I love to cruise!
After cruising many times over the years I’ve compiled the following list of top items I take with me on cruise vacations.
1. Over the Counter Medications Many items will NOT be available at the ship shops so be sure to pack items like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, stomach aids and the like.
2. Sunscreen This is a MUST! You will need sunscreen on the ship as well as on excursions. You will not want to pay the price they charge on the ship or in ports so be sure to stop up. Also, many location now require “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly” sunscreen like Sun Bum.
3. Refillable Water Bottle or Tumbler I like to take one to refill with water and ice, especially for excursions. It’s also nice to have if you are taking advantage of a sun deck or my favorite on Carnival ships – the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. You definitely need to stay hydrated when out in the sun and humidity.
4. Magnets Magnets? Yes, magnets. But not just any magnets, strong magnet hooks. These are amazing for added storage in your stateroom. Most walls in cruise ship staterooms are metal and therefore magnetic. You’ll see in the photo below I used magnet hooks on our last cruise to keep our hats and bags organized and out of the way.
You can purchase these hooks HERE.
5. Cash You’ll want to have some cash on hand for tips. Checking your bags at the port you’ll want to tip the Porters and it’s always nice to have cash for those hard working bar service employees too. We like to have cash for shopping in Ports as well.
6. Lanyard Take one with you. I take one with a plastic pocket attached but many cruise lines that still use card type access keys will have a hole in them for your lanyard clip. You’ll need your key card for EVERYTHING on the ship. No cash/card for purchases.
7. Beach Bag It’s not just for the beach! It’s a great way to tote things off the ship for a day ashore or to take your items to the pool.
8. Sunhat/Hat The Caribbean/Mexico sun can be much more intense. A hat will help keep the sun off your face and keep you cool.
9. Door Decoration If you’ve been on a cruise you know all those stateroom doors can look alike. The past couple of cruises we added a fun decoration to our stateroom door. There are definitely elaborate posters you can purchase or other items you can add but remember – no tape. Magnets or a Command Hooks or Strips work great too.
10. Patience This one may sound or seem odd. Travel days are hard. Remember that often times first day experiences set the tone of a vacation. You are on VACATION! Relax. Take a break. Enjoy.
Are you ready to go on a cruise for the first time? Or maybe you’ve cruised in the past but haven’t since the world re-opened. I’m here to help.
When you are ready to set sail give me a call or send me a note. I’d love to help you find the perfect cruise for you.
Travel with you soon,
Betsy
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Betsy Walker Travels 