What To Pack For Your Upcoming Cruise!

We just got back from our most recent cruise.

It was wonderful! We had a truly relaxing time, leaving all of the chaos that has been going on in our personal life at home. One thing that made it great was being prepared and having everything we needed. We have been on a number of cruises so we had an idea of what would be available on the ship but we still managed to leave some essentials at home. While they stock a few items on the ship, for space reasons they can’t carry everything you might want or need in the shops on board. Here are a few items that we have found useful on every single cruise we have taken. Most we had planned for prior, some we bought along the way. I hope this list helps you sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise!

List of items to bring and why: The first three items are related, so you can pick and choose what works best for you or carry all three. Chums Surfshort wallet - This is new addition to our list of must haves. I actually stumbled upon this handy dandy item while purchasing new water shoes for the family at Academy Sports and Outdoors, but I have since found that they are also available at Amazon in a variety of colors. This is a small wallet that is waterproof and zips all of the contents into place in two separate compartments. It also has a window where you can see your id or ship card. There is an option available that floats but it is bulkier and does not have the window. My husband used it to carry his ship card, Driver’s License, AMEX and a little cash. It was great for the many beach stops we had on this most recent trip. It dried quickly and was small so he could easily slip it in the velcro pocket of his swim trunks or shorts. Once the trip was over he switched back to his faithful leather wallet. Crossbody purse - This trip, I carried a large variety of cute sun dresses. I loved them, but I discovered only one had pockets! I am not a big purse girl anyway, but I like to have my stuff with me. Mostly, my phone….so I can take pictures. I also needed my ID and my ship card both onboard and while out and about off the ship. Luckily at the last minute, I had shoved a very small crocheted crossbody into my suitcase. I wish I had brought more colors! It was tiny and perfect for carrying my passport, phone and a few dollars along with my ID and ship card. Lanyard - We don’t personally use these but if neither of the above options are your cup of tea, this is what most people use to carry their ID and ship card. They do sell these on the ship…everywhere. You can get plain ones, bedazzled ones, long ones, short ones, some that have a plastic pouch to put your ship card in or some that just clip (you can get your card punched at the service desk, so that it will clip). Just about any design style you could think of, they sell. I am just not a big fan, but apparently they are very popular with other cruisers. Small currency bills ($1, $5, $10) - We found small bills particularly helpful on our most recent trip. We were on islands that had been recently hit with hurricanes and they were still rebuilding. They accepted and used US dollars. The taxi fares and prices were mostly negotiable and reasonable BUT if you negotiate a better price, you better have correct change as they are not going to be as apt to make change for you if you are asking for a “haggled” price. Plus having a few singles for tips is always a good idea. Ziplock bags - These we have found are good to carry wet bathing suites and for packing anything that might leak. I can always find a use for a gallon sized ziplock bag. Sunscreen/after sun care - This seems obvious if you are going to a beach destination. However, it is also useful if you are on a cruise to areas where you are just going to be out exploring when you are off ship or walking around on deck. We don’t realize how much sun exposure we are getting when we are sightseeing. Be prepared, so you are not uncomfortable for the duration of your trip due to an unexpected sunburn. Allergy/Cold Medicine - You don’t want to think about getting sick on your vacation, but it happens. If you are traveling, you are being exposed to different trees, plants and foods than normal, that can cause a reaction. Also, no matter how diligent you are at washing your hands, being in a confined area with so many people, you are more likely to be exposed to germs. We have found that most ships have a limited supply of Allergy and/or Cold medicine and of course in ports you are more likely to find a better selection. We like to carry our preferred brands for the best results. No one wants to feel bad on their vacation. Pep-to/Zantac (or whatever) - Most likely you will be eating and drinking differently on a cruise than you would at home. It is hard to say no to the wonderful spread at dinner when someone just keeps bringing you food. Your taste buds may be in Heaven but your tummy may not always go along with the cruise diet. Plan accordingly. Insulated personal water bottle/cup - If you purchase one of the beverage packages that are so popular on the ships now, you probably won’t need this. The cruise line will usually provide you with an insulated travel type cup if you purchase the package. If not, I suggest bringing your own. They keep your water (or whatever) cool longer and it is important to stay hydrated! Light colored umbrella - This is a must! It is one of things that you may never need, but you will be so glad you had it if you do! Of course you will be thankful you have an umbrella if you are out sightseeing and a shower pops up, but they are also great for shade! They don’t take up much room in a beach bag and can be a lifesaver in many situations. I won’t leave the ship without my tiny umbrella! Beach Bag with pockets - If you are visiting a beach, I recommend a beach bag with pockets. You will fill up the bag with towels and clothes, so you will want to have a pocket to be able to quickly grab your phone, or cash, or whatever. It is not fun to have to dump your clean clothes/towels out in the sand to find what you are looking for in your bag. Empty Duffle Bag - This one we had to purchase on board this time. We ended up bringing home more than we took! (Oops!) Plus, I am pretty sure dirty clothes take up more room than clean clothes in a suitcase. I am not sure how that happens but it seems to be the way every trip ends. We will in the future pack an empty, collapsible bag…just in case. Water shoes - Some beaches are soft sand, some are rocky, some have shells and some are just plain hot. I recommend water shoes for all. You will run into a variety of types of beaches on most cruises, you will not regret having your water shoes! Q-tips/ toothpicks - For some reason both of these items are scarce on a cruise. We use both every day. Pack them if you need them. Bug/Mosquito wipes - These are wonderful! You don’t have to worry about traveling with aerosols or liquids. They come in individually wrapped sheets that you can toss in a beach bag or cross body and have when you need them. I found mine at Target, but they are available at most major drug stores near the bug spray. Mini first aid kit - I packed a mini first aid kit and thankfully didn’t need it, but I think it is a good idea to have on hand just in case! Oh! I almost forgot! Hangers - Yes, hangers are provided in your closet on the ship but there are not nearly enough, as far as I am concerned. I brought my own and still could have used more. Our closets have always been large enough, with built in shelving for shoes and other items to be stored on one side, but I definitely recommend you bring hangers if you want to hang your clothes. I hang most of my clothing because I don’t like the wrinkles! That is my must do list of things not to forget! I hope this helps you enjoy your cruise more! Do you have something specific you can't live without? Tell me!

#Cruise #RoyalCaribbean #Travel