Let’s talk about Packing
I have found that cruise packing can be a little different than normal land vacation packing. Following is some guidelines about the Luggage, clothes, and a personal list of items I recommend bringing that you may not think of. This list does not include your everyday items that you would bring if you were staying at a resort overnight. I think you can handle the deodorant, toothpaste, swim suites, shoes, etc that you will need. We have been pretty loyal to Royal Caribbean so far, so that is the cruise line I will speak about the most.
Luggage:
- Size and number of bags will depend on a few different things
- The transportation method you are using to and from the cruise port may dictate your luggage size and weight
- Royal Caribbean does not have a limit on the number of suitcases or weight at this time
- MSC appears to have a limit of two suitcases per person with no more than 8 per room and 2 pieces of hand luggage per person. There is also a size and weight limit on the pieces. You should check with your travel agent or MSC for the exact criteria
- Other cruise lines – Check with your travel agent or your cruise line to see if there are any luggage size or quantity limits.
- Luggage should be clearly marked to ensure proper delivery to your stateroom. We mark them in 2 ways and have never lost any luggage with this method.
1) The blue luggage tags we purchased through Amazon a few years ago. A great buy and I would highly recommend.
Click here to purchase the blue luggage tags at Amazon.
2) The cruise luggage tag pass clear holders were also purchased from Amazon. Before boarding we place the cruise luggage tags provided by the cruise line in the plastic holders And then Replace the boarding tags with the debarking cruise luggage tags which will be provided on board ship a day or two before the last cruise day
Click here to purchase the clear cruise luggage holders at Amazon.
Clothes:
- Normal resort wear packing based on the length of the trip and weather expected
- Note: There are laundry services on the ships.
- Royal Caribbean does not have self-service machines.
- You provide the items to the room steward and they will ensure they are washed and or pressed.
- Simple repairs can be done also. We have had new buttons put on a tuxedo a few times.
- There is a charge per item for laundry services, items are returned quickly, are clean, nicely pressed, with small repairs looking great.
- Specials during your cruise may come out for a bag of clothes to be laundered at reduced prices. These will appear in your Cruise Compass.
- Crown and Anchor members at different levels do get some benefits for laundry services.
- Some other cruise lines do have self-service machines. You can check with your travel agent or cruise line for specifics.
- You may want to take additional clothing items and accessories for special events. Such as: 70’s party, white night, prohibition party, dress your best or formal night, Halloween, or for all that professional picture taking. I just also read about an orange party. Research and find out the specifics for your particular cruise.
- Packing cubes – This is something I am including but personally have not used yet. I am buying them for this upcoming cruise. My daughter-in-law is in love with them for her family of five. She is amazed how organized and how much more you can pack using them. Also, you can unpack the individual cubes and not lay your clothes directly on the ship shelves or in their drawers.
Additional Items I personally recommend having
- Watch – Your phone will not have the correct time while out at sea a lot of times
- Small crossbody purse for around the ship – Frees up your hands and yuk to carrying around a big one.
- Shampoo and Conditioner or you can use what is supplied. Royal Caribbean has an in the shower dispenser of body wash, shampoo, conditioner mix.
- Soap – I like my brand, but Royal Caribbean does provide bars.
- Pack back for ports – I use a compact folding one
- Small cloth folding bag
- Kindle for reading
- Small flashlight for by the bed for night and emergency use.
- Nightlight
- Room thermometer
- Lanyard for your room key – All parties in your room need to carry the room key on them at all times during your cruise. The room key has your muster station number on it and is used for all purchases, reservations, and to get on and off the ship at ports. Even children need this key on them. I purchased one on board a Royal Caribbean ship but the plastic part was so tight I could not take the key in and out. I love the lanyard part, but replaced the plastic card holder part with one from a Canadian port vendor.
- Waterproof phone case
- Small bills for tipping and for vendors in ports. Change tends to be an issue when you have large bills as vendors do not always have change or want to give the change in that country’s currency. While in Canada we were able to pay with US money but any change would have come back in Canandian money if we had not had the exact change.
- Sea-bands for sea sickness prevention. Go to http://deestimes.com/2019/10/01/why-people-dont-cruise/ (blog dated 10/1/2019 titled “Why people say they don’t cruise” ) and read and see a video on these. These can be purchased through Amazon from that blog or click here to purchase from Amazon
- Portable Waterpik – I love clean teeth
- Lens Cleaning wipes – Needed to keep your eye glasses, camera lenses, binocular lenses, etc grease free
- Antibacterial hand wipes
- Mosquito repellant
- Small medicine travel bag containing (Note: You can buy some of these things in the store on board, but they may not have the brand you want. If you go to medical services it will be more expensive, or you may want in the middle of the night):
- Pain reliever/fever reducer
- Band aides
- Antibiotic cream
- Allergy medication for hives or bites, something like Benedryl
- Anti-itch cream
- Tums/Rolaids
- Thermometer
- Anbesol