, to weight down the shower curtain to keep it from "hugging" you.____ Travel clothing steamer. (Cruise lines really frown on irons.)____ Spray bottle - to spritz yourself while sunbathing, or to fine mist a clothing item, if you don't take the steamer.____ Extra soft sided, flat folding suitcase, to carry home all the extra stuff that you bought. (Don't forget the airlines charge for extra bags.)____ Extra zip lock baggies____ Extra reading material____ Cruise brochure (It has the deck plans in it.)____ Tour guides____ Post-it-Notes ( to leave notes for other cruisers, or your room steward.)____ Envelopes & paper, or note cards (to write thank you notes to crew & give tips.)____ Extra cable ties - Multiple times the number of suitcases to re-lock suitcases for the trip home and after inspections.FIRST AID KIT:
____ Tylenol / Motrin____ Anti-acid____ Sea-sickness medication (Bonine, Dramamine and / or ginger tablets)____ Anti-diarrhea medication____ Laxative____ Sinus or head cold medication____ Benedryl____ Cough drops Antibiotic / pain relieve cream for cuts____ Bandaids gauze & bandage tape ____ Alcohol wipes____ Lip balm____ Aloe gel topical sunburn medication____ Ace wrap____ Extra supply of prescription medications (and / or copies of prescription info to aid replacing them if they are lost or stolen.MORE GOOD IDEAS TO PACK:
____ Small purse to take to dinner. It need only be big enough to hold your reading glasses for the dinner menu, and a copy of the ships daily paper. (Patter, Capers, Daily, etc.)____ Spare pairs of contact lens____ Spare glasses - prescription, reading, sun____ Compass ____ Walkie-talkies - to stay in touch with fellow passengers on-board____ Foreign language dictionary____ Hand held luggage scale. (A fish scale works) Remember, that 50 lb airline luggage weight limit applies for the flight home too.____ Your house keys. You do have to go back home eventually.Also be sure to see our Cruise and Travel tips page: http://www.cruise-addicts.com/Cruise-Travel-Tips/cruise_travel_tips_hints.html
Cruise News
