Ten packing tips for a smoother cruise experience
Stuffed Suitcase
Somewhere in the cruise planning process either before the trip has been chosen or after final payment has been made, a call will come in asking “What and how should I pack for my cruise?” Over the years and with our own personal cruise experience, we have amassed ten packing tips for a smoother cruise experience:
- Most importantly, carry all important papers, boarding passes, passports, medication with you in your carry-on.
- Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on for the first evening’s dinner. (On the last night before you disembark, keep what you will wear outside of your checked luggage…don’t be one of those who goes through customs in their skiivies!)
- Cross-pack with your cruise companions. Should a bag get lost along the way, at least you both will have something to wear.
- Consider the dress code onboard your ship. Is it formal or more casual? Men can consider renting tuxes and formal wear instead of bringing it with them.
- Wear a swim suit the day you board either as shorts for men or under your clothes for women and certainly for the kids. Might as well get some swimming in early!
- For checked luggage the 3-1-1 rule does not apply. You may not find your expected toiletries in your stateroom. Many times cruise line bathrooms have a shampoo/conditioner combo in the shower.
- Clothes pins are great for hanging up bathing suits.
- Allow for souvenirs, so either bring a folded duffle or keep extra space in your bag.
- A collapsible laundry basket is a great item to have to keep dirty clothes from overtaking your stateroom!
- Consider packing like flight attendant Heather Poole who packs for 10 working days in her carry-on.
Chuck and Laura Flagg own The Flagg Agency in Canton, GA and our number is 770-355- 9569
We are fee-based travel consultants and our specialty is the selecting,
planning, marketing and administering vacations for groups of all sizes.
We help people find a travel experience that matches both their wants AND their needs.
PHOTO CREDIT: Flickr Creative Commons: Muffet
