Travel expert Samantha Brown has spent the past 20 years traveling the world. The two-time Emmy Award-winning host of Places to Love has been to 65 countries. She believes one of the best ways to see multiple countries on one trip is by cruise ship. But visiting multiple ports of call can be a challenge for packing. Brown shared some of her favorite packing tips with Yahoo! Life.
Brown says she brings three bags when she cruises: a large, checked bag, a carry-on, and a small personal item. She recommends you keep the essentials you need to get your vacation started, like a bathing suit, sunglasses, and toiletries, in your carry-on bag, because your large luggage probably won’t be delivered to your cabin until after you set sail.
Before you pack, Brown recommends checking the weather and the ship’s dress code. While most ships have adopted casual dress codes, some luxury ships still have formal nights and may require dinner jackets or dresses in the dining room. If you’re taking a hosted cruise, like the ones she leads, Brown advises you heed the suggestions on the “What to Pack” list.
Besides clothes, Brown suggests you pack the following items for your next cruise:
- Magnetic hooks – The doors (and sometimes walls) in cruise ship cabins are metal and small magnetic hooks are a great way to keep things organized and free up space.
- Insulated water bottle – There’s no reason to purchase pricy bottles of water when you can fill up your own and have a refreshing drink wherever and whenever you want.
- Hydration packets – On a cruise, it’s easy to overindulge in alcohol as well as sun exposure, which can lead to dehydration. These powdered mixes can help you restore your electrolytes.
Do you like to cruise? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) and share some of the things you always pack when sailing away.
