What to Pack
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Camera. Sunscreen. Swimsuit. Okay, now
that we've got the basics out of the
way, here are a few must-have cruise
items that'll help make your vacation
more comfortable, enjoyable and
memorable. |
On the first day...
For the first day of your cruise, pack a
small carry-on bag with your travel
documents, a change of clothes, bathing
suit, workout clothes, and any
medications you may need. That way you
don't have to wait for your checked bags
to arrive in your stateroom.
Onboard attire...
Shorts, t-shirts, slacks, trousers,
casual skirts, blouses and sundresses
are all perfect during the day, whether
indoors or out.
For lounging by the pool, pack two
bathing suits (an extra suit in case the
other is wet) and a pair of casual shoes
(e.g., flip-flops, sandals, sneakers).
You'll also need some casual shorts and
a couple of t-shirts or a cover-up for
getting to and from the pool areas.
If you're planning to visit our onboard
fitness center, be sure to bring extra
shorts, t-shirts and socks that you
won't mind working out in - plus a pair
of tennis or running shoes/sneakers.
Dinner attire...
Meals in the main dining room follow
this schedule:
|
Cruise Length |
Casual |
Smart Casual |
Formal |
|
3-night |
2
|
0
|
1
|
|
4-night |
3
|
0
|
1
|
|
5-night |
3
|
1
|
1
|
|
6-night |
4
|
0
|
2
|
|
7-night |
4
|
1
|
2
|
|
8-night |
4
|
2
|
2
|
|
9-night |
5
|
2
|
2
|
|
10-night |
6
|
2
|
2
|
|
11-night |
7
|
2
|
2
|
|
12-night |
7
|
3
|
2*
|
|
13-night |
8
|
2
|
3
|
|
14-night+ |
9
|
2
|
3
|
The number of smart casual and formal
nights is at the ship's discretion.
Note: *Some 12-night European cruises
may have 3 formal nights
For fun... There are four very
important types of books you'll want to
consider packing:
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Travel guides - to help you
explore new destinations |
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Poolside pleasures - nothing
beats a great read in the sun |
|
|
Journal - keep an account of
your adventure for sharing and
reminiscing |
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Address book - send your friends
a postcard to make them jealous |
Binoculars are another often forgotten,
yet indispensable travel item. Be sure
to pack a pair for magnified excitement
onboard and onshore.
Save space...
Be sure to leave some room in your
luggage for all those souvenirs and
mementos. Some space-saving ideas
include:
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|
Bring shirts and pants/skirts
that mix and match, turning
three outfits into five or six. |
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Wear your heaviest shoes during
embarkation and disembarkation
so you don't have to pack them. |
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Pack small items inside larger
ones (like jewelry inside shoes)
for efficiency and safe-keeping. |
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Bring an additional empty bag
for those acquired extras. |
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Onshore attire...
You'll need comfortable walking shoes, as well as a hat
and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
If you are cruising to Northern Europe or Alaska,
remember that nights on deck can be cool. Bring
sweaters, jackets and long pants. And if you'll be
touring any museums, cathedrals or churches, it's always
wise to dress conservatively. You may also want to bring
a raincoat, hiking shoes and a travel umbrella. And
don't forget your swimsuit.
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Prepare your Home
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Make sure someone is taking care of the pets. Get a friend
or neighbor to feed the fish, walk the dog and water your
plants. Then they'll be tip-top when you return.
2. Put your lights and/or radio on a timer. People
shouldn't be able to tell you're away just by looking at your
house. A simple timer can turn the lights and a radio or TV on
after dark.
3. Make sure someone gets your mail/newspapers. Same
reason as #2. Plus, there's only so much mail the carrier will
jam into your mailbox. You could also have the post office hold
your mail from 6 to 30 days.
4. Check your thermostat settings. If there's no one home
to enjoy the heat or a/c, turn it off before you go or set your
thermostat to its recommended temperatures.
5. Change the settings on your answering machine. A
constantly ringing phone could annoy your neighbors and let
strangers know you're away.
6. Make sure everything that needs to be off is off. Your
vacation should be worry-free, and that includes thoughts like
"did I leave the stove on?" Double-check before you go. You can
even unplug non-essential appliances like your computer, TV and
other electronics.
7. Get rid of perishable items and leftovers. No one
wants to come home to fuzzy things in the fridge. If it's
uneaten the night before you go, just toss it.
8. Turn the water off. Close the water valves for your
sinks, dishwasher and clothes washer. That way nothing can leak
and make a mess while you're not home.
9. Keep track of your house keys. When you don't use them
for a week or more, it's easy to forget where you stuck them.
Find a spot in your carry-on luggage where they'll be safe for
the duration of your trip.
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What To At The Pier
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| Whether you're cruising for the first time or the millionth, you'll find a nugget of wisdom or two in this section. Check out the top ten things you need to know about those moments just before and after you hop onboard. |
1. For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes and any medications you may need. That way you don't have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
2. If you've never been to the departure port before,
your booking agent can send your directions
3. You'll need to give yourself at least 60 minutes to check in and go through security at the pier. If you have not checked in 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, you will be considered a no-show, and your reservation will be cancelled and cancellation penalties applied.
4. Friends and relatives are welcome to come to the pier to see you off. However, for security reasons, they will not be allowed to board the ship at any port.
5. Luggage tags may be personalized with name and stateroom number. Tags for different ships are identified by bolded ship name for ease of identification. You may also receive additional luggage tags pier side on check in
6. If you're a elite member, be sure to take advantage of priority check-in and the private departure lounge available with some cruise lines.
7. When you first come aboard, be sure to check out your stateroom. There you'll find our Cruise Guide with schedules for all the onboard activities.
8. If you're traveling with family, be sure to check the Cruise Guide for the "Family Welcome Aboard Show" times. This entertaining performance will tell you all about the activities available for families and includes registration for our Youth Programs.
9. If the spa or fitness classes are your thing, try to make your appointments on the first day, as the most popular treatments and times fill up fast.
10. Hungry? Head up to the ships Café - they'll be offering snacks, sandwiches, salads, and more throughout embarkation
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