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Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea

What do you get when you combine Marvel Super Heroes and Villains with a Disney cruise? Marvel Day at Sea! Whether you’re a newcomer to the Marvel universe, a lifelong fan,or traveling with someone who is, you will love this action-packed day aboard the Disney Dream, setting sail from Miami January-March 2023.

More than 30 Marvel Super Heroes and Villains will be featured in new heroic encounters and live entertainment throughout the event.

Which Marvel characters will be there? Captain America Sam Wilson, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Kate Bishop, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Thor, Loki, Black Widow and more.

Shows and activities include Heroes Unite (a nighttime spectacular with stunts, special effects and pyrotechnics), shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, an interactive training experience, a costume bash with a high-energy party on the upper decks, an adult-exclusive dance party and so much more.

Guests can experience this epic day at sea on the following Disney Dream itineraries in 2023:

Departing Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18 and March 4, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary features Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Departing Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay.

These cruises are extremely popular and will sell out. Contact me today if you want more information or you’re ready to book your Marvel-ous cruise.

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What to pack for an Alaskan Cruise

Packing for an Alaskan cruise is VERY different from packing for a warm-weather cruise. The weather in Alaska is unpredictable, it can be warm and sunny one minute and drizzling the next. Remember that even though it is summer, it won’t be warm! 

The key to packing for Alaska is layers!

  • Pants – jeans or khakis (you may want to leave room underneath for long johns)
  • Ladies may opt for leggings; you may even choose a fleece-lined pair
  • Long johns or tights – perfect for those chilly days!
  • T-shirts – cotton is best.
  • Sweater or sweatshirt – don’t bring anything too bulky.
  • Flannel – these are very Alaskan and easy to peel off if it gets warmer.
  • Vest – great to layer! I like this one for women and this one for men because they are easy to pack and water resistant.
  • Lightweight puffer jacket – I like this one because it is water-resistant and has a hood! There is a similar version for men. You may want to size up if you will be layering underneath.
  • Waterproof rain jacket – I like this one and this one because they fold nicely into a little pouch. Here is a good option for men. 
  • Wool or warm socks

Shoes

  • Tennis shoes for walking
  • Nice shoes for dinner
  • Waterproof shoes or hiking boots – this will depend on your planned excursions, but you will need some type of shoe that can get wet. Merrell makes great waterproof hiking boots. XTRATUF boots are very popular with Alaskans. Timberland and Sperry also have great options. 
  • Slippers – I like to wear them in my cabin, but they are not necessary

Accessories

  • Pashmina – great to wear as a scarf or wrap over your shoulders at dinner or while on deck
  • Warm scarf – great while on deck or on excursions
  • Baseball cap
  • Beanie
  • Gloves 
  • Small umbrella

You may also want to bring:

  • At least one pair of shorts – you may have a warm day; the weather in Alaska is unpredictable! 
  • Bathing suit – it may only be warm enough on embarkation day to swim or you may want to hit the hot tub
  • Flip flops – for the pool or hot tub
  • Waterproof rain pants – probably only necessary if you have some type of excursion that you will get wet on like hiking and it rains. Also available for men and kids. 
  • Binoculars – they don’t have to be super fancy; your excursions will likely have a few pairs for everyone to share but it is nice to have your own on the ship

Formal nights in Alaska are WAY less formal than what you generally see on other cruises. There won’t be any tuxedos or formal dresses. Men will wear a suit but you will also see a lot of sports coats with a collared shirt and dress pants. Ladies will wear nice dresses, but it will be chilly so don’t forget tights or nylons and a light sweater.

For dinner on non-formal nights dress; you will see everything; most will wear business casual. Most ladies will be wearing pants and a blouse or sweater and sometimes even dresses. Men will wear dark jeans or khakis with a dress shirt or sweater. You don’t need to get dressed up by any means but should look nice. 

Packing Tips

Power outlets have traditionally been scarce in staterooms, though cruise lines are slowly modifying them to have more. A 3-way plug or extension cord may help if you have many devices to charge – it must be cruise ship approved and not be a surge protector.

Bathroom counter space is also lacking so you may want to bring a hanging toiletry bag. The counter should be fine for 2 people, but a family of 4 will be crowded for space. We also travel with these magnetic hooks to hang bags, hats, etc. The staterooms walls are magnetic and these come in a few different sizes to hold different weights. 

You may want to bring a low-wattage nightlight particularly if you are in an interior stateroom.

