Before embarking on any vacation you must decide what you’re going to bring with you.  These preparations are key in order to experience healthy and stress-free travels.  Although packing can evolve into an art over time, even the most veteran travelers will forget certain personals they need.  This usually isn’t a catastrophe because once you’ve de-planed you can purchase most things you have forgotten.  Even better, if you are in a car, you can always find a store along the journey to replenish what is missing.

Because of all the outs available during a vacation you may think packing isn’t a very high priority.  This may be true in some cases, but if you are planning to take a cruise, you thought wrong.  On a cruise ship you are stuck on the ship except for 2-3 pre-determined stops along the way.  Therefore, you need to make sure you have everything you need; the captain will not turn the ship around for you, no matter what class you paid for.  Even worse, if you forget something crucial, the shops on the cruise ship will charge you an arm and a leg for the products; they are well aware they are the only means of commodities on the open sea.

For this reason we have drawn up a blue print for what you need, and what you need not forget before departing for the ship.  There are three major things you need to think about: clothing, necessities and what type of luggage you should and can bring.

Travel Documents, Identification and Wallet Items:

• 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, and itinerary – pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both – “just in case”)  This may seem like over-kill, but once again, you are on a cruise ship, not an airplane or train.  Once you’re on the boat, you’re stuck.  We want you to enjoy your trip, so having all these back-up documents will make enjoying your vacation easier.
• Identification documents are the second most important papers you need.  This will include a passport and visas if necessary.  Some cruise lines will accept proof of citizenship in lieu of a passport, but be sure to check with that specific cruise line before taking this approach.
• Pack a written list of your medications, including the name of the drug, dosage and times taken, in case they are lost.
• Medical documents are the third most important, and in most cases just as important to those of you on regular medication.  Be sure to bring your medical insurance cards and medical history, especially if you are traveling alone.  You will need a copy of your prescriptions and a list of all the medicines you are taking.  Remember on the boat they may only sell generic drugs, so as long as you have your prescriptions, the cruise can obtain you specific medications in case of an emergency.
• For medical and emergency reasons, make sure you leave a way to contact you at home if anything happens.  If you contact the cruise line they will give you emergency contact information for anyone watching your house, friends, or family.
• A pre-paid phone card if very important.  You may think while on vacation you have no reason to call back home; wasn’t that the reason you left in the first place?  Although the isolation may be your goal, usually on an amazing vacation you can’t wait to get back and tell your friends and family of something spectacular you saw or experienced.  Sometimes the updates can’t wait.  For this reason, buy a pre-paid phone card before you leave.  I suggest either a 20 minute or 60 minute card, depending on how much of a telephone junky you are. 
• ATM/credit cards are not a necessity, but if you bring them with you, make sure you call the credit card company ahead of time and let them know you are traveling.  If they see over seas purchases without being notified, they may freeze your account on grounds of suspicion.
• Cash or traveler’s checks are a good way to bring lots of money without the worries of losing a wad of cash or your credit card.  As long as you have not signed the check, even if lost you will have lost nothing until cashed.  Make sure you keep the receipt for these checks in a separate location if they happen to get lost.  For this reason have contact numbers for whomever needs to be called if you lose these documents.
• Since most cruises leave the United States, be sure to have a currency conversion chart.  Although most convertion kiosks have their own charts, these are not consistent everywhere in the world.  It is good to know that currency exchange is dictated by markets and change daily.  Due to this, you must have your own conversion chart to make sure you are getting an appropriate exchange wherever you are, never trust an over seas teller.
• Although it may seem unlikely, at some stops along the cruise you may want to rent a car.  For example, on many Caribean cruises, many passengers find themselves wanting to take a tour of the islands they make stops at.  Although there are tour busses available, some travelers may want to rent their own car.  For this reason make sure you bring your driver’s license and auto insurance card.

Travel Necessities: Personal Hygiene

• Ear plugs aren’t only important for flying, but cruising as well.  Remember you are confined to the spaces on this boat; therefore there are very little spaces of privacy outside your room.  Even if you find privacy, it won’t last long; the ruckus of excitement will surround before you know it.  Ear plus will help you get away for that half hour you need before heading to dinner.
• Because toiletries are so expensive on the boat itself, you should bring your own crash-kit for basic vacation survival.  A basic kit I would suggest would include: Q-tips, cortisone, Vaseline, antibiotic cream and anti-diarrheal medication.
• Pain killers such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.
• Hand wipes are good to have in your car, when you fly, boat, or any sort of travel where your hands may become sticky for some reason or another.
• DO NOT forget sun screen, there is nothing worse than lying out on a beach in pain because your back is too burnt.  Along these lines, also bring a pair of sun-glasses, there will be many sunsets to enjoy, so be prepared.  I might add that even if you are planning a trip to Alaska or some icy dreamland, don’t think you won’t need your sunglasses.  The reflection off the snow is one of the easiest ways to get sunburned, ask any experienced skier.
• Bring bug spray, not for the boat, but for those tropical destinations you will be investigating on your pit-stops along the way.

