The cabins are booked, the itinerary decided – it’s time to pack your bags for your cruising adventure.
With multiple destinations and activities, plus the possibility of vastly different temperatures, knowing what to pack for a cruise can be overwhelming! Beyond the obvious clothes, toiletries and passport, there is a whole collection of items that can elevate your cruise experience, ensuring a smooth and seamless journey. Best of all, they won’t take up too much space in your suitcase.
Read on to find out what to pack for a cruise, no matter the journey or destination thanks to PassportCard.
Travel insurance card by PassportCard
While no-one plans for things to go awry while – no matter if you're on a cruise or not –, it never hurts to be prepared by ensuring you are covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy. PassportCard’s travel insurance includes optional cover while cruising, covering common claims like medical treatments while aboard, the loss, damage or delay of your formal wear, or even a missed port due to adverse weather. Should you miss out on prepaid shore excursions due to sickness or injury that confines you to your cabin, they’ll make sure you’re not too much out of pocket.
Best of all, PassportCard’s instant payouts mean less time doing admin in your stateroom and more time exploring your ship, or the ports you stop at. So, if you had to visit the doctor on a cruise ship for example, you would simply call PassportCard and if the claim is approved, they would put money onto the card so you could pay the doctor on the spot. No paperwork, no receipts, no hassle!
Extra hangers and over-door storage
Make the most of the space in your cabin or stateroom with some smart storage solutions. Counter space often comes at a premium so transform otherwise-unused areas (like the back of a door) with a compact over-the-door hanger. You can store your toiletries, hair dryer, jewellery, sunscreen, make-up, shoes and other necessities, keeping them within easy reach without cluttering up your room.
Extra coat hangers help to keep your wardrobe looking fresh, while packing cubes are a great way to keep your clothes organised while in transit and on board – simply lift them from your suitcase into your drawers for easy unpacking and re-packing.
Power points can also be far and few between, so if you have a lot of electronics, it may be wise to pack a power board for efficient charging.
Binoculars
The beauty of cruising is the access – from the untouched terrain of Antarctica to the fjords/fiords of Norway and New Zealand, it offers a chance to get up close and personal with otherwise unreachable natural landscapes. Make sure you soak up every detail with a pair of binoculars! With PassportCard covering the theft, damage or loss of your personal effects, you can confidently take your binoculars anywhere on the boat or on shore, ready for when dolphins start jumping, seals start swimming or whales breach to say hello!
Water bottle
As travel companies look to cut back on single-use plastics, a water bottle can be a great item to take on a cruise – especially if you’re off to somewhere warm! Opt for a collapsible one to throw in your day pack (more on that later…) or an insulated option to keep your cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. Best of all, you’ll be helping to reduce your environmental impact by not purchasing plastic bottles.
Coffee and tea drinkers may also want to throw a reusable coffee cup in their suitcase – it’s a great way to transport a hot drink on the ship without spillage and means you can take one with you when you pull into port.
Towel clips and magnets
If your ideal onboard activity involves laying by the ship’s pool, considering adding a towel clip to your cruise packing list. While hours spent on a lounger should be relaxing, you are still on a moving vessel so there’s a chance your towel and belongings may not stay in one place for very long. With a couple of well-placed towel clips, you can focus on the most important things – embracing true relaxation!
The walls in cruise cabins are usually made of metal, making most of them magnet-friendly. Pack a couple of small magnets to keep shore excursion tickets, schedules and activity brochures handy, or for even more functionality, opt for magnetic hooks that you can hang wet swimmers, towels or other clothing on.
A day bag and a bag for laundry/wet swimwear
In all the excitement of packing for your cruise, don't forget about a day bag! But it is one of the most important items to pack on a cruise – how else will you carry your new purchases back to the ship after a day exploring? Even if you don’t fancy a spot of retail therapy, a small bag can hold your wallet (including a physical card from PassportCard), phone, keycard and anything else you may need for the day, such as a towel or swimwear.
A wet bag can also be handy when cruising. During your trip, use it to store wet swimmers or shoes while at the port. On the way home, pack dirty laundry or even bottles of wine to ensure that everything stays dry.
Cash for tipping
Many cruise adventures don’t operate with cash, so it may seem strange to bring some smaller notes. However, tipping culture exists both on board and during shore excursions so it’s worth having some local currency (or if in doubt, US dollars) on hand. You may want to show your appreciation to a porter helping with your bags, the crew who look after you during your journey, or even the guides who lead your excursions off the boat.
This article is produced in partnership with PassportCard. Find out more about Australia’s only travel insurance with instant payouts for approved common claims using the PassportCard.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Read our guide on How to Pick the Perfect Cruise Cabin.