Cruise cabins are small. Consider bringing Poo-Pourri. That’s all I’m going to say about that!  

The three things you MUST bring are sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray. Even though it is cold the sun will reflect off of the ice in the mountains or the water and it is bright! You will regret not bringing sunglasses. I prefer polarized lenses, but any sunglasses will do. Along those same lines, the reflection of the sun will cause you to burn so bring sunscreen. Mosquitos are jokingly known as the Alaska state bird; enough said. 

Take a wristwatch. Clocks are few and far between onboard. You also need a watch when you are off the ship. The port you are visiting may not be on the same time as “ship time”. Set your watch to “ship time” and leave it there. When they say the ship will leave at 3PM, that does not always mean 3PM local time, and you may very well (literally) “miss the boat”. And do not use a cell phone as your watch (it may sync to local time).

In your checked luggage, place photocopies of your passport, medicine prescriptions, return airline tickets, and emergency contacts. You may also want to keep the international toll-free number of your credit card company in case you lose your credit cards.

You will need a bag to carry your items if you are going on an excursion, shopping or even just wandering around the port.  You will need to bring your stateroom key card, photo ID, phone, credit card and some cash. A small bag is fine (I like a crossbody bag) but a small backpack may be best to store your extra layers in. 

Many guests will bring a nice big Tervis or travel coffee mug with a lid. You can fill it up and enjoy a morning walk around the ship with your coffee or with ice water and tea. Great for sitting out by the pool or on the balcony.

If you are ready to book your Alaskan cruise, contact me today!

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Get to know Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, which was launched in 2021, is the fifth ship in their Quantum Class but she has some noticeable offerings not found on the other ships. This is why I have already booked this ship more than ten times this year, making it the most-booked ship of all the cruises I book. It’s easy to see why with all there is to do onboard. The ship is as much of a destination as the ports themselves!

While there are the traditional activities onboard (bingo, trivia, lectures, etc.), there are so many more incredible attractions and activities. These include:

  • The North Star – an observational pod that will take you over 300 feet above sea level to see your ship and everything around you.
  • Ripcord by iFly – get a sense of skydiving as you don a special suit and enter a wind tunnel.
  • Flowrider – 40-foot-long surf simulator.
  • SeaPlex – bumper cars, pickleball, soccer, basketball, dancing and more. You can also enjoy the Playmakers sports bar directly inside the SeaPlex, watching sports on TV while your loved ones enjoy all the activities.
  • Zone Zero – a fully immersive virtual reality experience
  • Splashaway Bay – aqua park for kids
  • Rock Climbing Wall
  • Sky Pad – virtual reality bungee experience

This incredible ship also has 17 different restaurants along with multiple bars and lounges. Not only does this keep down the crowd levels but also ensures that everyone in your group can find something they like. 

In the evening, you’ll find original production shows, outdoor movie nights, live bands and more. 

If you’re traveling with children, they (and you) might enjoy the youth clubs. Adventure Ocean has multiple programs for babies (6-36 months old) and kids up to age 12. Teens (ages 13-17) have an exclusive space that’s all their own. Just beyond the secret speakeasy entrance, there’s a gaming lounge, music, movies, an outdoor patio and plenty of comfortable places to kick back with new friends.

It’s easy to see why people love this ship. With so much to see, do and eat, there truly is something for everyone. It is the perfect cruise for multigenerational trips because you can be as active or as relaxed as you choose. Nobody will ever get bored on this ship!

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The best time to go to . . .

So you have decided where you want to go, and your calendar has dictated when you can go. Do the two intersect at a time when you’ll have good weather? If not, you might want to reconsider your plans. After all, you don’t want your dream vacation to become a nightmare. Here are some of the most popular travel destinations along with their best and worst months of travel.

Caribbean

Best months: Although average temperatures are between 78-88 degrees year-round, you’ll find that the area is coolest and has more wind from December to May.

Worst months: Mid-August, September and October due to high heat, humidity and the threat of hurricanes. Although hurricane season is technically June through November, June and November have the fewest tropical storms and hurricanes during the hurricane season.

Mexico

Best months: October to May

Worst months: Mexico is hotter during the summer months. In addition, the humidity is higher. If you have the option to visit the Pacific Coast of Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas), you will find that there is far less humidity than in the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun and surrounding areas). 

