What Visas are required to enter Europe?

It is expected that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be operational in 2024. This has been tossed around for a number of years, and postponed each time, but it appears next year will be the launch date.  This will not be unlike the process that was required to enter Mexico up until a year ago and will apply to 60 countries throughout Europe. Note:  the actual date in 2024 has not yet been announced and applications are not being accepted yet.

As a general rule, you will need an ETIAS travel authorization if you meet all the following criteria:

• you are not an EU national;
• you are a citizen of a country whose nationals are not required to have a visa for short-term stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS;
• you do not have a residence permit/card/document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS

The ETIAS is not equivalent to a residence permit or visa

• Having the travel authorization only allows you to enter and remain on the territory of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay.

• Also, it does not give you the right to study long-term or to work in these countries. If you plan to stay in a European country requiring ETIAS for a longer period, you will most likely need a long-term visa.

• Travelers with a valid visa do not need an ETIAS travel authorization.

Do I need to apply for a new permit each time I travel to European countries requiring the ETIAS?

• No. Your ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

• You can leave and return as many times as you wish, as long as you respect the overall limit of your authorized stay.

How do I apply?

• You can apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation yourself by filling in and submitting an application, or you can authorize somebody else to do this for you, e.g. a friend, a family member or a commercial intermediary such as a travel agency. 

• You will need to have a valid travel document and pay a EUR 7 application fee.

When should I apply?

• You are strongly advised  to obtain the ETIAS travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels. Most applications will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours. 

• However, some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days.

Keep checking the website to final official launch date details and instructions on how to apply for the permit.

The official ETIAS website is https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. When ETIAS will be in operation information on ETIAS travel authorisation, will be best found on the official ETIAS website. The European Union does not issue authorizations nor licenses to commercial intermediaries.

Source:  https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en. 

When Is The Best TIme To Purchase A Plane Ticket?

The best time to purchase airline tickets can vary depending on factors like destination, time of year, and flexibility in your travel plans. However, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind:

1. **Book Early for Peak Travel Seasons:** For peak travel seasons (holidays, major events, summer vacation), it's advisable to book tickets several months in advance, sometimes even up to a year ahead, to secure better prices and availability.

2. **Midweek Searches:** Many experts suggest that Tuesday and Wednesday are good days to search for and book flights. Airlines often release sales and discounts on these days.

3. **Around 6-8 Weeks Before Travel:** On average, booking around 6-8 weeks before your departure date can yield competitive prices. Airlines tend to adjust fares during this time period.

4. **Avoid Last-Minute Booking:** While there can be occasional last-minute deals, it's generally best to avoid booking very close to your departure date, as prices tend to rise significantly.

5. **Use Fare Comparison Tools:** Utilize fare comparison websites and apps to track price trends. These tools can help you identify when prices are dropping or rising.

6. **Be Flexible with Dates:** If your travel dates are flexible, you might find better deals by adjusting your departure and return dates slightly.

7. **Clear Your Cookies:** Some travelers believe that clearing browser cookies or using incognito mode prevents websites from tracking your searches and potentially raising prices.

8. **Sign Up for Fare Alerts:** Subscribe to fare alert emails from travel search engines or airlines. This way, you'll receive notifications when prices drop for your desired route.

9. **Consider Off-Peak Travel:** If possible, consider traveling during shoulder seasons or off-peak times when prices are generally lower.

10. **Monitor Special Sales:** Keep an eye out for special sales like Black Friday deals, holiday sales, and flash sales offered by airlines.

Remember that these are general guidelines, and prices can be influenced by a variety of factors, including demand, competition, and fuel prices. It's a good idea to start monitoring prices early and be ready to book when you find a fare that fits your budget.

What are the best credit cards for travel?

The best credit cards for travel points can vary based on your spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals. However, here are some popular travel credit cards known for their rewards and benefits:

1. **Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:** This card offers valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners. It also provides bonus points on dining and travel purchases, as well as travel insurance coverage.

