11 Packing Tips to Cruise Like a Pro
Things to Take on a Cruise That Will Make Your Life Easier
1. Pie Carrier
I kid you not, this is a game changer. You can fit a plate of food in this and will be able to get it to your room without spilling it all over the floor EVEN in rough seas! Also, in the elevator people won't be sneezing on your food. I always take this with me. You can stuff it with clothes in your suitcase and it takes up almost no room. Get a cheap one at Amazon or find one at your local thrift store!
2. Large Plastic Cup With a Lid
Great for taking an ice tea to your room to have on your balcony. The ship's glasses are small and plastic and have no lids. I bring a 32oz tumbler.
3. Refillable Water Bottle
The ship's water is safe and cheap and you want to stay hydrated - especially in hotter ports.
4. Selection of Crackers and Chips (plus candy and sweets, if you like those)
The ships have a very limited selection of crispy snacks. You will see plain tortilla chips and saltines and that's about it. I bring my own crackers to make cheese plates on my balcony. And when I'm going home, the space the crackers used to take up is there for souvenirs!
5. Flavoring for Iced Tea or Coffee and Powdered Creamer
I bring a small bottle of Torani syrup with me for my iced tea. It's impossible to get the white sugar to mix with the cold iced tea and simple syrup is NOWHERE to be found on the ships. I also bring powdered creamer because the creamer on board the ships is not to my husband's taste and he doesn't want milk. On the ships you find soy and almond milk - both awful.
6. MAGNETS!!!
Get fun magnets for your door (helps to find your door, too!) There are packages on Amazon. You can also get cheap custom magnets - for under 15 dollars I got one for our 40th anniversary, for my husband's 65th birthday and a large magnet with our name on it, which I take on all our cruises. Also, GET MAGNETIC HOOKS. The walls of the cabin are magnetic, and on your hooks you can hang up hats, purses, underwear to dry - whatever! I love our hooks. My husband ties a clothes line on his. We carry about 15 hooks each. You can even put hooks on the ceiling (but we don't).
7. Binoculars
You never know what you'll see, so bring a small pair. We've seen amazing things on the water. Put your binoculars near your balcony or window so you can grab them fast. Sea life doesn't wait for us to unpack.
8. A First Aid Kit
You aren't going to want to trek down to the doctor for a band aid. Make sure you bring everything you need- and things like Ibuprofen are really expensive on board - even toothbrushes are crazy expensive. I always bring an extra toothbrush, just in case I drop mine or something.
9. Seasickness Medicine
Bonine works for me (Meclizine). You might not need it, but bring it. I also recommend Ginger Chews from the Ginger People. Not only is it supposed to help seasickness but it's tasty.
10. A Hat that Ties On
You're going to be in windy places (like on decks of your ship). Also, for Alaska, bring a balaclava, gloves, a scarf and a warm jacket for glacier cruising. Even if it's warm in Alaska, it usually is freezing near the glaciers. It's better to have these and not need them than to freeze. You'll also REALLY want number 7, binoculars, in Alaska. It's hard to see all those bald eagles without them.
11. DUCKS!
People buy ducks on Amazon or at the dollar store and hide them on the ships. You can get teeny tiny hard plastic ones or rubber ducks. There are even kits that let you write the cruise and your name on a tag attached to the duck. It's a big deal. There are websites where people post about the ducks they've found. It's fun. So if you find a duck on board, it's yours! Also, you might enjoy hiding them.
Alex M
Alex M. is a 60 something year old retired teacher who enjoys cruising, fine food, cruising, good wine, books, movies, art and cruising. This year she's spent a couple of months at sea over various trips. Her favorite cruises have been of Norway, Alaska and the Mediterranean. Alex's favorite cities to stay in (while not cruising) are Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Dublin and Vienna. Alex's favorite restaurant in the whole world is the French Laundry.
Read More HERE! Wireless Articles
Life Begins Outside the Screen
Block Out the Distractions with Cloud Safeguard
Start a HERE! Wireless Plan with Website Filtering