Have a cruise coming up but don’t know what to pack and how? Here are our top tips for plain sailing…
Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit? Check. Now, let’s get to the other important bits to remember for your holiday cruise:
1. Pack a small carry-on…
With a change of clothes, swimsuit, toiletries, and any essential medication. This way you can go and enjoy the on-board activities without having to wait for your checked bags to arrive at your cabin, which can take a good few hours.
2. Do the half-and-half…
If you’re travelling with a partner. Pack half of your things in their bag and have them pack half of their luggage in yours. This way if one bag is accidentally left off the ship and has to be sent to the next port of call, you’ll both have some clothing, instead of one of you having nothing.
3. Know the dress code…
For day wear, go with ‘resort casual’ – shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses. For most evening dinners, think ‘date night’ – cute tops, slacks/skirts, or pretty dresses for women; and sports/buttoned shirts and slacks for men. Gala dinners will give you a chance to glam up a bit, so pack your heels and an elegant dress or two (suits for men). And themed evenings could require anything from hula necklaces to cowboy hats, so remember to check your cruise itinerary!
ALSO SEE: Top 5 Cruise Movies That Will Inspire You
4. Don’t over-pack…
For a few reasons: cabin space is at a premium, you’ll probably want to bring back some souvenirs, and there may be a luggage limit with hefty fees charged to check-in additional pieces (check your cruise line’s luggage policy).
5. Pack light by…
Mixing and matching. This is easier if you stick to one colour scheme, so you’ll be able to re-wear bottoms and cardigans with different tops. You can also change up the look of one outfit with different accessories (jewellery, scarves etc.), and it’s a good idea to pack items that can be dressed up for dinner one night and worn sight-seeing the next day, like the classic white shirt. Shhh – your shipmates will never know it’s the same outfit!
Serious case of wanderlust?…
W&h in partnership with MSC Cruises has just the deal to remedy it. Take advantage of their November cruise special: an exclusive three-night cruise from Durban to Mozambique’s tropical Portuguese Island, with a booking rate discount of up to 35%!
Bon voyage…