Hawaii

Best months: Hawaii’s consistently-warm weather makes it a good destination to visit at any time of the year, with temperatures hovering between 73-86 degrees. With that said, the best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands get the least amount of rain and the warmest temperatures. If you are interested in whale watching, January will be your best bet.

Worst months: Again, there is no bad time to visit Hawaii but you will find that it is wetter and marginally cooler between October and February.

Alaska

Best months: There’s a reason why the cruise ships are in Alaska from late spring to early fall. The best weather is during the summer months. Not only are the temperatures warmer, but daylight is longer, allowing more time for sightseeing. The absolute best time to visit, according to the locals, is June 15-July 15, when it is warm, dry and alive with energy. Daytime temperatures range from 60-80 degrees, and they dip down into the 40s and 50s at night. It’s light outside almost all night long from late May to late July. 

Worst months: The days are shorter, the temperatures are colder, and there is more rain/snow from late September through December. The northern lights are visible from August 20 through April 20, but the best time for an aurora vacation is February and March, when the days are getting longer and the snow conditions are best for winter activities.

Florida
Best months: March, April, October, November. Temperatures are warm/hot and there is less rain.

Worst months: May to September due to high heat, humidity, and the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Europe 

Best months: May through September or October. You will see higher temperatures and crowds during the summer but it is considered to be their peak season. Expect the hottest temperatures in July and August. During the “shoulder season,” April through mid-June and September through October, you’ll enjoy decent weather, smaller crowds and long enough daylight.

Worst months: December to February. Because much of Europe is at Canadian latitudes, the winter can be cold and the days are shorter. However, Europe is known for its Christmas markets, making it a popular destination during November and December.

Dubai

Best months: Dubai offers consistently-pleasant weather between November and March, with daily maximum temperatures in the upper 70s. Mid-December to the end of February is their peak season, with great weather and the crowds to go with it. To avoid high prices and crowds, consider traveling mid-November through mid-December or during March. Temperatures will still be warm but the crowds and prices will be lower.

Worst months: June, July and August have unbearably high temperatures, with an average of 106 degrees. It is also humid during the summer. The month of Ramadan usually begins mid-March. Since eating, drinking and smoking in public are banned during this time, many businesses close, making it difficult for tourists who are not observing Ramadan themselves.

Hurricanes

If you’re thinking about a tropical vacation during hurricane season, you’ll want to consider the area you’ll be visiting as well as the month.

Hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean begin around June 1, but it’s rare for a large storm to form. They typically don’t start getting bigger until later in the summer. Statistically, September 10th is the peak in the Atlantic and Caribbean. On a worldwide scale, May is the least active month and September is the most active. 

The ABC Islands that are closer to South America (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) are far enough south that they generally aren’t impacted by hurricane season. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada are also located outside of this region.

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Meet Princess Cruises newest ship – Sun Princess!

Princess Cruises has officially debuted their newest ship, the Sun Princess, which is scheduled to sail in early 2024. Its inaugural spring/summer season will be in the Mediterranean followed by Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages out of Port Everglades, Florida in the fall of 2024. 

Sun Princess is the first ship in their fleet to be sustainably powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which significantly reduces air emissions and marine gasoil to minimize the ship’s environmental footprint. Sun Princess, the fleet’s largest ship ever constructed, will accommodate 4,300 guests in 2,150 cabins. 1,500 of those cabins will have balconies, which is the most of any Princess ship. 

According to Princess, the ship will offer dynamic views of the world and innovative experiences through service, food and entertainment. The 3-story Piazza offers comfortable outward-facing seating with ocean views in every direction. The LED screen in the center will be used to deliver live entertainment programming. Adjacent to the Piazza atrium will be a coffee shop, bars and a pizzeria.

The Dome, inspired by the terraces of Santorini, will be a multi-level covered deck and first-ever true glass-enclosed dome built on a cruise ship. During the day, the comfortable space will offer an indoor/outdoor pool and unique water feature. At night, the Dome will be transformed into an entertainment venue complete with stage, lighting effects and stunning entertainment. 

Sun Princess will debut the Reserve Collection with premium location Mini-Suites and Cabanas, exclusive access to a private restaurant, and additional amenities. The Reserve Collection was previously called Club Class accommodations and will be available on all Princess ships.

The new level of suite accommodations, the Signature Collection, will be exclusive to Sun Princess. They will offer, in addition to premium stateroom amenities, suites with access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and private Signature Sun Deck, a private area of the Sanctuary.

