Now you have decided to go on a cruise, it is time to think about what to pack. There are a few things to consider when packing such as are you traveling by plane to the embarkation port or is it only a car ride away. If you are travelling by plane you will be guided by the checked luggage restrictions, so be more discerning of what you pack. If you have no restrictions, pack what ever you want.
I have some basic rules about what to pack that have served me well for over 10 years, so I am happy to share my core travel hack. I will also give you my core check sheet of what to pack so that you will never over pack again.
- Pack lightweight, block colours, mix-and-match, interchangeable and multipurpose.,
- Pack clothes you will be happy seeing yourself in a photo in a few years’ time,
- Always wear comfortable shoes.
- Wear a Medic Alert Bracelet
- Don’t over pack
- Roll clothes
- Think about your clothes, layer clothing can address various weather changes, light sweater
- Take neutral coloured clothes that mix and match enough combinations for 7 days
- Have 1 or 2 formal outfit and change its look with a scarves or jewellery or tie etc.
- Consider clothes that you will be happy photographed in. Resort casual is good for day to day wear.
- Be prepared to do some hand laundry – pack a portable peg-less clothesline or S-hooks or suction hooks
- Cruise size toiletries are enough for a week, buy extra stuff you need on the cruise.
- Take a toiletry bag that allows it to hang.
- When travelling in religious countries – adopt the local customs, cover shoulders, knees and some headdress.
- Consider that some places have strict dress codes for example Golf Club in Bermuda
- Pack a collapsible suitcase/duffle bag for extra items you buy on your holiday
- Take shoes that serve multiple purposes. Light weight shoes are a great idea.
- Shoes should be tried and tested, Do not take a new pair of shoes for the trip. Blisters can ruin your day!
- Always pack seasonal costume wear, Christmas Halloween, Easter, pool/Hawaii party, 80’s disco
| CHECK | ITEM | CHECK | ITEM | CHECK | ITEM |
| Toothbrush | MEN | International power converter | |||
| Mouthwash | 4 Shirts Polo Oxford | Power board | |||
| Dental floss | A sports jacket or business suit | USB charger and cable | |||
| Comb or brush | 3 Casual dining dress shirts | Camera | |||
| Shampoo & Conditioner | Shorts – Khaki or Bermuda | Memory cards | |||
| Soap (Small) | Long pants | Flashlight (if you don’t have a smartphone) | |||
| Makeup/Cosmetics (minimal) | 6-8 Undershirt/socks | Cell phone and charger | |||
| Eye Care Items | 2/3 Ties | Headphones | |||
| Hair Styling Products | 2 sets multipurpose sportswear/pyjamas | Laptop and cord | |||
| Nail Clippers | 1 Sweatshirt | Batteries | |||
| Q-Tips | 2 Sweat pants | Kindle and charger | |||
| Tissue (Pocket size) | 1 rain coat/spray jacket/overcoat | Watch | |||
| Deodorant | 2 light neutral colours sweaters | Luggage locks and tags, | |||
| Razor & Shaving Lotion | 2 jean | Playing cards | |||
| Perfume/Cologne | 3 shorts | Sewing kit | |||
| Tweezers | 4 T-Shirts/casual shirt (not strong prints) | Luggage scale | |||
| Feminine Hygiene Products | TSA locks | ||||
| Persona Prescription Medication | WOMEN | Pen | |||
| First Aid Kit | 1/2 formal cocktail outfits | Books puzzle books | |||
| Simple pain relief | 3 Casual dining outfits | Light backpack | |||
| Cold / Sinus Mediation | 4 dresses including a maxi dress | Beach/Pool Tote | |||
| Laxative | Slacks | Water bottle (collapsible) | |||
| Antiemetic | 6-8 Underwear/Bras Undershirt/socks/hosiery | Post-it notes | |||
| Motion Sickness medication, | 2 sets multipurpose sportswear/pajamas | ||||
| · Sea-bands | 1 Sweatshirt | Laundry detergent | |||
| · Dramamine | 2 Sweat pants | Peg-less clothesline & S-Hooks or suction hooks | |||
| · Essential oils | 1 rain coat/spray jacket/overcoat | Safety pins | |||
| · Ginger | 2 light neutral colours sweaters | ||||
| Broad spectrum antibiotic | 2 jean | Optional | |||
| Diarrhoea Medication | 3 shorts | Selfie stick | |||
| Vitamins | 4 T-Shirts/casual shirt (not strong prints) | Travel alarm clock | |||
| Insect repellent | 2/3 scarves/wrap/pashmina | Highlighter pen | |||
| Over the counter medications | Playing cards | ||||
| Antacids | 1 Goggles | ||||
| Tylenol | BOTH | 1 flippers | |||
| Neosporin | 1 Dress shoes | 1 umbrella or light plastic poncho | |||
| Band Aids | 1 Casual shoes/loafers (walking shoes) | Over the door storage hanger | |||
| Antibiotic Ointment | 1 Sandal | Binoculars | |||
| Sunscreen | 1 flip flop | 1 Reef shoes (Aqua shoes) | |||
| 1 pair of sneakers | Light backpack | ||||
| Plastic Bag | Beach/Pool Tote | ||||
| Ear Plugs | 1 Swimsuit | Water bottle (collapsible) | |||
| Eye mask | 1-2 Swim over shirt Sarong Rashie | Post-it notes | |||
| Hand sanitizer (small) | |||||
| Room Sanitiser or freshener (non-aerosol) | |||||
| Lysol disinfecting wipes | |||||
| 2 pairs sunglasses | |||||
| Hat | |||||
A last minute reminder of what NOT to pack, DO NOT take illegal drugs, weapons like firearms or knives, anything that could cause a fire, no electric jugs, hairdryers, candles, etc.
