I had painted a vivid picture of the Kalahari Desert in my head long before I ever visited. A sprawl of sun-baked plains as far as the eye could see; bashful little desert creatures, and inky night skies flooded with stars—this was the stuff of my dreams. So, when it came time to visit, I decided to fill my stay at the iconic Jack’s Camp with activities to make the most of it: daily game drives, horseback safaris, and quad bike excursions. My packing list would need to abet my adventures: lightweight relaxed-fit pants for the many flights it would take to get there, a foldable hat for the unyielding sun, a quilted jacket for cool evenings, and a stylish swimsuit for afternoons in Jack’s iconic pool tent. Here are some of my must-pack essentials.
How and what to pack for a cruise
17.06.2024 - 20:25 / lonelyplanet.com
Jun 17, 2024 • 5 min read
One of the biggest perks of cruise travel is not having to be a packing savant. Once you’re on board you won’t need to live out of your suitcase. You can keep it in your stateroom however you like, or better yet, put it all away in your cabin’s closets and drawers.
Whether you're preparing for an Alaskan voyage, a cruise around the Mediterranean or a European river cruise, f ollow the advice below, and you’ll be ready to roll.
Thinking about splurging on a fancy bag? Maybe don't. You don’t need a shiny new suitcase that earns its sticker shock with engineered ergonomics. The beauty of a cruise is the ability to unpack once you get to your cabin. When you're flying to catch a cruise, or just boarding near home, choose a good, solid piece of luggage, whether you check it or carry it, depending on your preference. Just make sure you can lift it should you need to and that the wheels (if you've got them) are sturdy and can withstand uneven surfaces.
To maximize storage, get yourself some packing cubes. And if you don't have a suitcase that works for your cruise trip needs, you can always ask friends and family if they have one you can borrow.
The ultimate power move for any traveler is to fit everything in a carry-on suitcase. Yes, you can fit a week’s worth of cold-weather clothing, if you’re a prudent packer, or two weeks of warm-weather gear in an airline-sized carry-on suitcase or bag.
When flying in to catch your ship, or the day of embarkation, pack in your carry-on bag the things you'll need for the first few hours (or days depending on your concern) of the journey. Consider packing bank cards/cash and other valuables, plus toiletries, a change of clothes including something warm and a light rain jacket, and your swim suit. Even if you're in possession at the port of embarkation, sometimes your baggage can take a few hours to make it to your stateroom.
Raise your hand if you have a black suitcase. Black’s a great choice – sleek and streamlined – but it can also lead to a lot of confusion. Add a distinguishing element, like a brightly-colored bag tag, to your suitcase to avoid any mix-ups.
Adding a “fragile” sticker to your bag is another travel pro-tip, it might help prevent your stuff from getting chucked around. Best of all, stand out by choosing a colorful suitcase.
How did we live without luggage trackers? It wasn't too long ago that when you checked your luggage, you weren't guaranteed to see it again. These days finding your missing suitcase is a snap, just make sure your tracker is set up properly before you take off.
Your bag should contain...more bags. It sounds almost too simple, but you’ll want something lightweight that isn’t a purse or a carry-on
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