Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Travel Tip Tuesday - Packing For Your CruiseWhat do I need to pack?
* Everything you would need, if you were staying at a resort hotel in the same geographic area of your cruise.
* Avoid overpacking by reading the recommended dress section of the cruise literature that will be mailed to you after you book.
* Check to see if they have a theme night or talent show where you might need some special outfits. Even in the warm Caribbean, you might need a sweater on the decks at night. The air conditioning can also be icy.
* Pack some comfortable rubber soled shoes to get around on the decks.
* Bring a pocket calculator to help you figure your ports of call exchange rates.
* Bring a white T-shirt if you plan on going snorkeling or you may have a burned back when you are done.
* You might also pack some drinking straws to use while at port. This will help you to avoid touching your lips to a can's top. The top might be covered with contaminants that will make you sick.
Aren't cruise ships really formal?
* No, cruising isn't just for the stuffed shirt crowd anymore. Casual attire is appropriate for almost all of your cruise.
Will I need any formal clothes?
* No, you'll also be able to find a great variety of types of cruises in many areas of the globe. Yes, cruises still have dinners where more formal clothes are appropriate. The last night of a cruise is usually a formal night, and a seven-day cruise will usually have two formal nights. These are the meals that used to require tuxedos or cocktail dresses. They are now optional but, if you have them dust them off and bring them along. Many Cruise Lines will rent tuxedos, so you can check into this option before you go. Fewer passengers are taking this option and a dark suit and dresses are perfectly appropriate and will probably be the most common passenger attire for the formal nights. On the other nights a sport coat and tie or pants suit are appropriate. Some Cruise Lines are recommending even more casual attire such as sport shirt and pants on all but the formal night. Read your cruise packet or check out the Line's web page for your particular ship's recommendation.
What should I pack in my carry-on bags?
* Items of value that should never go in your checked luggage such as cash, jewelry, medication, travel documents and a list of everything in your checked baggage.
* Since luggage is often not delivered to your cabin until after your first dinner, be prepared and pack a change of clothes.
* You might also consider one-day items, in other words all the items you would need to make it through a 24-hour day, just in case your luggage goes missing.
* Keep lots of crisp one-dollar bills wherever you keep your money. This will come in handy when dealing with all the skycaps and porters.
Tips provided by YTB.
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