The Sun Princess will be a beautiful ship with iconic, elegant lines, world-class technology and modern designs infused with light. She is the third ship to be honored with the Sun Princess name and is sure to deliver a luxurious experience to her guests!

To be one of the first to sail on Sun Princess, contact me today!

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Answering your questions about the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

Since I first posted about our experience on social media, I have had so many questions about it so I decided to answer some of them in this blog post.

Galactic Starcruiser – Is it worth it?

10,000% yes!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Star Wars movie. I may have, back in the 80’s, but I really don’t have a clue about the storyline or characters. However, it was by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

What’s it like? It’s kind of hard to explain without giving away too much. The best way to describe it is part dinner theater and part name-your-own adventure. It’s an immersive experience that you can be involved with as much or as little as you’d like. In many regards, it’s like an ocean cruise (in space). Your accommodations and meals are provided. You get to meet some of the crew, and you decide how to spend your time – at leisure or fully immersed in the classes and planned events. 

You don’t need to know much about Star Wars to ‘get’ it. The Cast Members are incredible. They draw you in and you become part of the story. The basic premise is you board the Halcyon for a cruise to Batuu. Things don’t quite go as planned. You communicate with the captain and other officials from the ship with an app (Disney Play) that gets activated when you board. Your adventure is dictated by how you respond. My husband, son and I each had different storylines and missions.

How is the food?

The food was fabulous! A lot of it looked different and kind of funny (hello blue shrimp 😳). One of our table mates was a 7-year-old boy. He asked for “normal” food and was brought standard kid food without an issue.

All of your food and non-alcoholic beverages are included. The dining room is set up with a buffet for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, it becomes a regular dining room with a plated meal.

My son (who is 8) tried almost everything. Just like at home, there were things he liked and things he didn’t like. Our server was great and brought us more of the things he loved. I don’t eat gluten, and my husband and son can’t have shellfish. They accommodated us beautifully and without issue.

Do you have to dress up?

The short answer is no. I would guess that 60% or more were dressed up. There were more on the first night than the second. I had heard (and I agree) that costumes make you more memorable to the Cast Members. However, if you don’t want to dress up, no one cares. We saw everything from costumes to no costumes to Star Wars t-shirts. There were people dressed up as specific characters but most were like us – looking like we were from somewhere in the galaxy. We had fun with it. We wore the same outfits both nights and wore our “street” clothes on our excursion to Batuu. When you’re trying to decide on costumes, just do what feels right for you.

Do you get to pick which parks to visit?

Technically, I guess you could, but your voyage only includes admission to Hollywood Studios. It’s important to remember that this is an immersive experience. You are part of the story, so you are given missions to complete. Many of them are on Batuu (aka Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios)

You can begin to board your transport to Batuu as early as 8am on day 2, and you must return by 4pm. We headed over at 8:15. The transport is themed in typical Disney fashion, but I’m pretty sure we were in the back of a box truck. 🤪

Since we didn’t have another Hollywood Studios day planned for this trip, we quickly rode Slinky Dog, Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, all by 10:20. Then we headed to our reservation at Oga’s Cantina, which was part of our story.

After completing our missions at Oga’s Cantina, we used our Lightning Lane entrances for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.

We then did a few more quick missions (scanning QR codes around Batuu to collect supplies) and headed back to the ship a little before 1pm. They have activities onboard all day, and my son wanted to participate in the Droid racing. (He came in second behind the only adult participant) 🙄🤣

After that we headed back to Batuu for a few more missions. Activities onboard really kicked into full swing at 4pm.

So to answer the question, you really wouldn’t want to visit other parks during your stay as you’d miss out on the experience. After talking to others on our voyage, we learned that we were the minority in leaving Batuu to ride other rides, but it worked for us.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely! Our story would be different so we’d probably have a totally different experience. It was so much fun and unlike anything we have ever done before.

If you’d like to take a voyage on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, contact me today!

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Christmas at Universal Orlando Resort

Are you thinking about, or planning on, spending part of the Christmas holiday at Universal Orlando Resort? You will love it! Along with dazzling decorations and unforgettable entertainment, you’ll get to experience Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas. 

If that’s not enough, Universal Orlando Resort offers two enhancements to make your holiday visit even better – Universal’s Holiday Tour and The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast. 

