Cruise packing neccessities!?

Question

what do i need to remember to bring... like suntan lotion and stuff

Answer 1

I have been on about 20 cruises and here's what I suggest based on my experiences:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:

-swim wear (at least 2),

-shorts, tank tops and "T's"

-sandals,

-beach shoes,

-your snorkel equipment if you have it,

-sun glasses and sun screen,

-lotions,

-a cap or big hat for the sun,

-a book if you are a reader,

-your music player,

-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym,

-good walking shoes,

-your camera, and

-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice. If you are going to the Caribbean you will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't. WE always take the formal stuff off after dinner and a photo or two and go back to casual stuff.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

-If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take some one dollar bills (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.

Answer 2

first day

a small carry-on bag with your travel documents

a change of clothes

bathing suit

workout clothes

any medications you may need

(you won't have your luggage for a while when you first board the ship)

Onboard attire

Shorts

t-shirts

slacks

trousers

casual skirts

blouses

sundresses indoors or out.

the pool

pack two bathing suits (an extra suit in case the other is wet) pair of casual shoes: flip-flops, sandals, sneakers

some casual shorts

a couple of t-shirts

a cover-up for getting to and from the pool areas.

fitness center

extra shorts

t-shirts

socks that you won't mind working out in

a pair of tennis or running shoes/sneakers.

guidelines nights

Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women

Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women

Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women

For fun

books you'll want to consider packing:

Travel guides

Poolside pleasures

Journal

Address book

Binoculars

Save space

leave room in luggage for souvenirs and mementos

Bring shirts and pants/skirts that mix and match

Wear your heaviest shoes during embarkation and disembarkation so you don't have to pack them.

Pack small items inside larger ones for efficiency.

Bring an additional empty bag for those acquired extras.

formal nights

cocktail dresses for women

suits and ties - or tuxedos - for men

for the smart casual nights bring dresses or pantsuit for women, jackets for men.

Onshore attire

comfortable walking shoes

a hat

sunscreen

If cruising to Northern Europe or Alaska

nights on deck can be cool

sweaters

jackets

long pants.

if touring any museums, cathedrals or churches

dress conservatively.

a raincoat

hiking shoes

travel umbrella

swimsuit

if this doesn't help you, nothing will.

Answer 3

YOU NEED TO PACK THINGS LIKE SUNTAN LOTION, SUNGLASSES, BATHING SUIT AT LEST TWO NICE OUTFITS FOR THE FORMAL NIGHTS IF YOU AR GOING ON A SEVEN DAY CRUISE OR ONE OUTFIT FOR 3-4 NIGHT CRUISE, SHAMPOO, SOAP ARE PROVIDED INSIDE YOUR CABIN BUT TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTHBRUSH ARE NOT.  ALSO TAKE SOME OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINE LIKE COUGH AND ADVIL THESE THINGS AR FOR SALE ON THE SHIP BUT ARE EXPENSIVE.