Knowing what to pack for a cruise holiday can be difficult, especially if you have never been on one before. Like any holiday, you need to match your clothing and possessions to your destination, the time of travel and type of holiday. So, what should you pack?
Clothing
It is tempting to pack your whole wardrobe whenever you go on holiday because you never know what the weather might do. You may even end up attending an event which requires a certain dress code.
Try and avoid the temptation to over pack your belongings as you will only end up over filling your cabin with clothing that you don’t necessarily need. Instead, research your destination and pack appropriate clothing for the weather.
Europe cruise destinations can differ greatly in their climate so you will probably want to take clothing that covers you against any weather eventuality. This means packing your typical summer attire as well as a couple of warmer layers.
If you are going on river cruises that are based within city landscapes then you may need to take clothing that prepares you for excursions. Unlike traditional cruises which may take you to beach fronts and coastal landscapes, river cruises will put you in the heart of cityscapes so you need to pack appropriately for this terrain.
Ultimately that means practical shoes, loose clothing and plenty of accessories to offer shelter from whatever the weather throws at you – baking sunshine or relentless showers.
Adding a couple of evening outfits to your suitcase is also recommended and won’t take up much room. Try to match different components so that you can build multiple outfits from a few style staples to cut down on the room swallowed up by your clothes.
Documents
Always make sure that you take essential documents with you. These include your passport, airline tickets (if you are undertaking a fly-cruise), proof of medical insurance and cruise documentation. It is probably a good idea to keep these on your person whenever you are travelling and making photocopies is also recommended to protect you should you lose them.
Gadgets
Don’t forget items like a plug adaptor and mobile phone charger. You camera is also important and you may want to take a laptop with you depending on the purpose of the trip. Some people prefer to be away from modern technology whilst on holiday but it is always a good idea to carry a mobile phone in case of emergencies.