2. **Chase Sapphire Reserve®:** Similar to the Sapphire Preferred, this premium card offers higher rewards rates, airport lounge access, and a travel credit. It's ideal for frequent travelers who value luxury perks.

3. **American Express® Gold Card:** With a focus on dining and grocery rewards, this card offers Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to airlines and hotels. It also provides travel and shopping benefits.

4. **Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card:** This card offers simple and flexible rewards in the form of miles that can be redeemed for any travel purchase. It has a flat rewards rate on all purchases.

5. **Citi Premier® Card:** This card provides ThankYou points that can be transferred to airline partners. It offers bonus points on travel and gas, as well as a variety of travel protections.

6. **Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card:** Ideal for hotel enthusiasts, this card earns Marriott Bonvoy points that can be used for hotel stays within the Marriott portfolio. It also offers a free night award each year.

7. **Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card:** This card offers Hilton Honors points that can be used for stays at Hilton hotels. It provides complimentary Hilton Gold status and rewards on everyday spending.

8. **United℠ Explorer Card:** If you frequently fly with United Airlines, this card offers United MileagePlus miles, along with perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.

9. **Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card:** For Southwest Airlines fans, this card offers Rapid Rewards points and benefits like a yearly travel credit and upgraded boarding.

10. **Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card:** This card provides flexible points that can be used for travel or cash back. It offers bonus points on travel and dining, along with an airline incidental credit.

Remember to consider annual fees, rewards rates, redemption options, and benefits when choosing a travel credit card. It's important to select a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel preferences to maximize your rewards.

What To Pack On A Caribbean Cruise

Packing for a Caribbean cruise involves considering the warm climate, 

various activities, and potential dress codes.

Here is a packing list to consider:

1. **Clothing:**
   - Lightweight and breathable clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and swimsuits.
   - Casual evening wear for dining, like smart-casual outfits or summer dresses.
   - Formal wear if the cruise includes formal nights, such as cocktail dresses or suits.
   - Light layers like a cardigan or light jacket for cooler evenings.
   - Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions.
   - Sandals or flip-flops for the pool and beach.

2. **Swimwear:**
   - Swimsuits, cover-ups, and swim trunks.
   - Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for sun protection.
   - A beach bag for carrying essentials to the pool or shore.

3. **Accessories:**
   - Hat or visor for sun protection.
   - Sunglasses with UV protection.
   - A small crossbody bag for keeping essentials during shore excursions.

4. **Toiletries:**
   - Travel-sized toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste.
   - Sunscreen with a high SPF for protection from strong sun.
   - Insect repellent for shore excursions.
   - Basic medical supplies like pain relievers, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications.

   - One Pepto Bismol tablet per day when out of the country.  This coats the stomach and protects.

5. **Electronics:**
   - Chargers for your phone, camera, and other devices.

   - Extension cord incase you do not have enough outlets in the room.
   - Power strip or adapter if needed to charge multiple devices.

6. **Miscellaneous:**
   - Travel documents including passports, cruise tickets, and any necessary visas.
   - Sealed waterproof bag for carrying electronics and important documents during water activities.
   - Cash or credit cards for onboard expenses and shopping at ports.
   - Snorkeling gear if you prefer to use your own.

7. **Entertainment:**
   - Books, e-readers, or magazines for relaxation.
   - Playing cards, travel games, or puzzles for downtime.

8. **Optional Items:**
   - Formal wear for formal nights (if applicable).

(I tend to dress business casual on formal nights, because the fancy apparel is mainly to sell photography)
   - Binoculars for wildlife spotting or scenic views.


Remember that cruise cabins can be compact, so try to pack efficiently. 

We generally can make it with carryon luggage.

This is an excellent article to consider for additional insights:  

https://www.explore.com/1166814/the-ultimate-guide-to-perfectly-packing-for-your-cruise-vacation/

Tips for First-Time Cruisers

 • Don't Blindly Book Any Cruise Line & Cruise Ship.

 • Don't Overlook the Ports. 

 • Don't Forget to Read the Fine Print. 

 • Always Buy Travel Insurance. 

 • Don't Wait to Book Your Cruise. 

