You can’t get anywhere without your documents, so get them in place first. Your cruise tickets should be stored away in a strong folder or in your purse or handbag. Besides, you will need your passport, and a wallet containing your driver’s license, a photo ID card, and credit cards or traveler’s checks. Of course we don’t have to tell you that should carry an optimal sum of money in cash that should cover any emergency.

Now let’s get to the clothing part. Contrary to what you may imagine, you need a select assortment of clothing to see you through every day and night on board the ship. You can make a list of evening dos and daytime parties the cruise company must have notified you about. Think of the situations you will be in, and add an appropriate dress to the list. For instance, you should have basic long sleeved tees and jeans to lounge about on the deck, a dressy blouse and a ruffled skirt for an afternoon gathering, a little black dress for a formal dinner and your swimsuit for the poolside. If you are a man, you would need shorts and tees, polo neck shirts and a dress shirt or two for more formal events. Never forget enough pairs of socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, towels, flip flops, and a coat or heavy jacket in case the weather gets cold. Do not carry too many accessories, but it is nice to take a pair of sunglasses, a versatile belt or a stole that goes with anything. Women should take some light jewelry.

If you think you are done, you are wrong. You will need things you use everyday from morning through the day. These include moisturizer or body lotion, deodorant, hair spray, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, cleansing facial wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb or hairbrush and a blow-dryer.

You need to pass time on the ship all by yourself too, and for days when you feel like being alone, take a favorite book, your I-pod, a pack of cards and your journal and pens. You can write down little anecdotes that you will have fun reading years later.

Also, you will need some gadgets. Your cell phone and cell phone charger are must haves, as are your camera, batteries, a flashlight, and watch.

It is a good idea to make a checklist of things you will need on the ship and mark off each item as you throw it into your bag. The cruise is going to turn out less frenzied and less hectic if you have everything you might need or want together.