Luxury Cruise Trips and Tips

Feature Article

Cruise Essentials

Packing Tips for Your First Cruise

Like anything that you do for the first time, lack of experience can easily cause you to overlook things when packing for your first cruise. So it is very likely that you will forget to pack items that you would pack naturally if you had some experience on this area. Since on the cruise ship or the shops in your ports of call your shopping possibilities are restricted to the expensive tourist shops around, we have put together this list to help you remember at least the basic things you will want to have with you, so that you can avoid buying overexpensive substitutes for them.

Besides the paperwork necessities which you should clarify with your cruise company, the following things should not be missing from your luggage:

* plane tickets or the confirmation for a ticket you've booked via the Internet
* cruise documents
* passport and any visas that might be required
* your driving license and a backup photo ID, if you do not need a passport
* medical insurance cards and some record of your medical history
* copy of any medical prescriptions and a list of all medicines you are taking
* credit cards and traveller's cheques. Contact information in case they get lost. Don't be careless and keep your receipts for the traveller's cheques and the cheques together - keep them in separate places. Call your credit card companies and inform them that you will be spending money outside of your usual area.
* pre-paid phone card
* emergency numbers at home
* currency conversion chart
* for increased safety of important documents, a wallet and a money belt
* a watch, since you surely don't want to be late at a port somewhere in Costa Rica and watch your cruiser already sailing towards its next destination
* glasses, contact lenses, any necessary care products
* sunglasses
* guidebooks and other port of call information
* a dictionary and a foreign language phrase book or conversation guide
* maps
* reading material such as books you have wanted to read but have had no time for
* business cards with email address to practise your networking skills
* your address book for sending postcards or emails to those waiting for it
* photo album
* in your carry on bag: prescription drugs and any other necessary medications
* ear plugs
* small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, Vaseline, Dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrhoeal medication, cortisone cream, aspirin)
* sunscreen
* germicidal hand cleaner

In your suitcase:

* cell phone and battery charger
* notebook - but only if it's not for work! You are on holiday!
* binoculars to enhance your sightseeing experience
* camera and accessories - depending on the type of camera, either lots and lots of film, or lots of batteries and extra memory cards
* ipod or other portable listening systems
* a small battery operated travel alarm clock
* night light

Of course you have to adjust this list to your personal needs which may depend on such things as the length of your journey, your age, your health condition and your family situation. You'll save yourself from some trouble if you don't forget the basics. And most importantly - make sure to have fun!

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