What to Pack for Your Cruise
Cruise Travel Essentials
Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork
- airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
- cruise documents
- passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for requirements)
- vaccination certificate (if required)
- driver's license and auto insurance card - in case you decide to rent a car when ashore
- medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
- copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
- another picture ID - if you don't take driver's license
- credit cards - be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area
- ATM card
- pre-paid phone card
- cash or traveler's checks (be sure to keep traveler's checks receipt in separate location)
- 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary - pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home
- contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler's checks
- emergency numbers at home
- currency conversion chart
- wallet and fanny pack
- watch - dual time zone watch is perfect!
Reading Material and Necessities
- glasses, contacs, contac cleaner
- extra reading glasses
- sunglasses
- reading sunglasses
- guidebooks and other port of call information
- foreign language phrase book or dictionary
- maps
- reading material - books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool
- journal or notebook and pen/pencil - for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences
- business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
- home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home - for sending postcards, emails, or gifts
- photo album
Electronics and Camera Equipment
- plug adaptor and converter
- cell phone and charger
- PDA and charger
- laptop computer
- binoculars
- film camera and manual
- extra film (don't put undeveloped film in checked luggage)
- disposable underwater camera - for snorkeling or beach days
- digital camera and manual
- extra memory cards for digital camera
- batteries for digital camera
- battery charger
- extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
- walkman and tapes (for walking on deck or on treadmill)
- small travel alarm clock - battery operated
- lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
- small flashlight
- night light
Medicine Kit
- prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
- ear plugs or "ear planes"
- small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, vaseline, dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrheal medication, cortisone
- cream, aspirin/tylenol/advil)
- germicidal hand cleaner
- handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
- hand lotion
- rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
- bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes and "nonos" ashore)
- sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock
Other "Necessities"
- duct tape or strapping tape
- extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return trip (better than locks, but one-time use only)
- extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
- zip loc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
- small umbrella
- collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
- Crazy glue
- playing cards
- sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)
- shoe horn for getting those shoes back on your swollen feet
- sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
- travel-sized Woolite
- clothes pins
- empty folding tote bag - for souvenirs or the beach
- hats/caps/visors
- insulated large coffee mugs
Women's Packing List
Clothing
- bras (include strapless if needed for evening wear)
- panties
- lingerie/night gown/pajamas/robe
- compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
- exercise/walking socks
- trouser socks or pantyhose
- camisole/slip
- purses (day and evening)
- belts
- scarves
- gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
- walking shoes
- walking sandals
- rubber sandals for reef walking and beach
- evening shoes
- costume jewelry and extra watch
- swim suit
- swim suit cover-up/pareo/sarong
- thongs/flip flop shoes
- work out clothes and jog bra
- dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
- dress/outfit for formal nights on ship
- dress/outfit for casual nights on ship
- shorts
- tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
- capri pants
- slacks
- windbreaker jacket
- sweatshirt
- evening sweater
- raincoat with hood
Women's Sundries and Miscellaneous
- blow dryer
- curling iron or curlers
- comb/brush
- hair gel
- hair spray (non-aerosol)
- shampoo
- conditioner
- shower cap
- bar soap in plastic container
- deodorant
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- tweezers
- make-up mirror
- make-up and make-up bag(list can be endless!)
- make-up remover
- cleanser
- moisturizer and freshener
- nail polish and remover
- nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
- razor and shaving cream
Men's Packing List
Clothing
- underwear (briefs or boxer shorts)
- undershirts
- pajamas and robe
- compression socks (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
- exercise/walking socks
- black dress socks
- belts
- gloves and stocking cap(if expect cold weather)
- walking shoes
- walking sandals
- rubber sandals/shoes for reef walking and beach
- evening or dress shoes
- "docksider" casual shoes
- tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit)
- tuxedo tie, suspenders, and cummerbund
- tuxedo cufflinks/studs
- sport jacket
- regular ties
- tuxedo shirt
- dress shirts
- swim suit
- swim suit cover-up
- work out clothes/T shirts
- shorts
- casual shirts
- slacks (casual and dress)
- windbreaker jacket
- sweatshirt
- raincoat with hood
Men's Sundries and Miscellaneous
- comb/brush
- shampoo and hair products
- bar soap in plastic container
- deodorant
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- tweezers
- nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
- razor and shaving cream (or electric razor and supplies)
