The ultimate packing guide for first-time cruisers
With our expert’s tips, packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be a stress - Cunaplus_M.Faba/iStockphoto
You’ve booked your first cruise, chosen your cabin and obsessively checked the weather forecast for every port on your itinerary. Now comes the real challenge: working out what to pack.
Pack too little and you’ll find yourself spending a fortune in the on-board shop. Pack too much and you’ll spend the week playing Tetris with your suitcase, cursing yourself for bringing half your wardrobe.
The good news? Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s my advice on getting it right the first time.
Top tips for packing
The golden rule: be ruthless
Re-wearing clothes really isn’t the awful thing you think it is. Nobody is paying attention to whether you’ve worn that dress twice or those trousers three times. Provided you have a clever way of accessorising and washing your items (more on that later), be ruthless in your packing decisions. Think capsule wardrobe: versatile pieces that mix and match.
What to pack your items in
While most people will take a traditional suitcase, it’s worth reconsidering hard-shell cases as they generally take up more space. That said, standard suitcases can easily be stored under the bed on most modern ships (space may be limited on older, smaller vessels). Unless you’ve booked a suite, many first-time cruisers are surprised by how little room there is in cabins, so every inch counts.
Be pool-ready from the get-go
Bring carry-on hand luggage containing your pool essentials for embarkation day. While you can board your ship in the morning, you typically can’t check into your cabin until the afternoon – meaning you won’t be reunited with your main luggage until later in the day. Take it from me: there’s nothing more frustrating than watching everyone else enjoying the pool while you’re stuck waiting for your suitcase to arrive.
Keep swimsuits in hand luggage so you can enjoy the pool immediately - Princess Cruises
What to pack
Layers for air conditioning
Just because you’re sailing somewhere tropical doesn’t mean you won’t need a cardigan or light jumper. Air conditioning can be brutal on some ships. It’s also good to have a cover-up for walking from your cabin to the pool. Wandering the corridors in just your swimsuit isn’t ideal, and some lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, require proper attire in public areas.
Medicine
Don’t forget to bring any prescription medicine you need for the duration of your cruise. It’s also wise to pack a mini first-aid kit with paracetamol, plasters, antihistamines, indigestion tablets and seasickness tablets. These can be purchased on board, but you’ll pay considerably more than you would at home.
A portable light
If you’re looking to save money or planning on spending most of your time on deck or on excursions, an interior cabin is a great choice. However, these cabins have no windows or natural light, which means they can get very dark at night. A portable light can really save your shins when you’re stumbling around at 5am. Make sure it’s USB chargeable too.
Space savers
Two things can really help maximise your cabin storage: portable magnetic hooks (brilliant for drying washing) and smart organisers or hanging washbags that make the most of vertical space. A shoe organiser for the back of the door works brilliantly too – although don’t use it for shoes, use it for everything else.
It might be worth rethinking taking a hard-shell case as they generally take up more space - Kathrin Ziegler/Digital Vision
Leave at home
Toiletries
Luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and others provide premium toiletries (think Molton Brown, L’Occitane, and Bulgari), including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and shower gel. However, mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Costa typically only supply basic shampoo and soap – you’ll need to bring your own conditioner and other products.
Formal wear
Forget super-formal ball gowns or full tuxedos. With the exception of Cunard and P&O, most major cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes considerably in recent years. Norwegian advocates “Freestyle Cruising”, and many lines hold themed evenings instead: Holland America Line hosts an Orange party, while Virgin Voyages throws a Scarlet Night party.
Bulky coats
If you’re cruising to colder climates, skip the giant coat. As someone who lived in Beijing’s -10°C temperatures for many years, I can tell you it’s all about the layers. I really rate Uniqlo’s Heattech thermal line – the thermal leggings and long-sleeved tops are ultra-thin and remarkably effective.
Rethink packing all your paperbacks, since many ships have well-stocked libraries - Nico De Pasquale Photography
Books
Many cruise lines, including Oceania Cruises, Viking, Cunard and Saga have well-stocked libraries with thousands of titles. Viking even partners with the prestigious London bookshop Heywood Hill to curate its collections. Unless you’re particularly attached to a specific book, you’ll likely find plenty of options on board.
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'The last word
The secret to successful cruise packing? Be realistic about what you’ll actually wear, remember that nobody notices if you repeat outfits, and embrace the clever space-saving tricks that make cabin life easier. Pack smart, pack light and save the suitcase space for souvenirs. You’ll thank yourself later.
About our expert
Sarah Keenlyside
She may be a travel industry veteran, but Sarah is relatively new to cruising – only recently overcoming her occasional seasickness (she blames her father for that inherited trait). Having discovered her sea legs after almost two decades specialising in shore excursions for adventurous sea-goers in Asia, she’s a convert to the “unpack once” lifestyle and the luxury of visiting different destinations on cruises.
Telegraph Travel’s cruise expert, Sarah Keenlyside
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