How to pack for your first cruise

Most people over pack when they go on any kind of vacation. You need to be especially careful not to over pack when going on a cruise. Their are a couple reasons for this.

1. Space for your items is more limited in a cruise ship cabin than it would be in a resort or hotel.
2. You should use a suitcase that is larger than the amount of clothing it will hold. Your going to need extra room for all of those items you will purchase at various ports of call. Don't however use the largest suitcase you can find. Getting around and over a large suitcase in a small cabin can get to be a real headache after a few days.

Remember, when packing for a cruise less is always better. If it turns out that you need additional piece of clothing you can probably find it on board or when on shore. A backpack is also a good idea for cruises. It can be used as carry-on luggage and comes in awful handy for carrying items to and from shore. If you want to learn about all of the unexpected fee's that inevitably come with a cruise and how to avoid them you need to check out insider cruise info

The majority of cruises have a mixture of casual, informal and formal activities that go on during the cruise. When packing for your first cruise ask the cruise agent what to expect while on board so you can plan accordingly. If you enjoy working out and exercising don't forget your workout attire.

Shoes can take up a lot of your luggage space so you don't want to go overboard with them. You need only three kinds on a cruise. A comfortable walking pair, a pair of casual shoes and a dressy pair for formal engagements. Leave most of the t-shirts at home because you will probably pick up a few while on shore or at the gift shops on board. It's also a good idea to have a set of very comfortable loose fitting cloths for the journey home. Most people will put on some weight while sailing the high seas.

Be sure to pack difficult to replace items such as prescriptions and toiletries in your carry on bag. Throw in a change of clothing as well. If your larger bag is lost or stolen this will get you by until the matter is resolved. If your going on a cruise with your better half and you are using two small suitcases then cross packing is a great idea. If one of your suitcases comes up missing you will still both have some of your clothing.

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In order to save as much space as possible try to pack travel size toiletries in your carry on bag. No point in packing a large bottle of shampoo for a four day cruise. If your booking a flight to get to the cruise ship be sure to check out the current regulations for the amount of liquids you can carry in your luggage. Sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen. Did I mention that enough times???

Many travelers have had their cruises ruined do to overexposure to the suns ultraviolet rays. Even in cooler climates and on overcast days be sure to keep yourself covered with sunblock. It's also a good idea to ramp up the UV number on your sunscreen because of the increased exposure to the suns rays. Be sure to also pack a hat for your trip. A hat with a chin strap is ideal since their will be a steady breeze most of the time.

Some ports of call are notorious for their bird sized mosquitoes. Pack a small can of insect repellent or pay a rip-off price for one on shore. If your visiting a place that speaks a foreign language then pick up a small book of phrases. It will make it easier to move around and help prevent you from getting taken advantage of by a dishonest street vendor.

The glare on board a cruise ship can be extremely intense. Invest in a nice pair of sunglasses before you leave home. Some ports of call have interesting wildlife and some incredible scenery. A small pair of binoculars can really come in handy when visiting certain places on shore. Would the possibility of a free cabin upgrade interest you? A former cruise officer shows how you can get one at insider cruise info.