Sunday, March 31, 2024

Cruise packing list: 103 must-have items

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

Of course, any of the other items you’ll need for the day like diapers, wipes and a change of clothes should be packed in your embarkation day bag as well. You’ll want to bring a cruise ship carry on bag for those first few hours on the ship, as your luggage may only be delivered to your cabin several hours after you board. A cruise carry on bag is essential for the first day of your cruise, when it can take several hours for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin. You’ll want to make sure that you have everything you need to enjoy your embarkation day, as well as important items such as medications, valuables and children’s items. You'd think your Caribbean cruise packing list would write itself — T-shirts, swimsuits, flip flops, done. However, once you start to think about spending a week or even just a weekend at sea, you'll suddenly find yourself with questions.

Miscellaneous items to pack for your cruise

Make sure to be prepared for possible motion sickness on a cruise. While we all hope not to get seasick, seasickness medication or prevention should be on your cruise packing list just in case. You’ll be able to fill your coffee mug at the cruise ship buffet or cafe, and enjoy a big cup at any time of day. One of the things that first time cruisers often forget, is to pack an embarkation day carry on bag.

Open Edit Strappy Midi Dress

The cruise line will send you designated luggage tags, too; add those onto your luggage before embarking the ship. A daypack and/or beach bag is essential for toting items while in port, as well as whatever purse you want to use on board in the evenings. Keep in mind that ships are equipped with gyms and outdoor tracks, fitness classes abound, and many ports welcome runners, kayakers, bikers, and other active types. There’s no need to skip out on your fitness regime if you don’t want to, so bring along your activewear, too. As for any trip, don’t leave home without your underwear, socks (both athletic and dress socks), and bras/undershirts as the base for any day’s dress. You’ll want comfy pajamas to cozy up in after a long day spent exploring in port, too.

Travel gear

Of course, how much you’ll bring depends on how many days you’ll be at sea. Also remember that public areas on cruise ships are notoriously chilly due to the air conditioning. Therefore it is worth having a pashmina, dressy cardigan or jacket with you for wearing at night on a cruise.

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

Since the Caribbean weather is quite warm most of the year, plan on light clothing during the day, like shorts and a t-shirts or tank top, or a light sundress. Winter months (January, February, March) tend to be a little bit cooler, so plan accordingly. Cruise ship showers are notoriously cramped and often lack functional amenities.

Things to Consider When Making Your Cruise Packing List

In addition to clothes, you need to pack a few other items with you to make your cruise go smoothly. This includes everything from your boarding documents to your toothbrush. While we cover all the items in detail below, you can click the image (or click this link) to download the printable PDF. In other words, when it comes to packing for a cruise, nobody has the expertise — and the experience — that we do.

Pharmaceutical Items

Again, I pack a cruise capsule wardrobe where everything is interchangeable. For a 4 day cruise this will normally 4 outfits along with my embarkation day outfit. On a 5 night cruise you can expect there to be only 1 formal night so you don’t have to worry too much about packing lots of formal outfits. On these days I use day to night transition pieces such as a smart casual blouse or nice Maxi dress, that I can wear to dinner one night and then use during the day the next day. There are a couple of things that many new cruisers don’t realize are absolute no-no’s on a cruise. Travel size disinfecting wipes are great for a quick cabin disinfection on the first day of your cruise.

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

What to Bring on a 5 Day Cruise

They help keep cruise outfits organized and stay mostly wrinkle-free. Use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space and keep your belongings organized. When it's time to hit the town at night, add some accessories to soften this look like dainty jewelry, colorful slip-on shoes, a Panama hat and a handbag.

From what clothes to pack for a cruise, to all the must-have cruise accessories you’ll use for years to come. If that’s not powerful enough for you, consider bringing a small quality blowdryer. You might find that your cruise clothing gets a bit wrinkled as you unpack.

On beachy cruises, you'll want a beach bag, sand toys for the kids and perhaps your own snorkeling gear. Wet bags (or even plastic zip-top bags) will keep your wet stuff from leaking onto everything on your way back to the ship. You can sweeten your cabin bathroom by bringing a bathroom spray to mask unpleasant odors. A small inflatable kiddie pool or tub packs down small and can be used to give your little one a bath. Unless you buy an unlimited streaming internet package, don’t waste your expensive onboard internet minutes trying to download anything…it’s nearly impossible anyway. It’s been decades and hundreds of cruises since I packed for my first cruise.

