What to Pack for Your Cruise Vacation

You finally have finished planning your cruise and are patiently waiting the days until you embark for your much anticipated vacation. Cruises are so great because there is little to worry about once you have stepped on the ship. Your meals, entertainment, and planning is all done for you. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and take it all in. Packing for your cruise is a different story. You want to make sure you are prepared for a week of exciting adventures, and making a list before you start packing is the best way to make sure you do not leave anything behind. Before you grab your suitcases and start shoving random items in, take a look at the packing suggestions below to help everyone in your family prepare.

For Everyone:

Travel Documents
Depending on which destinations your cruise is going to, you may not need all of the travel documents listed below. However, it is very important to check with your travel agent or cruise line beforehand to make sure you do not forget any travel documents necessary.

- Airline tickets or confirmation number for your e-tickets
- Passports and visa
- Proof of citizenship
- Vaccination certificate/records
- Driver's license

Wallet items

You want to make sure to make a list of everything that is in your wallet and photocopy them in case your wallet is lost while you are on vacation.

- Medical insurance cards
- Credit cards
- ATM card
- Pre-paid phone card (even if you have a cell phone - you may not get reception)
- Cash
- Travelers' checks - put receipt for travelers' check in a different location
- Emergency numbers
- Current pictures of your children if they are accompanying you (in case they get lost)

First aid/medical

- Prescription medicines
- Small first aid kit with band aids, antibiotic cream, aspirin, etc.
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Over the counter medicines such as Ibuprofen, Dramamine, and anti-diarrheal medication

Electronics

- Camera with extra batteries and film if you have a film camera
- Cell phone and charger (for when you are at ports)
- Mp3 player and charger
- Travel alarm
- Flashlight
- PDA
- Laptop and cord
- Handheld gaming system

Other

- Books
- Magazines
- Notebook/journal
- Pen
- Guide book for places you'll be stopping
- Sunglasses
- Reading glasses

For Her

For a female, there is a list of necessary items that would be beneficial to take on a cruise vacation. The following list goes into detail concerning those items.

- Enough tops and bottoms to last for trip
- One or two evening outfits for formal nights
- Bras, underwear, socks, pantyhose
- Pajamas/robe
- Handbag or tote for day
- Evening bag
- Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, shoes for pool/beach, evening shoes
- Hats
- Jewelry
- Jacket
- Sweat shirt
- Exercise clothes
- Bathing suits
- Rain coat
- Hair dryer
- Curling iron/curlers
- Hair products
- Shampoo/conditioner, soap
- Comb or brush
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss
- Make up, make-up remover
- Mirror
- Moisturizer, shaving cream
- Nail clippers, nail file, tweezers, razors: If you are going on plane, these items need to be put in secured luggage underneath the plane.
For Him

For a male, there is also a list of necessary items that would be beneficial to take on a cruise vacation. The following list goes into detail concerning those items.

- Enough tops and bottoms to last for trip
- One or two formal outfits
- Undershirts, underwear, socks
- Sleep outfits
- Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, shoes for the pool\beach, dress shoes
- Hats
- Jewelry
- Jacket, sweat shirt, rain coat
- Exercise clothes
- Bathing suits
- Hair dryer
- Hair products
- Shampoo/conditioner, soap
- Comb or brush
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss
- Moisturizer, shaving cream
- Nail clippers, nail file, tweezers, razor: If you are going on plane, these items need to be put in secured luggage underneath the plane.
For Kids

It is very important to properly pack for your children when going on a vacation such as a cruise. The following list can help you make sure you do not forget anything while packing.
- Several changes of clothing - one more than you think you might need
- Shoes, sandals
- Socks
- Jacket or sweatshirt
- raincoat
- Swimwear, goggles, "swimmies" or flotation arm bands
- Cups with lids for young kids
- Appropriate snacks
- Reading materials
- Crayons/coloring books
- Deck of cards
- Personal DVD player with a few favorite DVD's, MP3 player
- Handheld gaming system
- Hats
- Sun block

Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about vacationing, often discussing a specific kind trip such as cruise vacations.