Packing Useful Items for a Cruise

I always have a packing list that changes, depending on the temperature of our destination. I now realize I should also create a Cruise Packing List so that I won’t wonder where or when I can get some of these useful items. List is not in order of importance.

• Badge holder – The badge card is for cabin access, purchases onboard (no money can be used on ship), and for departing/returning to the ship. Good thing about the holder is that you don’t have to keep trying to figure out where to put the card. It can go around your neck, or be the kind with a clip that attaches to a shirt or collar if you don’t like things around your neck.

• Pouch for money, etc – This is handy for putting items (passport, money, etc) in the safe so they can be found when you need them. I use “cosmetic type zipper bags” one for me and one for Steve.

• Highlighter – handy to use for the daily bulletin so you can easily see what you want to do for the day.

• Flashlight – We usually reserve an inside cabin, always dark without the window. Best kind is a windup type so don’t have to worry about charging batteries.

• Portable clothesline or string – Sometimes there is one in the shower but an extra one comes in handy. We never use expensive cruise laundry service and handwash so we don’t have to bring a lot with us.

• Empty bottles and food container with lid – Usually there is a mini-fridge in the cabin so you can keep items cold. This trip we kept some one-third and one-half liter bottles of juice we bought on shore and filled the empty bottles with water and juice at breakfast so we could have a cold drink whenever we wanted. Container came in handy, too. Ask the room steward to empty the mini fridge (they charge for items in there) so you can use it for keeping water and juice cold. Leave the bottles and container in the cabin when you depart. No reason to pack them.

• Bottle holder – Useful when carrying your water bottle while off the ship.

• Shampoo/Conditioner – Unless you’re a big fan of the stuff they provide, you’ll want your own.

• Ginger gum –We wear wristbands when we fly (when sea is rough, too) and found that the gum can help, too. Some people get the patches but unfortunately they are expensive.

• Throat lozenges – With all of the sickness and dryness on the ship, they are good to have. Sometimes you can buy them in the ship’s store, but cost more than at home and limited choices.

• Hand lotion – You’ll use a lot of hand sanitizer on the ship (available everywhere in dispensers) that dry out your hands, though there are sanitizers you can bring that don’t use alcohol. I bring lotion I like.

• Pens – I bring cheap ones so it doesn’t matter if I lose them.

• Zippy bags – Different sizes that always come in handy.

• Snacks – We usually get some crackers that we can have in the room. Helps avoid eating too many cookies and desserts. Have to make sure they are prepackaged so you can bring them on the ship.

• Personal headsets or earphones – Useful if you are going on a tour that provides headset systems or on a Hop On Hop Off bus. Much more sanitary than using ones that are provided for you.