A cruise can be the vacation of a lifetime, allowing travelers to visit exotic destinations and stay in the lap of luxury aboard a world-class ship. Here are a few tips on how you should pack your bag before you leave for an exciting adventure on the high seas.
The most critical thing you should bring with you in your carry-on bag is a folder full of all the important documents related to your trip. This includes airline tickets to the port of embarkation, cruise reservation documents, passports and necessary visas, medical insurance cards and credit cards. By having these pieces of paper handy, you can make sure that you will be properly taken care of if an emergency arises and that you will not have any problems getting off the boat during a shore excursion in a new country. You should also make sure to keep copies of these documents in both your luggage and at home, as this ensures that you will be covered in case the original is lost, stolen or damaged.
Your cruise ship will provide basic toiletries for the shower, so there is no reason to waste precious luggage space on shampoo and conditioner. Check the bathroom before you leave to make sure you haven't left behind contact lenses, contact solution, glasses, medications, deodorant, mouthwash and hair gel. If you do forget anything, however, the ship will have a convenience store where you can pick up any toiletries or sundries that you left behind at home.
You should make sure you have a wide array of clothing packed away in your suitcase, as cruises may require everything from a casual swimsuit to a formal tuxedo. Princess Cruises is smart casual, so pack clothing that adheres to that guideline. On the informal side of things, both men and women may want to pack away breezy shirts, comfortable sandals and shorts for the day, while they can opt for a sweatshirt or windbreaker to help them stay warm if temperatures drop. In addition, bringing along a rain jacket, an umbrella and galoshes may be a good idea if rainy weather interrupts any scheduled shore excursions. For more formal settings, men should bring a dinner jacket, slacks, or a dark suit and a nice pair of shoes, while women may want to bring an evening gown, co*cktail dress, or elegant pant suit. When packing, bring wrinkle-free items or try rolling your clothes. Folding clothes can create creases, and cruise cabins are not equipped with irons (although they can be found in the ship's laundry rooms).
