Must-Pack Items for your Next Cruise

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Taking a cruise is seriously one of the best vacation options out there. There’s something about being on a luxurious ship, surrounded by the peaceful sway of the water in the ocean and the amazing view of the stars and the sky that just really puts cruising over the top.

I’ve never taken a cruise that I didn’t love. Each and every cruise is full of something unique and amazing. Awesome locations, amazing food, and activities that never seem to end? Count me in!

With our next voyage on the horizon, we’ve already starting planning out and setting aside some must have items. Looking for a simple list of items that are a must-pack for your next cruise? Here are some suggestions to help you get started and make certain that you don’t forget anything important!

Must-Pack Items for your Next Cruise

• Passport, passport, passport! While not required for “closed-loop” cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port (you can use a photo ID and birth certificate for most of these), I highly recommend sailing with a passport. The passport may not be necessary for boarding, but it will be needed if having to fly home for any reason.
• Wine. Super important, right? Did you know that many cruise ships let you bring your own bottle or two of wine? Talk about a total win! Check with the cruise line to verify what you can pack, and then make it happen. Why spend $10 per glass of wine when you can pack a few bottles for free?
• Sunscreen. That sun is scorching down on you when you are exploring the ports and even the deck of the cruise ship. If you don’t plan ahead and pack that sunscreen, then you are going to get a nice sunburn as your souvenir from your cruise. The gift that keeps on giving? No, thank you. Sunscreen in the on-board shops can be costly, so plan to shop ahead of time, and consider purchasing reef-safe sunscreens.
• Chapstick. It’s one of those items that is totally overlooked when packing for a cruise, but oh so important. That sun, wind, and sand can be pure torture on the lips! Don’t take a chance and leave home without that chapstick. Pack ahead and bring along a couple, just in case.
• Credit Card. I always recommend bringing a credit card rather than a debit card that is linked directly up to your checking or savings account. You need to have some form of payment, and a credit card is a great way to keep those charges separate from your main money source in case it was to get lost or stolen. 
• Comfy shoes. While you may be tempted to pack those super cute high heels, think practical here. You will be doing a lot of walking on the ship as well as at the ports and trust me when I say that you need to have a pair of super comfy shoes to make it possible. While fashion is always something to consider, comfort wins out each and every time.

• Phone Charge and Outlet Adapter: You may not be tempted to use your phone due to those outrageous international rates, but you’ll want to have it just in case. And always be prepared because you never know when you may need to adapt that outlet to make it compatible with your phone. Make sure to use airplane mode as battery life will drain quickly when searching and roaming at sea, and those fees can be costly!
• First Aid/Medicine Kit: Avoid the costly expense of purchasing meds on board or visiting the infirmary by bringing your own basic first aid kit. Supplies like pain relievers, bandages, and seasickness remedies don’t take much space and can prove invaluable when on board.

Think logically when packing for a cruise, and you’ll be just fine. Wine, chapstick, passport, and sunscreen all sound completely logical to me! And remember, if you forget something small, you can more than likely buy it on the ship, but for a much more premium price of course!