What are the essential items to pack for your cruise trip?

Submitted by Winston on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 20:36.

Cruise lines normally provide you with a brochure that will give you some guidelines of what to pack. If you are travelling as a couple, pack some of your clothes in your spouse’s suitcase and vice versa. In the event that one of you looses your luggage, both of you will have something to wear.

Cruise has become a much more casual affair now than before. Some luxury cruise lines are more formal than regular cruise lines. The typical 7 day cruise will have only two formal nights with the rest being informal or casual.

In addition to your cruise line brochure, here is a short list of essential items you may want to include: -

SPF 30 or higher sun block (you will be spending a lot of time in the sun so please take care of your skin) -
Jacket, tie, and dress shirt & an outfit for informal and casual evening wear (gentlemen) -
Cocktail dress or formal gown & informal and casual evening wear (Ladies) -
Shorts and t-shirts -
Swimsuit, undergarments, and cover-up -
Sweater of light Jacket (evenings can be breezy on a ship) -
Deck shoes or tennis shoes (nothing slippery) -
Exercise clothes (women,
don’t forget jogging bras) -
Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solutions -
Sunglasses - Hat, Visor or Cap -
Prescription medications, eye drops, chap sticks, motion sickness medications - Small first aid kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic crème and Benadryl etc. -
Address Book to help when you write and mail postcards -
A fold up tote bags to carry items you purchase during your trip - Pack some necessities in your carry-on just in case you do not receive your luggage immediately -
Camera, Video camcorder, storage devices, SD cards, batteries and chargers (some ships do not allow use of personal equipment in rooms. Please check your cruise brochure before leaving and enquire where to charge equipment). -
Cell phone charger (note: cell phone calls can cost as much as $4 a minute in some areas) - Name, address and phone number of travel agent -
Personal Care Items: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, facial products, deodorant, perfumes (if summer, no heavy perfumes), shaving cream and aftershave for men etc