What to pack for a Cruise ..?

I've never been on a cruise but I would say most important...Motion sickness medication! I'd assume the rest it like packing for a normal vacation. Don't forget the sunscreen

How long is the cruise? Where are you going? What is the cruise line?

Without knowing that, the advice is going to be very general:

--Get a copy of the itinerary and optional excursions to know what to wear and bring. If there is a formal dinner night, be sure to bring appropriate attire if you plan to attend.

--Bring your passport if cruising outside the U.S. (sorry if that's obvious)

--Bring whatever else you would bring on a vacation to where the cruise is going, but pack lightly. There''s not much storage in even the largest cabins..

That's it. That's all I've got. Cruised three times, all seven day cruises. B=

Motion sickness patches if you get sea sick (and maybe just in case... my oma doesn't get motion sick, but she gets really sea sick)

*You definitely want some nice dresses for dinner

*Also PASSPORT if you go out of the country

*Bring an empty water bottle, the cruise my FCIL went on for her honeymoon had no water for the rooms (other than bathroom water)... that way you can get water while at meals so you don't die of thirst at other times.

I also agree with packing light. There isn't a lot of room on the cruiseships, but you really do want to pack just the right amount.

^^You do need a passport, you technically can (I did on my alaskan cruise) but is a huge timesuck and you have to wait in line for like 2 hours to get checked out that you're really who you say you are once you get back to port. True you can do it without a passport, but it's inconvenient.

Yes on passport! When you get back in the boat from a port they ask for it. Don't know about all the other stuff but like JKR said this is just easier. Also when we went I got these black bands that go around your wrist that help with motion sickness. I rarely felt any movement but one day I really could and these bands, although they're ugly, helped!

As far as clothes, it would help to know where you're going. For the "formal" dinner night though, it really isn't a big deal. You'll see some people in long dresses and others in regular length dresses. I wore a simple lace dress and was fine.

Just to clarify, it's from personal experience about a cruise I went on 3 summers ago, that they said the policy had changed the year prior and they had everyone without a passport wait in like outside the dining room (where they put the SFPD checked our ID and birth certificate and they encouraged people not to do that because of the change in policy that was being implemented) and I am a US citizen born in the US.

I had a friend that had a nice golden bangle-y band bracelet to try to cover her little black motion sickness band, and you don't need to be super fancy, it's just nice to dress up a little!

Thanks everyone I will definitely take your advice ! The cruise is leaving from port Canaveral Florida to the Bahamas 7days! I live in Florida so no flying but I should really get a passport. They do plan on having a fancy dinner which I plan on dressing up for. I truly appreciate the feedback you are all amazing!

It is not a fake. The only thing that we have to pay for is the tax everything else is included ... We had to sign for the documents so we don't resell he he not planning on it!

It is strongly encouraged that you have a passport when cruising. I am going on my next cruise this fall. If you are in port in a foreign country (which you can do without a passport on a closed loop cruise) and you get caught up and left behind (missing your departure time) you'd better have a passport to be able to get a flight out of than country. Also, if you get sick/hurt and the ship goes to port so you can fly home, the whole process is easier if you have a passport. Why would anyone advise a newbie to cruises to not pack the smartest/safest way?!

And I don't like bitchy/condescending people on wedding wire.

I second the motion sickness medication. There are some that you can get that are over the counter that just dab behind the ear, they are a good second back up plan to Dramamine. Also, pack something that is easy to carry you wallet and stuff in, I would avoid a standard purse just cause you want to make doubly sure it is always on you/you wont forget it. And most cruise lines will let you bring at least one bottle of wine/person! So definitely take advantage of that

As for passports, the correct info is that you do not NEED a passport, but you should definitely have one! If for any reason you need to get a flight back home, you will NOT be able to board without going through much red tape, so get one and not worry.

Cruise critic is a great place to get any and all cruise info. One of the best tips I got was to buy an over the door plastic shoe holder. It's not that big and folds up easily. I put all our toiletries in the pockets. It holds everything neatly and is out of the way.

Have a great cruise!

WOW.... I wont touch the passport drama.

