Cruise ships are an incredible experience. Each one is a self-contained world, with pools, restaurants, casinos, and more floating on the ocean. Whether you’re visiting the Caribbean or Alaska, there is something for everyone. However, you don’t want to be lugging around heavy suitcases or backpacks in 90-degree heat. Here are some useful tips regarding a travel light on a cruise!
Know the necessities of a cruise and make a list
Is it possible to still be fashionable without carrying the whole closet around? You are leaving home; the next thing on your mind is packing. Traveling requires you to pack light, only bringing what is essential and what you must have. When you carry a heavy bag with you, instead of giving you a break from your life, it will certainly break your shoulders apart.
You will not overpack if you make a packing list and stick to it. You can use a printable checklist to mark things off as you pack them, or you can use one of the many applications in the app stores. Without a list, you might end up bringing along extra items that you don’t really need.
You aren’t expected to wear a different outfit every day on a cruise. Everyone’s living out of their suitcases! A capsule wardrobe for a cruise lets you mix and match pieces that coordinate with one another. The result will be that you will look as if you’re wearing a completely new outfit every day, without having to fit half your wardrobe into your luggage.
Some items are a must for your cruise. These include a bathing suit, cover-up, flip-flops or sandals, shorts, shirts, and pants. You will also need an umbrella or something to provide shade from the sun. You should also bring a light jacket or sweater if you’re going to be visiting an area with cool temperatures.
Pack light, attention to shoes
The first step is to pack light. If you’re planning to do some exploring ashore, there are plenty of shops to buy souvenirs. You will have many opportunities to shop for clothes once you arrive at your destination. The same goes for shoes – most cruises offer free shoe shine services, so your footwear should be in good shape by the time you disembark.
For onshore activities, take a tote bag – for water, your camera, smartphone, e-reader – and all your gadgets.
When packing, a good piece of advice is to try rolling instead of folding. You might even want to invest in packing cubes. These will help you organize your clothes when rolling or folding them. You’ll be able to fit that extra outfit in your suitcase this way, so you’ll be able to pack more things.
There is no denying that shoes can take up a lot of space in a suitcase. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough for sea days, shore excursions, formal nights, and evenings in the lounge, casino, or nightclub.
If you’re going on a cruise ship, you’ll need a pair of comfortable sandals, preferably with rubber soles. Some restaurants don’t allow flip-flops as part of their dress code, but sandals are usually fine.
If you are going on shore excursions, wear tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes. While onboard, you should choose sneakers that will also serve as walking shoes off the ship.
If your cruise has formal nights, your third pair of shoes should be dressier. But having the option to dress up for dinner or dancing is a good idea even if you’re not having a formal night.
What to wear on a cruise. Packing for hot or cold weather
When packing for a cruise, it’s important to be prepared for the different climate zones. Cruise ships are typically tropical in temperature all year long, and summertime is no exception.
Researching the weather at your destination and at your ports of call is extremely important. You won’t need thick sweaters or gloves in the Caribbean or Mediterranean (but always bring a lightweight sweater for the dining room).
For example, while cruising to Scandinavia or Alaska, wool clothing may be just as important as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat. Layering is always a good idea if you’re not sure whether you’ll need something warm (especially in the evenings). Keep in mind that it’ll always be cooler on the water. And cruises in the fjords can be particularly cold.
Cruise ships are a “zoo”. There are many people, some with children, and it can be hard to make your way around. Bringing a backpack is not always an option. In the summertime, the heat is often 90 degrees or higher. You don’t want to lug around a heavy suitcase or backpack in that heat!
What not to pack for a cruise
First, it’s important to know what not to pack. Cruise ships have a dress code, and it’s usually casual attire. This means that you don’t need your whole closet on the ship! You will want to bring clothes for different occasions, but don’t overpack for every event. For example, if you plan on going ashore at ports of call, you may need a light jacket or raincoat. However, if you are just staying on the ship the whole time, you can leave those items behind.
Also, most first-time cruisers overpack since they do not know what essential items the cruise line provides as a courtesy.
Miniature versions of your toiletries are a good idea, and if you’re packing light for a cruise, this definitely saves you a lot of space and weight. Purchase mini bottles or use your own brands and decant them into travel-sized bottles. If you prefer, you can leave the shampoo and body wash off your toiletries list as you will find more amenities even on budget cruise lines than you would at a nice hotel.
Conclusion
Cruises are one of the most popular vacation options for travelers across the globe. With a range of destinations and itineraries to choose from, cruising offers a unique vacation experience unlike any other. Packing for a cruise is a bit different than packing for other vacations. To help you pack light, we’ve put together this guide on how to pack wisely for a cruise.
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