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Don’t leave port without these travel essentials.
The truth is, if youre a first-time cruiser,packing for a cruisecan be incredibly difficult.
Credit:Travel + Leisure
And, I’ve tapped my fellow cruise experts for their must-try packing tips to level up your experience.
Even if youve logged some time at sea, these expert-approved hacks might still surprise you.
Many ships have libraries, but not all of them.
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If they do, they are small, and destination-inspired novels are the first to go.
This is where an e-reader really shines: headed to Antarctica on an adventure cruise?
Load your e-reader with tales of Ernest Shackleton’s expedition story or the Emperor penguins' fascinating lifecycle.
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An e-reader is more than just a portable library; it can also be your journal.
Use it to detail your cruise experience or take notes as you attend onboard lectures.
These can be avoided by wearing appropriate shoes," he shared.
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Sadly, among the most prevalent crimes we frequently see at sea are rapes and sexual assaults.
According to Winkleman, carrying the same personal defenses can serve you well on board.
But your refrigerator magnets from home wont cut it.
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Remember to keep strong magnets away from your electronics.
But this travel essential can do more than just keep track of everyone’s shoes.
Since cell phones wont work while youre far from shore, you must resort to analog communication.
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[A dry-erase board] is an easy way to leave messages for each other, said the Bucolos.
Getting up in the middle of the night, I felt like a thief performing a museum heist.
The cruise expert couple uses them to make packing and unpacking faster and easier.
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Packing cubes can also help make the most of your luggage space by compressing and compacting your items.
This set comes with a small hanging shoe organizer a packing hack from above.
I couldnt trust my phone battery to last that long, especially using power-hungry apps like map navigation.
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So, a portable wireless charger is a must whenever you leave the ship.
BeeGreen Reusable Shopping Bag
Cruises are great opportunities for retail therapy.
Not only is onboard shopping fun, but the souvenirs and local art you find ashore are irresistible.
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But your room can quickly fill with plastic and paper bags from daily purchases.
They take up nearly no space, are incredibly lightweight, and are more durable than single-use plastic.
I even use these as a beach bag since theyre nylon and dry quickly.
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Slip these onto your room-key lanyard so youre never without it.
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