How to Pack for a Summer Cruise Vacation

A cruise vacation requires several types of clothing depending on the cruise line and the type of cruise. Most cruise lines will provide you with a list of suggested clothing for your time aboard and those wonderful excursions ashore. If the cruise line doesn’t provide you with a dress code or suggested clothing list; start with a basic travel wardrobe and use the following suggested exceptions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• your luggage
• your clothes

1. 1. Ashore: Bring casual, conservative sporty attire. Leave the tank tops and miniskirts on board. Layering is always a good idea. Walking shoes, camera and film, compact umbrella, sun hat and day as also good ideas.

2. 2. Swimming and Sports: Sunscreen, bathing suit, and cover-ups. Workout gear for keeping up your fitness programs. Bring your tennis racks and golf clubs on the cruises that schedule golf and tennis excursions ashore.

3. 3. Evenings and Dinning: On a typical weeklong cruise, there will be at least two formal nights; therefore ladies are expected to wear evening dress and men a dark suit. Many cruises have a theme evening and you may want to prepare by packing that favorite Hawaiian shirt or other appropriate theme related attire. Most over evenings are semi-formal, meaning dress or pant suits for women and a tie, slacks, and sport jacket for the men. Casual nights are fro causal street clothing – but no shorts and no jeans.

4. 4. Electrical: Bring your irons, hair dryers and curling irons may not be an option – check with your travel agent or with the cruise line. Also, check if voltage converters or adapter plugs are necessary.

5. 5. Safeguards: Guard your valuables. Don’t flaunt money, passports, jewelry or expensive cameras.

6. 6. Extras: Bring a shawl or a light wrap for air-condition rooms. Also bring plenty of panty hose; you may not be able to find your size in the ship stores. Also make sure you have your prescriptions and medications, you will not be able to replace or refill while at sea or in port.

[rescie]

on 5/9/2008 Excellent article. Going to use the advice immediately. Brought up several things I hadn't even considered.