Cruise Packing List
Happy Cruiser (Jo Smith)
Table of Contents
General Packing Guidelines
About Airport Security
Cruise Packing Tips
Shoulder Bag Packing List
Carry On Packing List
Toiletries Packing List
Gal's Packing List
Guy's Packing List
Gal's and Guy's Miscellaneous Packing
List
Embarkation
Debarkation
I) How much luggage can I take?
If you don't live near a cruise port, you'll normally have to fly (or drive in some cases) to your destination. Before you start to pack, remember that you have to carry everything with you in the airport and around the cruise terminal, so luggage with wheels is a good idea. Try to limit yourself to 1 piece of Checked Luggage + 1 Carry-on Bag + 1 Personal Item. You can also take a garment bag for formal wear and put it in Checked Luggage. A waist pouch is a good idea, and you might want to invest in a money belt to wear under your clothes.
The Carry-on Bag can be a small bag/backpack or a carry-on suitcase with wheels. It should be comfortable to carry, hold the necessary items and be able to go under the seat in front of you or in overhead storage on the plane. Please pack the listed items, as flights can be delayed and you never know if you have to sleep somewhere else. Never leave your Carry-on Bag unattended. Additional carry-on items that are allowed include outer garments such as coats/wraps/hats; book or newspaper; bistro sized or smaller bag of consumable food and devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc. Read Airport Security (p. 4) before packing any carry-on items.
The Personal Item can be a purse, briefcase, laptop, small book-bag style backpack, small tote bag or shoulder bag.
ii) Are there any luggage size and weight restrictions?
Each airline has their own specifications, so check ahead or call your travel agent. For instance, American Airlines will accept 2 pieces of Checked Luggage and the dimensions CANNOT exceed 62"/157 cm nor weigh more than 70 lbs./32 kgs. For the Carry-On Bag, the dimensions CANNOT exceed 45"/114 cm. nor weigh more than 40 lbs./18 kgs. The Personal Item CANNOT exceed 36". The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height. In addition, portable phones, radios and electronic games CANNOT be used on board.
iii) How shall I label my luggage and keep it secure?
Your name & address should be on a piece of paper inside each bag and on luggage tags on the outside of each bag. Fill out your cruise tags and place them on your luggage. Any "old" airline/cruise tags should be removed. Your Carry-on Bag & Checked Luggage should have locks. Mark all luggage with some "bright" tape or wool pompoms for easier retrieval at the airport & the cruise terminal.
Please note that airlines reserve the right to ask that Carry-on Bags be checked. If you are asked to check your back, prior to checking the Carry-On Bag, ensure that certain items have been removed, such as prescription medications, the photocopied Travel Pak and anything else you may require. For this reason, it is important that the Carry-On Bag have a lock.
iv) What kind of identification will I need?
Check your cruise documents or call your travel agent because these regulations change all the time. For instance, a new regulation by Carnival states that in addition to your passport, guests who are 16 years or older must provide a Photo ID. Photo ID can be your driver's license, photo health card; employee photo ID, high school card, etc. Unfortunately, you will be denied boarding at embarkation without proper documentation & no refund will be provided. No exceptions will be made.
v) How do I organize all the paperwork?
When traveling, you'll want to keep important documents together and close at hand. You can purchase a personal documents kit or make your own Travel Pak. The Travel Pak will include your original documents, such as passports, airline tickets, cruise documents, etc. (see Travel Pak under Carry-On Items p. 7 for more info).
Prior to leaving home, make 2 photocopies of everything in the Travel Pak, plus a copy of your health card, photo ID, any prescription medications, and your packing lists. The 1st photocopied Travel Pak set is kept at home with someone; the 2nd photocopied Travel Pak set is kept in a large Ziploc in your Carry-on Bag. In this way, if the originals are somehow lost, there are 2 photocopied sets available. You should also record any credit card numbers on the photocopies in case of theft.
During your cruise you will receive a daily cruise newsletter. You may want to save and organize these in a plastic envelope pouch. Also, each time you use your Sail and Sign card on-board, you will get a receipt. The receipt should be matched with your bill in case you are charged for something you didn't purchase (It happens!). Keep all receipts for any purchases made on shore for Customs purposes.
vi) How much money should I take?
