What is on the cruise packing checklist
- Formal nights
- Evenings when the line suggests dressier clothes, usually one or two per week. Check the line's dress code; many are now "elegant" rather than formal.
- All aboard
- The time you must be back on the ship in each port, usually 30-60 minutes before it sails. Ships do not wait for late guests on independent tours.
- Tender port
- A port where the ship anchors offshore and small boats take guests ashore, which adds time.
- Gratuities
- Daily service charges added to the onboard account per person, unless prepaid.
- Onboard account
- The card-linked account that all purchases on the ship are charged to; check it before the last night.
What to pack for a cruise
Cabins are small, so pack less than you think and choose clothes that mix and match. You need day clothes for sea and port days, smart casual outfits for evenings, one outfit for each formal or elegant night, and a sweater, because dining rooms and theaters are cold. Most lines don't allow irons, steamers, candles or surge-protected power strips; check your line's list which also covers alcohol limits. Handy extras include magnetic hooks (cabin walls are metal), an over-door organizer and a refillable water bottle. Carry your passports even for a closed-loop cruise from the US; it makes it much easier to fly home from a foreign port if something goes wrong. See the travel document checklist.
Embarkation day
Porters take your checked bags at the terminal, and they arrive at your cabin some time later, sometimes not until early evening. Pack a carry-on with everything you cannot lose or will need that afternoon: documents, medicines, valuables, a swimsuit and a change for dinner. Arriving the day before, rather than flying in on the morning of the cruise, is the safest way to avoid missing the ship.
Ports and onboard spending
Write the all-aboard time for each port and set a phone alarm an hour before it. Excursions booked through the ship cost more but the ship waits if the tour is late; with independent tours you are responsible for getting back. The fare usually leaves out gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, spa and photos, which can add a lot. The planner totals excursions and onboard spending so you know the full cost; add it to your travel budget.
Editing the files
The PDFs are fillable. In Excel, the port planner totals excursions, onboard spending and the overall extra cost.
Questions
What should I pack for a 7-day cruise?
Day and evening outfits for each day, one or two formal outfits, swimsuits, a sweater, walking shoes, sun protection, medicines, documents and a day bag.
What is not allowed on a cruise ship?
Commonly irons, steamers, candles, surge-protected power strips, drones and alcohol above the line's limit. Rules vary by line.
What should be in a cruise carry-on bag?
Passports, boarding documents, medicines, valuables, chargers, a swimsuit, sunscreen and a change of clothes for the first evening.
Do I need a passport for a cruise?
For international itineraries, yes. Some closed-loop US cruises accept a birth certificate and photo ID, but a passport is strongly recommended.
What costs extra on a cruise?
Gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa, photos and port taxes if not included.
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