We've listed 103 essentials you should always pack for any cruise vacation. Follow our cruise packing list to avoid packing mistakes and be prepared for anything on your next sailing. Angeline and I went snorkeling in Grand Cayman once and I was so disappointed when I realized that I had forgotten our waterproof camera at home! It’s so much fun to be able to take photos not only under water, but just while you’re on the beach or splashing in the waves! You can also purchase a waterproof phone case or a waterproof camera bag, which will cost you less than a camera. If the weather is hot and sunny and you plan to be by the pool, don’t forget to bring sunscreen in your carry on bag.

I packed for a 7-day cruise with just a carry-on suitcase and backpack - Cruise Blog

I packed for a 7-day cruise with just a carry-on suitcase and backpack.

Posted: Thu, 14 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Another advantage of using little bags – I can roll them up and stuff each one inside my shoes and save a ton of space. Hair products (travel size hair spray, mousse and conditioner) in yet another freezer bag. I can see where every item is without having to rummage around to find the right item.

Consider purchasing a few so you can bring them with you on shore excursions and pack them in your cruise port day bag. In this post will I’ll share a thorough cruise carry on packing list, as well as some recommendations for best cruise carry on luggage and travel essentials. This article was updated recently to share the best and most recent recommendations.

Don’t fly without locking your locking your luggage with a TSA approved lock. You can also lock valuable items like laptops and luxury bags in locked luggage to keep your items secure in your cruise cabin. These cruise packing hacks will save space in your luggage, stay organized educe wrinkles in clothing. The cruise ship will provide you with towels that you can use on the lido deck as well as in cruise ports. However, they can be heavy and take time to dry when they get wet. Not only are they probably my favorite cruise accessory, but they are so useful!

First-time cruisers don't realize all the cruise ship cabin hacks they can employ to enhance their onboard accommodations. Some folks prefer to bring a lanyard to keep their cruise room key card close at hand. It's easy to fill a carry-on with footwear alone when packing for a cruise. The must-have basic is a comfortable pair of travel shoes for the flight, ship and walking in port. The adventures in store on a Royal Caribbean cruise run the gamut, and this packing list will have you ready for anything. If you realize you could use more of one item or another when you’re on board, you can also head to the shops and vending kiosks on the ships for clothing, bags, personal essentials and more.

The sun really reflects off the water and its very easy to burn before you know it. I love lip balm, but I know this is a must-have packing item that many people forget. When you arrive at your cruise ship, you’ll hand your luggage over to porters before you enter the cruise port terminal for boarding your ship. Your luggage will be handled safely, so don’t worry, and will be delivered straight to your ship.

115 item Ultimate Cruise Packing List Printable PDF

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

Or you could save space in your luggage and download a white noise or other sleep sounds app instead. Here's hoping you find some useful and creative tips in this list of the top 26 cruise packing hacks. Make sure you have enough plug-ins and outlets in your stateroom by packing a non-surge power strip. When shopping, look for one with a few regular outlets and USB ports. For easy transitions from water to land, purchase products made from durable, quick-drying materials. Remember to have a packing cube with change of clothes and other items you’ll need for a pre-cruise hotel stay.

Use tissue paper between clothing items

For less than $10, these small, plug-in LED night lights will guide the way to the toilet without the feeling of staring into the sun. A sensor in the light automatically turns it on or off, depending on the brightness of the room, so you don’t have to remember to flip a switch. You can even adjust the level of brightness emanating from the nightlight with two settings.

Lanyards for Cruise Ship Cards

It’s a good idea to print any excursions you’ve booked or other reservations and keep them together in an envelope or travel binder. This way you’ll be organized once you get on the ship and into your cabin. Since you’ll want to start enjoying your cruise vacation right away, having some first day essentials is going to be important.

LifeStraw Go Filtered Water Bottle

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

In addition, some items may need a converter that, as the name implies, converts it to the proper voltage. This is more likely to be an issue for items like flat or curling irons. These can be much more expensive, so best to do your research ahead of time to determine what is needed.

The five must-have cruise outfits to wear from day to night

Consider travel pants with zip-off legs that convert them to shorts. Also, you can wear a lightweight UPF shirt over a tank top if the sun's rays are harsher than expected. Packing with layers in mind can provide more space than packing individual outfits for every possible weather scenario. Similarly, stuff sneakers or dress shoes with socks or rolled-up ties to protect the shoe's shape and use all available space for packing. If you're packing a straw hat, you'll need to protect it inside your luggage.

