Packing for a cruise
With airlines adding fees for second and sometimes even first
pieces of luggage, what to pack for your cruise has become even
more of a question for new cruisers and veterans going to a new
location.
Days
onboard all ships are casual, and you'll be most comfortable
in sport clothes and resort wear. Shoes should be low-heeled
for deck activities. Be sure to bring a swimsuit as almost
every cruise ship has at least one pool. You don't have
to bring towels,
as they are provided.
When you're onshore, shorts, polo shirts, light sweaters, khakis
and jeans are perfectly acceptable. Of course, you'll want
to pack some comfortable walking shoes as well as a hat and
sunscreen
for protection from the sun. Cruises to cold climates obviously
necessitate warmer clothes. For Alaska and other colder climate
cruises, an all-weather jacket with a removable liner is a
great item to bring. Also clothing that you can layer and remove
if
the day gets warmer is essential.
There
is usually one or more “formal” nights
on most cruises. These call for a dress or cocktail dress/pants
outfit
for women and a sport coat, suit and tie or tuxedos for
men. You can arrange to rent a tuxedo onboard many ships, if
you
prefer. Rental is a great way to lighten luggage for European
and other
long cruises.
Some
ships have their own self-serve laundries and others will wash
your clothes for you for a fee. Either way, if
you’re
going on a cruise longer than a week, pack for a week and utilize
the laundry. What you pay in fees will be less than what you’d
pay for that extra baggage.
