Princess Cruises: Packing List

Packing: 101

Cruising is always fun but if unprepared, you’ll end up missing an item or two that you wished you would have tossed in your luggage.  That’s why I’m here.  I hope to share a few things that I pack for all my cruises so you’ll be set up for success.  Remember that if you’re flying into your port, you’ll likely need to make a change or two, (especially if you’re bringing the beverages or bottle of wine onboard).  Once you arrive at the port, the porters will immediately fetch and run with your luggage.  It’s nearly impossible to get those items back once they take them away, so packing what you need in your carry on is essential.  More than likely, you’ll get your checked bag after dinner on the evening of your cruise.  It’s essential to know this on your first sailing so you aren’t without much needed items.

Carry-On Luggage

These items should be easily accessible.  You’ll board according to the boarding time on your ticket and most often, your room will not be ready until hours later.  For this reason, you’ll need a bit of items with you to kick off your cruise so you’re on vacation from the very start of your sailing.  I’ll include my list of both carry on & general purpose items that you’ll take with you.

• Travel Documents (Passports -or- Birth Certificates & ID cards)
• Medications needed prior to bed the day of boarding
• Lady products & hygiene products needed before dinner
• Phone Chargers & Electronic Accessories
• Swimsuit (if you’re wanting to enjoy life on the Lido deck)
• 1-12 pack of beverages (12oz cans)
• 1 bottle of WINE (750mL bottle) per adult 21 and over <– read that again
• Glasses
  • Sunglasses
  • Reading (or Contacts & Contact Accessories)
• Camera
• Cell Phone
• Purse
• Wallet

We strongly recommend you hand-carry all valuables and breakables, including jewelry, electronics and cameras as well as any medications.

About the Beverages:

Drinks such as sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk, (who brings in milk?),  packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in your carry-on luggage. A  maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to carry all this onboard or you’ll need more than a 12-pack while onboard, you just head over to your Carnival account and pre-purchase beverages from the Fun Shops.  They’re waiting in your stateroom upon arrival and ready for you to enjoy.  Ask your stateroom attendant for ice and they’ll have a bucket ready to serve up your own “Bubbles” package.  The stateroom steward is really awesome about re-filling the ice bucket regularly.

About the Wine:

Carnival allows each adult to take 1-750mL bottle of wine onboard and must be in your carry-on luggage.  Wine.  Yes, wine only. No, not liquor.  Wine. 750mL.  No, not the gigantic sized bottle. No, not a box of wine. You may bring one 750mL standard bottle of wine with you onboard.  Yes, there’s a reason I’m repeating myself here.  I live in Texas where we have Liquor stores that sell just that, plus other products.  Our grocery stores only sell beer and wine products.  I send my local clients to HEB, (the [best] grocery store in Texas), and tell them if they can purchase it there, they can carry it with them onboard.  Maybe red or white wine isn’t your thing.  Sometimes they have pre-mixed pina coladas or margaritas that are “wine” products, which you can carry onboard.  You’ll find a vast selection of mixes, sangrias, ect. that can be taken onboard for the duration of the cruise.

Pro Tip:  Bring a twist top and serve yourself to avoid a corking fee.  A $15 USD corkage fee, per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, specialty restaurant or bar.  So pour yourself a glass in your stateroom and waltz that joker to dinner with you if you’re mindful of onboard charges to your Sail and Sign account.

Notes:

• I repeat:  Liquor, spirits or beers are not permitted. Please remember that luggage will be scanned and alcohol outside of our policy will be removed and discarded. <– (Discarded?  Well, at least that’s what they say.)
• Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from The Shops of Princess, or at ports of call, will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to the guest’s stateroom on the last day of the cruise. A member of the ship’s staff will be at the gangway to assist guests with the storage of their shoreside alcoholic purchases while The Shops of Princess staff will assist guests with shipboard alcoholic purchases.
• *Princess is not responsible for any alcoholic beverages removed and discarded by shoreside security staff. Such items are not eligible for monetary refund or replacement. Guests found with prohibited items, including alcohol outside of the policy, may need to collect their luggage at a security checkpoint on board.

Packing Your Checked Luggage

Your checked luggage will have everything you need for the cruise.  From clothing to hygiene products, you’ll need it onboard.  All staterooms will have shampoo and body wash mounted in the shower.  If you aren’t biased to particular products, leave yours at home and use what’s available onboard.  You won’t risk a bottle coming open in transport and losing some product in the suitcase.

