Packing Emergency Essentials For A Cruise Vacation

Packing a good day bag is essential when traveling, and over the years I have refined my everyday carry to suit most situations, but heading off to sea on a cruise is a special place with many special and wonderful circumstances. Here are just a few suggestions of essentials to pack for your Disney Cruise Vacation, just in case it's not smooth sailing.

First, pack a small selection of over the counter potions and pills in your bags. While you're traveling not only are quantities available onboard limited, but prices are at a premium. If you need to take something for a headache or an ill-timed cold and you haven't brought it yourself, you are going to pay dearly for it. Be sure to have a simple pain killer and some cold medicine tucked into your bags before you leave home. Something for motion-sickness (Dramamine, Bonine, or the like) is always a good idea at sea, as is something to help you sleep, if you think you might have even a remote chance of having an issue.

Always remember to pack plenty of sunscreen, because the Southern climes have a greater chance of sunburn. Even with sunscreen, you are much more likely to get burned than you would at home, and a painful sunburn is a serious downer, consider some sunburn salve.

One thing that I didn't think of on my last cruise, that I wish I had taken with me was some bug repellant. There aren't bugs on the ship, but if you go ashore on any excursions, you DEFINITELY want to prevent bug bites. Not only can they be uncomfortable and annoying, but some countries have tropical illnesses that you can get from mosquitoes and other biting insects.


Pack A Day Bag for Shore Excursions


Another thing to keep in mind is that the food is plentiful and often rich on the ship, and on shore it can be an even greater adventure. It's easy to overindulge and give yourself an upset tummy. Alka-Seltzer can make you a bit more comfortable, if you overdo it. On another note, if your stomach is sensitive to new ingredients and spices you make want to pack some Pepto Bismol as well.

As far as things that you might not think about, pick up a keychain- or zipper-sized flashlight (like a Photon Microlight or eGear Pico light). The passageways tend to be inside, with no windows, so if (heaven forbid) the power goes out, you can at least see where to put your feet. Most ships have hand sanitizer available practically at every corner, but having a small bottle in your pocket is a good idea, to help stave off shipboard illness. Another thing that is useful but not exactly common these days is a cloth handkerchief or small bandana. You can use it to mop the sweat from your brow if you're on adventure, you can use it to dry your hands after washing them, you can spread it out in front of you on a table to give yourself a clean surface to put your lunch on (usually on a shore excursion, since the tables on the ship are usually clean), or you can use it for the traditional use if your allergies get the best of you.


A Travel First Aid Kit and Flashlight Are Useful Tools
Finally, take a boo-boo kit with you, with a couple of bandages, some moleskin (especially if you will be out walking a lot), and a few skin cleansing wipes. Adventure Medical Kits makes a small travel kit that is my favorite.


What essentials do you pack for a vacation at sea? leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
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Thanks so much to Geordon V. for this informative guest post. If you would like to learn more about packing your travel bags to be prepared visit his blog Hurricane Dad for a more details.