And also what I forgot to bring, but would have been useful.
A cruise to warm countries is an unforgettable adventure. In November, I went on a cruise from Barcelona to Miami. To enjoy every moment to the fullest, I carefully thought about what to take with me. Since I was going on a cruise to warm countries, I took summer clothes with me and even flew to Barcelona wearing as little as possible. Just remember that in winter you will have to fly back to Latvia, where it will no longer be 30 degrees and sunny.
Things I Took with Me on the Cruise
In this article, I will share my must-have items that will be useful for any traveler planning to go on a cruise.
1. Documents
Without the right documents, your trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. So I had both my passport and ID card with me. Other documents included my boarding pass, a printed ESTA, and a printed health insurance policy, so that everything would be easily accessible. On the ship, our ESTA was checked twice to make sure everything was in order when we arrived at the US border control point.
Be sure to check the validity of your passport so that it will be valid for at least 6 months after your return.
2. Money
I exchanged some euros for dollars because we paid for excursions in the Caribbean islands in cash, and we also bought some small items with cash.
However, I mostly used my Revolut international credit card, which offers a favorable exchange rate and also allows you to withdraw money from ATMs.
I had about $200 in cash with me, and whenever possible, I tried to pay with Revolut.
3. Travel Insurance
No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, but travel insurance can be a lifesaver in unexpected situations. I always buy travel insurance when I travel, and this was no exception, especially when going to the US, where, as we know, medical care costs an arm and a leg.
4. Medications
The trip was long, so I took medicine for all kinds of situations with me, and of course, don’t forget the medicine you use every day. My medicine cabinet contained general antibiotics, cough medicine, throat spray, nasal spray, plasters, ointment for sprains and muscle pain, and diarrhea medicine.
The ship has air conditioning and it is quite easy to catch a cold, so the medicines I took with me came in handy.
Tip – when my throat started to hurt, I rinsed it with strong salt water, which you can make in the kitchen.
There is also a doctor and medical staff on board in case of any major incidents.
5. Hygiene Products
In the ship’s cabin, you will find shower gel, soap, shampoo, and a towel. I also brought toothpaste, a toothbrush, my favorite hair conditioner, and a comb. If you want, you can bring your favorite hygiene products with you. Another advantage is that there are no volume limits on the ship, as there are on planes (100 ml), so you can bring large bottles on board.
6. Electronic Devices
A mobile phone, camera, laptop, e-reader, and charger are indispensable travel accessories. They help preserve memories, keep in touch with home, and, of course, be available at all important moments. From this list, I only had my phone and charger with me. The ship’s cabin has European, British, and US electrical outlets.
But since we were staying in the US for a few more days, we bought a universal travel adapter that is compatible with different types of sockets and can automatically adjust to different voltages to ensure safe charging of devices.
7. Clothing
Even in warm countries, it is important to pack a variety of clothing items. For me, these were mainly dresses, shorts, thin long pants, and a warmer jacket. The ship’s interior is air-conditioned, so I was cool in just a thin dress while watching the theater in the evening.
The ship also hosts themed evenings that surprise and inspire. There were three themed evenings during our cruise.
One of them was an elegant evening, during which guests are invited to dress in evening gowns and fine suits to create a particularly festive atmosphere. The white evening is another special experience, where all participants dress in white, creating a visually impressive sight and feeling. The flower evening, on the other hand, transports guests into the colorful and cheerful world of summer; on this evening, guests are invited to dress in bright clothes with floral prints to create a beautiful and joyful evening full of color and joie de vivre.
Of course, you can ignore the dress code at themed evenings, and no one will mind. But you will feel better if you follow the rules of these themed evenings to some extent.
8. Swimwear and Sunscreen
That’s right, take several swimsuits with you – for the pool, water park, and sunbathing. I only had two swimsuits with me – a one-piece and a two-piece, and I needed at least two more.
Of course, sunscreen is a must for trips to warm countries to avoid sunburn and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
9. Hats and Sunglasses
Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are great accessories for protecting yourself from the heat of the sun and looking stylish. A wide-brimmed hat is useful for sunbathing on deck and for excursions.
10. Sportswear
Since cruises offer gyms and fitness activities, be sure to bring your sportswear. I brought shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers.
11. Boots and Sandals
Comfortable boots are indispensable for excursions outside the ship. Sandals are a great choice for warm days when you want to feel comfortable and stylish. Beach shoes are comfortable for the sun deck, pools, and water park.
12. Backpack for Excursions
A small and comfortable backpack is ideal for excursions, as it can easily hold all the necessary items – an apple, a sandwich, and a bottle of water. And you can take all of this with you from the cruise ship.
13. Beach Bag and Belly Bag
A beach bag is useful when going sunbathing. You can put a towel, sunscreen, water bottle, and other beach items in it. A fanny pack, on the other hand, is perfect for storing your most important items, such as your cabin key and phone. The cabin key on the ship also functions as a wallet, which you can use to pay for services.
14. Water Bottle and Thermos Flask
Be sure to bring a water bottle that you can refill again and again. It will come in handy when going on excursions, as well as when taking it with you to the gym or sun deck. You can fill a thermos with hot coffee or tea and take it with you wherever you go.
15. Book, Playing Cards
Take something with you to do in your free time – read a book, play cards with your husband or some other game. Since we didn’t have internet, we didn’t sit on our phones and had to find other activities to entertain ourselves.
16. Hooks for Sun Lounger
This is something I didn’t think about, but experienced cruise passengers always take them with them – pegs. To prevent the wind from blowing your towel off your sun lounger, it is very handy to pin it down with pegs.
Give It a Try – Cruises Are Cool
A cruise vacation is a fantastic experience, but packing the right things can make it even better. The tips and must-haves mentioned above will help you be prepared for any situation and ensure that your trip is comfortable and unforgettable.
Featured photo from Pexels