Five Items to Take on a Cruise

Wherever you plan on cruising, there are five items that you should always take on a cruise.  Each of these items are categorized so that you can expand as needed for your particular situation.

1. Photo equipment is a must for any cruise for so many reasons. One of the great things about taking a trip is that you not only get the immediate experience, but you have the memories to review for years to come.  Having plenty of photos is a great way to refresh your memories.  As you look back through the photos you’ll remember if it was too hot, just right, or nasty with mosquitoes.  You’ll remember the people and the food and the places as if it was yesterday.  It’s a great way to remember what you enjoyed the most, what you’d like to do again, and what you have no interest in doing again.  Additionally, for those same reasons, having photos can help you with references for friends and family.  Be sure that you take a spare battery and plenty of film or memory cards.  Buying supplies on board will cost a fortune and you’ll save a lot bringing the supplies with you in the first place.
2. Bring plenty of small change. Tipping on board is a regular affair and in many tourist locations and ports it’s very much expected.  Having plenty of ones on hand is a must and will save embarrassment, or having to hand out a much bigger bill because you don’t have any cash, not to mention getting lousy service if you don’t have the cash to tip with.  One couple said they always got plenty of two-dollar bills from the bank before a trip for tipping because then the various service people not only appreciate the tip, but the uniqueness of the bill helps them to remember you thus ensuring better service for the duration of the trip.
3. Bring small “convenience items”. Ok, so these total more than five, but as a category it is an important one.  The thing is, at home you don’t realize how very many little convenience items you have about that don’t exist in your room on the cruise.  No rubber bands, tape, or air freshener.  Air freshener?  Bathrooms on a cruise aren’t vented and your bathroom might get a little smelly.  If a cupboard door doesn’t quite click, it’s handy to have duct tape or rubber bands until you can get someone to repair it.  You may want to block your door open, what are you going to use?  You may want to hold the curtains closed (if you have an outside view) to keep out the light but can run to the drawer in your kitchen with clothespins or to your bathroom for hair clippies.  They’re all small items, but after 5 days of waking with the sun in your eyes because the curtains don’t quite close, you won’t think of these things as small anymore.  Same thing can be said for your sunglasses.  A nightlight in the bathroom will save on some late night bumps and bruises.  Before you go, take a walk around your house and look closely for little things that you take for granted and bring a few along.
4. Don’t forget your medications. First of all, good luck trying to get a refill of some important medication while you’re off the coast of an unpronounceable country.  If it’s a convenience prescription you’ll maybe have some bother, but at least you’ll survive.  If it’s a heart medication or something else that’s very necessary, things could get bad.  Additionally, even if it’s just Tylenol or Motrin, it will be way cheaper to bring it than to buy it on board.
5. Finally, don’t forget any of your paperwork. You may need a passport, you should bring a drivers license, and maybe you’ve printed out your schedule and maps for your on shore excursions.  Bring it all because standing on the dock in some-town somewhere trying to remember if today was the camel ride or the canoeing could be more than a little frustrating and not a happy way to remember your cruise.