Camera. Sunscreen.
Swimsuit. Okay, now that we've got the basics out of the way, here
are a few must-have cruise items that'll help make your vacation
more comfortable, enjoyable and memorable.
On the first
day...
For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with
your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout
clothes, and any medications you may need. That way you don't have
to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
Onboard attire...
Shorts, t-shirts, slacks, trousers, casual skirts, blouses and
sundresses are all perfect during the day, whether indoors or out.
For lounging by the pool, pack two bathing suits (an extra suit in
case the other is wet) and a pair of casual shoes (e.g., flip-flops,
sandals, sneakers). You'll also need some casual shorts and a couple
of t-shirts or a cover-up for getting to and from the pool areas.
If you're planning to visit our onboard fitness center, be sure to
bring extra shorts, t-shirts and socks that you won't mind working
out in - plus a pair of tennis or running shoes/sneakers.
Dinner attire...
Meals in the main dining room follow this schedule:
Cruise Length
Casual
Smart Casual
Formal
3-night
2
0
1
4-night
3
0
1
5-night
3
1
1
6-night
4
0
2
7-night
4
1
2
8-night
4
2
2
9-night
5
2
2
10-night
6
2
2
11-night
7
2
2
12-night
7
3
2*
13-night
8
2
3
14-night+
9
2
3
The number of smart casual and formal nights is at the ship's
discretion.
Note: *Some 12-night European cruises may have 3 formal nights
For fun... There are four very
important types of books you'll want to consider packing:
Travel guides - to help you
explore new destinations
Poolside pleasures - nothing
beats a great read in the sun
Journal - keep an account of
your adventure for sharing and reminiscing
Address book - send your friends
a postcard to make them jealous
Binoculars are another often forgotten, yet indispensable travel
item. Be sure to pack a pair for magnified excitement onboard and
onshore.
Save space...
Be sure to leave some room in your luggage for all those souvenirs
and mementos. Some space-saving ideas include:
Bring shirts and pants/skirts
that mix and match, turning three outfits into five or six.
Wear your heaviest shoes during
embarkation and disembarkation so you don't have to pack them.
Pack small items inside larger
ones (like jewelry inside shoes) for efficiency and
safe-keeping.
Bring an additional empty bag
for those acquired extras.
Onshore attire...
You'll need comfortable walking shoes, as well as a hat and sunscreen for
protection from the sun.
If you are cruising to Northern Europe or Alaska, remember that nights on
deck can be cool. Bring sweaters, jackets and long pants. And if you'll be
touring any museums, cathedrals or churches, it's always wise to dress
conservatively. You may also want to bring a raincoat, hiking shoes and a
travel umbrella. And don't forget your swimsuit. Top of page
1. Make sure someone is taking care of the pets. Get a friend or
neighbor to feed the fish, walk the dog and water your plants. Then they'll
be tip-top when you return.
2. Put your lights and/or radio on a timer. People shouldn't be able
to tell you're away just by looking at your house. A simple timer can turn
the lights and a radio or TV on after dark.
3. Make sure someone gets your mail/newspapers. Same reason as #2.
Plus, there's only so much mail the carrier will jam into your mailbox. You
could also have the post office hold your mail from 3 to 30 days.
4. Check your thermostat settings. If there's no one home to enjoy
the heat or a/c, turn it off before you go or set your thermostat to its
recommended temperatures.
5. Change the settings on your answering machine. A constantly
ringing phone could annoy your neighbors and let strangers know you're away.
6. Make sure everything that needs to be off is off. Your vacation
should be worry-free, and that includes thoughts like "did I leave the stove
on?" Double-check before you go. You can even unplug non-essential
appliances like your computer, TV and other electronics.
7. Get rid of perishable items and leftovers. No one wants to come
home to fuzzy things in the fridge. If it's uneaten the night before you go,
just toss it.
8. Turn the water off. Close the water valves for your sinks,
dishwasher and clothes washer. That way nothing can leak and make a mess
while you're not home.
9. Keep track of your house keys. When you don't use them for a week
or more, it's easy to forget where you stuck them. Find a spot in your
carry-on luggage where they'll be safe for the duration of your trip.
Whether you're
cruising for the first time or the millionth, you'll find a nugget
of wisdom or two in this section. Check out the top ten things you
need to know about those moments just before and after you hop
onboard.
1. For the first
day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel
documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes and
any medications you may need. That way you don't have to wait for
your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
2. If you've never been to the departure port before, you can find
and print directions here.
3. You'll need to give yourself at least 60 minutes to check in and
go through security at the pier. If you have not checked in 60
minutes prior to the scheduled departure, you will be considered a
no-show, and your reservation will be cancelled and cancellation
penalties applied.
4. Friends and relatives are welcome to come to the pier to see you
off. However, for security reasons, they will not be allowed to
board the ship at any port.
5. Luggage tags may be personalized with name and stateroom
number. Tags for different ships are identified by bolded ship name
for ease of identification. You may also receive additional
luggage tags pier side on check in
6. If you're a elite member, be sure to take advantage of priority
check-in and the private departure lounge available with some cruise
lines.
7. When you first come aboard, be sure to check out your stateroom.
There you'll find our Cruise Guide with schedules for all the
onboard activities.
8. If you're traveling with family, be sure to check the Cruise
Guide for the "Family Welcome Aboard Show" times. This entertaining
performance will tell you all about the activities available for
families and includes registration for our Youth Programs.
9. If the spa or fitness classes are your thing, try to make your
appointments on the first day, as the most popular treatments and
times fill up fast.
Things To Know Before You Go
