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We are leaving in just 5 days! We’re taking an 8 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise. Our first one. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to planning. Looking for advice, I’ve asked my seasoned traveler friends for their best tips.  Here is everything you need to pack for your first cruise.

What To Pack For Your First Cruise

Whenever we go on vacation, we always pack and bring basic essentials. Toothpaste & brush, soap, shampoo & conditioner, lotion, deodorant, razors. But we never stress about forgetting anything really. If we forget something, we can just buy it once we get there, right? It’s one thing to take a vacation in an unfamiliar city, but staying on a boat in the middle of the ocean is a whole new ballgame. In any random city, you can find a pharmacy or convenience store if there is something you forgot to pack, or didn’t think you would need. But on a cruise ship? I’m told they have items for purchase in the ship store, but I would rather be prepared for some things. I’ve also read that the ship’s shop is closed while the ship is in port. And, I certainly don’t want to spend time in a port hunting down some Advil! I’ve also been told it’s uber expensive! So before leaving this weekend, we decided to throw together a medicine kit in order to be prepared.

Pack For Your First Cruise Medicine Kit List

• Advil
• ThermaCare
• Children’s Advil
• Dimetapp
• Chapstick
• Anti-Diarrhea meds
• Band-aids
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Anti-Nausea
• Sun screen
• Allergy Pills

I think most of that is self-explanatory, but a few aren’t. Like ThermaCare heat wraps. With all the sightseeing we’ll be doing in 4 different ports, I’m sure some muscle soreness is in my future. Just pushing my wheelchair while I’m out and about at home gets to me. These ThermaCare wraps are perfect to pack for your first cruise! Really, for taking on any trip! And what’s worse than a kiddo at night with a cough, and no cough syrup in sight? We’re taking some Dimetapp just to be safe. Of course our prescription medicine will be in our carry on bags, but all this great stuff will be tucked away in our checked baggage, where hopefully it will stay. Does everyone worry about lost luggage or just me?

This second list is some must pack for your first cruise miscellaneous items. ‘Cruisin’ is in a whole category by itself when it comes to vacations, and I got some great tips from my travel blogging buds!

• Hand Sanitizer – Being in new countries can be awesome, but I’ve been told it can be pretty germ-y too. Frequent hand washing is a must!
• Air freshener – The staterooms are small with no ventilation in the bathroom.
• Clothes pins – Great for hanging up wet swim suits! I’ve been told they take longer to dry over the ocean than at home. Humidity maybe?
• Assorted sized plastic bags – For storing dirty clothes, shoes, ect.
• Backpack or Beach Tote – When you’re wandering around exotic ports it’s handy to keep souvenirs, beach towels, ect. all in 1 place.
• Duct Tape – Yes really! Great for repairing torn sandals, luggage, glasses, etc. It never would have occurred to me!

I couldn’t have planned the timing any better either! Walgreens has a great promotion going on right now! Spend $30 on participating Pfizer products, and get 10,000 Balance Rewards Points! Awesome, am I right? And personally, I’d be hitting this deal up whether or not you’re going to pack for your first cruise. It’s back to school the kiddos are going, and the weather is going to start changing. For us here in the Vegas desert that means kicked up allergies. I love the cooler temps but am so not looking forward to the yucks that come with it. Like I said, I’m a planner. Stock up ya’ll!

What do you take on a cruise? Any recommendations? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts and experiences!