What to pack for a cruise – and quirky things Brits have packed in their suitcases

What a travel expert says you should pack for a cruise vacation – and some of the weird and wonderful items that have made it into Brits’ suitcases

cruise vacation are back, but amidst all the excitement of seeing new places, exploring the ship and enjoying tons of onboard entertainment, there can be a stress for passengers; What do you pack for a cruise?

New research from MSC Cruises has found that 35% of Brits find packing stressful – in fact, one in ten say it’s so worrying they don’t want to go on holiday.

Having spent so much time at home in recent years, we’re naturally out of practice when it comes to packing for vacation, with almost a quarter of respondents admitting they’ve forgotten how to pack before the pandemic .

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Brits admitted to packing some weird and wonderful items on their short breaks, including a wooden giraffe, powdered sauce, fried onions, a telescope, a bread maker – and one person even accidentally discovered their hamster was a stowaway!

Luckily, you have an expert at your side, whether it’s your first vacation in a long time or your first cruise ever, an expert is at your side.

Jeannine Williamson, The Pro-Cruiser, has teamed up with MSC Cruises to share her top tips on what to pack for your next cruise…

get organized

It’s very easy to pack too much and end up taking way too much. Have all the clothes, shoes, and accessories you plan to take with you before you leave, rather than pulling things straight out of the closet and packing them in a suitcase.

Try to stick to two or three main color schemes. Put them together as “whole” outfits – and take photos of them as a reminder – so you can easily see which tops can be worn with different skirts and pants, and how outfits can be combined and complemented with scarves and jewelry so that they can be worn multiple times and still looks like a different outfit.

Download books to a device

The busy daily program of activities, shore excursions, entertainment and endless food and drink means there is hardly time to read a newspaper let alone War and Peace! (You will also save valuable space in your suitcase).

Layers, layers, layers

Even in the height of summer, bring clothing that can be worn over t-shirts and shirts, such as long-sleeved sweaters, cardigans, a jacket, and a light raincoat. Shrugs or scarves are a great idea and the latter take up little space and are easy to roll up in your suitcase for those cooler nights on deck planning. Hats and caps are also a must, whether you’re on a summer cruise or winter sailing.

Consider your goal

For Mediterranean cruises, pack loose-fitting clothing that is comfortable in hot climates. Natural fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking tops work best. Don’t forget wide-brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Would you like to send postcards from your ports of call?

Take a sheet of peel-off mailing labels and, before you leave, write down the names and addresses of the people you will be sending postcards to. This saves time when you write them on the cards on the spot – and you don’t have to carry an address book around.

Fill your suitcase with reusable plastic bags

If you have a cloth suitcase, line the bottom with reusable plastic bags and place one or two on top to cover your clothes when you’re done packing. This keeps your clothes dry when bags are left outside in the rain at the airport or before boarding the ship. Once on board and unpacked, they can act as laundry bags for dirty clothes you bring home, separating them from other items.

• Not only the professional cruiser has useful advice – MSC Cruises has put together a whole panel of experts with packing tips. Learn more at msccruises.co.uk.

Do you have any good packing tips for other holidaymakers? Let us know in the comments below.