SIX CRUISE PACKING HACKS TO MAKE YOUR VOYAGE A BREEZE

Tacky Hawaiian shirt? Check. Flip flops? Check. That’s all you need for a cruise, right?

Not quite. While taking a cruise on the Caribbean or Mediterranean offers an unforgettable vacation experience, your trip can get expensive really fast if you don’t pack some necessary items.

Remember, you’re going to be on that boat for a week. If you didn’t bring it with you, you might not be able to buy it onboard. Even if you’re able to buy it onboard, the cruise ship has you at its mercy, so be prepared to pay through the nose.

These cruise packing hacks can make life easier and help travelers avoid high prices for common items on board the ship.

• Put your most needed items in your carry-on. You won’t be able to access your checked luggage for several hours after you board the ship. That’s why you need to place your must-haves in your carry-on luggage. Medications, a change of clothes, and important electronic gear such as tablets and step down voltage converters need to be where you can get to them immediately.

Bring hangers. Trust us on this one; you’re going to need them. Cruise lines only provide a few hangers. You need to pack a few more so you’ll be able to hang your clothes properly, especially if you’re taking a multi-week cruise.

Take some Dramamine. Not all of us will suffer from sea sickness, but quite a few of us will. A prolonged case of sea sickness can make the cruise you’ve dreamed of into a nightmare. Dramamine is a lifesaver on cruises and should be in every traveler’s carry-on, especially if it’s your first time at sea.

Bring wine – Most cruise ships will allow passengers to bring one bottle of wine onboard. Save a little money by taking advantage of this indulgence.

Use your suitcase as a dresser drawer – Space comes at a premium on cruise ships, and you may find that your dresser leaves much to be desired in terms of available room. Create a storage space for your clothes by sliding a suitcase under your bed and leaving it open. You’ll be able to access the unzipped suitcase to retrieve less-frequently used items while saving room in your drawers for the clothes or items you’ll need most.

Don’t forget your charging gear – Most of us can’t live without our laptops, smartphones, and other electronic gear. Because cruise ships are often manufactured overseas, their electrical outlets may not be appropriate for U.S. electronics. Most foreign countries use 220-volt electrical outlets and electronics, while the U.S. standard is 110 volts. U.S. plugs won’t fit many foreign outlets, and, even if they do, the increased voltage will fry U.S. gear. 220 110 converters allow safe usage of U.S. electronic gear with foreign electrical outlets. Be sure to include one with your luggage to ensure you can keep your must-have electronics charged.

110220Volts sells adapters, converters, and transformers that help U.S. travelers stay connected by keeping their devices charged while overseas. 110220Volts offers a wide selection of electronics, including region-free DVD players and much more. For help or a consultation, call 1-800-827-9978.