Once the initial excitement of booking your cruise has dwindled, a little panic about what to to actually pack might set in – especially for first-timers. What with the dress codes, the (sometimes) strict enforcement of whether you can bring your own alcohol on-board and the fact that your ports of call may have different weather and excursions, it can be a bit of a minefield.
Nevertheless, there are some things that almost all seasoned cruisers (and cruise lines) agree that you shouldn’t bring yourself.
Food – Although you may think bringing some homemade protein bars or cookies along on your trip is a good idea to banish any munchies in-between meals, most cruise lines forbid it – specifically food that is opened, stored in tupperware containers or needs to be kept refrigerated.
What to bring instead: Sealed cookies, snacks and sweet treats from your favourite grocery store are fine, provided that they are still unopened when you board the ship. If you like to make your own cup of tea or coffee each day, another good suggestion is a thermos flask or insulated coffee cup, along with your favourite tea bags or (sealed) bag of coffee granules. That way you can order some hot water from one of the on-board restaurants and make your brew back in your room – to enjoy with your shop-bought cookies 😉
Scuba gear – If you’re cruising to somewhere exotic, then it’s understandable that you may want to check out the underwater life scene, however many cruise companies forbid you to bring certain scuba gear items on board with you.
What to bring instead: A snorkel mask and fins are perfectly fine to pack, so if you have room bring those with you and then simply book a scuba excursions at one of your ports if you can’t bear not to delve a little deeper.
Electrical extension cords – An obvious electrical fire hazard (not to mention a tripping one too if you get up in the night in the dark!), extension cords for your electronics are a big no-no.
What to bring instead: If you have several electrical items that are going to be needed to be plugged it simultaneously, try a travel multi adaptor with surge protection. And always make sure you have the correct voltage adaptors.
Beach towels – Almost all cruise lines will be able to provide you with towels for use around the pool or even the beach, so you will be using up valuable space in your luggage if you pack these heavy items.
What to bring instead: Plastic bags of different sizes for wet swimwear (particularly if you use the pool on your last day) and dirty clothing. And perhaps a waterproof bag for your phone if you want to take lots of poolside selfies…
Uncomfortable/new shoes – Cruise liners are *much* bigger than you would expect, so don’t pack any formal shoes that are going to end up giving you blisters by the time you’ve walked to dinner. Always try and break-in shoes before you go and bring a small variety of footwear to allow for every occasion (and potential pinching!)
What to bring instead: A first aid kit with sunscreen, after sun and Band Aids. The sun is always stronger on-deck than you’d imagine, especially on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, and sunscreen is usually very expensive at onboard shops. And if you don’t heed our advice about the shoes, you may need the Band Aids for your toes 😉
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