What not to pack for your cruise 

You probably think you’ve got your packing basics figured out: pack light and bring versatile items. This is all true and important, however, do the same rules apply when packing for a cruise? Do you need to pack differently for a trip on a boat and on land?

Yes, you do. Some of the same rules apply but there are a few unique adjustments you’ll need to make for life at sea.

For starters, you are packing for life on a ship AND on land. It is easy to get carried away and overpack but again, it is even more essential to pack light and plan ahead. You will likely still need to take a flight to get to your departure city and so, the usual airline luggage and weight restrictions will apply. Then, once aboard, your cabin may be relatively small compared to what you’re used to in a hotel room. (Side note: pack a bag that is easy to collapse so you can store it easily in your cabin).

Also, what makes cruising special, depending on the length of your trip, is that you can get comfortable and ‘move in’ to your cabin. You can treat the cruise as a home base. This means you can truly pack the essentials because it’s very common to wash and re-wear items. Your belongings are safe and you won’t be as frazzled or unorganised by continuously packing and unpacking in each destination.

Life on the ship

You will spend every night on the ship and depending on the length of your cruise, you will even have days at sea – not docked at port. Luckily, there is lots to do and explore on the ship. You may spend your days by the pool, resting in your room or at the various restaurants. Here’s a list of a few things to consider when packing to help you eliminate what not to pack:

• Two bathing suits so that one is always dry.
• One bathing suit cover-up to wear when you drop into the restaurant for lunch or your afternoon snack.
• Pair of thongs/sandals that are comfy for wondering around ship during the day.
• Casual clothes for daily dine-in options.
• Set of gym clothes if you are interested in using the facilities onboard. You can easily wash these items in your basin so be realistic with how many you’ll need.
• There may be an evening that calls for formal wear. Be sure to review your cruise line and pack accordingly. It can be a nuisance packing a cocktail dress or suit for one evening but also fun to get a little bit dressed up with everyone. Also, it’s okay to be an outfit repeater! Sometimes you can get away with wearing a nice top and pants/skirts if you do not have space.

Life on Land 

Just because you’ll spend lots of time on the ship, you will still have ports of call – daily or every few days. When you reach a port, you will have the option to enjoy activities on land for the day or if you’re not keen, you can stay on the ship. Here are few things to consider for what to pack and what not to pack for life on land:

• Look up the climates of different port cities and pack accordingly. You may need to bring an emergency jumper if it’s cooler or a supportive pair of joggers to keep your feet warm and comfortable.
• Research what activities you want to do at each place. Many of your activities can be pre-booked, which will help you determine what you need to bring. For instance, will you be taking a bus, bike or walking tour of the city? Does the day trip involve a hike or a foodie experience?

Rule of Thumb

The key is to be able to mix and match your ship and land outfits. You can still address the various dress code situations and pack light. Your head-to-toe look can and will vary every day. Lay your clothes out as you pack to see what clothes work together.

Tell us, have you ever been on a cruise? Where did you go? What do you wish you would have left at home?