Packing Suggestions

Bring with you clothes that you can leave behind or throw away after use. Why bring home unnecessary laundry. Examples: T-shirts, socks, polo shirts, underwear, etc.

Consider wearing new shirts and things that you buy while on your cruise. This will allow for other things to be packed in place of clothes.

Invest in an expandable suitcase. These suitcases have an additional inch or so to allow for that stuff that added to your luggage. Bring with you a collapsible duffel bag. The souvenir shops bet on sales of these items

Depending on the length of the trip, consider investing in travel clothing. These garments are lighter to carry and are designed for the rigors of travel. For example, consider purchasing clothes that washable in your cabin sink or bathtub and dry quickly. This will enable you to pack less needing less space.

If you are planning on taking any shore excursions with great amounts of walking, it is advisable to pack undergarments that will keep irritation and perspiration to a minimum. Also, good walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

Items that Come in Handy (Optional)

• Power Strip: Bring with you a power strip for charging all those electronic gizmos that we all have to have with us these days, such as chargers for iPods, cameras, and cell phones (although you shouldn't need them).
• Bathrobe: Some ships passengers bathrobes either complimentary (depending on the cruise line, class of cabin, or your status with the cruise line) or as a purchasable item. It comes in handy when going from your room to the pool or pool to the buffet so you're not walking around bare around certain parts of the ship. It is also nice for just lounging in your room or on your veranda.
• Flip-flops, water booties, or deck shoes: You just don't want to be walking all over the ship with bare feet. Some ships have over 2900 passengers on them. You don't know what bacteria people are depositing as they meander the ship.
• Beverage mugs: These may or may not be allowed by the cruise line for sanitary purposes. However, if allowed, you can have your fill of whatever FREE beverages are offered. (Yes, there are other beverages that you pay for that you would THINK would be part of the price.)
• Small wallet and/or ID pouch: While on board ship, there is no need to carry money or credit cards. All purchases are charged to your stateroom. Therefore, the only thing that one should have with them on person while on the ship is the cruise card. The cruise card can be placed in a separate wallet or ID pouch with things that you need all the time.
• Highlighter or Colored Markers: These guys come in handy when marking up the daily bulletin of daily events. With so many things going on all day, it is important to notate the events that interest you. Highlighting them on the daily program will remind you at what times they are happening amongst the other overlapping ones.
• Waterproof watch: Yes, you're on vacation, but.... Remember that game of bingo to win that free cruise for two? How will you know what time it is? Of course being on vacation invites that you may get wet at some point in the day, so a waterproof watch will come in handy rather than realizing that you just went in the pool with your good Citizen or Rolex. Cheap waterproof watches can be found for cheap and you won't feel bad if you leave it somewhere by accident.
• Waterproof Storage case: Everyone will head to the sun deck or pool deck at some point. Although the cruise card is quite durable and can resist being subjected to water, other things are not as forgiving. Having a waterproof case will provide a place to store items like cash and other necessary documents that shouldn't get wet. Just be mindful not to leave it around on a lounge chair.

• Laundry bag: Laundry will be produced in one way or another. Pick one up at your local dollar store
• Laundry detergent: Depending on how long of a cruise you'll be taking, you may want to consider taking pre-measured amounts of dry laundry detergent to avoid paying for detergent from vending machines on board ship. If you're taking a cruise for longer than 7 to 9 days, this may be a consideration to reduce the amount of packing necessary.
• Colapsable shoe rack with travel hooks: This item can serve more than just a place to store shoes. The different pockets can be used to store highlighters, cameras, music players, CDs, etc. so that they don't pile up all over thd desk in the cabin.
• Duct Tape: You probably are scratching your head at this one. Beleive it or not, things break on vacation and having a roll of duct can help temporarily fix ripped luggage and other things.
• Post-It Notes: Due to old-fashioned ways of communicating at sea, we need ways to communicate with family and leave notes for the cabin attendant. A pad of post-it notes will allow you to leave notes on the cabin door for whomever you need to relay a quick message to.