A First-Time Cruiser’s Guide to Packing

About to head off on your first cruise? Not sure what to pack? Whether unsure how many swimsuits you will need or what types of shoes to bring, here’s a guide to a pack list for your first cruise.

Card Holder

Having a card holder for your cruise card is a good idea. Cruise cards act as a hotel key card, as well as for getting on and off the boat at ports, and having a card holder ensures you never lose or misplace it (or worse yet, leave it behind at a port of call).

Seasickness Medicine

Whether you know for a fact you get seasick or have yet to find out, play it safe and bring motion sickness medicine. You can find this at your local pharmacy or grocery store, and packing a few in your bag can ensure your cruise is more enjoyable.

Evening Bag and Backpack

Cruises aren’t just for lounging around. In fact, when you get off the boat at a port of call, having a backpack or compact bag to bring with you can come in handy. Back on the boat, your larger bag or suitcase holds everything else. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a small evening purse to carry to dinner or the bar.

Comfy Walking Shoes

Don’t just bring flip flops or sandals. When you’re off on an excursion that requires walking, you’ll wish you brought some sneakers or shoes with more support.

Night Attire

While cruise pools and loungers call for swimsuits, come evening, you’ll want to change into some nicer clothes for dinner or drinks at the bar. Many cruises also feature fine-dining venues, so be sure to look into your ship’s restaurants beforehand to see if you should bring a black-tie outfit.

Just ONE Book

You may think you’ll have so much time to lay in the sun to read, but cruises almost always have something going on, and you won’t want to miss out on these fun activities and experiences. Additionally, most cruises today have their own onboard libraries.

Sunscreen

This one may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many cruisers either forget to pack sunscreen or wait until they get on the boat to purchase sunscreen. But these onboard shops often charge more for products, so go ahead and buy some sunscreen and any other toiletries at your local store beforehand.