Universal’s Holiday Tour

With exclusive meet and greets, tasty treats and even an after-hours show included (plus more!) – this amazing adventure is filled with all the festive fun that’ll fit in an approximately 4 1/2 hour walking tour. This tour includes:

  • Exclusive Meet and Greet with the Grinch™ and his faithful dog, Max
  • Reserved seating for the Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular
  • Small plates, cookies, Who Hash, Chicken & Waffles, Popcorn Shrimp, non-alcoholic beverages and a hot cocoa bar at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous™
  • A Santa meeting including one (1) My Universal Photos digital download per party
  • Priority access to one (1) attraction (subject to Tour itinerary).

The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast

Join the Grinch, his dog Max, and their friends from Who-ville at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoopendous ™ in Universal’s Islands of Adventure for a breakfast feast. Enjoy a fabulous buffet with traditional breakfast treats, a side of sarcasm, plus some Who-ville specialties like green eggs and ham. Breakfast includes:

  • Breakfast buffet with specialty treats and one (1) non-alcoholic beverage
  • Character meet & greet with The Grinch™ and favorite Seuss characters from Who-ville and Seuss Landing
  • One (1) digital download photo from one character interaction with The Grinch™

These two experiences are available on varying dates and space is limited for each one. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about these experiences or booking a trip to Universal Orlando Resort. 

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Disney Cruise Line is going to Australia!

At the recent D23 Expo, the biennial exposition for the official Disney Fan Club, it was announced that Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to Australia and New Zealand beginning in late October 2023. 

The Disney Wonder will offer cruises ranging from 2-6 nights and will depart from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand. The limited-time “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises will immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories. 

For those looking for a longer cruise (13 and 15 nights), the transpacific cruises will sail both directions between Honolulu and Sydney. These will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa. And if you’re looking for even more, you can add a special Adventures by Disney itinerary in Sydney. The Sydney Escape offers a 4-day, 3-night adventure, where you can explore some of the best that this magnificent city has to offer, making it the perfect pre- or post-adventure for your South Pacific Disney Cruise.

I am so excited about this news! Imagine adding a Disney cruise to your trip to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii! Combine the magic of Disney with the magic of these destinations and you truly have a bucket list vacation that everyone in the family will remember for a lifetime.

To book your Disney Cruise, contact us today!

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Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser 2023 voyages now available

Our family recently experienced the two-night adventure aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Disney World. Walt would be over-the-moon excited about what his creators and imagineers have come up with as it is truly out of this world (yes, puns intended). 

I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between the Starcruiser and a Disney ocean cruise. Once we stepped onboard, everything was included: meals, accommodations, entertainment, character greetings and endless activities. We even had a ship orientation, Captain’s reception, and everyone’s favorite – the muster drill.

While there are many similarities between a cruise and the Starcruiser, this was like nothing we have ever experienced. It was part live immersive theater, part themed environment, part culinary extravaganza, part real-life role playing and so much more!

Every guest creates their own story based on the decisions they make, and our personalized itinerary was kept updated in our Play Disney Parks app via communication from the crew and characters. 

You may wonder what kind of decisions have to be made. There are many. For instance, will you hide a stowaway to help the Resistance? Prove your mettle to join an elite smuggling ring? Bring the stolen ship aboard and watch out for the First Order? Each decision takes you down a different path. You can make decisions as a family or let each person create their own story.

Some of the activities offered include Lightsaber Training, Bridge Training, Sabacc Tournament, Droid Racing, and Model Ship Building. 

The 2-night experience includes an excursion to Batuu. Your missions throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—including your adventures on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run—will influence events back on the ship. You’ll be able to enjoy one-time entry to these attractions during your excursion to Batuu. It’s all connected—and all part of your personal Star Wars story.

Guests onboard are encouraged to dress the part. Dress in your Jedi best, or dress to impress in your Coruscant best. No need to worry if your costume closet is a bit bare at home. There is a shop onboard the Starcruiser. 

Even the dining is immersive. On the first night, you’ll enjoy an expertly curated menu of delicious dishes from around the galaxy while engaging in unique experiences that continue your Star Wars story. And there is a special musical appearance by a galactic superstar. On the second night, you’ll enjoy The Taste Around The Galaxy where you’ll learn the name, inspiration and ingredients with the serving of each course.

To book your trip to a galaxy far, far away, contact me today!

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What to pack on your Caribbean cruise

Probably the most frequently asked question I receive is, “What do I should I pack?” Here is my list. I know it is a lot, and maybe you won’t need everything on this list, but it includes everything that I’ve found useful on our cruises!