 • Don't Book the Wrong Cabin-Type. 

 • Don't Fly on the Day of Your Cruise. 

 • Don't Overpack. 

 1. Arrive at your departure port a day ahead of schedule If you only follow one piece of advice in this story, it should be this one. It is the only way to ensure you won't miss your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you would think. Many cruises depart in the afternoon, so it might seem just fine to fly or drive to a port on the morning of departure. But all it takes is a moderate flight delay or a pile-up on the highway to upset those plans. If you're delayed in your arrival at the port, the ship will not wait for you. If you're traveling overseas for a cruise, we recommend traveling to the port two or even three days in advance. This isn't just so you don't miss the ship. It's also so you have some time to recover from jet lag. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins. 

 2. When you first arrive at a ship, before you even get on board, you'll likely be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. This is a great convenience, as there's no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on board. Be sure to pack anything you think you might need for these first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. This means things like medication, for sure, and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen and other items that will let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun. 

 3. Don't overpack Use this strategy when packing for a cruise: Throw all the clothes you think you'll need on a cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. You won't need them. Trust us. Most cruising these days is casual, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. If things get dirty, it's no problem. Many ships have launderettes on cabin decks where you can run a load or two of laundry every few days. If not, you can send laundry out to be cleaned on board. It'll usually come back in a day or two. The extra cost of doing a few loads of laundry on a ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the little treasures you're going to find along the way. 

 4. Bring extra toiletries Yes, you'll be able to find sunscreen, aspirin and Band-Aids on a cruise ship. But it'll cost you. Cruise lines know you're a captive audience and price their shipboard stores accordingly. I have a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines that I throw into my suitcase for every cruise that contains everything from cold medicine to seasickness pills. I rarely use any of it. But I also never get hit with a crazy toiletries charge. 

While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries for your camera if you are bringing one. Bring these six other things, too In addition to extra toiletries, cruising regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). I admit, I've never done this, though I know I should — if only to wipe off the remote control for the cabin TV. Many cruisers also won't head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin key card). Some cruisers also swear by bringing magnets to ships to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on ships often are made with metal (even if they look like wood, thanks to faux wood veneers) and will hold a magnet. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls.

 5. Skip the buffet on your first day on board There's nothing more jammed than a cruise ship buffet on embarkation day. Everybody boarding heads straight up to it. To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, head to whatever secondary dining option is available. Sometimes, a ship will open one of its table-served eateries for lunch on embarkation day. It'll likely be much less crowded than the buffet. 

 6. Research ports in advance There are some types of vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much advance research. You just sort of show up. Most cruises aren't this way — at least if you want to get the most out of them. At the heart of most cruises are port calls that, in many cases, are very short — often just a few hours. You want to have a plan for what to do in these ports or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience. Once you know what ports you'll be visiting, research them as much as you can at travel sites such as The Points Guy. Here at TPG, we're starting to build out a series of home port and destination port guides for everywhere from PortMiami to Bora Bora. 

 7. Join a Facebook group for your line Another great place to get ideas for what to do in ports and on ships — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines. I belong to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group and the Holland America Line Fans group. You'll find thousands of cruise fans at these pages who often are more than willing to answer questions about their favorite line, its ships, its itineraries and the destinations on the itineraries. I've met some wonderful people in these groups, some of whom have become my longtime friends on Facebook. 

 8. Sign up for private tours Booking a shore excursion directly through your cruise line is easy. You just check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — it's all arranged. But booking tours through your line isn't the only option, and it's not always the best option. In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursbyLocals. Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator. Independent tours also can take you to places that the cruise line-organized tours don't. Plus, they often come with excellent service. ToursByLocals has staff on hand around-the-clock to respond to questions, and — for those worried about missing your ship — they offer a return-to-ship guarantee with every tour. 

