What to Bring Aboard: An Essential Packing List for Gay and Lesbian Cruise Ships

The conception of a gay and lesbian cruise often resembles the Titanic or school memories of Odysseus and the Sirens. The average cruise is less than 7 days, but these age-old events affect our minds. 7 days or even 10 days feels like 6 months in forethought. In reality, contemporary cruises have improved dramatically and are quite similar to resorts on the land. Any amenity and activity there is at a typical resort can be found on almost every cruise ship. The packing list is basic and should support a relaxed lifestyle without the burden of a kitchen sink.

Everyday Clothing

Luggage, clothing and shoes have the astounding ability to lodge the world's weight record. By the time you coordinate 3 outfits, the luggage bursts at the seams. The luggage is the central concern on a cruise ship packing list. Space is precious in the cabin and weight is precious on the airplane. Tote luggage that is foldable and lightweight. A rolling duffel bag and chambered suit bags are most appropriate for the cruise ship. Do not carry or attempt to store boxy, large suitcases. If new luggage is on the horizon and designer names are too expensive, lose the ego and shop at a discount superstore. Nobody will care who crafted the duffel bag when you are dancing the meringue ashore.

Once the correct luggage is sitting in the foyer, it is time to debate clothing choices. The time of year and geographical location of the cruise will largely determine exact clothing specifications. However, most gay and lesbian cruises tour tropical routes. The cultures in these regions are generally more laidback and so are the cruise ships. Pack clothes that are lightweight and save the form-fitting apparel for the pool. Fewer companies are requiring formal wear for captain's galas or evening activities. A pair of slacks and dress shirt with no tie is adequate evening apparel for men. Most women wear a sun dress or skirt/blouse. Pay particular attention to the quantities and necessity of clothing items.

Outdoorswear

A nylon jacket, sweater/sweatshirt, and tennis shoes are other items that travelers should compound into their luggage. A nylon jacket and sweater/sweatshirt are useful for rain showers, mist, and cool nights. Be versatile and stylish with the choice of shoes. White and tan sandals and tennis shoes are easy to pack and match a variety of outfits. Bring one pair of lucky Pradas or dress shoes. These are heavy and only necessary for formal events. Leisure travelers definitely spend more time hiking on islands and hanging in the spa than going to business meetings

Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Laundry and dry cleaning services are on board all cruise ships. These sometimes come at a hefty chunk of change. Not to mention, it is not fun to dedicate an entire day to the laundry. The goal is to escape the normal cycle of home and live a temporal fantasy. It is possible to pack sufficient clothing for a cruise 5 days or less. 6 days or more may require a little consolidation and planning. On longer journeys, try to pack enough clothing so that you only need to launder and dry clean one time. This will minimize the amount of clothing on the packing list and the necessity for detergents. Pack a small, travel size detergent and softener. Apparel that calls for more than two loads of the travel size may be too much

Health and Beauty

Milk does a body good and a little primping also does not hurt. Although ship amenities include a salon, most travelers prefer to bring health and beauty products of their own. These salons are usually not as impressive as those at home or within ports of call. Corporations produce makeup and aesthetic items in manageable travel kits. Downsize larger items such as body lotion, wash, and hair product into small, drug store containers. Consumer electronics like razors and blow dryers generally do not need a voltage adapter. Call the travel company in advance since individual ship designs may vary.

First-time cruisers often worry about motion sickness and discomfort. Ask friends who have recently retured from a cruise and they should report that they had minimal problems. Modern technology stabilizes ships and prevents them from rolling. If you regularly suffer from motion sickness in the car or a plane, consider an over the counter medication. Consult with a personal physician for a recommendation of exact drug brands.

Remember to carry sufficient daily meds for the duration of the trip and keep them in their labeled containers. In the rare circumstance of a customs inspection, the label will reveal that the drugs are legal. Unless you suffer from recurrent pain, pack a small first aid kit in lieu of common over the counter drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofren. First aid kits include a couple doses of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as support for very minor medical emergencies.

Accouterments

A trail of items can quickly rack up under this category and will cause unnecessary clutter in your temporary living quarters. A small teddy bear can reasonably fit into this luggage scheme, but avoid justifying items. A pink flamingo or desk lamp is a far fetched need. Waterproof disposable cameras and a battery operated alarm clock are common items that cruise lines suggest packing. Dedicated tourists may want to bring their binoculars for offshore sights and a small day bag to carry around the island. The duffel bag you unpack in the cabin may be able to serve as an island trekker. This day bag should otherwise lie flat within the duffel bag to conserve space.

Writers, lawyers, and stockbrokers may understandably require frequent access to their laptops. Attempt to schedule business around dates when the ship is docked. This will reduce the cost of Internet transactions. Other travelers should reconsider the addition of a laptop to their packing list. Most ships provide Internet cafes where passengers can conduct light work and check e-mail. Transfer important items to an USB memory stick and import them at the Internet cafe. Networkers and business savvy people can stow some business cards in their wallets. Try to maintain an upbeat, casual atmosphere among other business professionals. They will likely be enjoying some relaxation and will not want to spend the entire trip discussing numbers.

Accessexories

Travelers who routinely have sex may feel stranded at sea. Fortunately, there are others like you who are looking. If you are sharing accommodations, roommates often negotiate their cabin bathroom as a neutral territory. Pack a nightlight, flashlight, or battery operated candle to illuminate the dim conditions. Condoms on the ship usually dwindle after a day or two. Be certain to include some on your packing list. A toy chest may be a little presumptuous. Do not go overboard and stick to basics to maintain packing space. A blind fold that you use to sleep can easily double as a sex game or an alarm clock radio/ipod can stream "workout" music. People who are not in the mood should feel rest assured that the ships are not floating, Venetian brothels. There are plenty of other activities to keep customers satisfied.

Important Items

These items are standard for most vacations by air, sea, or land. Place them on a post-it on your front door lest you could forget them: Money, Identification, and Documents.

The ratio between carryon cash and credit/debit cards should lean more towards the cards. For intended purposes, credit/debit is easier to track in case of accidental loss and it is convenient to charge most onboard items to your room. Keep enough cash for last-minute items, snacks, and tips. Contemporary ships in major destinations have ATM and debit machines onboard.

In addition, secure all documents prior to departure. U.S. citizens can travel to most places in the Caribbean with a photo ID and birth certificate. Other world citizens will likely need an international ID or visa to enter the islands. International destinations will require passports of foreign visitors. Everyone should bring insurance cards or documents with them. Make photocopies of these documents in case you lose them.

The Open Sea

If there any lingering uncertainties, call the cruise company directly. The gay and lesbian cruise agents are usually friendly and helpful. They generally know which ship is assigned to each destination and can query the full range of ship amenities. Remember to avoid packing less than 48 hours in advance, except for last-minute deals. Follow these flexible packing list guidelines and there will probably be few concerns on your horizon.