When you pack for a land-based vacation, it's easy to correct any mistakes you make. Need a light coat because it's colder than expected or have to buy a bathing suit because it's warmer.
You can just visit a store. Even a drastic mistake like forgetting your prescription medicine can be corrected with a phone call and a visit to a pharmacy.
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Even when traveling internationally, stores are prevalent and it's easy enough to get whatever you forgot to pack. That's not the case on a cruise ship. The ship's onboard stores have a limited selection at higher-than-land prices, and many cruise ports don't offer easy access to affordable shopping.
You don't want to be the person who has to overpay for sunblock on the ship or in port. It's also equally important to not land in some exotic location with limited time to explore and have to spend some of that time looking for a sweatshirt or flip-flops.
Packing for your cruise is more important than packing for any other type of vacation. But, if you keep these three rules in mind, you should be able to avoid most mistakes.
Image source: Dan Kline/Come Cruise With Me
Don't pack too much for your cruise
The balance between packing too much and not enough is a major challenge. Ideally, you should remember that cruise cabins have limited storage space. That space gets more precious if you're traveling with more than two people in your cabin.
Ideally, you want to pack for versatility. You need all the essentials like socks and underwear, and you probably want slightly more than one fresh set per day if you're traveling in warm weather.
After that, you need to think about exactly what you want from your cruise. Is it important to you to get a picture where you're dressed formally? Are you the type of person who wants to adhere to dress code rules while keeping comfortable?
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As a basic rule, on warm-weather cruises, you want to pack at least two bathing suits. That allows for one to air dry while you wear the other.
Insider tip: Your suitcase can be stored under the bed and it can either serve as extra storage space or a hamper for dirty clothes.
2. Remember to pack an essential item
As mentioned above, it's much harder to replace something you forgot to pack while onboard, and a hassle even if you can. A few years ago, on a weekend trip on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, I forgot to pack a razor.
The ship, for some reason, only sold those 2-blade Bic razors in a 10-pack at a price that could have purchased me a decent bottle of scotch. Why would a cruise ship sailing 3-4-day sailings only offer a huge quantity of terrible razors? I never got that answer.
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It's best to make a packing list for your essentials and check it often. You don't want to be the person who has to overpay for the cruise line-branded bathing suit (assuming one is sold) or the guy searching your port for deodorant or some other essential.
Insider tip: If you stop in a U.S. port like Port Canaveral or Key West, that's a get-out-of-jail-free card for many forgotten items as shopping is close to the port.
3. Don't pack outlawed items in your cruise bag
Every cruise line has a slightly different list of banned items. Royal Caribbean's expansive list, however, is pretty representative of what you can expect to be banned on your ship.
- Sharp Objects. These include all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Scissors with blade length less than 4 inches are allowed.)
- Illegal Drugs & Substances.
- CBD Oil / CBD Products.
- Candles, Incense, Coffee Makers, Clothes Irons, Travel Steamers & Hot Plates. These are items that generate heat or produce an open flame. This includes heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense, and any other item that may create a fire hazard.
- Hoverboards
- Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Sports Gear. These include handcuffs, pepper spray, and night sticks.
- Flammable Liquids and Explosives. These include lighter fluid and fireworks.
- Hookahs & Water Hookah Pipes.
- HAM Radios.
- Electrical Extension Cords. These include power strips/surge-protected strips
- Dangerous Chemicals. These include bleach and paint.
- Perishable Food & Meat Products.
- Alcoholic Beverages. Beer, seltzer, or hard liquor seized on embarkation day will not be returned.
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Some items, like powerstrips, will be returned at the end of your cruise while others like drugs or even CBD can be cause to not allow you on the cruise in the first place.
Insider tip: If you aren't sure, ask the cruise line, and try to get the answer in writing which you should print and bring with you.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser
