Cruising is a fun and easy way to see many interesting locales while returning to the comfort of your ship at the end of the day. Yet, no matter how many cruises you have been on, odds are there are some items that you could pack to enhance your experience on the ship. Here are some must-have items that you should add to your suitcase for your next cruise.
Clothing Storage
Unless you are fortunate enough to be staying in a large room with lots of storage on your Bahamas cruise, you may find that you don’t have enough shelving or drawer space to fit everyone’s items. Many cruisers get creative and bring things like door hooks or removable wall hangers so they can hang items to keep them out of the way. Packing cubes are also a great way to maximize storage space since they can be stacked and be used as drawers. Some cruisers even bring over-the-door shoe holders so their shoes aren’t taking up precious floor space.
Wine
Unbeknownst to many travelers, most cruise lines allow passengers to bring bottles of wine onboard at check-in. Confirm with your cruise line, but most allow two bottles per passenger. If you have an unlimited drink package, this may not be necessary. However, if there is a certain type of wine that you cannot live without, bringing it onboard is a great way to ensure that you can enjoy your favorite bottle while on vacation. Bringing a few bottles of your own is also a great way to avoid long bar lines during peak hours or simply to have a pre-dinner cocktail in your room without having to go procure it.
Dry Erase Boards or Sticky Notes
Even if you have unlimited WiFi on the ship, Internet in international waters can often be spotty, making meeting up with friends challenging. If you are traveling with a group that doesn’t spend every waking hour together, attaching dry erase boards to cabin doors is a great way to keep your friends apprised of what you are doing. If you don’t want to do something that involves you, use sticky notes so you can stick messages on your friends’ doors to let them know where to meet you.
Medication
Be sure to pack all types of medications, not just your daily prescriptions. There will likely be many sundry shops onboard and in the cruise ports, but simple items like Ibuprofen and Dramamine will be woefully overpriced. Save yourself some time and money by packing a bag full of all of the medications that you may need during your time away. Also consider items like Band-Aids, sunscreen, and aloe in case you get a painful sunburn.
A Refillable Water Bottle
Even if you have a drink package that offers unlimited bottles of water, bringing a refillable water bottle on your cruise is a good idea. Who wants to carry multiple disposable bottles of water around the port all day when you can fill something larger and know you’ll be able to refill it as needed? This will also save you from having to stop into restaurants or pricey sundries stores when you get thirsty because you’ll simply be able to refill your bottle at a water fountain when needed.
A Small Nightlight
Cabins can get dark, particularly interior cabins with no windows. Walking to the bathroom in a dark room can be challenging and downright dangerous on a moving ship. Bring a small battery-operated night light or even a flashlight that you can use when walking in the dark. Instead of turning the lights on and waking your travel partner, you can still make it safely throughout the cabin without causing a stir.
Cruising is a great way to see the world, but even the most experienced cruisers can benefit from some travel hacks. Use these tips and you’ll be the most prepared passenger on your ship.