Travel necessitates that you make some prudent packing choices, and in case of cruise vacations, even more so. In here, through a short guide, we provide you with a checklist of the packing essentials.
A cruise vacation is a dream come true for most and we work hard and save for it to be a reality in the near future. So when you finally get it planned, you must be expecting, every bit of it to be perfect. To have the perfect cruise, one has to plan it perfectly and in advance. These trips require a lot of planning. While you would ideally like to pack away your entire wardrobe with every conceivable item that you may require, this approach is obviously not practical. Some wise decisions need to be made, to choose only the stuff that you really need. Traveling light is the key to a carefree vacation. This is also in tune with the idea that vacations are about leaving your past and present mental baggage behind and losing yourself in the exploration of a new world.
A cruise ship is going to be your home for some weeks. So you have to be prepared for life on them, as they are floating islands. This article is intended to help in your quest, with a detailed checklist, that will include all the stuff you’ll need. You can use it to get an idea about what all to shop for, in advance. Here is a list of all the travel documents and essentials for men, women, and children, to make the voyage hassle-free.
- ◻ Passports with Stamped Visas
- ◻ Airline Tickets
(Should be booked in advance) - ◻ Cruise Tickets and Documents
(Absolutely essential, unless you are planning to be a stowaway!) - ◻ Vaccination Certificates
(Required by some cruise companies) - ◻ Medical history report
- ◻ Medical insurance documents
(Absolutely essential if you are traveling alone) - ◻ Your Debit/Credit Cards
- ◻ Driving License
(If you plan to drive, when ashore and it also serves as a photo ID proof) - ◻ Traveler's Checks
- ◻ Adequate Cash
- ◻ Pre-Paid Phone Card
(Comes in handy) - ◻ 3 Backup photocopies of your cruise tickets, airline tickets and passport
(Should be preferably kept in different bags) - ◻ Notarized forms filled by guardians/parents when traveling with kids under 18
Other Essentials
- ◻ Tablet, cell Phone, with chargers
(Essential, unless you are planning to totally disconnect from the world back home) - ◻ Journal and Stationery
(If you plan to keep a travelogue) - ◻ Digital cameras with extra batteries
- ◻ Sunglasses and/or reading glasses
- ◻ Binoculars
(Will guarantee breathtaking sites on cruise) - ◻ Disposable underwater camera with extra memory cards
(Useful if you are planning to go snorkeling) - ◻ Strapping tape
- ◻ Travel alarm clock
- ◻ Flashlight
- ◻ Swiss army knife
- ◻ iPod or MP3 player
- ◻ Sunscreen Lotion
- ◻ Small first-aid kit
- ◻ Sewing Kit
- ◻ Coffee Mugs
- ◻ Toothbrush and paste
- ◻ Dental floss
- ◻ Mouthwash
- ◻ Comb
- ◻ Brush
- ◻ Pediatrician or family doctor's contact information
- ◻ Children's medicines and essentials
Checklist for Men
- ◻ Underwear
(Boxer shorts or briefs) - ◻ Pajamas
- ◻ Bathrobe
- ◻ Stock of socks
- ◻ Belts
- ◻ Walking shoes, evening shoes, sandals
- ◻ Tuxedo with shirt and trousers
(Never leave without a tux) - ◻ Swimsuits
- ◻ Casual shirts
- ◻ Hooded raincoat
- ◻ Shaving kit
- ◻ Polo Shirts and T-shirts
- ◻ Jeans
- ◻ Long-sleeved shirt
- ◻ Trousers
- ◻ Khakis
- ◻ A suit
- ◻ Dinner jacket
- ◻ Ballroom dance attire
- ◻ Country club casuals
- ◻ Blazer
- ◻ Sunhat
- ◻ Deodorant
- ◻ Shorts
- ◻ 5-6 (preferably) Cotton t-shirts and shorts
- ◻ Clothes for casual nights
- ◻ Clothes for formal nights
- ◻ Jeans, leggings
- ◻ Long pants and sleeved shirts
- ◻ Cotton dresses
- ◻ Adequate stock of underwear
- ◻ Pajamas
- ◻ Socks
- ◻ Sneakers
- ◻ Sweatshirt
- ◻ Sweater
- ◻ Rain jacket
- ◻ Hat/cap
- ◻ Light jacket
- ◻ Children's toys, books, electronic items, with batteries
- ◻ Favorite soft toys
- ◻ Disposable camera
For Toddlers
- ◻ Diapers
- ◻ Swim diapers
- ◻ Pacifiers
- ◻ Baby wipes
- ◻ Sippy cups
- ◻ Essential baby medications
(Consult pediatrician) - ◻ Sun hat
- ◻ Crib
- ◻ Booster chair
- ◻ Extra baby clothing
- ◻ Bibs
- ◻ Baby formula
- ◻ Baby backpack
- ◻ Stroller
- ◻ Toys, stuffed animals
- ◻ Swim aids (inflatable)
- ◻ Baby sunscreen
- ◻ Sunblock
- ◻ Baby sunburn ointment
- ◻ Ziploc bag
Checklist for Women
- ◻ Bras
(Should include strapless ones for evening dresses) - ◻ Panties
- ◻ Pajamas
- ◻ Lingerie
- ◻ Bathrobe
- ◻ Nightgown
- ◻ Pantyhose or trouser socks
- ◻ Slip or Camisole
- ◻ Flashlight
- ◻ Tops and Capri pants
- ◻ Walking socks, walking shoes, rubber sandals, evening shoes
- ◻ Gloves, Belts, and scarves
- ◻ Costume jewelry
- ◻ Swimsuit, bikini, or sarong
- ◻ Appropriate dresses for informal, formal and casual nights on the ship
- ◻ T-shirts or polos
- ◻ Windbreaker jacket
- ◻ Hooded raincoat
- ◻ Sweatshirt
- ◻ Sweater
- ◻ Makeup kit
- ◻ Mosquito repellent
- ◻ Sun hat
- ◻ Pants or jeans
- ◻ Aqua-socks
(For snorkeling) - ◻ Shorts
- ◻ Casual skirts
- ◻ Cocktail Dress
- ◻ Ballroom dance dress
That winds up our checklist. Planning ahead and in advance, will ensure a smooth cruise for you. Pack your clothes, according to the weather you may be expecting on the cruise and the stops it takes on the way. Ensure that things at home are taken care of while you are on leave. See that your mail is delivered to a neighbor or held back at the post office, that your pets are taken care of, and water taps, gas outlets are turned off. This will ensure that you leave for the vacation peacefully and enjoy it thoroughly. Bon Voyage!