Unfortunately, cruise lines seem to be docked for a while, but the industry is likely to surge when conditions improve. Many are eager to get back in the water and, just as importantly, out of their homes.
When the time for cruising does come around again, it’s important to be prepared. This means knowing what to pack for a cruise.
While needs may differ a bit based on the person, destination, and other circumstances, there are a few things you can always expect to need.
We’ll talk about some of them in the paragraphs below
1. Clothing
The type of clothing you’ll need to pack for a cruise depends on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing on the ship.
The image that comes to mind when we think of cruises is a bright sun, white sands, and palm trees. While a lot of cruises do go to tropical island countries, those aren’t the only available destinations.
There are also cruises to Antarctica, Canada, Finland, and Russia among others. These are countries where you definitely don’t want to go swimming.
Even water that’s several degrees above freezing can cause hypothermia and death in as little as 15 minutes. Many of the locals swim there anyway, though it takes some training.
If surf and sand are more your style, Mexico might be a good idea. If you want a whole host of attractions along with it, you can always visit here.
There’s more than just the weather to take into account, though. Cruises are known to have restaurants onboard, which offer amazing food. Some of these restaurants are fairly upscale, so formal wear is a good idea.
2. Toiletries
Staying clean will be important, especially if Covid-19 hasn’t completely died down when the cruises start again. There’s more to staying clean than just a bar of soap, though. Knowing what to pack for a cruise means knowing your own hygiene habits.
You’ll need to pack toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and anything else you use to keep your teeth clean. Then there are the questions of hair care and hand washing. Be sure to pack shampoo and conditioner, as well as hand sanitizer.
We’d also recommend packing towels for after bathing or swimming.
3. Phone and Phone Accessories
Cellphones are a modern masterpiece of engineering. That tiny machine we have in our pocket is more powerful than state-of-the-art computers were a century ago. You can make calls, take pictures, tell time, and play games all on one hand-held device.
Keeping your phone functioning can require a few different accessories. It’s a good idea to have a protective phone case in case you drop your phone at any point during the cruise. Be careful when buying one, because not all cases are protective.
Obviously, you’ll need a charger to keep your phone working, but this can occasionally cause problems. Some cruises are owned by overseas companies, which can mean that American devices won’t fit into their outlets. Thankfully, there are adapters that you can plug your phone into that will then plug into the outlet.
It’s important to research the cruise line you’re taking, where they’re from, and what kind of outlets they use. Many cruise lines are currently American-owned, so you may not need an adapter, but it’s always best to be prepared.
4. Medication
Not everybody needs medication, but many do. Some who don’t currently take medication may find that they need something to treat seasickness.
You may be wondering what the difference between motion sickness and seasickness is. The truth is that there isn’t any. Some people who get seasick don’t get motion sick because of tolerance. They aren’t as susceptible to motion sickness, so it doesn’t show in other vehicles.
Certain things can put you at a higher risk for motion sickness. Children are more likely to be seasick than adults. Women are more susceptible than men, largely for hormonal reasons.
Some medications can actually make you more prone to motion sickness. For instance, another reason that women may be more at risk is because of birth control pills. Birth control pills and any medicine containing estrogen can increase your chances of seasickness.
Other medicines that may contribute to seasickness are over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, opiate or opioid pain medications, some antibiotics, and anti-depressants, to name a few.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is important regardless of where you go, because you can still get sunburned in winter. The good news is that there tends to be less UV light in winter and colder climates.
Areas near the equator are hit hardest by UV light, so you’ll need sunscreen a lot more in tropical areas. You may also need more sunscreen if you have paler skin, because darker skin provides more UV protection.
You may also need more sunscreen if you’re older. As we age, our skin becomes more prone to UV damage. Our faces and heads are most at risk because they’re the only areas we don’t usually protect with clothing.
What to Pack for a Cruise: A Short List
When asking yourself what to pack for a cruise, it’s important to take several factors into account, such as who you are and where you’re going. We’ve talked about a few things you might need in the paragraphs above, but there are other things to consider as well. We encourage you to do more research on your own if you’re interested.
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