⛴️ 🛟 ESSENTIAL GUIDE to Packing for Your Cruise 🧳

Unlike airlines, cruise lines regulate their own luggage directly, rather than through government agencies like the TSA. Each cruise company establishes its own baggage policies, though most follow similar safety guidelines to prevent fire hazards and maintain security onboard.

Official Weight and Bag Limits

Most cruise lines recommend that each passenger limit their luggage to two suitcases, each weighing less than 50 pounds. Confirms cruise industry experts. However, passengers have flexibility as long as they can transport their own bags to and from the ship.

PROHIBITED ITEMS: What you cannot bring

Make sure you know the laws of the destinations you'll visit during your cruise. For example, in Barbados, there's a clothing restriction: wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal in Barbados.

Always Prohibited Items in Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship:

• All illegal drugs and illegal substances are strictly prohibited.

• All firearms and weapons, ammunition, explosives, and incendiary devices.

• Rifles, Shotguns, Pistols, Revolvers, etc.

• All guns, replicas, and ammunition.

• All explosives include:

  • Dynamite.

  • Fireworks.

  • Hand Grenades.

  • Plastic Explosives.

  • Bomb Making Components.

  • Realistic Replicas of Explosives.

  • Gun Powder.

• Flammable Items.

• Knives and Sharp Objects.

• Tools.

• Martial Arts and Self-Defense Items.

• Sporting Goods Exception.

• Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

• Electrical Extension Cords.

• HAM Radios or other transmitting devices.

• Cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime.

• Alcohol.

• Recreational vehicles.

• Baby Bottle Cleaners/Sanitizers/Warmers.

Items Forbidden Onboard an MSC

• Alcohol.

• Firearms.

• Sharp objects such as blades and scissors.

• Flammable and explosive material.

• Items with heating elements.

• Open flames (e.g., clothing irons, kettles, hotplates, candles, incense).

In MSC, hair dryers, hair Irons, and hair straighteners are excluded from the interdiction and accepted on board.

But devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g., smart glasses) are not allowed in the ship’s public areas.

SPANISH SECTION:

¿Qué hacer en Santa Cruz, Tenerife? (guía completa)

En el lugar con la sombra más grande del mundo proyectada sobre el mar están los spots imperdibles que no sabías que necesitas.

Fuera de este espectáculo óptico donde la sombra del Teide se proyecta hasta 150 km, Tenerife es conocida por ser la isla más grande del archipiélago canario. Con una superficie de 2034,38 km², la isla de la eterna primavera tiene un sinfín de lugares por conocer.

Aunque, claro, un trekking por los senderos volcánicos del Teide es más que obligatorio en tu visita por la isla.

Food and beverage

Allowed:

• Pre-packaged, unopened snacks (protein bars, granola bars, candy, chips, trail mix, beef jerky).

• Baby formula (always permitted).

• Sealed manufacturer packaging only.

NOT Allowed:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Homemade food.

• Pre-cooked items.

• Opened packages.

• Food requiring refrigeration.

Alcohol policies: wine allowed, hard liquor prohibited

It all depends on the cruise line. MSC strictly prohibits the bringing of alcohol on its ships. However, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line allow 1 to 2 725ml bottles of wine or champagne per passenger.

Dress Code Requirements: what to wear

Once you've booked your cruise, you'll receive clothing suggestions. Keep three important points in mind:

• Casual: Jeans, polos, sundresses, and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcome for breakfast and lunch.

• Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts, and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats, and blazers are snazzy and welcome.

• Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 Dress Your Best during a sailing, and is at the ship’s discretion.

Essential:

• Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions (1-2 pairs).

• Dress shoes for formal nights (1 pair).

• Sandals/flip-flops for pool and casual wear (1-2 pairs).

  Cruise Line Requirements:

  • Most cruise lines require closed-toe shoes in certain areas.

  • Fitness centers and sports courts.

  • Some shore excursions.

  • Formal dining rooms (during formal nights).

What to Pack in Carry-On

• Travel documents and your passport (VISA if needed).

• Medications.

• Allowed wine/champagne bottle.

• Swimsuit and cover-up.

• Change of clothes for the first evening.

• Toiletries for the first day.

• Phone chargers.

• Valuables.