Cruise Ship Packing List: 6 little things to make your cruise easier

Packing for a cruise is pretty much like any other vacation, but there are a few extra items to consider.

• Luggage Tags – if you are a worrier like me you will not trust that the paper luggage tag you print at home will stay securely on your luggage. I always order clear luggage tags that are designed to hold specific cruise line tags:

• Lanyard – You’ll want some way to have your cruise ship card with you for purchases on the ship. We like these simple ones without extra clips and gadgets

• Adapter – Most cruise ship cabins do not have enough outlets to power your devices. We always bring extra adapters to be sure our phones, watches, and laptops are ready to go. Many cruise lines do not allow surge protectors, be sure to get something that is ship approved.

• Magnetic Hooks – If your cabin’s closet space is tight, you will appreciate having these hooks for frequently accessed items. We use them for our hats and lanyards.

• Shopping Bags – I always have one of these small, lightweight shopping bags in my purse. They are extra handy on a cruise when shopping in the local markets where they often do not have bags for all your treasures.

• Walkie-Talkies – You won’t have cell service on the ship and many lines charge extra for messaging in their phone apps. With a two-way radio, you can easily communicate onboard. Look for radios with multiple channels to help avoid interference with other users.