Cruise Preparation: Essentials, Luggage, Shoes and Clothing Tips — Part 2

Date: 2018-05-03

Continuing from Part 1, here is a summary of clothing tips and a full packing list.

Other Clothing

For items like underwear and socks — things you want fresh every day — choose fabrics that dry quickly. Wash them by hand each evening after a shower, and they will be dry by morning.

Uniqlo's AIRism range of underwear and t-shirts is highly recommended.

The shampoo and body wash in your cabin bathroom works perfectly well as hand-washing detergent. Fill the basin with warm water, dissolve a little in, wash, and rinse two or three times. When you wring things out by hand, they will still be dripping slightly — hang them on the wire or hanger in the shower area for a while first. Then drape them around the bedroom before going to sleep. The air on board is extremely dry, so having something damp in the room actually helps raise the humidity a little, which is better for your throat and airways.

Over-dry air makes it easier to catch a cold, so keeping something hanging in the room overnight is a good idea.

Very few cruise ships have a coin laundry (only one of the ships we have sailed on had one). There is usually a paid laundry service, but it tends to be expensive — so managing with what you have brought is the more economical option.

Bring extra of anything likely to get sweaty (t-shirts worn during the day), while items worn in cooler conditions or less active settings can be reworn.

One non-clothing item that is extremely useful: a portable digital luggage scale.

With one of these, you can pack right up to the limit — say, 22.8 kg for a 23 kg allowance. On the last evening before disembarkation, weigh your suitcase as you repack with all your souvenirs. This scale also comes in handy when sending luggage ahead to the airport by courier service from a convenience store in Japan — you can tell them the exact weight before they weigh it, which they always appreciate. An essential for any long trip.

Tips for the Flight

When flying, I carry a medium-sized Longchamp nylon tote — the lightest option that holds a lot. Inside: valuables, a cosmetics pouch (powder, lip balm, an all-over body cream, a hairbrush; on long-haul flights: a sheet face mask, eye drops, and an aromatherapy oil). I also bring my iPad and phone, plus a separate eco bag holding a wrap or light cardigan in case the cabin is cold.

The cabin air is extremely dry — reportedly below 10% humidity — so hydration preparation is essential. For short flights of 2 to 3 hours, you can get away without it, but for anything over 6 to 7 hours, you need to be prepared.

On the day of a long-haul flight, I apply a generous amount of moisturiser, then layer on serum and cream before heading to the airport with just a light dusting of powder, a touch of blusher (I look pale otherwise), filled-in brows, and lip balm.

After the first meal service is finished and the toilet rush has died down, the cabin lights are dimmed. That is when I take out the single cleansing sheet I have packed, remove my light make-up, and put on my sheet mask. In the middle of the cabin? You might think that sounds odd — but on a long-haul flight, once the first meal is over, the lights go down until the next meal service. It is semi-dark, everyone is either sleeping or watching films, so nobody pays attention. It is absolutely fine.

After the mask, I apply a rich moisturiser (trial-size samples are ideal) followed by a facial oil if I have one — it helps the moisture last longer. Then I do a light make-up. I try to have this all finished about two hours before landing.

The cabin lights stay off until around an hour and a half before landing, and the toilets are also quieter during that time — so if you want to do your make-up in the loo, that is a good window. The rear toilets are best: there are usually 3 to 4 cubicles back there, so taking a little extra time will not inconvenience anyone.

Summary: Our Cruise Packing List — 7 to 10 Days

• Shoes (3 pairs): trainers, sandals, Gala Night shoes

• Gala Night outfits: dress, accessories, bag / suit, shirt, tie, belt, cufflinks, etc.

• Underwear (washed daily, so 3 to 4 sets of each): underwear and socks

• Daytime clothes: 2-3 t-shirts or polo shirts, 2 blouses or shirts, 1-2 shorts, 2-3 trousers/jeans, 1-2 dresses or skirts, gym wear (top and bottom)

• Layers: light jacket or cardigan, waterproof coat or jacket, light jumper, wrap/shawl, swimwear

• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, hairbrush, razor, bath salts (if there is a tub), cotton buds, nail clippers, travel scissors, aromatherapy oils (lavender, eucalyptus). Note: shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided in the cabin, so these are optional.

• Skincare and make-up: make-up remover, face wash, toner, moisturiser, face mask, make-up kit

• Sun protection, etc.: sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, a small crossbody bag or eco bag for daytime shore trips, a bag for last-night essentials (since your suitcase goes out in the corridor the night before disembarkation, you will need to carry the next morning's items off the ship yourself)

• Plastic bags (various sizes, including zip-lock bags)

• Card holder (the type that hangs around your neck is very convenient — you will need to carry your cruise card at all times, both on and off the ship)

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