Passengers board the ship with carry-on luggage in hand. Bags with wheels will decrease the burden of carrying an overstuffed satchel while waiting for your cabin.
On mega-ships, it may take hours before travelers are reunited with their checked baggage. Occasionally, luggage mishaps occur. It’s advisable to place an extra outfit inside your bag, along with your regular carry-on basics.
Standard carry-on items such as prescription medication, supplements and probiotics, over-the-counter medicines, jewelry, toiletries, a mini first aid kit, antibacterial wipes, healthy snacks and electronic devices should also be packed.
While there’s no shortage of food on board the ship, it’s convenient to have prepackaged bags of nuts and healthy protein bars for unexpected layovers at the airport or during long excursions without meals.
To avoid unnecessary aggravation due to computer glitches or an expired phone battery, pack a folder that includes your printed travel documents — e-tickets, travel insurance, land accommodation information, a city map and cruise ship documents. If traveling overseas, include a printed copy of your passport and visa.