Packing for a cruise is like packing for any resort-based vacation. You'll want to bring comfortable, casual clothing for daytime on board and in port, and swimsuits and workout clothes for pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and health clubs.

Think about the kind of shore excursions you may take and pack accessories accordingly
Most ships have 110-volt outlets in every cabin, which will accommodate U.S.-built hairdryers, travel irons and electric shavers. Most new ships provide hairdryers as well.

What do I need to pack?

• Everything you would need, if you were staying at a resort hotel in the same geographic area of your cruise.
  
  
• Avoid over packing by reading the recommended dress section of the cruise literature that will be mailed to you after you book.
  
  
• Check to see if they have a theme night or talent show where you might need some special outfits.
  
  
• Pack all of your medications, prescription or otherwise, in a bag you can carry onto your flights. Obtain extra prescriptions from your physician for any medications you are currently taking and carry them with you
  
  
• Pack lightly, especially for warm-weather cruises. Just remember to toss in a sweater or shawl for cool evenings and hyper-air-conditioned ships.
  
  
• For daywear, simply don what you usually do at home: slacks or shorts, T-shirts or sweatshirts, and comfortable shoes such as flip-flops or sandals.
  
  
• Bring a pair of rubber-soled walking shoes for slippery decks and dusty shore excursions.
  
  
• A bathing suit and a cover-up are fine, even for Caribbean cruising.
  
  
• For colder cruises, include a warm-up suit. Consider lightweight thermal underwear in place of bulky outer garments.
  
  
• The clothing you bring should be wrinkle resistant .
  
  
• In the event your clothes require laundry services, some ships have complimentay self-service laundries for passengers wishing to wash and iron on your own.
  
  
• Remember, even when formal wear is requested, it is not required. If dolling up just isn't your thing, don't feel obligated.
  
  
• The key to packing smart is bringing mix-and-match clothing. For all formal evenings, I wear the same pair of black satin slacks, just gussying them up with different tops and glitzy earrings. Some women may wish to bring two cocktail dresses or a snazzy slack-suit.
  
  
• Pack sleepwear, underclothes, hosiery and toiletries, and some inexpensive rain-weather gear (a rain slicker or collapsible umbrella).
  
  
• Packing for world cruises may leave you wedded to the steamer-trunk mentality.
  
  
• Bring a pocket calculator to help you figure your ports of call exchange rates.
  
  
• Bring a white T-shirt if you plan on going snorkeling or you may have a burned back when you are done.
  
  
• You might also pack some drinking straws to use while at port. This will help you to avoid touching your lips to a can’s top. The top might be covered with contaminants that will make you sick.