26 Cruise Packing Hacks
Cruise packing happens once every few years for the majority of us. Unless you’re an expert you probably struggle with what to pack. This isn’t surprising – you’re vacationing in the middle of the ocean with occasional, sporadic stops at vastly different destinations. It’s an unusual way to travel. Here is something I found that might help us. – with these Cruise Packing Tips and Hacks, you’ll be more prepared than the Captain.....
Here are 26 Cruise Packing Hacks that you’ll hopefully appreciate.
Cruise Packing Tip #1 – Coffee Mug
Do you remember the last coffee you had on a cruise ship? I bet your scalded fingers do. If I had a nickel for every ounce of coffee I lost walking up and down those stairs, I’d have enough to treat my third-degree burns. And, you’ll have to make four or five trips there and back to get your regular caffeine fix. Bring your favorite coffee mug, fill ‘er up, and lounge around like Juan Valdez.
Cruise Packing Tip #2 – Smarter Cruise Carry-on
Once you check your bags, you won’t see them again for roughly six hours. If you plan to hit the hot tub, bring your bathing suit. If you plan to hit the buffet, bring your dentures. Whatever you’ll need for the first half of the day, stick it in your carry on bag.
Cruise Packing Tip #3 – Extra Clothes Hangers
Bob needs a few hangers for his best shirts, but I need the closet to look like one of those long racks at TJ Maxx. The cruise line will provide roughly eight hangers. If you need more (particularly for the longer cruises), throw some extras in your bag. The wire types take up the least packing space.
Cruise Packing Tip #4 – Bathroom Door Organizer
The typical bathroom vanity and sink-top has enough room for three cue tips, a hair tie, and a travel sized toothbrush. If you plan to use any of the normal tools for maintaining acceptable levels of hygiene, you’ll want a bathroom door organizer. You can stick shampoos, lotions, aloes, hair dyers, curlers, and all kinds of stuff in there. We use these all the time. It works great. I even put my jewelry in them. Get for organizing.
Cruise Packing Tip #5 – Power Strip
The last cruise I was on had two reachable outlets. C’mon – it’s 2014… even my shoe-horn has a plug. If you plan on running and charging phones, cameras, gaming consoles, hair dryers, curling irons, etc, you may want to bring a power strip.
Yes it does come in handy.
Cruise Packing Tip #6 – Dramamine
Motion sickness is one of the worst feelings you can have. And the captain isn’t going to slow down because your hugging a toilet. Even if you’ve never experienced seasickness, you might want to bring Dramamine or ginger pills just in case.
Cruise Packing Tip #7 – Wine
The average cruiser spends a LOT on booze. People aren’t aware that most cruise lines allow you to bring some alcohol. Typically, one bottle of wine per cruiser is acceptable. If it’ll save you $80 between the two of you, why not bring it? Great tip...WE ALWAYS DO THIS...
Cruise Packing Tip #8 – Ear Plugs
Cruises have to pack in the humans to keep costs down. It’s creepy to think about, but there’s four strangers sleeping within 10 feet of you at night. And if you’re lucky enough to have 80 pound soft-talkers on both sides, you might still encounter other noises. If you’re near the ship’s nightclub, engine room, or any busy walkways, there’s likely to be some noise. Shove a couple of these in your listening holes, and let the ocean’s motions rock you to bed. Another great idea...
Cruise Packing Tip #9 – Roll Your Clothes
This obviously isn’t specific to cruising, but necessary to include. If you’re still folding your clothes, you’re also probably worried about sailing off the edge of the Earth. Rolling creates a denser space and allows more “I’m with stupid” T-shirts.
Cruise Packing Tip #10 – Keep a Stiffy
If you’re worried about your collar getting crushed while in transit, stick your alligator (cow also works as does a synthetic if preferred) belt in there for support.
Cruise Packing Tip #11 – Avoid Shampoo Blouses
It’s happened to the best of us. You show up ready to party and your best silk shirt is covered in mouthwash. By placing a piece of saran wrap inside of the cover, you create a tighter seal when closed. I really don't worry about this one because I never bring the liquids (expect the Wine) on board. Just buy them as you need them.
