What shall I Pack?

Most people including me are confused by what to pack for a cruise, and I thought I will give a little guide and advice that will help you pack the right things.

Passport?

Firstly you will need your passport before anything else and no matter where you are going, even if the cruise goes around the UK, you will still need a valid passport as identification with you.

Money?

On the cruise you won’t need any -it’s all free! No it’s not free but when you board you can register your credit card and anything you spend throughout the cruise will be taken automatically from your card at the end. You don’t need to pay yourself( and queue on the last morning at the Purser desk) as if the bill is correct, and mine usually is, so I never need to stand in line on the last day or the night before. I do take some cash for the ports, where it may be Euros or Dollars, depends where you are going to, but not too much. When you leave the ship don’t forget to take your wallet with you, you can’t pay with your room card outside!

Clothes?

Depends on what cruise you are going, if it’s a formal pack a nice suit, if it’s casual like NCL, then you don’t need a suit. Don’t pack any Shower gel/Shampoo as the ship supply it, and don’t pack too many clothes as the chances are you wouldn’t wear them all. All cruise ships offer laundry facilities so you can get your clothes washed, and I found out that to dry clean your suit or trousers is always cheaper on board then back home! Keep an eye as cruise lines often have deals on laundry, like 20% off which they will advertise during the cruise.

Camera?

Always take a good camera with you, I take my Nikon D90 as there are so many photos opportunities during the cruise, and you don’t want to pay the inflated prices that the cruise line charges for their photos!

Adaptors?

Always take with you, I always take European and American just in case as some ships have one or another or both!

Kettle?

Don’t bother as coffee and tea are available 24 hours a day, either from the self service machines on board or just order room service-it’s free! I think you are better off order it especially in the morning, rather than rush through the corridors and up a lift to the self service restaurant just to get one.

Drinks?

Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a bottle or two, like wine or spirit to keep in the cabin, do it and save a fortune against the on board prices!

I hope this helps a bit, but you can ignore all the above if you are going from Southampton or any UK port. Just pack anything and everything, no luggage limits!