What to Pack?

One of the most stressful parts of any holiday is packing - and this is particularly true when it comes to cruising.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

This guide will take you through exactly what you need in order to have a successful, stress-free cruising holiday. We’ll look at:

• Typical things people forget to pack
• What to pack
• Packing tips

With this guide, you need never worry about packing for your holiday, whether you choose to go on a cruise or stay on land.

Typical things people forget to pack

Whether it’s your reading glasses, your socks or your swimming costume, there’s a good chance there will be something you’ve forgotten to put in your holiday bag.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top things people forget to pack, so you can ensure you don’t fall victim to this trend yourself!

1.Toothpaste/toothbrush

One of the most common things that people forget to pack is their toothbrush. This is largely due to the fact that brushing our teeth is something we simply do as part of our everyday routine - so it’s easy to forget it if you’re not thinking about it.

However, it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t bring this item; there will undoubtedly be places around to buy them from on your travels. But save yourself from wasting both money and time on your cruise and make sure you put your toothbrush in your bag!

2. Phone/electrics charger

This is one of those items you simply do not want to forget. Finding yourself aboard a cruise ship without any way to charge your phone can be problematic.

Double check this item, because phone chargers aren’t as easy to pick up as bathroom products on your travels.

3. Glasses/contact lenses

These can be easy items to forget - especially if you use your glasses for reading purposes or usually wear contact lenses. Make sure these are in your bag, and also make sure your contact lense solution is in there too.

What to pack

Sometimes, a packing checklist can be the best way to ensure you have everything you need. Find below a checklist that can help you make a great start:

• Clothing
• Swimwear
• Sun cream
• Toiletries
• Hair products and hairdryer/straightners/curlers
• Money
• Passport
• Travel documents
• Phone
• Electric chargers
• Any other electrical devices you need: ie. laptop, tablet, etc.
• Glasses/contact lenses
• Any medicine you require
• Plug adaptors (check whether these are needed with your cruise provider)

This is by no means an extensive list, but it’s a great way to get your packing started and ensure you get the core items in.

Packing Tips:

Sometimes, you need to be tactical when it comes to packing. So it’s a good idea to gather some packing tips to make sure you can get the most out the space you have.

1. Leave a little extra room

When you’re on your cruise, you’re probably going to make a purchase at some point. You might also want to bring gifts back for family members and friends, so to make sure you can transport them home. Whether you’re flying or simply boarding the cruise ship from a local dock, ensure you have a bit of extra room in your luggage.

2. Buy new products

When going on a break, buying new toiletries can be one of the best ideas you have. Unopened products have less chance of leaking - which we’re sure you’ll want to avoid. However, stick with brands you already know to ensure they don’t irritate the skin of anyone in your travel party.

3. Roll

One of the best ways to fit more into your luggage is to actually roll your clothes instead of laying them out flat. This allows you to fit even more items in than you probably thought possible, and may help you create a bit of extra space too.

If you roll your clothes, you’re also less likely to get any annoying wrinkles.

4. Choose a lighter suitcase

When it comes to getting your case as light as possible, a handy tip can actually be make sure you only invest in lightweight bags.

Going for a heavier bag will only add extra, un-needed weight that could cost you when it comes to checking your bags in at the airport. Or if you’re departing from a local port, you won’t want to have to wheel a large, bulky bag around with you. A lighter bag will be a big help, so go for the lighter option.

5. Pack your shoes

What many people don’t realise is that shoes actually hold some extra packing room. You can fit a wide variety of things in there from socks to toiletries. To ensure you get the most room you possibly can, consider packing items in your shoes.

6. Put heavy items at the bottom of a bag

There’s nothing more annoying than when your luggage decides to tip and fall over - especially if you’re juggling a variety of other things such as travel documents and passports…

This isn’t the fault of the bag, and is usually down to incorrect weight distribution. A handy tip to remember is to always place heavy items, such as shoes, at the bottom of your bag. By doing this, your suitcase will have a much larger chance of staying up right.

Interested in going on a cruise?

If you’re looking to go on a cruise for your next break, then have a browse of the cruises we have available.

We have everything from great last minute deals through to excellent deals across a large selection of destinations across the world.

Whether you’d like to cruise for 3 days or 3 months, we’ll have the perfect cruising holiday for you.

Contact our expert cruising staff on 0800 408 0757 if you’d like to find out more or have any queries.