For my part, a 3 or four-day cruise is the proper size of time for a primary cruise. That manner, you’ll have sufficient time on board to determine if cruising is for you, with out the dedication of an extended cruise. It’s a lot much less of a dedication so that you aren’t taking as a lot of a threat along with your trip. Whether or not you’re touring in your first four-day cruise, or are an avid cruiser, correct packing for a cruise is important.
Whereas some shops are onboard cruise ships, their choice is usually restricted. As well as, attributable to cruise port restrictions, they’re solely open when the ship is at sea. So, it may be tough to exchange something that you’ll have left at residence—particularly one thing that’s important.
On this submit, we’ll give an outline of the cruise necessities you’ll want to your four-day cruise. As well as, on the finish of the submit, we offer our packing lists for a cruise. These comprise two lists – one is a grasp record and the opposite is a person record per particular person.
You’ll want one copy of the grasp record after which copies of the person record for everybody in addition to the particular person packing the grasp gadgets. Whereas this isn’t particularly a 4 day cruise packing record, it may be adjusted for any time-frame.
Disclosure: I’ve been on some complimentary cruises and have paid for a lot of of my very own. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order by means of considered one of these hyperlinks might end in a small fee paid to us at no extra price to you.

4-Day Cruise Packing Listing
Assessment Cruise Ship Particulars
Earlier than you get began packing, you’ll need to overview the specifics of your cruise ship. What varieties of eating places will you be eating in? Is there a costume code for any of the eating places? Is there a proper evening in the primary eating room?
Whereas most cruises are usually fairly informal, there are typically occasions, theme nights, and/or eating places the place you’ll need to have nicer attire or themed attire (like Pirate Evening on the Disney Cruise Line). You received’t need to be shocked by this when you arrive.
Additionally, test to see if there are any prohibited gadgets. Some is not going to permit you to carry an influence strip, for example. These prohibited gadgets could also be confiscated till the top of your crusing.
You may additionally have the ability to do laundry on board. Some ships have laundry rooms whereas others provide a laundry service. Nevertheless, for a 4-night cruise, that is in all probability not one thing that you just’ll need to spend time doing. Bear in mind that there’s usually not an excessive amount of room in a stateroom, so that you received’t need to overpack.
Kind of Cruise
It’s additionally necessary to think about the kind of cruise. For a Caribbean cruise, you’ll want bathing fits and shorts (and maybe a light-weight jacket for the evenings). However if you’re going right into a cooler local weather, it’s extra necessary to be sure you pack hotter garments and equipment.
Are you happening a Viking Ocean Cruise? Take a look at this Viking Ocean Cruise packing record.
Pack a Day Bag
Once you go on a cruise, you may test your luggage on the port. They’ll be delivered outdoors your stateroom later within the afternoon on embarkation day.
You’ll, nonetheless, need to pack a day bag that accommodates your entire important gadgets, like journey paperwork, drugs, chargers, a change of garments, and a showering go well with. Fill the bag with any gadgets that you just’ll want on the primary day. However, bear in mind that you will want to hold this bag with you till you may get into your stateroom, so guarantee that it isn’t too heavy, particularly if it’s a tote bag.
Bathing Fits
Occurring a warm-weather cruise? You’ll need to pack bathing fits for the entire household. If you’ll be visiting the seashore, or plan to spend time on the swimming pools onboard the ship, it’s in all probability greatest to pack multiple. That manner, you received’t have to fret about placing on a moist bathing go well with.
Most cruises have a clothesline which you can stretch above the bathe/tub. You should use that to dry your go well with, but it surely normally takes greater than a day or so for them to totally dry.
Don’t overlook to pack different solar gadgets, like a solar hat, cover-up, and flip-flops.


