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Preparing for a cruise is just like getting ready for a land-based holiday. You book your tickets, organise your travel, and finally pack your suitcase. If you’ve never cruised with us before, you might not be sure what to pack for a cruise, and that’s why we’re here to help.
Packing for a cruise is simple; it just takes a little more planning to make sure you have clothing and extras for all eventualities. Of course, the beauty of cruising is that it allows you to explore multiple destinations within a single voyage, so let’s cover the best packing hints and tips from our Cruise Experts for exploring the different parts of the world.
No matter where you go, there are some items that are always useful to include on your must-pack list. These include:
Ensuring you have well-packed hand luggage can make your first day on board one of your best. We always recommend taking a change of clothes and other items you might need to freshen up. It is also important to pack any medications in your hand luggage so that you can access them in the unlikely event that your checked luggage is delayed.
Packing your swimsuit or shorts is a trick we always suggest; many people put these items in their checked luggage and have to wait until cases are delivered to their stateroom before they can change. Have yours to hand, and you can enjoy an almost empty pool!
Your luggage allowance depends on what type of cruise you have booked. Sailing to and from the UK? Great! There are no restrictions on the number of bags you can bring on board, but remember that each individual piece of luggage should not exceed 23kg for health and safety reasons.
If you’re embarking on a fly cruise holiday, the luggage allowance will fluctuate depending on which airline you are travelling with and where you are travelling to. Don’t worry, our Cruise Experts can confirm all necessary information regarding luggage allowances at the time of your booking!
Sailing from the UK, guests can very soon find themselves in the beautiful sunshine of the Mediterranean. The warm weather of ports across Spain, Italy and Greece means that items like swimwear, shorts and light separates are really important things to pack for a cruise. The same goes for sunglasses and sun cream to provide protection against potentially high UV.
If your itinerary takes you to destinations such as Monte Carlo, you may also want to consider packing some smart attire in case you decide to visit somewhere formal, such as the Grand Casino in Monaco.
Across the Atlantic, the Caribbean is a gorgeous network of islands where sunshine and crystal-clear waters are just as integral to the itinerary as the cultural hotspots and white-sand beaches. The warm weather means that many of the same cruise essentials to pack for the Mediterranean also apply here.
Shorts, dresses and separates will see you through hot summer days and warm nights, but bear in mind that many cruise lines do not allow shorts to be worn in the main dining rooms. With so many beautiful beaches on offer, it’s also worth packing a tote bag and beach towel for those lazy afternoons on shore.
Heading east, the weather in the Middle East is incredibly hot compared to what we are used to here in the UK. It’s therefore important to pack thin layers that can be worn to protect your skin at the hottest times of day and to meet cultural requirements regarding the amount of skin on show.
With fly cruises, it’s easier than ever to cruise distant seas like those in the Far East. Here, the weather is often hot and humid, though rainstorms can occur, so you’ll need to pack a lightweight jacket or thin raincoat just in case.
The Baltic Sea is home to some of Northern Europe’s biggest and best capital cities, including Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki. These destinations are usually considerably cooler than the Mediterranean, so you’ll need to pack a little heavier than you would for the sun just in case.
Light jumpers and jeans are easy to throw on if the weather turns cool, with jeans that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Thick jackets are needed for winter cruises, especially those that venture further north along the Norwegian Fjords, and popping an umbrella in your bag is never a bad idea.
Cruise ships provide a variety of everyday essentials, meaning you don’t need to worry about finding space for them in your suitcase. These include:
There are other items that are typically not permitted to be brought on board. These include:
Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
