Jayestravellingadventures

There are two types of people when it comes to packing for a cruise. Those who pack weeks in advance with a list and those who panic pack the day before or on the day. I always pack last minute! There’s always that worry that you have forgotten something or you haven’t packed enough. I have compiled a list of packing mistakes you want to avoid.

Missing Important Documents =

Always check on the booking what documents you need to be able to board. Some of the common documents required are:

• Passport
• Travel Insurance (Cruise Specific)
• Luggage labels (Printed)
• Flight Tickets
• Boarding passes
• Carpark Paperwork (if required)
• Visas (if required)

They list may vary depending on the cruise line you have chosen to travel with and where your embarkation port is. When booking make sure you are aware of the documentation, failure to have the right documents could result in denied boarding.

Overpacking =

No matter how hard I try to not overpack, I always find my mum going through my suitcase saying “Do you really need that?”. I own a lot of pairs of trainers so I do find myself wanting to through most of them into my suitcase. The amount of times I have come home from a cruise and not work half the clothes or shoes I packed. In the cabin you are limited to space, P&O have one cupboard, one wardrobe and two side tables. This means if you pack too many clothes, you might have to leave them in your suitcase where they could get creased.

When on a fly cruise you are limited to 23kg per suitcase, so making sure you don’t over pack is an essential. Exceeding the weight limit might result in an additional fee, or having to take items out. When i flew to Malta to board P&O’s Azura, my suitcase was branded with a ‘WARNING HEAVY’ sticker.

To help with overpacking I use Packing Cubes, you can get these in many different colours. They help you limit your packing whilst organising your suitcase too. Making unpacking just as easy as packing. You can find these on Amazon.

Prohibited Items =

Just because you are travelling on a cruise ship doesn’t mean there aren’t rules on what you can and cant bring onboard. When booking a cruise you are automatically agreeing to their Terms and Conditions. However, there are a diverse range of prohibited items when it comes to cruises such as, illegal substances, guns/weapons and even irons. Always check with your cruise line before packing anything that is prohibited.

Appropriate Shoes =

No matter what your itinerary includes, packing footwear which has good grip and are comfortable is a must. Some ports you are required to walk a little way to get to local shops or the beach. Given the size of the ships, you will always be doing lots of walking from each end of the ship especially with 17/18 decks onboard. When I pack I always find myself packing, one pair of flipflops or sliders for being around the pool, two pairs of trainers for port days or days I go to the gym, and a [pair of high heels for the evening which match all my dresses.

The ship can be rocky so make sure the high heels you pack, you can comfortably walk in. most of the guest performers I have met, all wear small heels or even trainers. It is definitely not worth the risk and causing your holiday to be cut short due to injury. Shoes aren’t light either so if you are restricted to weight, this might cause you to be over.

Swimwear =

No matter where you are scheduled to go, packing your swimmers is a must! Onboard there are multiple swimming pools, hots tubs, saunas etc to choose from as well as, you can visit beaches in most ports. When cruising with P&O they allow you to take the pool towels ashore with you! I nearly made this mistake when I went to Norway, I didn’t think I would be sunbathing let alone swim in the Fjords. I would have been devastated if I couldn’t go because I didn’t think about packing my suitcase. You would of been surprised how many people were in the swimming pools and saunas too.

Warm clothes =

Weather abroad can be just as unpredictable as here in the UK. The temperature could always drop or you could be caught in a storm. I have been caught in the rain on holiday in August with no coat and had to result to covering my head in a towel from the ship. There is also a chance when on a fly cruise, landing back in the UK after a week or two in the sun and being met with freezing cold weather. I always pack my light rain coat just incase as well as, I make sure I bring is a cardigan when onboard as there is Air-conditioning throughout the ship and it can be a little chilly.

Travel adapters/extension leads =

Packing a travel adapter all depends on where you are travelling and what cruise line, as some cruise lines such as P&O have all outlets as UK sockets. So if travelling on another cruise line it may help to pack one just incase it is required. If you are travelling on a newer ship, you may find USB chargers by the bed. You don’t need a big and flamboyant adapter, you just need one that has enough sockets to charge your electronics.

As I take my phone, headphones, power bank and occasionally laptop with me, I find I don’t have enough sockets to charge them all. I always pack a small extension cord which has been tested, some ships don’t allow these so its best to check prior to packing them.

Sun Protection =

You can never know when you are going to be met with the sun, even if your itinerary is a cold one. I went to Norway in May and thankfully took my sun glasses. As well as sun cream it is quite common to forget when packing. They might not be used but is it worth the risk when they don’t take up much room in your luggage/hand luggage.