What do foldable hats, long electronic cables and magnetic hooks have in common?
They’re all items you should pack for a cruise, according to a longtime cruise ship employee.
Keri Noble currently works as a cruise director on the 5,714 passenger ship MSC Meraviglia for MSC Cruises and has nine years of experience in the industry.
During her time at sea, she has traveled the world to dozens of destinations, from Mexico to the Mediterranean.
Sail down and enjoy a cruise expert’s best packing tips for a smooth vacation.
Keri Noble currently works as a cruise director on the 5,714 passenger ship MSC Meraviglia for MSC Cruises
A lifesaver! Packing cubes change the way you pack
Keri says they are the key to efficient packaging.
‘A few years ago, packing cubes became a sensation among travelers. As someone who essentially packs a suitcase to go to work, packing cubes not only help you pack, they also make sure you can fit a lot more in your bags,” she told DailyMail.com.
“Whether you fit the cubes in a backpack or a suitcase, packing the cubes will help you stay organized and allow you to pack more clothes to prepare for all the themed parties on board.”
Be smart with your electronics and their respective wires
To make sure your phone doesn’t run out of power, Keri recommends investing in a power bank.
“Some people like to toss their phone in their room on a cruise vacation, but for those who want to stay connected, it’s essential to bring a power bank to charge your phone on port days,” she said.
“Another tip is to buy an extra-long cord for your cell phone. The sockets are often very far from the bed, and if, like me, you like to scroll through social media before going to sleep, an extra long cord is very handy.
Final tip, don’t forget a plug converter depending on where you are traveling. MSC Cruises offers two outlets in the staterooms for electronics – bringing an inverter gives you access to more outlets.”
A good suitcase will last for years and make traveling easier
“If you travel for a living like I do, or just travel occasionally, investing in a durable piece of luggage will make all the difference,” says Keri.
“No one wants to travel with a squeaky wheel (literally and figuratively).
When it comes to storing your luggage, space is a hot item on cruise ships, but most of the time your suitcase will fit under your stateroom bed. Many people forget that this storage space exists.’
“Some people like to toss their phone in their room on a cruise vacation, but for those who want to stay connected, bring a power bank,” Keri advises
Keep all your essentials together: A lanyard is essential for a worry-free trip
Don’t want to lose any of your important or essential items?
Keri recommends travelers bring a lanyard to keep them in one place.
“When sailing, all you really need is your cruise card, government-issued ID and sunscreen,” the cruise director said.
For this reason, I recommend bringing a lanyard to carry your cards around your neck. That way it goes everywhere and you never have to worry about leaving them behind or getting lost in a bag.’
Don’t pack too much! Leave some room for gifts
Be mindful of the extra trinkets you’ll be taking along for your loved ones along the way, so make sure there’s room in your suitcase.
“While it’s tempting to pack all your favorite clothes, don’t forget to leave some room for gifts,” Keri advised.
“Whether gifts for yourself or for family and friends, the ship and destinations have unique mementos to choose from.”
Don’t get caught! Bring cash for port days – and tips
“While you won’t need it on the ship, you never know when cash will come in handy on a port day,” the cruise director added.
“Depending on where you go, it may be easier to buy things with cash rather than a card.
“It’s also nice to give a little extra to those who help clean your room, pour your favorite drink, or carry your luggage.”
Packing for a cruise can be tricky as some itineraries can take several weeks
Pack extra laundry bags for dirty clothes and shoes
Keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones by packing laundry bags.
“The last thing I want to think about when I’m packing to jump-start a trip is the dirty laundry waiting for me when I get back, but I never forget to pack a few extra laundry bags to keep my dirty clothes during to save my trip. don’t go with my clean clothes,’ Keri said.
‘Another option is to have your laundry done on the ship. While it may not be suitable for everyone, it is certainly an option that the ship offers.’
Buy collapsible hats and magnetic hooks as space savers
Don’t forget to bring those space savers like a collapsible hat or collapsible water bottle.
“Often the biggest difference comes from swapping things we want to take with us for more travel-friendly options,” Keri said.
“I like to bring a hat when I travel, especially when I’m spending time under the sun, but instead of a normal hat, I opt for a foldable travel-friendly hat and even go so far as to bring a foldable water bottle that becomes small when empty, as a lightweight and easy-to-carry option.
“I also like to bring magnetic hooks to attach to the wall for extra space for my clothes.”
“I like to bring a hat when I travel, especially when I’m spending time in the sun, but instead of bringing a regular hat, I opt for a foldable travel-friendly hat,” says Keri.
Ration the items you need and leave the bulky boxes at home
Don’t pack your large vitamin or prescription bottles.
“If you take vitamins or medications on a daily basis, ration it into a smaller container and leave the large bottles at home,” Keri advised.
‘Also see what your cruise offers in terms of toiletries and soaps.
“They often offer shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. And just like with a hotel room, you don’t have to bring your hair dryer from home.’
Finally, do some research on the ports of call before you go!
Finally, Keri says the best way to know what to pack is to do some research on the destinations you’re traveling to.
While cruises offer guests the opportunity to sit back and relax, do some research before boarding to see the typical weather [at] ports of call to make sure you’re packing the right things,” she explained.
“Be sure to also look at the excursions you sign up for, as some require you to wear sneakers or bring a towel from the ship.”