Cruise Packing Tip #12 – Inside Out Jacket
Your jacket can get wrinkled and dirty packed in there with your sneakers and floaties. Turn it inside out to keep it clean and avoid creases.
Cruise Packing Tip #13 – Business Card in Luggage Tag
Admit it, you can’t read your own handwriting. Neither can the guy working the tarmac that found your bag in a puddle next to the Delta Hanger. Slide a business card card in your luggage tag to assure it’s legible. It also looks pretty professional, which is an added bonus. I’m not guaranteeing a first-class upgrade, but it won’t decrease your chances.
Cruise Packing Tip #14 – Bring a Jacket
I don’t care what the forecast says – the meteorologist wasn’t referring to the middle of the ocean when he said it would be 80 degrees. It gets cold and windy out there. Bring a jacket, or at least a windbreaker so you’re not stuck below decks like a troll.
Cruise Packing Tip #15 – Cotton Swab Holder
You don’t want to be sticking cotton swabs inside of your skull once they’ve been rolling around the bottom of that seven-year-old travel kit. Stick them in an empty pill bottle to keep them organized and clean. Please make sure it’s clean so you’re not medicating your inner ear canal.
Cruise Packing Tip #16 – Mark Bags as Fragile
This one may be a bit controversial. Marking your bags as “fragile” will result in better treatment of said bags. An added bonus is quicker offloading time. For those that don’t think their possessions are worthy of the “fragile” classification, follow Cruise Packing Tip #7 to earn that sincerity.
Cruise Packing Tip #17 – No Necklace Tangles
It once took two sea days to untangle a necklace. No more. Thread your dainty necklaces through a common straw to keep them perfectly neat and tangle-free. Works great I've done it
Cruise Packing Tip #18 – Drier Sheet Freshness
Your attic smells like a barn and you just pulled your luggage down three hours before heading to port. If you’d like to make new friends that prefer non-attic-smelling strangers, stick a couple drier sheets in there to eliminate odors.
Cruise Packing Tip #19 – Wine Armor
Now that we’ve established that you’re bringing a bottle of wine (see Tip #7), you’ll need to protect it from angry baggage handlers. Lodge it tightly inside of two shoes to make sure it’s well protected along the way. I actually carry my on my carry on or Back pack to avoid breakage.
Cruise Packing Tip #20 – Mobile Jewelry Case
For small pieces of jewelry, keep them safe and organized in a daily pill container. And, if super Type A, you can plan your nightly accessories and place them in the corresponding containers.
Cruise Packing Tip #21 – Scarf Roll
On your next Alaskan cruise, keep your scarves protected using an empty paper towel container. Roll them up to avoid creases. Once you get to your cabin, use your extra clothes hangers (see Tip #3) for easy closet storage.
Cruise Packing Tip #22 – Photograph Your Luggage
One time I was trying to explain my lost luggage to American Airlines. “Square-ish and with my underwear in it” didn’t make the hunt go any quicker. Always take a picture of your luggage and keep it on your mobile device. Added bonus: when new friends show you pictures of their baby, show them a picture of your luggage for an interesting reaction.
Cruise Packing Tip #23 – Keep Copies of Your IDs
Keep a digital and physical copy of your license and passport when cruising. It’s likely you’ll never need them, but the peace of mind feels good. Not as good as that last rum runner, but whatever.
Cruise Packing Tip #24 – Bring a Pen
You’ll have embarkation and debarkation forms to fill out. Avoid the awkward circle of strangers all waiting for one pen by bringing your own. Also, it’s suggested that you don’t bring your best Mont Blanc because you know that guy that’s been coughing up the norovirus is going to ask you to borrow it. A few throw-aways are ideal.
Cruise Packing Tip #25 – Button Your Earrings
This is the last jewelry organization tip, I promise. Keep your sets of earrings together and neat using buttons. This list will have you as efficiently accessorized as any human has ever been.
Cruise Packing Tip #26 – Ship Mate Packing Checklist
All of these tips are useless if you forget to bring the mentioned items. The Packing Checklist is one of the many helpful features in the Ship Mate Cruise App to keep you prepared and excited for your trip.
These are some great idea's I have found to be useful. Hope this helps some of you travelers.
These are some great idea's I have found to be useful. Hope this helps some of you travelers.
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