Our list of what you need to pack for a cruise
Whether this is your first cruise or you’ve travelled with us many times, everyone booking onto a Jules Verne cruise is provided with extensive joining instructions. However, if this is your first cruise, we’ve created this packing list based on years of experience on cruise ships of all sizes, including some items you might not have considered.
- Sensible Shoes
Most Jules Verne cruises involve packed itineraries designed to delight and amaze. You can expect to see sites of historical and cultural importance: the Terracotta Army in China, the palace at Potsdam, the Luxor temple by night, Varanasi shining in the Indian sun. Such a busy itinerary involves a lot of walking between sights, so we always suggest that passengers bring a sturdy pair of shoes to maximise comfort and minimise risk of injury.
- A Day Pack
For days that involve a busy schedule on land, you may wish to bring a small day pack or tote bag to carry everything you might need. Bring a bag that will comfortably hold your camera, some sun protection, your wallet and any other bits and bobs you need for a day out in a foreign country. A soft cotton bag or small rucksack will pack down into your main bag easily for travel and will be a lifesaver for busy days.
- An Alarm Clock
With such an action-packed schedule, you’re likely to sleep well. However, with so much to see and do, you’re going to want to be up on time for breakfast and the day’s adventures. You don’t want to be relying on the light or your body clock to wake you up as you travel, and most cabins don’t come with an alarm clock. We recommend packing a small, battery-operated alarm clock. You could also use your mobile phone’s alarm function, but having a backup is never a bad idea, particularly when plug sockets to charge your electronic devices might be in short supply.
- A Smarter/Evening Outfit
Whilst on a cruise, there are likely to be a couple of smarter occasions that you might want to dress up for, such as dinners or drink receptions. Generally, passengers aren’t expected to wear black tie, but a nice dress and shoes, or chinos and a blazer wouldn’t go amiss. Any smarter functions will be listed in your joining instructions. Another tip to ensure you look your best for formal occasions is to bring a bottle of wrinkle-ease spray or similar. Although many ships offer a pressing service, these products can offer a little last-minute relief in an emergency.
- Extra Hangers
On the topic of looking your best, bringing a couple of extra hangers can be helpful. Most cabins come with a few hangers, but if you are sharing, these may not be enough. On average, cabins come equipped with 6-8 hangers so bring spares if you think you’ll need more. The thin wire kind that you often get from the dry cleaners is an excellent choice. These do not take up much space in your luggage and you can easily leave them behind to make space for souvenirs from your trip.
- A Book
Even the busiest itinerary leaves downtime to sit and enjoy the vessel and the stunning scenery passing by as you sail on to your next destination. Many of our passengers like to bring a book to read. If you’re looking for recommendations, check out our Jules Verne Reads blog series. As we know many of you are vociferous readers, you may wish to bring an e-reader or tablet that you can load with several books, puzzles and games. Of course, if you’re planning to bring a number of electronic devices, it might be useful to bring a small extension cord, as vessels don’t provide many sockets.
- Your Camera
Whether you’re planning to use your phone, a digital point-and-shoot, or a full DSLR, make sure you’ve got a camera with you. You’ll want to be able to capture some of the amazing experiences you’ll be having along the way. Of course, you’ll need all the extra accessories to ensure your chosen camera lasts for your trip, such as a charger, extra storage, and a protective case. You might even choose to bring a small flexible tripod as well.
- Travel Sickness Medication
Even if you don’t think you’re likely to suffer from sea sickness, pack some travel sickness pills for the choppier days at sea. There are plenty of different choices, including herbal ginger tablets, which many people swear by, or over-the-counter medications. Some passengers choose to bring acupressure bands that put pressure on a particular point on the inside of your wrist to help alleviate the travel sickness symptoms.
- Sun Protection
The sea can intensify the sun’s rays, reflecting UV rays from its surface. This is great news for those hoping to get tanned on their trip, but we would always recommend taking sensible precautions against sun burn, even if it isn’t particularly sunny. Wearing UV protective sunglasses, long sleeves or a hat as well as sunscreen means that you will be more comfortable to enjoy the rest of your trip.
- Post-it Notes & Pen
It’s always helpful to have a pen and some paper with you to make any lists and jot down ideas. On a cruise, you will not always have your usual methods of communication as your phone might not always have signal. Having sticky notes to leave messages for bunk mates or friends is a good idea, and you can also leave messages for the crew when necessary.
Browse our full collection of cruises to find the perfect choice for your first cruise, or check out our blog for more travel inspiration!