10 things to take on a Cruise

Take plenty of clothes

We asked our team of experts  to come up with 10 things they would take on a cruise. Here is our final  list:

 1.   Adequate clothing. Take enough clothes so that you are not washing and ironing all the time. Cruise ships have laundries but they are heavily used and you often have to wait hours for a machine. On most ships you wear casual all day and smart casual at night. Some ships insist on a jacket and tie at formal dinners. Don’t argue about it, just pack and wear it. Take clothes for all kinds of weather. ACM has been on tropical cruises where it was cold and wet for half the trip. Comfortable enclosed walking shoes are also a bonus.
2.  Sun protection. Suntan lotions, a good hat and water bottle are all essential.
3.  Beach gear. Ships provide pool towels, but you really need sun protection on the ship and on islands.
4.   Snorkel gear. You can hire snorkel gear on board and is normally in good condition. However your own perfectly fitting gear is best plus a wet suit for cooler water.
5.   Alarm clock and watch.  Most people don’t use their phone on board, so it is vital that you know the time if taking part in activities, meeting for lunch or getting back to the ship  on time. Most cabins don’t have an alarm and you have to ring up on the phone and book a wakeup…very annoying.
6.  Take your laptop or ipad. Most ships have wi fi computer links available, so you can sit in your cabin and check your emails. But always check the fee's first. Sometimes it would be cheaper to launch your own satellite. 
7. Medicines. It’s amazing how many people don’t take adequate medicine. This includes seasickness  medicine, pain medication,insect repellent, medicine for tummy troubles, band  aides and disinfectant/antiseptic. If you are diabetic, you can store your insulin in your cabin fridge
8.    Smart cards for cameras  and videos. You can buy these on board for a reasonable price of around $20 to $30.. However they normally only have up to 10 and 20gig cards. You can buy a 128 gig card on line for around $80.  A spare battery for your camera is also recommended. Check the voltage requirements on the ship before you embark. You may need a converter.
9.   Binoculars. Sitting on your balcony it is a big bonus to have good binoculars  available.
10.  A good guide book. A  guide book or books for the areas you are visiting is essential, especially when visiting major cities.


 
 

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Your own beach towel

Spare camera cards and battery

Guide books essential

I can see you!

Remember all your medicines