But to answer your question. besides your swimsuit and casual wear, you will want to bring some nicer outfits. They typically have a formal night as well (I find it is nice to dress up for that one). Bring sneakers if you are getting off the ship and are doing any sight seeing. Sunscreen Advil/tylenol, motion sickness meds., and a small first aid kit just in case you need it. Extra batteries and an extra SD card for your camera if you are a heavy picture taker. A sweater or light jacket- I know sounds weird but it can get cool on the ocean at night with the breeze, and sometimes the dining room can get chilly.

We went on a family cruise last year. My uncle & his family didn't have passports - they just brought their birth certificates. They didn't have to wait any any different lines or anything. They had the same exact embarking/disembarking experience as the rest of us. Maybe it depends on the cruise line. We were on NCL.

I found that the indoor areas of the cruise tended to be chilly, so make sure you bring a few sweaters if you get cold easily!

I would try to get a balcony room. I saw an interior room and they look really claustrophobic.

Thanks everyone. You've really helped. I plan on getting a passport in case of emergency I wouldnt want to be stranded.. Besides we plan on going to Canada soon so.. Might as well you guys are great!

Get a passport. You really should have one as a adult anyway. Like other's have said also, if you miss the boat, you need to get back in your country somehow, and that you will need a passport for.

On a seven day cruise you will have two formal dinners. Carnival is really slack with their attire regulations so you don't need anything crazy. If you go to the steak restaurant for dinner your first night on board you get a free bottle of wine (keep in mind you pay for these restaurants, about $25 a person) Don't purchase a soda card. They cost about $50 and on Carnival you get juice for free. Soda is only a couple bucks anyway.

I went on a cruise last year - here's what I learned I needed:

1. It doesn't hurt to take your passport. And you get one if you don't have one. (then watch While You were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock for why you need a passport at all times

2. Something waterproof to carry things in while you're at a port. We didn't leave our key/passport/money sitting on a strange beach - we had a thing I picked up up on Amazon that was waterproof for when I was swimming.

3. Bring extra dressup clothes. We actually ended up changing for dinner every day (cause we'd been swimming, etc during the day.) And we went to the fancy restaurant on board twice.

4. Ginger drops. (good for seasickness, sore throat, or just wanting some candy)

5. Benedryl. Just in case (I had an allergic reaction to something and had to buy benedryl on the ship for an outrageous markup)

6. Plenty of sunscreen. We took 3-4 containers and almost ran out

Check out the cruise line. I've done Celebrity and Royal Caribbean and both have formal dinners. You obviously don't HAVE to go, but it's nice. Also the main dinning room sometimes doesn't allow tank tops or gym shorts so watch out there. Also take a jacket. Sounds silly but it gets cold in the rooms on the ship.

That looks like Royal Caribbean's logo on the paper, they DO require a passport. We leave in 38 days!! And we went in January too.

Actually you DO NOT have to have a passport with Royal Caribbean, If you continue to read under the part that says Exceptions it clearly states that you can bring your drivers license and birth certificate. However it does not hurt to get one or have one, if you have the time to get it before you leave.

This is straight from www.RCCL.com

CRUISES FROM A UNITED STATES PORT

The following requirements are for sailings from a United States port to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal and Mexico.

United States and Canadian Citizens:

You MUST have one of the following:

A valid United States or Canadian passport. For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information website or the Passport Canada website. You may also contact VisaCentral (a CIBT Company), a fast and easy solution for all your U.S. passprt needs. VisaCentral can obtain passports in as little as one day. Contact VisaCentral online at www.visacentral.com/royalcaribbean or call 800-858-8579. Be sure to reference Royal Caribbean account 44988 for reduced service fees.

- OR -

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) or Trusted Travel Documents. Click here for a list of all approved documents.

Exceptions:

United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a original government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) AND an original government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.

Minors under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original government-issued, original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate; a Consular Report of Birth Abroad Issued by DOA; or Certificate of Naturalization issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are NOT acceptable. Military identification cards, voter registration cards or Social Security cards are NOT considered proof of citizenship.