The amount of money you take depends entirely on your personal circumstances and what you plan on purchasing in port. Normally, some cash, traveler's cheques and a major credit card are recommended. In your Waist Pouch or Shoulder Purse, carry all cash and ID in a wallet. If traveling as a couple, split up your cash. Ships operate as a "cashless" society and you use your Sail & Sign card to pay for everything (See Embarkation p. 12 for more info). Traveler's cheques can be cashed at the Purser's Desk, and some ships have an ATM machine on-board. However, please note that there is a higher than normal transaction fee for the ATM machine on-board (approx. US$5 per transaction), and, of course, it may run out of money while at sea. So, don't rely solely on the ATM machine and have some cash or traveler's cheques on hand.
On shore, lots of small denomination US bills are good, as a lot of the street vendors in port accept cash only and may not have change for large bills. Other stores in port accept credit cards, cash and traveler's cheques. An ATM card is handy in airports, but may not be accepted in port.
vii) What do I do if my luggage gets lost?
If anything gets lost, you'll need to know what was in the lost luggage piece, so the copy of your packing list will come in handy here. To claim any lost luggage, you'll have to fill out a Lost Luggage Claim Form. If you really want to be prepared, pack a photo of your luggage with your Travel Pak.
Another suggestion for a couple traveling together (or for two friends wearing different sizes of clothing), is to split pack your clothing. Pack 1/2 your clothes in the guy's suitcase, and the guy packs 1/2 his clothes in the gal's suitcase. Remember to pack matching outfits in each suitcase. This is really thinking ahead in case one of the suitcases never arrives! At least this way, you'll have some clothes for both.
i) Carry-On Items - what you CAN'T pack in your Carry-On Bag
Due to heightened airport security, some items are now not permitted in your Carry-on Bag, waist pouch or purse. If they are found, they will be confiscated, so ensure they are placed in your Checked Luggage before proceeding to the airport.
These items include: personal care items
containing hazardous materials (e.g. flammable perfume, aerosols) totaling no
more than 70 ounces may be carried on board. Contents of each container may
not exceed 16 fluid ounces. safety matches and/or a lighter may only be
carried on your person; however, "strike-anywhere" matches, lighters with
flammable liquid reservoirs and lighter fluid are forbidden Baseball bats, golf
clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks must also be in Checked Luggage. Umbrellas and
walking canes are permitted once they are inspected to ensure they do not
conceal any prohibited items. For any electronic equipment (laptops, palm
pilots, walkmans, cell phones, digital cameras, etc.), make sure to turn the
power on for the security check. It is a good idea to check with the airline
before you leave home to ensure that no additional items have been added. i) What type of
clothing should I pack? Packing for a cruise
is quite easy. What you regularly wear to the beach, around a pool, walking
around town, dining out or going to a New Year's Eve party, are the same
things you'll need for a cruise. Count out your outfits, especially for
evening to make sure you have enough to wear. Mix & match your clothing; if
you bring a skirt, you can wear it more than once with a different top. You
should also pack some off-season clothing, as it may not always be sunny and
warm, plus, the inside areas on the ship are "very" air conditioned. If you
need to buy some clothes, make a list! If you're planning on buying t-shirts,
hats, etc. on the ship or ports of call, why not wear them on your cruise?
You'll cut down on the amount of clothing you'll bring, and you won't need to
plan for extra space on your trip home. Cruises are pretty
casual, however, there are some dress codes for formal nights, and what to
wear when you're walking around the ship. ii) What do I wear
on departure day? If you're traveling
from a colder to warmer climate, you'll still have to dress for the weather
when leaving home. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and dress in
layers. Wear long pants, a t-shirt, sweatshirt or sweater and a lightweight
waterproof coat (such as an Adidas or Nike spring/fall wind breaker jacket);
socks and running shoes (or other comfortable, worn-in shoes). Some type of
lightweight coat is needed, as you never know what weather you'll get on-board
or on any of the shore excursions. You can wear minimal jewellery, and a
watch, but keep excess and expensive jewellery at home. Please remember that
your Checked Luggage may or may not arrive before dinner time on the cruise
ship, so be sure to either wear or pack in your Carry-On Bag the clothes you
will wear for dinner the first night. The dress code will be casual (see p. 6
for Dining Room dress codes) ii) What do I wear
on board in the daytime? During the day,
anything goes! You can wear shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, jeans, cargo or
khaki pants, running shoes, flip flops and sandals. The only dress code
during the day is when going swimming [walking from your cabin to the pool and
