When you decide to go cruising for the first time, one of the most significant aspects of preparation is packing. Packing for a cruise is a bit of an unknown quantity, quite unlike packing for any other sort of vacation, and requires a lot of thought and planning.
For starters, you are likely to have a far greater variety of experiences on a great cruise vacation. Just on the ship itself, you might have to dress for a formal dinner, pack enough swimwear to enjoy multiple swimming pools and water slides, have comfortable shoes for some salsa lessons, and classy loungewear for relaxing in your stateroom. If you are camping in open areas, you can select the best type of camping tent for your needs, such as a great outdoor tent.
But the real secret to packing well for a cruise vacation is packing well for your shore excursions. These are likely to be the most interesting and exciting experiences you have during your trip, and the last thing you want to do is to spoil them by not being prepared. So here are a few of the key things you must remember to pack for the first-time shore traveler.
Comfortable shoes
The right footwear for your shore excursions is an absolute no-brainer. There is nothing worse than getting back to the ship after a day exploring a port or seeing the sights and feeling tired and sore. Don’t be tempted to just rely on flip flops - wear your comfiest, most cushioned shoes, and keep the sandals in a bag for when you hit the beach!
Extra bags
Bags of all shapes and sizes are a vital part of any canny shore traveler’s arsenal. Ziplock bags for snacks, extra plastic bags for wet clothes, a comfortable day bag that you can carry from dawn to dusk, and even an extra fold-up bag or expandable duffel that can accommodate any souvenirs you might buy!
A first aid kit
Being prepared for any eventuality is the mark of a veteran shore traveler, and a well-equipped first aid kit is a vital part of this preparation. Having a stock of everything from band-aids to antibiotics lets you explore every destination safe in the knowledge that you can handle anything that might happen. And it is well worth including things like insect repellent, rubbing alcohol, seasickness remedies, and even a few water purification tablets. You never know what might happen, and there really is no such thing as being too prepared!
Leave a Reply