Like most of us, I have found problems in deciding what to pack when I go on a cruise. How much do I need to pack? How can I cut down on what I am packing? How to I pack, when I am going from a warm climate to a cold climate (and vice versa)? On long trips, how to I launder my clothes while on the ship? To complicate things even further, one has to ask what normal household items are banned on the cruise ship? This post is to provide some guidelines and hints for newcomers to the cruise life on how to get ready for a cruise.
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Getting to the cruise.
If one has to fly to/from a cruise port, one should research TSA's packing guidance before travel. Since most travelers are familiar with the 3-3-3 TSA liquids rule, I won't go into details here. If one has a specific type of shampoo and conditioner they like to use, they may want to either pack their containers in checked luggage, decant these liquids into containers compliant with the 3-3-3 rule, or buy these liquids just before embarking on the cruise.
Many of us fly to our cruises, and it becomes essential to pack in a way where one's checked luggage (when packed) weighs less than the airline's weight limits (often 40-50 lbs.) Although most airlines strictly enforce their weight limits, I have found this not to be the case with most cruise lines. It might be advisable that once a cruiser reaches their embarkation port, that they may want to move some items needed on the first night of the cruise into their carry-on luggage before handing their large bag to the porters on the pier.
If one is lucky enough to live near a cruise port, one has two (or three) options:
- Hire a car service to bring you to/from the cruise terminal
- Drive to the cruise terminal (and park at the terminal)
- Use mass transit to reach the cruise terminal.
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Where one will be before, during and after the cruise.
Knowing what the rules are at each destination for a trip is essential for a cruiser. For example, each nation has its rules regarding who may enter the country. In the cases of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other countries, one must apply for a Electronic Travel Authorization before one begins travel. Additionally, one will often need visas for travel. One should check each destination's requirements before travel. Simple research may not be enough. For example, one may have been convicted of a crime which will cause the cruise line to prevent one from boarding the cruise. Canada prohibits all foreigners from entering the country (or cruising through the country) if they have a DUI conviction.
Some countries ban substances/drugs/miscellaneous items which are legal in one's home country or state. For example, several common over-the-counter medications in the United States are prohibited in Japan due to the presence of specific ingredients, particularly those considered stimulants or narcotics. These medications include those containing pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed, Actifed, and Vicks inhalers), codeine, and some other pain relievers. Additionally, several Caribbean islands ban all clothing with camouflage patterns, and have very strict rules regarding the possession of both firearms and ammunition.
Now that one has gotten one's paperwork in order, and has made sure that one is not carrying "contraband" in transit, one must next make sure that they have packed the right clothing for the trip. One needs to determine what is considered acceptable and appropriate dress for the places one will visit during the travel period. What might be acceptable at a beach on the French Riviera is not likely to be acceptable when in the Middle East. The weather becomes an important factor in what to pack, as one will need to pack different clothes for cruises which visit Arctic climes than for cruises which transit Equatorial climes.
This can be the most tricky part of planning for a cruise, as one might be traveling from a warm region to a cold one, or vice versa. For example, one may wish to travel to Hawaii from the Northeast United States in December. This is a relatively simple packing issue, as one simply needs to pack summer clothes for the trip, and wear one's winter clothing before getting on the plane. But what about planning for a trip from Southern California to a cruise through the Norwegian Fjords? In this case, the issue is resolved by packing clothes that can be worn in layers, put on and stripped off as needed. Yet, packing for a destination can be a tricky issue. One may choose to cruise to Alaska during the summer. One would want to be prepared for summer, spring/fall, and winter weather, but not for the extremes of summer and winter. Given that the Alaska panhandle gets high amounts of rain, one may find it wise to pack rain resistant gear (ponchos, rain jackets with hoodies, waterproof shoes/boots, etc.) that are appropriate for Alaska's weather.
How trip length affects how much to pack.
Packing for a cruise can be very easy, especially when one is on a short cruise to a port with a similar climate. For example, if one lives in Florida and takes a 2-day Bahamas cruise on one of Margaritaville at Sea's ships, not much thought is needed - just pack your flip-flops and go! But, for most cruises of 7-days or more, one may have to think carefully, as one's luggage will determine how much a person can pack, as well as whether the ship has affordable laundry options for cruisers.