Cruise carry-on bag recommendations

Remember to keep everyone’s sunglasses in the carry-on bag, just in case they forget. Make sure to keep toiletries that you may need for the day like a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair gel, deodorant etc.in your carry on bag. If you take prescription medications, make sure to keep them on you either in your hand bag or cruise day bag. I also like to make a mini cruise first-aid kit and keep a few things we may need for the day, like pain reliever (Advil or Tylenol) as well as some Tums or Rolaids.

Cruises don’t charge for luggage and there are no weight limits (within reason). Sure you might think that it’s tossing some shorts and a swimsuit into a suitcase. On a cruise, however, you’re hanging out by the pool in a swimsuit, dressing up for dinner, wearing casual clothes to the buffet, and putting on something warm for a show in the theater. Well, when you cruise you have some unique situations that you don’t find on any other vacation. If you are allowed to bring alcohol on board we recommend using your allowance as this will be cheaper than drinks on the ship. But be sure to check your cruise ship rules before travel so it meets current requirements.

When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Definitely don't forget the ultimate evening wear — comfy pajamas — especially if you're sharing a cabin with family or friends.

What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise? 8 Things Not to Pack - Cruise Critic

What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise? 8 Things Not to Pack.

Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise Packing Checklist: Personal Items

Easy, Printable Cruise Vacation Packing Checklist [2023] - Upgraded Points

Easy, Printable Cruise Vacation Packing Checklist .

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Just know that in the tropics, rainstorms are typically short in duration — so don't be dismayed if your weather forecast predicts rain every day of your cruise. This compact hairdryer by BabyLliss Pro works almost as well as my large salon quality dryer, and is perfect to bring along on a cruise. This includes basic items such toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream etc. You may also want to pack perfume, moisturizers and other personal items. Ginger candies are a natural way to ease an upset stomach or mild motion sickness on a cruise. Luggage tag holders are reusable, and truly one of the best cruise accessories you’ll ever have.

what to pack for a 5 day cruise

Bring some jewelry if you like, though, as with any trip, you’ll want to leave your best pieces at home. Though staterooms have safes, you’d be wise not to flash expensive baubles in some ports around the world. Sandals and flip-flops are must-haves for pool and beach days, while more elegant shoes are de rigueur for fancier evening dinners on board.

Consider packing silicone reusable straws if you’d rather not have the soggy paper straws. Protect your luggage when you fly or cruise with a reusable luggage sleeve or cover. Don’t forget to pack lip balm with an SPF for each member of the family, to avoid unwelcome swollen lips on a cruise. Keep in mind that US dollars are welcome in most Caribbean cruise ports. However, when you cruise in Europe or outside of North America, make sure to use the local currency.

This is a great way to reduce the amount of items you are packing but ensuring you have multiple outfits for a 5 day cruise. Most people take a cruise vacations in the Caribbean because they want to spend time at the pool and on the beach during their shore excursions. Make sure to bring at least two bathing suits, as it can take a while for them to dry out!

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will hand your larger bags over to a porter, and they will be delivered to your cabin later on embarkation day. If you’ll be spending a lot of time by the pool and beach, do consider a waterproof phone case to help protect your cell phone. And if you’re staying abroad at a hotel pre- or post-cruise, don’t overlook voltage adapters, as needed. You might have to throw in a sweater or sweatshirt on your packing list for a Caribbean cruise, and the same goes for a spring or fall stroll in a Mediterranean port.

For more things to pack, don’t miss our 39 Useful Things to Pack for a Cruise (Including 17 You Might Not Think Of). Instead, keeping your bags manageable will save you a lot of hassle when you head to the ship. While many items on the list are self-explanatory, we go into more detail below about what’s included on the checklist for your cruise.

For instance, Celebrity Cruises has “evening chic”, Carnival has “Elegant” night and Norwegian has “Norwegian night out“. Overall, pack what you are comfortable wearing, but do check your cruise line’s dress codes. Some are more casual (ie. Norwegian) and some are more formal (ie. Cunard), while others are somewhere in between. While having a mobile phone isn’t a necessity, it’s a good idea with you as you travel. Many cruise lines are now using apps for check in and even for new muster drills.

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