Hygiene Products:

• Toothcare
  •  Paste
  • Brush -I can’t tell you how many times this didn’t make my luggage.  Double check, folks.
  • Floss

• Make-up
• Lip Stuff (Chapstick, lip stick, lip sunscreen, gloss, ect)
• Nail Care (File, clippers, and whatever you may need- polish, clear coat, remover pads, ect.)
• Razor & blades
• Tweezers
• Medication (Melatonin included)
  • In the event of unexpected travel delays and emergencies, please remember to bring additional prescription medication for at least 2 weeks beyond the length of the cruise.  Also bring a list of the names, strengths and dosages of all medications in case refills are required.
• Jewelry
• Undergarments
  • Bra (and whatever you need for those evening gowns & cocktail dresses)
  • “Make me skinny” accessories
  • Underwear
• Pajamas
• Hair Care
  • • Hair Brush
    • Straightener (Curling Iron or whatever you use)
    • Leave In Conditioner

Pro Tip: Bring leave in conditioner instead of conditioner.  You’ll use significantly less leave in conditioner that you would the standard rinsing conditioner.  I’ll even bring a small (4oz) pump-spray of detangler to use after getting out of the ocean.  I have really thick hair that gets cumbersome to take care of, so if this works for me, I’m sure it will work for you and save you some space.

Great Items to Have for Shore Excursions

• Backpack, collapsible daypack, or carrying bag
• Rain jacket or poncho and/or small umbrella (I’d suggest getting a small pack of ponchos from Amazon)
• Sunscreen.  Body. Lips. Face.  Caribbean sun is no joke.  Don’t even take the chance.
• Insect repellent.  (Needed for some excursions- hiking, waterfalls, adventure, ect)

Items for Onboard Entertainment

Sea days are tons of fun and there’s a lot to do on the ship, don’t get me wrong.  Some of my best memories onboard a cruise are sitting with my entire family playing an old family game of 10 Pennies, (sorta like Phase 10), with the whole family.  Don’t discredit the idea of doing something traditional that you can do at home on one, (or all), of those Sea Days.  Here’s a few things that you may want to bring to use onboard:

• Books and magazines
• Cards or Dominions
• Binoculars (to see the wildlife in Alaska or explore the Pirates in the Caribbean)
• Towel Clips (perfect for the Lido Deck)
• Tumbler or Water Bottle
• Power/Extension Cords

Working while cruising?

Make sure you come prepared: (These are always in my carry-on)  Also to note, there is ONE outlet in a standard stateroom.  That means 2 plus can be used and that’s it.  You’ll find extension cords useful and any sort of power expanding device to be of use while charging an array of devices.  If you have a smart watch and cell phone, only one person can charge their devices at one time.  You’ll need to come with a few extra outlets most of the time.

• Power Strip with Multiple Plugs
• Laptop & Charger
• Mouse & Charger (or batteries)
• Ear buds & Charger
• Watch & Charger
• Writing & Notes
• Cell & Charger

Stateroom Accessories

• Fan -because some of us need moving air.

Packing Clothes:

At last.  This is the hardest for any first time cruiser to determine what to carry.  Hidden in lock and key lies the secret list of what should be brought onboard your sailing.  Don’t worry.  We’ve got you.  You’ll have a formal night onboard each sailing.  On 7-day cruises, you’ll have two formal nights.  Typically, the first is the more “formal” of the formal nights onboard.  Some will dress to perfection, while others will be headed to the buffet to skip the need to dress up for the evening.  Personally, I love a great reason to dress your best with those travel companions and enjoy the evening.  As you pack, you’ll have normal daytime clothes that you’ll wear out and about on excursions or around the ship.  We head back to our room and change each evening for dinner so we’re fresh and looking sharp.  What you pack is on you, but knowing you’ll need two outfits a day is the key to being prepared.  Shore excursions will consist of a swimsuit and cover up for women, while men wear a t-shirt and swim trunks.  This will vary depending on style, daily activities, and interest; however, if you’re a beachgoer, you’ll be dressing as suggested.  Once back onboard, you’ll wash up and put on some closed-toed shoes, a collared, (or dressier shirt), and head to dinner.  You may wear the same 3 swimming trunks and just need t-shirts for each day of sailing, plus night dinner attire.  It all depends on personal preference.  But usually days are t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops, while nights are “date night” attire in the main dining room.  If you eat in the Lido Marketplace, (the buffet), anything goes except swimsuits.  They require a cover-up/shirt & footwear, otherwise, we’ll call it super-relaxed.