vice versa], you always have to wear something over your swimsuit (like an
oversized t-shirt), and you have to wear something on your feet. iv) What should I
wear when going ashore? Depending on what
type of activity you sign up for, dress appropriately for the activity. If
you're going snorkeling, wear your bathing suit, with a t-shirt and shorts
overtop and some sandals. Bring a waterproof beach bag to put your clothes in
during your water time. Bring a towel (provided in your room), water bottle,
suntan lotion, sunglasses, hat and perhaps an underwater camera. You'll also
need your Sail & Sign card & Photo ID to get on and off the ship, and you may
want to bring your wallet with some small bills if you wish to "tip" your
snorkeling host once the excursion is over (optional). If you're going
shopping or sightseeing, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a small
backpack to carry all your purchases. Check with the Shore Excursions Desk if
unsure of what to wear to a certain port or shore excursion. v) What do I wear
on board in the evening? Dining Room Dress
Code: You CAN'T wear
shorts, t-shirts, cut-offs, tank tops, jeans or have bare feet. For most
nights, the dress code will be casual. This is what you'd wear to your
favorite "casual" restaurant, such as sun dresses, a casual dress, casual
pants such as khakis or cargo pants (but not jeans), skirt and top, or a pants
outfit. For guys, polo shirts, button-up shirts and casual pants (not jeans)
are fine. Look in the cruise newsletter to find out what the dress code for
dinner is each night. There are normally
two formal nights on 7 or 8-night cruises. For formal nights, especially the
Gala Captain's Dinner, gals can wear a long dress and guys can wear a tuxedo
or dark suit. Normally, the Captain's Dinner is dressier than the second
formal night. If you're not wearing the appropriate dress for the dining room
for formal night, you will not be admitted and you'll have to eat at the Lido
deck. (Basically, guys have to wear a jacket and gals have to be in something
dressy). However, gals, you don't need a long gown, anything dressy is
suitable. For the second formal night you can wear something you'd wear to a
fancy restaurant. Gals can wear another fancy dress or dress pants/skirt and
nice top (not t-shirt); and guys can just wear a different shirt and tie with
their suit. There are many photo opportunities on formal nights, so you'll
want to look your best to get your picture taken. There is also a
hairdressing salon on board. Normally, if it's
formal night, passengers stay dressed in their formal wear throughout the
evening. Normally, what you wear for dinner is what you'll be wearing for the
rest of the evening. If you're planning on heading to the disco later on,
just wear your halter top, one-shouldered top or other "disco" top to dinner,
with a jacket or sweater overtop. The jacket or sweater will ensure that you
are appropriately dressed for the dining room. After dinner, just return your
jacket or sweater to your cabin. vi) Tips on
packing & the Packing Lists: The packing list is
very important in case any bags are lost. Jot notes on the lists, such as
black skirt g.b., meaning you packed your black skirt in the garment bag. Pack
items between tissue paper to prevent creasing. Put shoes in grocery bags to
keep clothes clean. Use the inside of shoes to pack socks; roll up underwear
to pack in small spaces. Or, buy some mesh bags and put all the socks in one
bag and all underwear in another. Items that may leak, such as suntan lotion,
pack in a Ziploc. When re-packing, try
to pack items in the same bag it was packed in when you came on board.
Instead of waiting until the last night to pack, try to pack your dirty
clothes in your suitcase on a daily basis. Remember how hard it was to pack
it all in? If you ball up dirty clothes, it may not all fit. Take out the
dirty item and fold it as if it was clean. If you want to keep the dirty and
clean clothes separate, put the dirty clothes in a laundry bag. Pack
breakables (such as bottles) in your Carry-On Bag. PACKING IT ALL IN:
CARRY-ON ITEMS
YOUR WAIST POUCH OR SHOULDER BAG PACKING
LIST For gals, if you're taking
the purse you normally use, go through your purse and wallet and remove items
that you won't need. Do you really need to bring a copy of your phone bill
with you? Leave these at home and discard any old receipts or ATM bank
machine transactions. Travel Pak: The Travel Pak could be a
large Ziploc, or anything else that can keep these items together 1. Passport
(For Canadians & foreign guests, taken at cruise terminal) Other Essential
Items:
2. Photo ID - required (can also keep in wallet)
3. Visas, if required
4. Travel Documents
PACKING IT ALL IN: CARRY-ON ITEMS
YOUR CARRY-ON BAG PACKING LIST:
Could also put
these items in a separate camera bag:
Optional:
PACKING IT ALL IN: CARRY-ON ITEMS
Place all toiletries in a cosmetic or shaving kit bag & attach a shower hook. It can then hang from the towel bar in your cabin bathroom. Bathrooms on board are small.
Prescriptions in original containers (including birth control pills, if required)
**NEVER PACK PRESCRIPTIONS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE!**
Tylenol; Advil (in original containers)
Guy's Extras:
Gal's Extras:
PACKING IT ALL IN: CHECKED LUGGAGE
For Daytime: