I’ve been on 110 cruises. Here are 10 things I always pack.

I’ve been going on cruises for decades. Robert L. Willett I’ve been on 110 cruises, so I’ve learned a thing or two about what to pack for a trip to sea.

  It’s important to have all your travel documents as well as a list of any medications you’re on. I think it’s worth taking up space in your bag with binoculars, a journal, and a bottle of wine.   As someone who’s gone on 110 cruises all around the world, I’ve learned some of the best things to bring with me.

Some special additions to your regulars might bring you a little moment of pleasure to add to the adventure you’ll have as your ship sets sail. Here are 10 things I make sure to pack for every cruise.  Magnetic hooks help me make better use of the small cabinsI read something long ago about how the steel walls in cruise-ship cabins are perfect places for magnetic hooks, so I always bring a few.

Swimsuits, towels, pajamas, and bathrobes quickly fill up the usual two hooks on the bathroom door, so the extra hooks keep wet clothes off the beds. It comforts me to pack a small compassFor really no good reason, I like to take a small compass. In more than a few cases, knowing my directions helped during shore excursions, or even where to get or avoid the sun on the ship.

I always make sure to have a few business cardsAs a writer, I have business cards that promote some of my books and also open doors to new people or writing groups. I’m happy to take advantage of any benefits I can find through people I meet on board. Important documents are an obvious must, and I like to bring copiesI bring my passport as well as a photocopy of it.

GettyIt may seem redundant, but pack a copy of your passport, driver’s license, and insurance card. In the unhappy event of a lost document, a photocopy speeds emergency replacement or provides temporary ID. A driver’s license also helps when visiting ports, and an insurance card comes in handy in case of any medical need.

Preprepared labels are really handy for postcards or even filling out formsI love to send postcards, but it isn’t always easy on a ship. Address labels encourage me to send missives to the less fortunate folks ashore. My search for postage stamps in foreign ports has somewhat dampened my card-sending, but it simply adds another challenge to complete the mission.

It’s worth the extra space to bring a nice pair of binoculars Binoculars should be an easy thing for anyone to bring along, but they’re often overlooked because of their bulk. Luckily, more compact ones have become available as technology has improved. With them, sea life comes closer and details otherwise overlooked are right in front of you.

If you happen to be taking a longer cruise or one to tropical locations, it might be worth a visit to a sporting-goods store to find a nice new pair of binoculars to give you an expanded view on board. I always document my times at sea in a blank journalAs a writer, I like to document my travels. Nicholas J Klein/ShutterstockA blank journal gives me the incentive to keep track of shipboard events, people, recipes, memories, and even my private thoughts.

In later years these journals can bring to life the wonderful voyages that you and your loved ones have taken. Often, memories of special happenings will pop up after being long forgotten. Packing a list of passwords for your necessary online accounts can be invaluableMany times I’ve tried to get to my emails on board, but passwords are hidden in my memory.

Therefore I stumble through the resetting of passwords on the usually cumbersome ship internet. So, if you are a bit forgetful, it might be wise to keep keywords and passwords safe with your important papers to save time and frustration. In addition to bringing my current medications, I make sure to have a list of them handy for emergenciesIn any visit to a doctor, clinic, hospital, or pharmacy their first question is going to be about what medications you’re taking.

One time I needed ocular medications for glaucoma in St. Thomas, and the pharmacist asked for the colors of my pills and was luckily able to figure out my needs. But I wouldn’t count on that kind of solution — usually, only the unpronounceable name of the medicine itself will do.

Between my late wife Donna and I, we visited doctors, dentists, and even the ship’s doctor while traveling. In most cases, we smugly pulled out a printed list of our current medications when asked.  A nice bottle of wine lets you start your trip in styleMost ships let you bring at least one bottle of wine on board.

Day Of Victory Studio/ShutterstockAlmost all cruise lines now allow passengers to bring one bottle of wine or champagne as you board. Our family takes advantage of that generosity, which allows us to start our vacation in style. It is also advisable, however, to bring a corkscrew to get at the joyful contents.

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