The answer depends on various reasons and differs from person to person but the most important thing to remember is that, a cruise can take days in the open sea, even weeks in some cases before you reach your destination, so you should be properly equipped for the long journey. It also depends on your travel budget. If you run out of essentials in the middle of the journey then it could be costly to buy those items from onboard shops.
Here we have compiled a generic list of things that everyone should consider including in their luggage before going for a cruise trip.
If you are going to a chilly place, you might want to consider packing a few extra pieces of warm clothing. Similarly, if your cruise passes through a warm or wet location, you should bring along suitable light clothing and waterproof jackets to protect yourself from unexpected rain. Walking shoes, slippers and sandals would also be needed.
Make sure you pack formal clothing as well, such as, outfits suitable for bars and clubs and clothes appropriate for a formal dinner, such as a suit or a formal jacket etc. Don’t forget at least one pair of formal shoes.
Be prepared to protect yourself from harsh sun in the midst of the ocean, if you prefer to hangout in the balcony of course. Bring along enough sunscreen that could keep you from getting sun burnt.
Never forget to bring your passport unless you plan on staying inside the ship for the whole duration of your cruise. A cruise ship usually stops over at different foreign ports so if you don’t have your passport with you, you will not be able to go out of the ship to explore those locations.
Bring a still or a video camera unless you want to regret not being able to catch those special moments on the cruise.
Some other convenient items would be very helpful through out your journey, such as, sunglasses, set of extra batteries for your camera or music player. The swimsuits, extra t-shirts, underwear, extra pairs of socks, your favorite books, movie DVD’s and your laptop with DVD player (if you have one) to watch those movies, your mobile phone charger, camera charger and plug adaptors etc would be handy as well.
Items such as your prescription medicines, painkillers, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shaving set, aftershave, deodorants and makeup items are very essential to bring. If you don’t, you will have to buy them from onboard shops, which could be expensive.
Some other items that could be beneficial for you on your cruise are
Binoculars
Extra memory cards if you have a digital camera
Music player and charger
Travel clock with alarm
Luggage name tags
Flash light
Umbrella
Safety pins
Playing cards
Phone numbers and email addresses of your friends and relatives
