Cruise Packing Tips and Checklists

Going on a cruise? Wondering what to pack for an Alaska cruise or a tropical cruise? It doesn't matter where you're going ~ It's all here!

Use our cruise packing tips and checklists no matter where your cruise takes you.

On a cruise vacation you can experience a variety of climates and weather conditions. Whether you're cruise is to Alaska or the steamy Caribbean Islands you'll pack very similar things. It's just the quantities that'll change.




All of our lists begin with vacation packing checklists which covers, in detail, all the basics for any vacation.

This page will focus on cruise packing tips. The following pages have packing checklists for:

• Alaska Cruise and cruises in temperate climates. Denmark, Iceland etc.





• Tropical Cruise ~ Caribbean, South Pacific, Mexico, Hawaiian...you know the places.

Before we go any further, Congratulations!...our very first vacation was a cruise and we loved so many things about it. What we liked the best was the different places we were able to visit during one vacation. We saw just enough of each place to decide if we wanted to go back there in the future. We've been traveling ever since.

We follow two rules when packing for Vacation and they are:

~ Travel Light ~

~ Comfortable Attire Only ~

Cruise Packing Tips and Checklists

Most cruise ships have a small store on-board that carries essential drug store items. Laundry and dry cleaning services mean you can travel light and still have everything you need.

Bring (or buy) a roomy beach bag on your tropical cruise vacation Here's what you'll find in our beach bag

While you're going over our cruise packing tips wear those new shoes that you plan to take on vacation.

To ensure that your cruise is all about the fun, here is our handy list of cruise packing tips.

• Check your travel itinerary for formal nights or other events (masquerade ball, theme night, etc.) so that you can add special items to your list



• Coordinate your outfits so that each item can be worn with at least 2 other pieces of clothing.



• Use easy care fabrics that will be comfortable while you explore your destinations. Cotton, rayon, hemp and bamboo are most comfortable in the tropics and for temperate climates, layers of clothing with soft fabrics next to your skin under polar fleece, wool and wind resistant layers depending on conditions. Layers are great for all day excursions,just add or remove them as the weather changes throughout the day.



• Pack fewer items and take advantage of the ship's laundry and dry cleaning service.



• Check your travel itinerary for formal nights or other events (masquerade ball, theme night) so that you can add special items to your list.



• In order to be able to pack appropriate cruise attire for your vacation, book tours and special events in advance.



• Sometimes an overnight stay is necessary when you're traveling to the ship. In a giant zip lock bag, pack each outfit you'll need while you're traveling, include undergarments, accessories and night clothes. Another bag can carry a toothbrush night clothes and all toiletries you'll need while traveling.
  These bags go on the very top of your luggage, they'll be the last things you pack.
  When you're ready for a change of clothes everything you need should be handy and no tearing through your carefully packed luggage will be required.



• Soft luggage (duffels) can be unpacked, rolled up and stowed out of the way in the sometimes tiny cabins aboard ship.



• While many cruises host a captain's dinner or other event at which formal cruise attire is required, a suit will work just as well as a tux. If he has a tux and is comfortable wearing it, include it on his cruise packing list along with all the accoutrements.
  For the girls, pack one formal outfit with all the accessories ~ jewelry, belt, handbag, shoes, stockings, hair accessories.



• Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you intend to do any exploring.

Way more packing tips for any vacation.

Are you wondering about all the things that need to be done to prepare the house for your absence? Never fear we have lists for that too!
Check it out