Attire

Everyday attire is extremely casual. Most people wear shorts and T-shirts (and definitely don’t forget your swimsuit!). Breakfast and lunch generally don’t have dress guidelines other than common courtesy and decency. Dinner in the main dining room sometimes has regulations; check your cruise line’s specific policy as some do not allow shorts, sleeveless shirts, etc. in the main dining room.

New cruisers are sometimes concerned about “formal night”. For most cruise lines, this is really not the big event it used to be. Once or twice during a cruise the main dining room will require formal wear. If you dislike dressing up, you still have dining options such as the buffet or room service. Check the daily newsletter in your cabin to see what the dress is for each evening. Most cruises have at least one formal night. 

If you love to dress up, have fun with it! If you DO participate, check your cruise line’s exact policy for formal attire. Some people still dress “formal” (such as a tux, suit and tie, floor length or cocktail dress), but most passengers now dress down considerably. Slacks and a polo shirt are very much the norm, and even some wear jeans. Again, this varies drastically between cruise lines. There will be professional photographers available, so take this opportunity to have a nice photo taken.

Do not forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen – especially for Caribbean cruises. And use the sunscreen. You are much further south, and you will burn before you know it.

Pack a light jacket. Even during the summer, a breeze off the open ocean can have a slight chill. You may also want to take a sweater for the dining room and the theater in the evenings.

It is also a good idea to bring a pair of tennis shoes. Many ships have activities like rock climbing or laser tag that require them.

If you want to pack light (and do laundry), make sure to check — not all ships offer free (or for-fee) laundromats. Otherwise, laundry is a service provided by cruise lines but it can get expensive. There’s always Febreze!

Packing Tips

Power outlets have traditionally been scarce in staterooms, though cruise lines are slowly modifying them to have more. A 3-way plug or extension cord may help if you have many devices to charge – it must be cruise ship approved and not be a surge protector.

Bathroom counter space is also lacking so you may want to bring a hanging toiletry bag. The counter should be fine for 2 people, but a family of 4 will be crowded for space. We also travel with these magnetic hooks to hang bags, hats, etc. The staterooms walls are magnetic and these come in a few different sizes to hold different weights. 

You may want to bring a low-wattage nightlight particularly if you are in an interior stateroom.

You do not need to pack beach towels – they are provided for free, and you will be allowed to take those off the ship to the island beaches. Free towels are also available at the pools.

You will likely have wet clothes/swimsuits so bring a bag for wet items.

Consider a waterproof case for your ID, cruise card, credit card, etc. while swimming or snorkeling in port. We also bring our own snorkel equipment. We have these snorkel masks and love them or you can go the traditional snorkel and goggle route with these or these made for kids. 

Take a wristwatch. Clocks are few and far between onboard. You also need a watch when you are off the ship. The local island may not be on the same time as “ship time”. Set your watch to “ship time” and leave it there. When they say the ship will leave the island at 3PM, that does not always mean 3PM island time, and you may very well (literally) “miss the boat”. And do not use a cell phone as your watch (it may sync to island time).

In your checked luggage, place photocopies of your passport, medicine prescriptions, return airline tickets, and emergency contacts. You may also want to keep the international toll-free number of your credit card company in case you lose your credit cards.

Most cruise lines will allow you to bring a small amount of wine onboard per person (typically one bottle). Some will allow you to bring water or canned sodas, it varies by cruise line. It must be carried on and not in your checked luggage. You may also be able to order bottled water and soda to be delivered ahead of time to your stateroom. If you bring your own wine, don’t forget a small corkscrew. Your cabin steward can provide ice, an ice bucket and wine glasses.

If you are going ashore, you will need a bag to carry your items if you are going on an excursion, shopping or even the beach. You will need to bring your stateroom key card, photo ID, phone, credit card and some cash. You may also need to bring a change of clothes and a beach towel from the ship. I even take my day bag up to the pool on sea days with everything I may need including my kindle and a deck of cards.

Many guests will bring a nice big Tervis or travel coffee mug with a lid. You can fill it up and enjoy a morning walk around the ship with your coffee or with ice water and tea. Great for sitting out by the pool or on the balcony.

If you have a CPAP machine, take it as carry-on. Cruise staff see these every day, and they know what it is. In your CPAP travel case, pack a long extension cord (with the machine). In most cases, your cabin will NOT have an AC outlet next to the bed. The extension cord must be cruise approved and not be a surge protector.

Are you ready to book your next cruise vacation? Contact us today!

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