A cruise vacation is all about relaxation, luxury and adventure. However, before you actually arrive at the ship there are dozens of details to iron out. First and foremost you need to decide upon your itinerary. Which area of the world do you want to see? Which ports of call will you visit? What shore excursions will you take? Once this has been decided then you need to figure out what cruise line you want to book with. With more than 2 dozen major cruise lines worldwide this also be a decision that takes a lot of research. And, of course, you cannot forget about setting a budget for your trip. The money you have available to you will have a drastic impact on where you go and what you do on your vacation.
With all these major considerations, deciding what to pack for a cruise can seem like nothing more than an afterthought. However, if you want your cruise to be as stress-free as possible then you need to put some thought into what you are going to bring ahead of time, rather than just cramming everything you own into a suitcase the night before you are supposed to leave.
First of all, you want to make sure your travel documentation is in order. Gather your cruise line tickets, airline tickets, passports, medical prescriptions, insurance papers, and any other pertinent documents together and make multiple photocopies of them. You should leave a copy at home with a friend or relative, so they can fax them to you if necessary. Also, make sure you have a photocopied set in both your carry-on and your stowed luggage. With these backups in place you should be covered in the event something is lost or stolen.
Secondly, you'll want to plan your wardrobe ahead of time. What kind of cruise are you going on? Is it highly luxurious, where every dinner is a formal affair? You'll need suits and ties for the gentlemen and evening gowns for the ladies. However, if it is more fun and adventure than stuffy formality then you can obviously get away with more casual clothing. Destination and time of year will play a large role as well. Obviously a winter cruise in the Baltic Sea will require a much different wardrobe than a summer voyage in the Mediterranean. Even if you are traveling in summer though, be sure to take at least one set of warm clothes. There is always the possibility of bad weather and wet and shivering is no way to spend your luxury vacation.
Most importantly, make sure to avoid overpacking. Airlines have strict restrictions on extra or overweight bags, and you can find yourself paying a stiff premium if you don't stay within their limits. Bring outfits that you can mix and match. You can wear the same blouse or shirt with a different skirt or pants. Bring lightweight scarves or jewelry to accessorize. By providing yourself some flexibility you can significantly reduce the amount of clothing you need to bring with you. Don't forget too that most cruise lines offer a laundry service, so you don't have to worry about running out of clean clothes.
These are just a few tips to help you plan your trip. For more helpful information in planning your ultimate cruise vacation, please visit our European Cruise Planner for all the advice you'll need from choosing a cruise line to how to find last minute discount deals.
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