What to Wear – Daytime Attire

Don’t get too caught up in this.  You’ll catch me in a swimsuit with shirt & shorts (or sundress/cover-up), plus flip flops.  It’s your everyday wear to do whatever you have going on during your sailing.  Around the ship, you may be playing Bingo or hanging by the pool.  Wear what you would for this sort of activity.  Plan regular daily outfits to wear for Sea Days and Shore Excursions.  Here’s some ideas for a daytime outfit:

• Work-out Attire (if needed) –They’ve got a running track and gym onboard.
• BOTTOMS: Shorts/capris/khakis/jeans
• TOPS: Tee shirts/polo shirts/blouses/tops (can be short sleeved or sleeveless)
• Summer dresses, sun dresses, ect.
• Bathing suits & cover-up
• Hat/visor/sunglasses
• Comfortable rubber-soled flat shoes/sneakers/water shoes/non-slip boat shoes with traction
• Light-weight sweater or jacket (some evenings can be cool or a rare cold day in the Bahamas)
• For cooler weather, clothing that can be layered, scarves and gloves.
• If visiting religious sites in Europe, ladies must cover their knees & shoulders

Pro Tip about Footwear:  ***Select activities/shore excursions may require closed-toe shoes or water shoes***  Check the details. The use of any footwear with wheels is prohibited on board Carnival ships

Mega Deck Party Pro Tip: Be sure to bring a red or blue outfit or top for our Mega Deck Party.  This is a party onboard each sailing.

What to Wear – Evening Attire

Princess makes it easy to know what to pack and what to wear when you’re dining on board our spectacular ships. There are two designations for dress codes: Smart Casual and Formal.  There are lots of options to wear for dinner.  Think “date night”.  You don’t want to go too crazy but you want to dress like it’s your first date.  What would you wear?  That’s exactly what you will wear to dinner in the main dining room.  You’ll see a wide variety of what folks wear here.  I’d suggest Henley shirts being the absolute “most casual” option for men going to dinner.

We recommend you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions, depending on your destination. Due to unpredictable weather, don’t forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Please be sure to bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. You’ll also want low-heeled, rubbersoled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear.

Following is the dress code in the main dining room(s) for both men, women and children:

“Cruise Casual” (smart Casual) Dress Code

Smart Casual

Guest attire should be in keeping with what they would wear to a nice restaurant at home.

•  for women
• Pants and collared or dress shirts for men

Pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps or jeans with fraying and/or holes are not welcomed in the dining room. Shoes must be worn.

This is for all “normal” (not formal) dinners in the main dining room on the ship.

• Men: sports slacks, khakis, jeans, long dress shorts & collared polo shirts
• Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, slacks, capris, blouses, and sweaters
• Not permitted:
  • Cut-off jeans
  • Men’s sleeveless shirts
  • Tee-shirts
  • Gym or basketball shorts
  • Baseball hats
  • Flip-flops (Women can get away with this one.  We have all sorts of dressy sandals. Men cannot.)
  • Bathing suit attire

“Cruise Elegant” Dress Code (formal evenings)

Formal

When formal nights are held, please observe the dress code in the dining venues for the enjoyment of all our guests.

• Evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pant suit for women
• Tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks for men

How many are onboard, you ask?

The first “Cruise Elegant” evening is typically scheduled for the second or third evening of the cruise & the second “Cruise Elegant” evening is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise, itinerary schedule permitting.  Remember the first night is the “most elegant” of the two formal nights.  By the second formal night, everyone must be tired.  There are tons of options to dress up or down.  Bring a lightweight sports coat and tie to fit right in on either night.  You can dress up as much as you like but if you’re going to the main dining room, don’t spoil the fun by not being prepared, or worse, getting turned away.

• Not permitted:
  • Jeans
  • Men’s sleeveless shirts
  • Shorts
  • Tee-shirts
  • Sportswear
  • Shorts
  • Baseball hats
  • Flip-flops
  • Bathing suit attire

Please Note: All guests are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are respectful to fellow guests. Specifically, items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendo/suggestions. In addition, clothing/accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, or hatred or violence in any form.

Pre-Cruise Preparation:

This is great for those guys who really want to do their homework: It’s not necessary, but if you’re someone that likes to study, over-prepare, and really dive into the culture, here’s a nice way to pre-game your next adventure.  And if you have kids that are traveling, one of these is sure to help inspire them and get them excited for their upcoming cruise.  Oh, and if you’re the over-preparer, I’ve got other really amazing travel opportunities worldwide in every price point.  Let’s talk.  You’re my people.

• Translation learning books or apps
• Travel/Destination Books
• Internet Search
  • This may sound silly but I make my kids do this when we travel.  I force them to come up with at least 3-5 things in each place they really want to do.  They research and save the items in Google Maps.  Later, we’ll go over everything and they get to “sell” me on why those items made their list.  It’s insight to shore excursions, interest, and just genuinely connecting with my kiddos. Sometimes they even sway me to pick something on their list to do as a family while at a particular location.  It’s saved in our Google Maps, so I can easily access it when I’m working on our personal travel, well after they did their “homework”.  When in destination, as we pass something that was on their “list”, they’re excited so see it in person, even if we didn’t do it.  It creates a connection and excitement between them and the destination.  Plus, it put the technology to use for some research rather than social media and video games.  Win-win.

Did this make life a little easier?  Hopefully so. Let me plan your next cruise.  I never charge booking fees and love getting folks onboard.

Shannon Daniels
(919) 344-3517

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