Short cruises are typically pretty easy to plan and pack for. So when you find yourself booking a cruise that’s over the typical week long sailing, you may find yourself scrambling to rethink your cruising strategy.
Bring The Extra Bag
In a world of baggage fees, many of us try to avoid checking a second bag at all costs. However, for cruises longer than a week, it’s going to be pretty tough to fit all of your clothes into one bag, especially if the climate of your cruise isn’t just sun and surf. In my experience, my second bag serves as a great place to throw all of my extra stuff that I may need, especially hiking shoes, extra shirts, and running gear. In the long run, that extra bag fee is gonna be more of a benefit, allowing you to bring exactly what you need. However, if your cruise is two weeks in the Caribbean, ignore this and just throw a swimsuit and shirt into your carry on.
P.S. If you happen to be sailing on a longer cruise in the Med or elsewhere overseas, many airlines waive that first checked bag fee!
Plan To Do Laundry At Some Point
Even though you did bring that second bag with extra clothes, there’s no way you’ll be bringing enough underwear or socks for that two week cruise through the Mediterranean. Depending on the length of your sailing, plan on doing some laundry at least once or twice, even if it is just for your bare essentials. Many cruise lines offer laundry services while some even offer complimentary self service laundry (Oh, Viking Ocean Cruises, how we love you) right on your deck.
Bring The Big Stuff
Skip the travel section at your local pharmacy, grab your everyday bath items from your bathroom, and pack them away. Oh, you say you can’t bring liquids over 3.4 ounces aboard a plane? This is where that checked bag comes in handy. Hair gel, shampoo, spray deodorant, hair spray – all the essentials you use everyday can cruise with you. No need for tiny bottles of gels or leaving your favorite brands behind.
Clear The Phone and Camera
There’s nothing more aggravating than whipping your phone out to take a photo of something amazing and then being prompter to clear storage space before continuing. Save yourself the hassle of fishing through your photos and apps, deciding what’s “delete worthy,” and clear your phone and camera before leaving. There’s no reason to gain photos at the expense of others, so be sure to import all of your photos to your computer and start capturing memories with a clean start.
Pace Yourself
These two simple words are a favorite pair of mine, because I know them to be so true. Travel and cruising can be tiring, especially when you’re a long way from home. As your trip gets underway, be sure to slow down sometimes and take it easy. Your first few days will set the tone and sleep schedule of your entire trip. So, as you get going, relax, slow down, and get the rest you need to enjoy the rest of your trip. Plus, if you don’t pace yourself, you’ll miss some of the best parts! Enjoy the moment and soak it in, because soon you’ll be looking back and wondering where the whole cruise went.
