Going on my first cruise.

Question

I've never been on a cruise before so I really don't know what to expect. I read the cruise book that tells you the events going on, what to expect, etc. but it really wasn't informative on basic needs. Any advice? Things you'll definitely need? Things you won't need (because the cruise liner provides it?). Thanks!

Answer 1

You may want to take a power strip because there is only one outlet in the cabin, or at least there was on Carnival that way if you need to charge your cell and your camera you can. I have only been on a couple of cruises but am planning another real soon.Here is a website that may help you it's the one I use. Have a great cruise.    

Answer 2

Here's what I put together based on my 20 cruises on 4 different cruise lines based on my experiences:

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

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.

- 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 3

Many lines will let you disembark first if you can carry your own bags off. With the airline charges for bags, that's another incentive to pack light.

When packing, account for the T-shirt you know you're going to buy.

Research your ports, plan ahead what you want to do, and PRINT OUT information, maps, and directions to places you plan to see. Check for any on-line coupons that they may have. Cruise critc "ports of call" boards is a great place to get info. The maps that the line provides are crummy and generally are for the benefit of paid sponsors (aka the recommended merchants).

We like to take travel mugs with snap-on lids.

Sunscreen is expensive onboard, so take plenty and take the heavy-duty stuff. We usually pack a bottle of pure aloe, just in case someone burns.

We always take aspirin and antacids; dramamine is often free at the purser. Recently, started taking a few benadryl capsules and band-aids along.

All ships have soap and shampoo, although it may not be what you like.

Couple of water bottles, with or without water in them. They sell these when you stop in a port of call. Take your own and just refill them on the ship.

Depending on port and planned activities, bug spray.

Depending on port and planned activities, water shoes.

Several sizes of ziplock bags. The really big ones work nicely for liquor in checked luggage, small ones for a camera.

Throwaway rain ponchos.

Small bills for tips and purchases.

Answer 4

A power strip.  There is only one power outlet in the room.

An alarm clock for shore excursion days.

A nightlight. The rooms are wicked dark.

A lanyard for your Sail and Sign card.

A XXXL Ziplock bag for dirty, sandy clothes.

A large canvas bag to carry items on shore excursions.

Plenty of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping in ports, taxis, etc.

A 2nd swimsuit...suits never dry hanging in the bathroom and who likes to put on a wet swimsuit?

Answer 5

You will not need an alarm clock.  Wake up calls are available just like in a hotel or resort.  A bag to take into port with you.  Make sure that you have the right shoes for the excursion and buy some water shoes before you leave, I paid $15 bucks for a pair because I forgot mine at home.  They are only like $5 bucks normally.  

Here's a hint too...if you take your cell phone make sure it is turned off unless you absolutely need it.  Incoming calls even if you don't answer are forwarded to voice mail and cost you one minute which for my carrier is $4.99 per minute.  If it is off you are not charged for that minute.  The phones onboard are usually around $9.99 a minute.  A phone card can be handy to call home from port if you need to check on kids or family, etc.