CruiseCon Travel Essentials

Our #1 priority is making the event awesome for the attendees. This doesn't just mean a great event, but making the experience as awesome as possible from the time attendees sign up until the time they get home. To do this we're taking many steps that you wouldn't see from other events, including working with Fox Forlenza, a highly skilled travel agent specializing in cruise and group travel, as well as creating video that you may have seen, and below, to prepare you for the event. 

To that point, cruising is a bit unique, even for very experienced travelers, and to make the cruise as seamless and enjoyable as possible, we put together this list of gadgets and other purchases that you may not think about during normal travels. So please take a look and consider some of these things if you don't have them already.

General Preparation

Working with Royal Caribbean Blog, we put together the following video to help with general preparation. We recommend watching the video and possibly exploring their videos and blogs in preparation as well. Per the video, please make sure that you download and install the Royal Caribbean app on your mobile device. You will need it to check in for the cruise.

What People Never Think of Bringing

There are a few things people would not normally bring, but on a cruise ship, most cabins have limited storage and electrical outlets. For that reason the following are something to seriously consider.

Most cabins will have limited outlets, and Royal Caribbean has essentially banned extension cables with AC outlets. For that reason, we recommend that you bring a power bank that provides USB outlets. This one includes 4 USB-A and 4 USB-C outlets, with one of the outlets strong enough to charge a laptop. You can follow the link and also find alternatives, but this one has a good balance of price and capability.

Cruise cabins to not have a great deal of storage space and cruise cabins are metallic, which means that you can stick magnets on the walls of your cabin. These hooks are a great resource to help dry wet bathing suits, hang shirts, toiletry kits, etc. This set is a combination of strength and price.

While there are a limited number of outlets, some outlets are European outlets. US to European power adaptors can double the number of outlets available to you. If you don't have adaptors already, here is an inexpensive set to bring along.

Before your cruise, you will be emailed luggage tags that they want you to print and then staple to the bag handle. If you are however flying in, it won't be practical to do at home. For relatively little cost, I personally bought these that allow you to print the tag, and slide it into this holder. You can then attach them to your luggage when you head to the ship. If you don't it isn't a huge deal, but having these will allow get the luggage to your cabins as quickly as possible. Make sure you have enough for both checked and carry-on luggage.

If you have an inside cabin, you may want to consider bringing a nightlight to leave in your bathroom or hallway, as your room may be completely dark. This product, or similar ones, can stick to the wall of the cabin and save your toes.

Many cruises take you to a beach or some other place where you are likely tempted to leave some valuable unattended for a short period of time. Assuming there is a reasonable risk, this is a great option. You can lock it to any stationary object, or at least one that is hard to move with good assurance that it will be there when you get back. And if someone does take it, this is going to be easy to spotin a crowd.

Personal Essentials and Medications

While the Voyager of the Seas is an incredible ship, it is surprising that cruise ships do not have a lot of toiletries available. Clearly, you need to make sure that you have enough prescription medications for the length of the trip, as well as any emergency medical supplies, like Epi-pens and the like, that you may need.

There are not a lot of feminine hygiene products available for purchase on the ship, so please consider this in your packing needs. This is true for normal medications and toiletries as well. Ship personnel wipe down the ship several times a day, however I personally make sure that I am prepared for common travel infections. We hope you never need these things, but these small things don't take up much luggage space, and can save the trip.

For those people who are prone to motion sickness, the 5-star rating here says it all. We recommend the non-drowsy version so you can remain attentive during the event. 

I personally don't suffer from motion sickness, but many people do like these patches. So these are listed for your consideration.

I think this one goes without needing a description. This can turn a disastrous trip into tolerable and is a top-rated brand.

From personal experience, Afrin is admittedly a trip saver. As my Navy SEAL friend once told me, Afrin is like crack for SEALs. I know most of you know what it is, but I am just reminding you to throw one in your luggage. It doesn't take much space, and it can be critical when you have the sniffles.

This is a Dayquil/Nightquil replacement. We hope you don't need it, but if you do, this box will get you through the entire cruise and is cheaper than the name brand as just as good.

There was a recent article where a woman had an allergic reaction and didn't want to pay the ship $390 for Benadryl, which is understandable. However, that means suffering or finding other passengers who packed it themselves. 

This wasn't the top of my list to recommend, but after the story, consider yourself on notice, and consider throwing this in your travel pack.

General Things and Packing List

For those of you that aren't from warm weather areas, please remember that you are going to a warm sunny region. This means sunglasses, shorts, sunscreen, hats, etc. The ship also likely has formal nights, where they "recommend" people just dress formally. I never got into that, but most other people do. Please pack accordingly. 

Here is also a link to the Royal Caribbean Blog recommended packing list. It is pretty comprehensive and covers things you might not think of beyond what's specifically mentioned in this blog.

A general legal note is that Amazon links include an affiliate code, which means we may or may not get a commission if you purchase.