Affordable clothes laundering options are very important on cruises longer than 5 days. For example, if one has Platinum status on NCL, a cruiser gets a bag of laundry laundered for free. If one cruises on Princess and Cunard, washers and dryers are available for cruisers to take care of their own laundry. This allows cruisers to carry less clothing with them when cruising. But what does a person do when the cruise line charges a high price for laundry services? Using the cruise line's laundry services can be quite expensive when the ship charges $2.00 (or more) to launder each garment. Some people deal with this issue by carrying their own soap and laundering clothes (especially underwear) in the cabin sink. There are some firms that carry quick drying underwear, so that travelers can launder their undies in the sink one day and wear them the next. So, consider the need for clean clothing while traveling.
Packing coordinating tops and bottoms to provide outfit variety is important in reducing the amount of luggage one has to bring on a cruise. For example, one can pack 3 tops (short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts , blouses, tunics, etc.) and 3 bottoms (slacks, shorts, skirts, etc.) and create 9 different daily outfits. If one is comfortable wearing the same outer garment more than once during a trip, this might be an acceptable way to save some space (and weight) in one's luggage.
Some cruise lines, such as Cunard, have formal/gala nights where formal wear is expected, if not required on these nights. Ladies may ask, can one of my dresses be dressed up to be acceptable for a formal night? Gentlemen may ask, can my business suit (preferably charcoal grey or black) meet the dress code of formal night? Answering these questions with the clothes one has at hand may enable a person to avoid purchasing garments acceptable for formal nights.
Travelling with Special Equipment or Having Special Needs.
Many cruisers travel with Durable Medical Equipment (DME), for many purposes. For example, the author of this blog uses a CPAP machine to deal with sleep apnea. Airlines are required to exempt this equipment from carry-on luggage allotments. But what about cruise ships? Fortunately, the author is not aware of any problems bring their DME onboard a ship. However, one may need to request distilled water for the CPAP reservoir before the cruise. Additionally, one should make sure to have both an electrical adapter for DME, as one may have a North American plug when the socket is European (or other configuration). It is also advisable for the cruiser to request in advance an extension cord (in the case of Royal Caribbean ships), or bring one along with the DME (if allowed by the cruise line.)
However, many cruisers have special needs, such as "accessible" cabins. These cabins sell out quickly, so they should be purchased as early as possible. If one has purchased one of these cabins, one must also make sure NOT to allow the cruise line to auto-upgrade one's cabin, nor should one upgrade one's cabin without making sure that the cruiser is being upgraded to an accessible cabin.
Since the author of this blog is "able bodied", one should go to the Cruising with Wheels YouTube channel or Facebook page to find out more about cruising while using a wheelchair, as they have first hand experience with the issues that face a differently abled cruiser. But not all special needs are related to physical infirmities. Most cruise lines, upon sufficient prior request before the cruise will serve meals which meet cruisers' special dietary needs. For example, on one cruise, an ultra-orthodox Jewish family (28 people!) had their own special dining area assigned to them before the cruise, and even had a "Shabbos Elevator" provided for their comfort. (I'm not so sure how they dealt with card keys and room lights on the sabbath, but that's a story for someone else to tell.)
So, when in doubt, contact the cruise line at least 2 months before the cruise if you have special needs that can be accommodated by the cruise line.
(Image of the port area at St. Martin.)
Miscellaneous cruise lessons one has learned through the years.
- One rarely can do too much research about a cruise line, a cruise chip, or a cruise destination.
No two cruises are exactly the same - even if they are going to the same ports and offering the same excursions. The target demographic for each line's passengers will differ, and they will try to attract as many cruisers who fit the desired demographic. This is a good thing. Who wants to be on a party cruise when one wants to chill out and relax in peace? - Some cruise excursions should only be purchased through the cruise line.
Many cruises stop in "iffy" ports where it is not safe to explore the port on one's own. Although I have found most North American and European posts I visited to be safe, I wouldn't trust being out and about in some third world countries without the safety vetting provided by the cruise line for its excursions. - Be aware that some ports are different from the cities one would visit when in port.
Many European capital cities are at least 90 minutes away from the ports associated with them: Paris/Le Havre, Athens/Piraeus, London/Southampton, and others. This will affect one's choices of shore excursions. - For the average person, many cruise line add-ons are not worth buying - only you can determine their value to you.
How many of us bother to look at the cruise ship photos purchased in a photo package? How many people can drink 15 alcoholic beverages each day? How much wi-fi do you really need? Evaluate what you get with each package and determine whether it is worth it to you.