Moist Bag
As a result of your swimsuits will not be absolutely dry if you find yourself packing to return residence, it’s a good suggestion to pack a moist bag in your suitcase. You possibly can toss any moist garments into the bag, after which put them proper into the washer while you get residence.
You will discover swimsuit luggage on Amazon.
Good Outfits
Once I cruise, I usually put on informal garments throughout the day. Then, I’ll develop into nicer garments within the night. Whether or not or not your cruise has a proper evening, you might need to put on one thing rather less informal for dinner. Don’t overlook the costume footwear to match.
As soon as your luggage arrive in your stateroom, unpack them straight away. Pull out any of your garments and dangle them up. In the event that they have to be ironed, try this on the primary day (if there’s an ironing room) so that you received’t have to fret about it as soon as your trip begins. It’s all the time good to throw in an additional outfit in case you modify your thoughts as soon as the cruise begins.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Sunscreen and bug spray are particularly necessary if you’re cruising to the Caribbean. Whereas the ship’s shops will typically provide this stuff, they’re normally costlier and choices will likely be restricted.
Remember that the solar is actually sturdy within the Caribbean. So, you’ll be making use of sunscreen a number of occasions per day, particularly for those who go within the water and towel off. If you’re liable to burning, you might also need to embody an after-sun lotion.
Shore Tour Gadgets
Are you planning any shore excursions? If that’s the case, take a look at the precise particulars to just remember to pack every thing that you just’ll want throughout your day journey. For example, if you’re going zip-lining, you’ll in all probability have to put on closed-toed footwear. You may additionally need to carry your snorkeling tools.
Be sure you pack a bag applicable to your shore tour. That manner, you received’t must tote your carry-on or day bag when you might solely want a number of issues like your passport, bank card, and ID.
Cell Telephone
Earlier than you permit in your journey, it’s best to test along with your wi-fi service to see what your choices are. If you’re leaving the nation, you’ll both have to put your cellular phone into airplane mode or buy a world/cruise plan.
Most cruise strains even have apps that it’s best to obtain onto your telephone earlier than leaving. If you’re going to be utilizing a cruise app in your telephone, you’ll need to additionally just remember to have packed a conveyable charger. That can be certain that your cellular phone is absolutely charged, particularly while you go away the ship for a shore tour.
If you’re going to have your cellular phone across the water, take into account defending your telephone with a waterproof case. There are some cheap choices obtainable on Amazon.
Water Bottles
It’s simple to overlook to drink the suitable quantity of water everytime you journey. However if you find yourself in heat, sunny climate, it’s particularly necessary to remain hydrated. Whereas you should purchase bottled water on any cruise ship, many provide complimentary refill stations.
I’d suggest bringing a refillable water bottle, which you’ll be able to refill on the airport and on board the ship. You also needs to have the ability to carry this full bottle with you if you find yourself on the numerous cruise ports of name in your cruise.
Lanyard
Your key card is often an important factor that you’ve got with you on a cruise. It’s your room key, identification, and cost technique. In lots of instances, you may go away your bank cards and pockets within the stateroom protected and simply carry your key card with you.
Many visitors discover that having a lanyard to carry your keycard is one of the simplest ways to maintain it protected and with you always. Ships usually promote them within the reward retailers, however you probably have one at residence, you might need to carry it with you.
Listed below are some enjoyable choices on Amazon.com to buy prematurely of your journey.


Seashore Bag
Visiting the seashore throughout your 4-day cruise? You’ll need to pack a seashore bag which you can load with seashore towels, sunscreen, studying materials, and different necessities to your day within the solar.
I like this seashore bag from Aloha Assortment (from Amazon). It’s simple to wipe sand off of and is waterproof. It can be used as a carry-on bag to your flight, and a day bag to your first cruise day. Ensure you wipe it down after it will get sandy so that you don’t carry sand with you residence. Pack some Ziploc luggage to make use of for any gadgets you need to maintain clear and dry.
Packing Cubes
Due to the restricted house on cruise staterooms, I discover packing cubes to be particularly useful. They’ll simply be taken proper out of your suitcase and positioned into the drawers or cabinets of the stateroom. Buy separate colours for every member of your loved ones to be able to maintain issues organized.
Toiletries
Your stateroom will in all probability include some complimentary toiletries like cleaning soap or physique wash and shampoo. However, for those who particularly need one thing associated to shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer, it’s best to carry it with you. For example, I journey with a travel-sized hair conditioner as a result of there normally isn’t sufficient within the room. Most necessities may be bought within the reward store. Nevertheless, the choice will likely be restricted.
I counsel packing a dangling toiletry bag, which will likely be simple to move. I normally dangle mine off a towel hook within the toilet.
Be sure you pack every thing you’ll want to your trip along with these particular gadgets. I all the time suggest beginning with a packing record. When you write issues down, it is going to be simpler to trace what you’ve packed, what you could store for, and what you have got. You possibly can obtain our packing lists right here.
Extra Packing Ideas Sources: On the lookout for extra packing suggestions and proposals? Listed below are all of our posts together with packing lists, product suggestions, and concepts for particular journeys.

