blog post

Packing for your vacation can be one of the worst parts of a cruise. The only thing I can think of that I dread more is unpacking when I get home! Through the years, I have learned that a packing list is essential. Maybe it's my advancing age or just that I have learned "the hard way" by forgetting some essential item and then having to purchase it at double (or more) the price on the cruise ship or in a port of call.

One important packing tip -- If traveling with a companion or spouse, divide your checked items into two (or more) suitcases. That way, if one is lost, you will both have some clothing to wear! It would be terrible for your spouse to have all of his clothes and you to have nothing but your carry-on. Also, be sure to carry-on anything that you cannot live without for a couple of days (or more), just in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Use this list as a starter and modify it for your personal tastes. Some essentials and general items follow this page, and I have a separate list for women and men on page 2.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork

• airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
• cruise, hotel, car rental, insurance and other confirmations/documents
• valid passports and visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (as a general rule your passport should be valid for 6 months past your return date.   Some countries require this.)
• 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 or you they may put a hold on your card when the foreign transactions start coming in
• 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. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both - "just in case")
• contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler's checks
• emergency numbers at home
• currency conversion chart
• wallet and fanny pack or over the shoulder bag
• watch - dual time zone watch is perfect!

Reading Material and Necessities

• glasses, contacs, contact 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  (Book readers, such as Kindle or Nook are fabulous for packing guidebooks, maps, foreign language phrase book and your favorit novel or two into one slender tablet!)
• journal or notebook and pen/pencil – for diary or expense tracking (electronic gadgets work well nowadays)
• 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  (for time saver on the trip, type up address labels before you leave home)
• Printed address labels for sending postcards

Electronics and Camera Equipment

• plug adaptor and converter
• cell phone and charger
• laptop computer
• binoculars
• 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
• small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, Vaseline, motion sickness remedies, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrhea 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 ashore)
• sun screen/sun block and lip sun block

Other "Necessities"

• duct tape or strapping tape (for emergency repairs)
• 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
• corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
• Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
• 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