 9. Sign up for activities in advance or soon after boarding Some lines will let you sign up for shows, tours and other activities (including meals at specialty restaurants) in advance of sailing using online portals. If you want to be sure that you get a seat for a specific show on a specific night, or a specific tour or restaurant reservation time, it's a good idea to do this. It's not uncommon with some ships to find that some shows, tours and restaurant reservation times book up in advance. If you don't sign up for activities in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. That said, whether you need to race to sign up for activities at the start of a voyage depends a lot on which ship you are on. I am more careful about signing up for a lot of things in advance when I am sailing on a giant ship such as Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Wonder of the Seas where there are thousands of other passengers competing for the choicest reservations. 

 10. Don't feel like you have to do it all While we're on the topic of signing up for activities, note that it's OK if you miss a few things. You don't have to do it all. In fact, you should force yourself to try to not do it all. Remember, you're on vacation. Relax. Take some downtime. Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. You won't regret it. 

 11. Always carry the ship's contact information with you When going ashore, always bring the ship's contact information with you. Those details are usually printed in the newsletter that's delivered to your cabin each night. If something goes wrong when you're away from the ship, you'll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away. 

 12. Keep your phone in airplane mode Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill. There are ways to make calls and access the internet from ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, for instance, that will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos (on some ships) over Wi-Fi without using phone data. Some phone companies have cruise-specific plans you can buy in advance of a voyage. But I personally never go that route. I keep it simple. I just put my phone in airplane mode the moment I step on board a ship and never switch it back on. I then turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, buy a Wi-Fi package and do all my calling, texting and internet surfing over Wi-Fi. That way, there's no way that I can be surprised by an unexpected charge. 

 13. Download the cruise app A growing number of lines now have apps that you can download to your smartphone in advance of sailing. The apps vary in what they offer, but many will show you a daily list of activities and all of the things that you have reserved. Many also will let you make restaurant reservations and book shore excursions and other activities, and a few will let you order drinks and other items to wherever you happen to be standing. That's pretty cool, right? The best part: The apps will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package. 

 14. Use a travel agent to book   We recommend Marcie Ewing at New Sights Travel.  

Phone +1.772.519.7800

Email marcie@newsightstravel.com

Given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you arrange things. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage. In addition, travel agents often can you extra onboard credit and other perks that you might not be able to get by booking directly with a line. 

 15. Consider travel insurance (ALWAYS) It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising — or any sort of travel. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, maybe you'll fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessel's departure. These sorts of things can happen to cruisers, and they're all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons. 

 Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/unexpected-cruise-packing-tips/

Cruise Packing Suggestions

Most cruisers know the basics of packing — roll your clothes, bring sturdy shoes, keep carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces or less — but it's still a highly personal endeavor that varies from one person to the next. Some bring less than they need, opting to do laundry on the ship or wear clothes more than once. Others undertake the task as if they're permanently relocating. I usually fall somewhere in between. So, what should you pack for a cruise? 

Whatever your packing style, there are certain items I strongly urge you to bring on each and every voyage. These are my 20 must-have cruise items. 

Air Tags With so many horror stories about lost luggage lately, Apple AirTags are a must-have for any traveler — especially cruisers who are flying to their ports of embarkation. Simply pop one into each of your pieces of luggage, and you can track their whereabouts using your iPhone and a Bluetooth connection. With a pack of these handy gadgets, you'll be better equipped to find your missing bags than the airlines themselves. 

Wired Head Phones I know, I know. The fact that I still use wired headphones practically puts me in the Stone Age. But I swear by Sony's MDR-E9LP earbuds for several reasons. For one, I have small ears, and these actually fit without causing discomfort. Additionally, although some newer aircraft allow for Bluetooth headphone use, most don't; I hate using throwaway pairs from the airlines. Plus, I never have to worry about remembering to charge them before I travel. At less than $10 per pair, Sony's earbuds are a steal, they have fantastic sound quality, and I've had my current pair for nearly a decade (read: they're durable). I also don't have to worry about accidentally dropping or misplacing a single bud. The only drawbacks are, of course, wires, the fact that they aren't noise-canceling and the need for an adapter if you're using a newer smartphone. 

