What is the best way to pack for a cruise..?

Question

This is my first time on a cruise and I really don't know how much to pack. I don't want to pack too much its myself and my kids. Please Help.

Answer 1

It really depends on where you will be going although I would say "pack lightly" no matter where you are headed. I have found that people most always take way too much stuff. Cruises are great though. I bet you will love it. Have a great time!

Answer 2

Hey Tinkertoy, excellent information. Very helpful.

Answer 3

Here's my recommendations based on the almost 20 cruises I have been on.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, 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.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

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.

Plan on wearing most of what you take at least twice so plan to mix and match tops and bottoms. Take at least two sets of swim wear and plan to change underclothes twice per day.  You will likely wear shorts and/or swim wear most of ever day either to the beach or beach activities or on a tour.  The things you wear in the evenings will not likely get soiled.  If you need it the cruise lines have laundry service; only Carnival ships have a self service laundry.  The ship's laundry service is expensive, about $1,000 per piece.

Most cruises 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. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Kids will be fine in anything except shorts and swim wear after 6:00 PM.  Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.

- 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. 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, or kids, want to use the pools, hot tubs or gym as soon as you board ship, take those clothes in your carry on bag because you will not likely get your bags, or all of them until much later in the evening about 6:00 to 7:00 PM.

- Cruise lines charge a lot (about $15 to $25 per photo) for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Take your own camera and ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

- 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. 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.

Answer 4

Pile up what you think you'll need and then divide it in half leaving half of it behind.

Pack some of each person's clothing in each of the bags and that way if you're separated from any of them all won't be lost.

Answer 5

Figure on one outfit per day, and one per night, plus one for formal night.  Mix and match as much as possible so that you can wear the same shorts or pants more then once. Bring a swimsuit or two and 1 pair of walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals(unless your going to Alaska, then leave those home), and 1 pair of dress shoes. If you forget anything, don't worry, the ships have shopping on-board that you can buy almost anything. For a 7 day cruise, I usually can get by with one bag each person and one Garment bag for 2 people. Don't bother bringing Shampoo, Lotion(except suntan lotion)conditioner or soap. They have all that in your cabin. Princess cruises also give you a robe too to use. Bring a packable hat and a packable rain poncho or jacket. Since you are bringing kids and they get messy, it's a good idea to bring extra shirts for them. Oh yea, they do have laundry rooms on-board ship, so bring quarters and a baggie full of tide too. Pack the same type of clothes you would wear to a resort or hotel. That's about it. Check the weather before you pack so you don't bring like heavy jeans if your going to a warm place like the Caribbean. Enjoy your cruise. One more thing, leave your hairdryer at home, they supply those too.