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What should I pack for a cruise? Here are 5 essential items to bring.

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5 months ago

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What should I pack for a cruise? Here are 5 essential items to bring.

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  • Cruise passengers may face different considerations as they prepare to set sail.
  • From theme nights on board to varied shore excursions, passengers may face different considerations as they prepare to set sail.
  • Many cruise ships have onboard shops that stock basic items like toothbrushes, deodorant and certain over-the-counter medications.

The way travelers pack can change depending on where they’re going – and how they’re getting there.

For cruise passengers, it’s worth packing as much with the ship in mind as the destination. “Packing for a cruise can be quite different from preparing for a land-based vacation,” said Deborah Banks, a travel adviser and franchise owner at Cruise Planners with her husband Isaiah.

From theme nights on board to varied shore excursions that take guests off the ship for hours at a time, passengers may face different considerations as they prepare to set sail. Here are five items you should pack on your next trip.

1. Cruise-friendly attire

Cruises may seem synonymous with flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts, but guidelines for clothing can vary. 

On formal nights, guests may want to have dressy clothes on hand, though the atmosphere has become increasingly relaxed. Depending on the line and venue, that can mean anything from tuxedos and evening gowns to collared shirts and blouses (read more about cruise line dress codes here). Many lines also have themed parties, such as those that call for all-white ensembles or events with a focus on the 1980s.

Pool decks abound on cruise ships, so don’t forget your swimwear either.

Banks also recommended bringing comfortable footwear, particularly for going in port. “When you’re going to do a lot of walking, you know, those sandals are not as good for you to walk on as nice, comfortable tennis shoes,” she said.

Check the weather in the destinations the ship will visit, too. The type of jacket you bring on a New England cruise may be different from the kind needed in the Arctic, for example. Conditions can vary from port to port as well, particularly on longer itineraries that sail through multiple climates.

2. Travel documents

Banks urged travelers to make sure they have the required documentation for their trip. Some types of cruises don’t require guests to have passports – though they’ll need other forms of ID – but many do. The U.S. State Department also recommends bringing one even if it isn’t mandated.

“You may need your passport in the event of an unexpected medical evacuation or if the ship docks at an alternate port,” its website reads. Banks also suggested making copies or taking photos to have as backup.

Some destinations also require other documents like visas, and Banks recommended bringing a copy of any travel insurance information.

3. Medication

Many cruise ships onboard medical facilities and personnel who can prescribe medications. But supplies are limited, so it’s important to bring any that you take regularly or may need during the sailing with you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends travelers going abroad bring enough to last the duration of their trip, “plus extra in case of travel delays.”

4. Rechargeable devices

Portable chargers and extra rechargeable batteries can come in handy if guests’ electronics run out of juice, particularly while they’re away from their cabin in port. “If you’re going to take a camera or iPhone, have rechargeable (devices), because when you’re on a shore excursion, you may be out for eight hours, for that whole day, and your phone’s going to die on you,” said Banks. “So, you want to have that extra backup.”

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5. Sun protection

Sun decks and loungers are a major draw on cruises, so be sure to pack sunscreen. Certain sunscreens are banned by destinations ships visit, so do some research in advance.

Sunglasses are also important. That’s true not only in the balmy Caribbean but in destinations like Antarctica, where glare from the water, snow and ice can be hard on the eyes.

If guests forget something at home, however, they’re not necessarily out of luck. Many cruise ships have onboard shops that stock basic items like toothbrushes, deodorant and certain over-the-counter medications. Banks warned, though, that the selection may be more limited and expensive than what travelers would find on land.

“By understanding these key differences, you can pack more effectively for your cruise, ensuring a more enjoyable and stress-free experience,” she said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

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