WHAT TO BRING
They say that half the fun of going on a vacation is anticipating and planning it. Preparing your wardrobe and packing for the cruise are part of that fun! The bottom line: Don't get carried away! (Typically, first-time cruisers pack at least twice as many clothes as they need). One or two bathing suits, a couple of shorts and shirts, a few sets of nice casual wear, and a couple of more dressy outfits should work out just fine. Don't overpack! Think in terms of essentials. Save room for the stuff you'll be buying (inevitably) on your trip!

Once you finalize your list of things to take, stick to it. Too often people develop a superb list, only to ignore it during the actual packing. Caught up in the heat of the moment, they start tossing things into the suitcase with abandon. Usually these items are never used on the vacation.

Bring an attractive cover-up that will carry you elegantly from pool to cabin. Pack workout gear if you plan to take advantage of the health-club facilities onboard. On most cruise ships, the formal dress code for men requires a suit or tuxedo. Don't go through the expense of buying a tuxedo if you don't have one... a suit works just as well.

People often get carried away when it comes to shoes, which take up a lot of luggage space. Try to bring just one pair of walking shoes, one pair of versatile casual shoes, and one pair of dressy shoes.

Pack some moisturized wipes. They will always come in handy, especially when cruising with children and while on shore excursions.

Because of the variety of food offered onboard the ship, you may be tempted to try different types of spicy foods for the first time. Pack an antacid, just in case!

On a cruise, women can get a lot of use out of leggings. Not only can they be dressed up or down very easily, but they can also be hand-washed.

Bring a night light to place in the bathroom or a small flashlight for use in the middle of the night. This will be especially useful for passengers with inside cabins.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses or take prescription medicine, pack extras, along with the prescriptions.

Pack clothing with elastic waistbands. You will feel more comfortable at the end of the cruise, when it is likely you have gained a pound or two.... or five!

Don't bring more than a couple of T-shirts. You will probably buy some in the ports of call or in the shops onboard the ship.

Surely don't forget to bring sunblock or sunscreen and sunglasses!

Men will find nylon swim shorts with pockets to be very versatile. They can be used as walking shorts, and they dry quickly.

Pack some toiletries and a change of clothing in one of your carry-on bags. In the event your check-in luggage is lost or stolen and does not arrive at the ship, you will have some essentials to keep you fresh for a couple of days.

Pack wrinkle-free clothing in the event the ship does not have an ironing room. Otherwise, you can give your clothing to your cabin steward to send to the laundry onboard the ship (but there is a cost for this service). If all else fails, hang your clothes in the bathroom, turn the shower to hot, and close the door. The steam will help eliminate the wrinkles.

EXTRA TIPS WHEN PACKING
Tie a closed identification tag with your name, cruise line and ship, and address and phone number to the handle of each piece of luggage, including your carry-on bags. As an additional means of identification, tape the above information inside of each piece of luggage in case the outside luggage tag gets torn off.

In most cases, you will be taken directly to your cabin when you embark on the ship. Your luggage may not arrive for two or three hours. Don't panic. The crew members on the ship have nearly 3,000 pieces to sort and distribute - it takes time. If the ship is ready to sail and you have not yet received your bags, contact the purser's desk or the housekeeping department to ask for assistance.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Never pack cash, traveler's checks, travel documents, prescription medicine, or other valuable items in your check-in luggage. Keep these with you in a secure carry-on bag.

Source: allaboardcruises.org