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Going on a cruise isn't exactly an activity you need to be well-versed in. If you can manage the bare minimum of booking your cruise correctly and showing up to your departure times on time, there's not much more you've gotta worry about than staking out the perfect deck lounge chair and deciding what tropical drink to order next.
But the more knowledgeable you become about cruising, the more tips and tricks you pick up along the way, and even the little things you do can enhance your trip and elevate it above the bog-standard cruise experience (not that there's anything with that standard experience, but why settle?). Seasoned cruiser Kelly Thompson shared a couple of her favorite field-tested tricks to get new cruisers started!
I love @themrskellythompson 's cruise tips, because they're simple, easy to implement, and not overambitious. You could still have a fine cruise vacation without following any of her tips, but the things she suggests will help reduce a lot of smaller inconveniences that can otherwise add up and take the shine off of your trip. The fewer inconveniences you've gotta deal with, the more relaxing your vacation will be!
Related: Cruise Expert Shares Little-Known 'Rules' First-Time Cruisers Don't Know
As someone who always struggles to stay hydrated in hot weather, Kelly's advice on utilizing larger beer glasses for water and stocking up on water bottles was savvy stuff (I prefer to use reusable water bottles , but some people really can't stand the taste of filtered ship water). However, I especially appreciated all her tricks for packing and organizing. Packing for any trip can be a challenge, but when packing for a cruise, you've gotta factor in variables like the limited space in your cruise cabin and the hectic pace of embarkation and disembarkation days.
Kelly demonstrates how to make the best use of the cabin's space using magnetic wall hooks to organize grab-n-go items within easy reach while stowing the luggage under the bed. The compression cubes she uses for packing also help to reduce bulk, and by hanging up the cubes and using them to stow dirty laundry, there are no laundry piles to scoop up at the end of the trip and no issues keeping clean and dirty clothes separated! As someone who's terrible with organization, I need to start following Kelly's example!
Packing for a Cruise
Kelly already covered the basics of organizing and space-saving when it comes to cruise packing . The question is, what do you need to bring with you? Obviously, flip-flops and a swimsuit are a must, but what's the plan for on-shore excursions, or a fancy dinner date? There's more to a cruise vacation wardrobe than Hawaiian shirts and sarongs!
Everyone is going to have different needs, wants, and plans for their trip, so there's no one universal "cruise packing list" that fits everyone. That said, everyone should create their own list prior to packing so they don't overlook something big. Cruise journalist Sue Bryant "unpacked" a lot of the nuances of cruise packing , such as how to understand and prepare for common cruise "dress codes," how to tailor your on-shore oufits to fit in with the locals, and what to pack in your carry-on bag so you're not stuck in a rut if your luggage arrives late to your room on embarkation day . She's also big on organization, too- magnetic wall hooks and compression cubes get another big shout-out from Sue!
Follow the guidance of these cruise pros, and not only will you be prepared for just about anything, you'll also have to scramble less to find and organize your essentials. If you liked the products Kelly used in her video, you can find them listed on her Amazon storefront . Happy planning, and bon voyage!
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