 Highlighters Most travelers bring a pen or two, but it's not always top-of-mind to pack highlighters. I find they come in handy as you're poring over each day's paper copy of the schedule (if your cruise line still offers paper schedules, that is). You can call out the activities of interest to you to make sure you don't miss a single event. This Bic highlighter set comes in several colors and even offers comfort grips. Just be sure to pack them in plastic in case they leak; you don't want neon pigment all over your cruise wardrobe.  

Magnetic Hooks The walls in cruise ship cabins are made of metal, so most of them are magnet-friendly. If you're someone who routinely sticks important documents to your refrigerator at home, bring a set of small magnets with you to organize everything from daily schedules to shore excursion tickets and dinner invitations. For additional functionality, snag a set of magnets with hooks that will allow you extra space to hang robes, sweaty gym clothes or wet bathing suits. 

 Packing Cubes I received my first set of packing cubes as a Christmas gift from my aunt just a few years ago, long after I became a cruise expert. I grudgingly tried them, convinced they wouldn't help. Long story short: I'm now a seasoned carry-on-only traveler, and it is 100% thanks to those cubes. Just when you think you can't fit one more thing, there's just a tiny bit more space. Any brand will do, but I've chosen this set for its variety of sizes and colors, water-resistant fabric, reasonable price and bonus bags for laundry and shoes. 

 Cruise Document Holder Nothing keeps me organized like this cruise document holder, which easily fits everything you'll need — passports, boarding passes and more — so you can keep it all in one place. There's even room for credit cards and cash if you're looking to streamline further. The wrist strap means you can keep it handy at the terminal without having to rummage through your bags or worry about papers flying everywhere. 

 Thank you Cards I never cruise without a pack of thank-you notes or blank greeting cards. Unless something goes horribly awry (which, thankfully, it never has), I leave a cash tip for my room steward at the end of each voyage, in addition to the automatic gratuities that are charged to my account. It gives me somewhere to put the money instead of just leaving it on the vanity when I depart. Even if you're not a fan of additional tipping, you can still leave a nice note of thanks. 

 HDMI Cable This tip might not be for everyone, as cruisers often like to disconnect on their vacations, but I rarely travel without my laptop. As such, I also bring an HDMI cable. In the event that I want to have a lazy day lounging in my cabin, I'm able to plug my laptop into my cabin's television and watch shows or movies via my computer. This also works with smartphones, iPads and other tablets if you have an HDMI adapter. (If you're not planning to purchase an internet package, you can download something to watch before you leave home.) 

 E-Reader As a bibliophile, I love reading when I have some downtime on board, but traveling with more than a single book takes up way too much valuable real estate in my luggage. With a Kindle or other e-reader, you can compress all of those pages into a single thin device that's super portable. Shoe Organizer If you're someone who has trouble staying organized when you travel or you plan to share a cabin with more than one other person, consider packing a set of over-the-door shoe pouches. They're terrific for storing everything from actual shoes to jewelry, toiletries and hairstyling tools all in one spot; it also allows you to clearly see what you have. It ensures nothing ends up misplaced, and it helps to keep the room tidier. 

 Duct Tape I know you're thinking this sounds a little suspicious, but bear with me. Two years ago, I was traveling home for Thanksgiving and decided to gate-check my hard-sided carry-on suitcase. When I picked it up at the end of the flight, it was cracked in two places and had a giant hole at the top. Thankfully, I had a roll of duct tape inside, so I patched it up for the duration of my trip. I also routinely use duct tape to attach paper luggage tags to my suitcases after I fly and before I board my cruise. Other handy uses include removing lint and mending torn clothing hems. I love this roll of Duck Tape, which comes in fun prints like mermaid scales. 

 Waterproof Bags In my experience, there are few things more frustrating than wet luggage, and I've ripped more than my fair share of quart-sized bags in an attempt to squeeze just one more lip gloss inside. That's why I always bring a couple of extra plastic bags as replacements. Whether they're zip-top style, grocery-bag style (a great way to reuse) or a reusable, waterproof option like this one, they're perfect for storing laundry or packing wet shoes, bottles of wine and other potentially wet items you don't want near your clothes on the trip home. 

