• How much luggage can I bring onboard the ship?

• Do I need luggage tags?

• What types of clothing should I bring?

• Do I need to bring a tuxedo?

• Do I need to pack a hairdryer or iron? Do I need an adapter?

• Are there porters to help me with my luggage at the airport and the pier?

• When will my luggage arrive in my cabin?

• Is there a safe in my cabin?

• How much cash should I bring?

Back to Top

The cruise lines have no limitation on how much luggage you bring. However, there are limitations that the airlines have. Check with your airline to see their restrictions. Airlines may charge a fee for extra baggage. 

Back to Top

You will receive luggage tags with your cruise documents. Please complete them and have them on your bags prior to arriving at the airport.

If you are booked on a "Guaranteed Cabin" you will get your cabin number from one of the porters at the pier. They have a manifest and will write your name on your tags when you arrive.

If you have e-Documents or Pier Pick-up Documents, the porters at the pier have extra baggage tags and will help you complete them when you arrive.

Back to Top

When packing, keep your destination in mind. If you are traveling to the Bahamas or Caribbean, cool clothing and sunscreen are a must. When your destination is Alaska, layering your clothes is essential. Alaska weather varies, and you are likely to have cool and rainy mornings, followed by warm afternoons and chilly evenings. Packing in layers prepares you for the changes in climate. You can check the weather for your destination on www.weather.com.

Many cruise lines have formal nights on the cruise. The number of formal nights depends on the length of your cruise. Shorter cruises, 3-5 nights have one formal night. Longer cruises, 7-10 nights have two or more. Gentleman should bring a dark suit or tuxedo, and women should pack a cocktail dress or formal gown. If you prefer not to dress for formal nights, casual dining alternatives are available on the ship.

In general, resort casual dictates the dress for the dining room onboard the ship. Jeans, shorts and tank tops are not allowed in the dining room, but are allowed in the casual dining alternatives.

Back to Top

Unless you are traveling on a Luxury or Premium Cruise Line, a tuxedo is not necessary unless you enjoy wearing one. Some cruise lines like Cunard, Seabourn, Radisson, Crystal Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean all have loyal client base of passengers who enjoy the tradition of dressing up for formal night. At the minimum you would want to bring a dark suit for two evenings of a 7 night cruise and you would not be out of place in a tuxedo.

Other cruise lines like Norwegian, Windstar and Niche cruise lines adopt a more resort-casual atmosphere and tuxedos are not required or expected. However, we do recommend a sport coat and tie just in case there is an occasion to use it.

Back to Top

Most modern cruise lines have hairdryers in your cabin. Electric razors can be brought with you, as staterooms are equipped with 110 volts AC. Many ships do not allow you to bring irons onboard. However, laundry facilities are available on cruise ships with iron and ironing boards as well as dry cleaning and laundry services.

Back to Top

Porters are available at most airports and cruise terminals. These porters make sure your bags arrive in your cabin promptly, so tipping them is well worth your while. A customary gratuity of £1 per bag is expected and appreciated.

Back to Top

Your baggage will be delivered to your cabin about two hours after you board the ship. It is highly recommended that each person bring a carry-on bag with a change of clothes, medication, sunscreen, bathing suit, camera etc to hold you over until your bags arrive. Your vacation begins when you step aboard. You shouldn't have to wait for your bags to arrive to start having fun. Come prepared with a carry-on bag.

Back to Top

All modern cruise ships have a safe in the cabin. They are typically electronically opened and closed by either using a password you choose or your room key or plastic card with a magnetic strip. Older ships may not have safes in the cabins, but you can arrange to leave valuables with the purser's desk.

Back to Top

How much cash you bring depends upon your personal spending habits, but you should plan to have enough to cover an incidentals while you are on your way to the cruise ship, in port, and on the way home. Incidental expenses can include meals and snacks at the airport, gratuities for skycaps, cruise ship porters, parking at the airport or the pier, and taxis. These same charges could apply for every day that you are in a cruise port of call. While in port, most shops accept traveler's checks and major credit cards.

When you are onboard the ship, you will only need cash in the casino. All onboard charges including alcohol, spas, sodas, gratuities will go on your credit card. Some ships and most ports of call have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) for your convenience.

As a rule of thumb, two people may want to budget a minimum of $100 in cash or traveler's checks between them for every day that you are not on the cruise ship to just to cover possible incidental charges. This would be on top of anything you plan to spend in the casino, on souvenirs, etc.

Back to Top