Pack for a Cruise Like a Veteran Travel Writer Knowpia

Packing for a cruise is a challenge. Your cabin space is somewhat minimal for storage and if you flying overseas there are weight restrictions with a checked-in bag. Here are some tips of the trade to put you on par with the veteran travel writers.

What to Pack for Cruising in Europe

Scarf - If you’re traveling in summer chances are that you will be dressing for the heat. However, if you’re going to visit the many beautiful and picturesque churches and basilicas remember that there is a dress code. Basically, no exposed shoulders. This applies to men and women. A large scarf solves the problem. All you should do with the scarf is wrap around your shoulders to enter a basilica. When you're done you can stuff it in a backpack or tie around your waist.

In some churches, there is also a policy for men not to wear hats and no exposed knees. Rare but possible.

Think Layering for Alaskan Cruising

Post excursions for Alaska require some forethought. You may be fine on the deck or in port but if you’re standing on a glacier in the afternoon without good gear you may be miserable. Think one word; layering. Start with thermal underwear and wool blend socks. Cover with canvas pants and a flannel top. Avoid cotton. Pick wicking material or wool blends. A light fleece jacket is perfect to take the chill off and you can cover with a lined shell parka. Top it all off with a hat and you should be comfortable. Hint: If your sweating, take off a layer and cool down. Being wet with sweat, melted snow, or rain will make you miserable. If you're dry you will be comfortable. Pick a comfortable water-resistant walking shoe or lightweight hiking boot with good support.

Pack for Security on Your Cruise

Some ports of call in Europe are known for pickpocket activity. Get a ripstop cross body man-bag and only carry the minimum for your day. Many of these bags have lockable zippered access, are cut-proof, and have RFID blocking. Besides wallets and identification, our Pacsafe bag was large enough to carry our digital camera and a small water bottle and an umbrella. If you’re a backpack user try to sling it in front of you in crowds, buses, or subways.

Pack for Cruising Convenience

I was skeptical at a suggestion to pack a handful of hooked magnets for our cruse. Not anymore. The cabin walls of most cruise ships are steel. Therefore, they can hold a magnet well. We found them useful to hang bathing suits, towels and hold papers, lists, and our daily ship's news sheet.

Stay Hydrated on Board

We brought two stainless steel water bottles one large for our cabin and one small that fit in our man-bag. In your suitcase, they are great to pack small items you don’t want to be crushed. Our ship charged for bottled water in the room so each evening I would fill up the large container with ice and filtered water from the Lido deck. It tastes better and stays colder than the cabin water.

Pack for Lighting the Way at Night

This tip was a surprise but it works superbly. Pack a few battery-operated tea lights. Your cabin’s head (Bathroom) can get absolutely pitch black at night. A single tea light throws out just enough a glow to safely navigate. That way, you don't have to turn the bright bathroom light on and wake up completely.

Pack for Organization on Your Cruise

Clip a hanging shoe holder on your bathroom door. It can hold items for easy access and keep them stowed. This is one item that veteran cruisers agree is extremely handy.

Pack for Power in Your Cabin

There are never enough power plugs in your ship’s cabin. Get a non-surge protected multi-plug power strip. Perfect for charging phones and cameras or to have an extra plug. Be sure to get a plain power strip without surge protection. The ship's AC power is not the same as your home electric and surge protectors have caused fires on the ship. If you bring one it may be confiscated until you disembark.

Packing it in Cubes

This idea is becoming extremely popular. Packing cubes allow you to compress pack bulky items like sweaters or hard to fold items like underwear into organized packs. You go straight from the suitcase to the shelf. Folks tell me that once they used them a few times they can’t live without them for travel.

Pack to Stay Healthy

Experienced cruisers dread a norovirus outbreak on board. Consider packing a small can of Lysol disinfectant spray and a package of alcohol wipes for your excursion bag. A shot of spray-on door handles and your cabin head when you first arrive and from time to time during your cruise may save your whole trip. Used the hand wipes after handling menus or going to the bathroom.

Laundry Pods

If you’re on a long cruise trans-ocean or doing back-to-back weeks chances are you’re going to do a bit of laundry. Pack a few laundry pods in a Tupperware container.

Other Packing Ideas to Consider

• Highlighter – For highlighting anything from your itinerary, menus, and maps
• A couple of shopping bags – Souvenirs
• Couple of plastic bags – for wet/dirty clothes
• Zip lock bags – To keep stuff safe in wet or dirty areas
• Post-it pads and pens – To leave notes for each other in the room
• Binoculars
• Band-Aids – Because shit might hurt
• Bright ribbons - to tie to your suitcases to easily recognize
• Extra hangers
• Stretchy cord with hooks - to dry on the balcony
• Hairdryer - Because the ones in the room are awful
• Clothespins - for the bottom of the shower curtain so it will actually stay inside the base and not let the head get flooded