 Toiletry Kit In that same vein, cruise toiletries are the bane of my travel existence. I can pack two weeks' worth of clothing and shoes into a carry-on, but ask me to survive for 14 days on a 3.4-ounce bottle of sunscreen or contact solution, and it's so not happening. Don't even get me started on the leaks. This adorable 16-piece toiletry kit can at least help with the latter, offering a combination of pots, spray bottles and squeezable silicone tubes for your essentials, all wrapped up in a reusable plastic zip bag that will help to keep any spills contained. 

 Reusable Water Bottle With many cruise lines cutting back on single-use plastics, including water bottles, it's a good idea to bring your own reusable water bottle when you sail, especially if your destination is someplace warm. This durable silicone Nomader bottle holds nearly 22 ounces of liquid and rolls up when not in use for easy packing in your suitcase or backpack. 

Bonus: It comes in a bunch of fun colors, and it's also great for hiking and camping. 

 European Plug Adapters The situation improves with each new ship, but cruise cabins are notoriously short on outlets. If you're like me and travel with your phone, laptop, tablet, e-reader, wearables and a host of other electronics, charging everything can be a challenge. Some cruisers recommend packing a power strip, but that can be dicey, as surge-protected strips are often confiscated. Instead, I suggest bringing a couple of plug adapters for European-style outlets. You'll usually find at least one or two in your room, depending on the line and ship, and having those adapters will allow you to actually use them. 

 Ginger Candy In addition to patches or pills like Bonine or Dramamine, ginger candies are good to have on hand as remedies if you become seasick because they help to calm your stomach. They also double as lozenges if you find your mouth getting dry on your pre-cruise flight. I'll be honest: I don't like the flavor of ginger, but it really does work. My favorites are these Gin Gins, which come in both hard and chewable varieties. 

 Air Freshener If you're a solo traveler, you can skip this one, but if you're traveling with a friend or family member, take heed. When you're already sharing close quarters and a bathroom, the last thing you also want to share is the smell from the latter. I swear by Poo-Pourri, which comes in travel-size bottles. If you're trying to limit your liquids, simply use a spray or two of the perfume or cologne you're bringing anyway, or pack a solid air freshener. If you go the Poo-Pourri route, my favorite is Oh, Spritzmas Tree, a holiday scent that doesn't reek of the brand's usual, weird eucalyptus-and-citrus combo. Night Light When I wake up at night and have to use the bathroom, I often find myself disoriented. More than once I've accidentally stubbed a toe on the coffee table or slammed into a wall before my eyes adjusted to the dark, so I started bringing a night light. For anyone who's unbothered by a soft glow, it's a must-pack. Plus, some even come with built-in air fresheners, giving you a twofer. This one by Casper detects both movement and light, so it gradually brightens when someone gets out of bed in the middle of the night and shuts off during the day or when someone turns the lights back on. 

Reliable Luggage It took me years to realize that luggage is — or should be — an investment. After several broken bags, I now choose function over the cheapest deal or a fun pattern. I highly recommend Away's hard-sided luggage. It's sleek and reliable but with prices that won't force you to choose between buying a suitcase or paying your rent. (However, there is also a line of aluminum cases for those looking to splurge.) The wheels roll like butter, and the cases come with extra touches — a dust bag (yes, really), a scuff-removal sponge and a built-in laundry bag — that make all the difference. Plus there's a lifetime limited warranty that covers broken wheels, handles and zippers or cracks in the outer shell. 

 Small Bills You might be asking yourself why you'd need cash on board when cruising is decidedly cashless. Sure, you can pay for everything from drinks and shore excursions to onboard shopping with your cruise charge account, but you might wish to tip helpful folks along the way. Sometimes you may want to pass some extra cash along to the porters who care for your bags at embarkation, the crew members who deliver your room service order, or the tour guide or bus driver who makes your time in port special. Dollars are fine for onboard tipping, but local currency is best in port. (I find that ATMs have better exchange rates than airport kiosks.) 

Source: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/unexpected-cruise-packing-tips/