Travel Necessities: Electronics and Gadgets

• Plug adapter or power converters are good for traveling, but not crucial for cruise ships.  If you have certain electronics you MUST use during your vacation buy a converter just incase.  All other necessities on this list will have to be plugged into this converter if you run into a foreign wall plug.
• Make sure you bring your cell phone and charger.  I usually keep mine turned off, but it is nice to have in order get new phone numbers or call your cab when you return to the port.  The same goes for your PDA or laptop; bring a charger.
• It is good to have a camera while on your journeys.  Manual and digital cameras are good for any vacation.  If you are taking a digital camera be sure to bring a charger and extra memory cards.  If you are using a manual SLR camera be sure to bring extra film.  Travelers often run out of film or memory halfway through their vacation.
• If you are a reader, make sure you have a nightlight.  Reading on the deck opposed to your bedroom is a peaceful experience that needs a light.
• There is always a workout are or gym on board a cruise ship.  Do not forget your iPod.  With all the kids and chaos around you, working out to your favorite music will be something you yearn for if you forget your iPod or portable music player.
• An obvious item that is necessary for any trip is an alarm clock, preferably battery powered.  Some cruises put you on a tight schedule to keep up with.  You may have to eat at a certain time, and certain events only take place on certain days during certain hours; so bring something to keep you on point.
• For those of you bringing a lot of electronics with you, bring a power strip and/or battery charger.  I don’t suggest bringing so much with you, but some of us must work during our “vacation” and it is understandable to always be prepared.

Other Helpful Items Specific to Cruise Vacations:

• Zip loc bags of all sizes and even garbage bags, for emergencys or wet clothing.  Crazy glue, duct tape and clothes pins may seem like overkill, but the faster you can take care of a catastrophic situation or even something small that breaks, the more time you will have to enjoy the rest of your vacation.
• A swiss army knife or any tool like it is very good for traveling.  Make sure you put it inside your check in bag due to security measures.  A swiss army knife can give you corkscrew for wine and knifes and scissors for any handy work you may need to be doing.
• I like to bring a shoe horn anywhere I travel to, but it is not necessary
• Playing cards are a classic check list item when on vacation.
• An underwater camera may seem silly, but if you are going to the Carribean there are photos you will regret not being able to capture if you did not make this purchase.

The List: Clothing you Need and Clothing you Don’t

• Remember before you start packing check out the cruise newsletter to find out what dress code for dinner is each night.  Different cruises have different restrictions based on how expensive they are and what kind of reputation that particular line exemplifies. 
• On most cruise ships there will be at least two formal nights.  On these nights most dining halls require nice dress attire.  If you feel this is a hassle no worries, most cruise ships also have tuxedo rentals for men.  The buffet hall is usually open every night, so if you really don’t want to get dressed up you don’t have to. 
• To many people’s surprise dining room dress code can be very strict on a cruise line.  For women you can’t wear shorts, t-shirts, cut offs, tank tops, jeans, or be bare-footed.  For most nights, the dress code will be casual.  This is what you’d wear to your favorite “casual” restaurant, such as: sun dresses, a casual dress, casual pants such as khakis or cargo pants, but remember, no jeans.  For men, polo shirts, button-up shirts and casual pants (not jeans) are fine.   
• During the day, anything goes!  You can wear shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, jeans, cargo or khaki pants, running shoes, flip flops and sandals.  The only dress code during the day is when going swimming.  When walking from your cabin to the pool you have to wear something over your swimsuit and you have to wear something on your feet.
• If you plan on working out during your cruise, don’t forget your gym clothes.  Every cruise ship has a modern gym for those of you who don’t want to squander your exercise routine during your vacation.
• Footwear should include walking or running shoes, sandals, and dress shoes for formal dinners.
• You should probably also bring one hat, a jacket, and a sweater.  If you are worried about some of your garments, the cruise ships also have dry cleaning, so don’t worry about anything getting ruined.  If something gets lost, you’ll probably see it on the culprit hours later.

What Type of Luggage Should I Bring?

• If you don’t live near a cruise port, you’ll normally have to fly (or drive in some cases) to your destination.  Before you start to pack, remember that you have to carry everything with you in the airport and around the cruise terminal.  Because of this make sure your main luggage has wheels.  Try to limit yourself to 1 piece of checked luggage, 1 carry on bag, and 1 personal item.  You can also take a garment bag, but be careful with these because the hooks can get caught on many places while you are boarding. 
• There are of course weight restrictions for each airline.  They are specific depending on what airline you fly, so make sure you call either the airline or your travel agent ahead of time for information. 
• Your name and address should be on a piece of paper inside each bag and on luggage tags on the outside of each bag.  Fill out your cruise tags and place them on your luggage; any “old” airline/cruise tags should be removed.  Your Carry-on Bag & Checked Luggage should have locks.  Mark all luggage with some “bright” tape or wool pompoms for easier retrieval at the airport & the cruise terminal.  Of course you can choose other radical ways of making your bag stand out but the point is, make sure your luggage isn’t generic.  Last but not least, make sure you bring extra luggage tags just incase anything happens to your original ones.