Georgia Dixon
Cruising

10 cruise packing errors that can ruin your trip

As with any holiday, when you’ve booked a cruise packing is crucially important. Here are 10 cruise packing omissions that can potentially ruin your trip. Don’t leave home without these cruise essentials.

1. Power adaptor

Many cruise ships will have foreign power outlets in the cabin, so you won’t be able to charge your gadgets. Bring along a power adaptor to ensure you don’t run out of juice. The ship will sell them onboard but they’ll be very expensive and often sell out quickly.

2. Medications

Obviously you’ll never want to travel without your essential daily medications, but this becomes even more important on a cruise. If you’re at sea for days you won’t be able to access a full pharmacy, so make sure you have enough to last. It’s also a good idea to bring basic meds like headache tablets because they’ll be overpriced onboard.

3. Seasickness pills

If you’re a first time cruiser, you don’t know how it will affect you. Pack some seasickness pills just in case. Better safe than sorry!

4. Alarm clock

It’s rare to find a clock in a cruise cabin, so it can be handy to bring your own. It means that you won’t have to rely on your phone or a wake up call to get up in the morning.

5. Ear plugs

If you like to sleep in (or go to bed early), ear plugs can be a lifesaver. A cruise ship is a constantly moving machine, so there can be noise at all hours of the day and night. This is especially true if you have a cabin below the nightclub or across from the cleaners station.

6. Comfortable shoes

You might be surprised by how much walking you’ll do on a cruise ship – and that’s even before you go exploring in port. Make sure you have a pair of comfortable walking shoes stashed in your bag.

7. Hand sanitiser

With thousands of people living in very close quarters, cruise ships can be a playground for germs. Most will have hand sanitiser in the main areas and restaurants, but bring your own as well so you can be vigilant.

8. Sewing kit

With the limited wardrobe that is your suitcase, you don’t want your favourite outfit to be out of action with a tear or missing button. A small sewing kit will ensure you always look your best.

9. Sun protection

Nothing ruins a holiday like having to spend your days inside with vicious sunburn. Once again, sunscreen can be very expensive onboard so it pays to be prepared.

10. Your passport

This seems like a no brainer, but you’d be amazed how many people forget! You don’t want to arrive at the cruise terminal and be turned away. It’s also a good idea to take a picture of the photo page and keep it with you (like in your phone or email) in case anything happens.

Do you agree with out list? Are there any other cruising items that you think people would be crazy not to pack? Let us know in the comments section.

Related links:

8 common mistakes when packing checked-in luggage

Woman shows you how to pack 100 items into hand luggage

How to ensure your bag is never misplaced

Tags:
travel, mistakes, holiday, cruise, packing