Not sure what you need to take with you on your cruise?
 

Several years ago, when my wife and I prepared to go on our first cruise, we asked a number of people (many on CruiseCritic) what they suggested we take along.

This included things that we would not want to do without, things that would increase our creature comforts, and also items that we might wish we had, and would regret not taking when we had the chance.

I complied it all into a list. I have attached a copy of that list, but have also posted it below.

I hope you find it useful, and if you have any additional suggestions, please share!




CLOTHING, ETC.

Small tote umbrella
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Large metal paper clips for hanging up wet bathing suits
Sweater and/ or jacket for cool nights at sea or air conditioned areas that are quite cool
Over-the-door shoe holder
Cheap waterproof watch

LAUNDRY

Small containers of laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Nylon mesh laundry bags
Pop-up laundry hamper
Stain remover pen

FOR STORING CLOTHING

A shoe rack which fits over the bathroom door
Extra hangers

AIR FRESHENERS, ETC.

Fabreeze air freshener (may be a problem if flying)
Airfreshener solid

TOILETRIES (PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS)

Shampoo
Hair conditioner
Disinfectant wipes
Travel roll of toilet paper
Purell or other waterless hand cleaner
Liquid hand soap
A small shower organizer to keep the soap and shampoo, razor, etc. (There is little enough room in the bathroom for storage)


FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Bug spray
Sunscreen
Waterproof (water resistant) shoes
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Plastic hair clips for holding down towels on your chair or holding wet things drying on the balcony

FOR ON-SHORE EXCURSIONS

A backpack or fammy pack for carrying things on shore excursions
Driver Licenses if needed
Your passports
Ship Cards
Credit Card
Cash
Tour Vouchers & Payment for Tours with tips
Waterproof Camera
Chair Clips
RainPonchos
Thermal Bag with drinks & ice

DRUGS, MEDICINES, ETC.

Headache medicine (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
Stomach ache medicine (Pepto Bismol tablets, etc)
Bonine or Dramamine
Band Aids
Antiseptic ointment
Extra prescription medications (extra 2-3 days’ supply
Benedryl
Neosporin
Calamine lotion

APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

Nightlight (for the bathroom or elsewhere)
Alarm clock
Hair dryer
Flat Iron
Power bar/ power strip
Extra batteries for your digital camera
Rechargable batteries for your digital camera
Battery charger
Cell phone charger
Flashlight
Extra memory cards for your digital camera

CLEANERS

Clorox spray cleaner for disinfecting surfaces

LAUNDRY NEEDS

Fabric sheets
Pop-up hamper for dirty clothes
Trash bag for storing dirty clothes
Duffle bag for dirty laundry

SHOPPING

Empty duffle bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips
Empty tote bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips

IF YOU BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER

Memory card reader and/ or cable to backup your photos to a flash drive or CD/ DVD


MISCELLANEOUS

A highlighter for the newspaper or Patters
Bottle opener
Jigger
Small cocktail shaker
Single $$ for tips and misc. spending
Sewing kit
Bottle opener (“Church-key”)
Guidebooks for your cruise desitnations
Small roll of duct tape
Post-It notes to leave messages for the porter or those traveling with you
Cork screw
Addresses of all those that you want to write postcards and letters to while on your cruise.
A small pair of scissors
A bungie cord to hold open the sliding door to the balcony and/or hold the drapes open
Small pair of binoculars
Eyeglasses repair kit
Thank you cards to leave for waiters and stewards. (They really appreciate them!)

Have never taken 90% of the things listed and was never sorry there was something I didn't have.;):)

This list is meant as a guide
 

Of course, not everything on this list is something you need on every cruise, but my wife and I found it a very good planning tool for us, and found it useful.

Perhaps others will also.

Chapstick. Don't forget chapstick - just as important as sunscreen.

Some kind of sore throat drops. I had a good selection of OTC meds on our last cruise - except something for a sore throat. So, of course, I got a cold and sore throat - the ships store had 1 kind and they were expensive.

I hope you are driving to the port. If you fly, the luggage charges will likely exceed the cost of the cruise

I don't take anything special on a cruise that I wouldn't take on a land vacation. It's simply not needed!

:D

some removal companies could give him a quote though ;)

One thing to remove.
 

Please remove the "flat iron" from your list. Cruise ships consider them a fire
hazard and will confiscate them if spotted. They will be returned at end of cruise
but, like flame-candles, they are not allowed.

Your list is very thorough. Some items can be crossed off, of course, each person needs to decide for themselves. For instance, we always have a corkscrew packed into our carry on, but can do without the church key.

If those who think they can get by with 90% less than what is listed, pack your suitcases and carry ons, dump them out and make a list, you will be surprised at just how much stuff you have on a list.

A few items were mentioned more than once (over the door shoe holder, disinfectant wipes/spray cleaner, chair clips were listed 3 times). From this list I'd cross off 14 items, plus all the laundry related items. This isn't too bad, I've come across lists on CC before where I crossed off 40 items before getting out of the carry on :eek:

But...I probably have other items not listed that I do want to take along. Everyone has their own creature comforts they cannot do without for a week and the list is different for all of us. My suggestion is to go through your daily routine and take that stuff, plus a very small first aid kit, make your own list. Really think about any extra stuff you have to pack, organize, repack and haul home, consider if it is something you cannot do without.

My husband and I have been together over 30 years and have taken many vacations together. We have yet to have any need for duct tape. We rarely have any need for it at home, either. I see it on almost every packing list out there.

A flat iron is to straighten hair. ;)

It's the clothes irons that are not allowed onboard.

***

Immodium should be at the top of the meds list.

Nope, I still have only 10% of any of these endless packing lists.....even on a B2B.:)

No reason to pack extra hangers. They are widely available.

The one time we took an over-the-door organizer proved to be more than a nuisance. Never have brought it since.

There are alot of things on the list I wouldn't bring, but it is still a good basic list that anyone can edit for their own use. Like:

Add a few zip-lock bags, sandwich, quart and gallon...gallon for when things are still wet when I need to pack them, quart--liquids that might burst while traveling, sandwich--bringing cookies to cabin for DH late night snack. :D

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

What a great list! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

I don't believe that for an instant. Granted we can do without much of the list, but unless you don't take a camera, one cell phone (crazy not to travel without one any longer in case of emergency) a small first aid kit, ID, travel documents of some kind and a few personal items you will have more than 10% of the above list.

Believe what you wish but there are so many things on that list that it IS possible.:) Sorry but I am not going to take the time to count everything on that list and compare. My first aid kit once consisted of 5 band aids which I didn't even take last time.....information desk had them and the first time I needed one. Don't forget that there are also people who take only one carry on.;)

Hmmmmmm, maybe I just will do a count.

i personally have been cruising since the 1980's and have never taken most of the stuff on this list. I cruise at least twice a year or more. You are really overthinking the packing. The one time I actually needed duct tape (broken zipper on a suitcase) a simple call to housekeeping brought a man to the door who not only supplied me with duct tape, but help me wrap my suitcase to get it home. Pack lightly and don't schlep all that stuff around. IMHO.. enjoy your cruise.

Thanks for sharing your list.

Each person needs to figure out what works best for them but it's nice to start with a big list to work from.

Keith