Top 5 Accessories for Cruising

Going on a cruise is quite the adventure and is also a little overwhelming when trying to decide what to pack.  In this article I will show you our top 5 accessories to pack when cruising to help you have a smoother trip.

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Lanyards

Lanyards are great cruise accessories. On almost every cruise you will be given some sort of key card.  This serves as your room key, your identification for disembarking and reembarking on and off the ship, your payment option while on the ship and on private cruise line islands, and your stateroom light switch (on select cruises).  Basically, this card is your lifeline while onboard a cruise. 

This is not something you want to forget in your stateroom or lose at any time while on your cruise.  Because you will use it so often you will want to always keep it in a safe place with easy access.  There’s nothing worse than trying to go ashore and forgetting your key card in your stateroom.  Not only is it a long way back to your stateroom, no matter where your room is located, but you will be unable to get off the ship without it. We suggest keeping it on a lanyard like these.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Carrying around a cell phone has become about the same as having another appendage on your body.  With all the available apps, camera capabilities, and need for constant connection why wouldn’t it?  If you think you can go on a cruise to unplug and unwind, think again. 

Even cruise ships have apps that are important to help you receive constant information that you will need to help your cruise go smoother, and of course you will want to have your camera handy to preserve all those fun memories. 

Bringing a waterproof phone pouch can help protect your phone from flash rain showers, the pool, and the elements at the beach. 

Outlet Converter Kit

Cruise ships are often lacking in having enough outlets.  With all the electronics we now use on a day-to-day basis having extra outlets and ones that plug in are a must.  When we were on a Disney cruise the outlets were not your typical US outlets.  Bringing a world traveler adapter kit will help with this. 

This style of outlet adapter kit will not only plug in correctly, but it also has extra USB charging ports.  For these reasons, outlet converter kits are our number three cruise accessories.

Portable Charger

Extreme elements and lots of picture taking can zap your phone’s battery while on a cruise.  For these reasons we recommend having a lightweight portable charger as a cruise accessory.  When choosing a portable charger you will want to first make sure it is compatible with your type of phone.  You will also want one that is not too heavy to carry around in port with you all day. 

Without having a portable charger you might just miss out on that perfect sunset picture or your daughter’s first swim with a dolphin.  By keeping your phone charged will let you be always ready.

Luggage Scale

Imagine this… you are on your cruise, having fun, and shopping A LOT.  The question is how do you get it all home? Remember there are still weight limits on the airlines when you fly back.  Our number 5 cruise accessories will solve this problem.  We suggest taking a portable luggage scale. We prefer the type with a hook versus a strap because it is easy to hook onto the luggage handle to lift the bag. 

Portable luggage scales are small and lightweight so they are easy to pack and take with you.  Using one of these might not keep you from shopping a lot, but it can help you distribute your luggage weight evenly among suitcases and family members on the way home.  Doing this will help you avoid unnecessary airline fees for overweight luggage. 

Final Thoughts

Packing for a cruise can be somewhat overwhelming but packing these top 5 cruise accessories can help make your trip a little smoother.  Still not sure what to pack for your next cruise?  Check out our other blog post “Packing for a Cruise: Tips and Tricks”.

Thinking of planning your next cruise, but don’t know where to start? Follow our blog for more travel tips and tricks or contact us at amberh@destinationsinflorida.com to start planning today.  Remember… Life’s Short… Take the Trip!