I love cruises, it’s the perfect destination to do nothing

You are probably overwhelmed with all the choices and destinations for a simple four-day cruise, don’t panic, I’m here to help you pack. Most short cruises out of the USA have some beach destinations, the Bahamas, Mexico, the Florida Keys, but you will spend most of the time on the ship getting entertain by the cruise director or a pack of drunken fraternity brothers.

I’m always ask if there is a formal black-tie evening in all the cruises. The answer is YES and NO. On four day cruises a lot of the cruise lines are opting for cruise dress code rather than a formal dress code, it means black tie is not recommended and most people will not wear black ties, but most people will dress appropriately, gentleman in suit and ties and ladies on long summer dresses. However, I have seen it all, so no matter which way you decide to go, you will not be out of place.

A four-day cruise starts the day you embark, usually between noon and 3pm, the last day of the cruise is the day you disembark, usually by 9am, therefore, you only spend two and half days on the cruise. So, you may be over packing for a four day cruise that is only two and a half days.

Because your suitcase may not make it to your stateroom until the evening of your first day, you want to pack a small carry-on or backpack to take with you when you embark. Bring your bathing suit and make-up or any toiletries you may need and a change of clothes. This is your first change of clothes before heading for dinner, normally it will be very casuals as many people don’t have their suitcases in their staterooms yet. If you are on the first seating around 5 to 6pm, you will be heading for dinner not too long after your departure from port.

So now you probably took a dip in the pool, had couple pink drinks with umbrellas on the side and headed to your cabin to change, SURPRISE! you enter your room to find your suitcase is actually there, as soon as you open it you say to yourself what am I to wear tonight? You didn’t take my advice and pack the largest suitcase you had in the house including 5 dresses, 5 bathing suits, 4 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of sandals and enough sunscreen to put a shop on the lido deck.

Ok, let’s get to reality, you arrive on your cabin, your suitcase is not there but you have a change of clothes in your carry-on for the evening. You should have some shoes as well and your make-up, you are not going to need a purse, in fact you are not going to need a purse at all during the cruise, may be a small purse for day trips on destination ports.

Let’s remember that your four-day cruise is only two and half days, now your first half day is gone, you only have two days left. Next day you arrive in port, may be a beach destination or a port of call, this will be casual day either on your bathing suit, shorts and a t-shirt with sandals. Later on the day you will return to the ship for dinner, since your suitcase has already arrived, hopefully you took everything out the night before so it’s not wrinkle, it’s time to change to something more formal for the evening, this is your only evening to shine, you will need your best dress for the evening, put a nice pair of shoes, do your hair, make-up and come out with a smile.

On your second full day your clothing repeats itself, you probably go out to explore the port of call, may be somewhere in the Mexican Riviera, again you will need casual clothing, shorts, a blouse, a hat and sunglasses, if you are going to walk or do a cruise activity you should have a pair of tennis shoes as well. And now, this is the end of your last cruise day, you return to the ship and heads to your cabin to change again for the evening, the cruise ship is probably inform me you that you need to leave your suitcase outside your cabin to be pick up for next day arrival. Whatever you wear for the evening you probably will have to
pack in your carry-on, make sure you choose wisely your last evening clothing, may be a light long sundress, and make sure not to pack in your suitcase anything you are going to wear when you arrive back in port.

In summary, don’t pack too much, think more about your evening dresses and less to your day wear, if you stay on board you will be hanging by the pool or relaxing on a pair of shorts and t-shirt, you don’t need to pack three pairs of shorts, pack one pair and three different t-shirts. And finally remember that if you are flying somewhere and you pack your suitcase to the max, you are not going to have room for any souvenirs your purchase on the ship or on port and now, over packing can cost you a lot, pack less and leave room to take home more.

Don’t forget to bring a sports jacket if you are not the tie person. You are not going to impress anyone in your shorts and smelly t-shirt, including the bikini girls in the pool.