With the popularity of luxury world cruises growing, there are more and more people asking for advice once they have decided that a world cruise is the vacation of their dreams. Keeping in mind that most world cruises last between 100 and 250 days, there are a lot of things to think about. One of the most often asked question is, "What should we pack?" Here are a few helpful suggestions, and though some may seem obvious, it is important to have a running list so that you don't get confused about what you have or have not packed. After all, you will be gone the greater part of a year, so be prepared!



Clothing

Travelers interested in a luxury world cruise should not pack a new outfit for each day. To make your wardrobe appear fresh without overdoing it, pack about ten tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched, and bring accent pieces such as scarves and attention getting shoes to spice up your looks. You will be doing a lot of walking, so bring at least 20 pairs of socks. You should also bring about five pairs of shoes, three which are comfortable and made for walking. Chances are your boat will have a swimming pool, so make sure you include your swimsuit. A windbreaker and a coat are a must, so that no matter how mild or cold the weather is, you are prepared. You should also be prepared for formal nights, and bring about three formal outfits.



Electronics

You may not think of bringing electronics on your luxury world cruise, but there are some items that you may need in order to continue the lifestyle you are used to at home. First and foremost, bring a power strip and/or outlet converter. Check to make sure your ship is equipped with USA outlets, and if not bring the appropriate converters. Chances are there will only be one or two outlets in your cabin, and this will help you tremendously. Of course, bring your camera. If you are using a film camera, be sure to bring lots and lots of extra film. If you are using digital, you should bring an extra memory card and a charging cable. You may also want to bring a laptop so that you can download your pictures instantly. A laptop will also help you keep in touch with family and privately access the internet in your cabin. You might also pack an alarm clock to ensure that you don't miss any early morning activities.



Paper Work

There are certain important documents you will want to bring on your luxury world cruise. The first and most often forgotten is your passport. Although it is true that most cruise ships will not require you to bring your passport, when going on a world cruise you should definitely bring one. Chances are you will be visiting upwards of twenty countries, and should something happen to prevent you from reembarking the ship, that passport is the only item that stands between you and being stranded. You should keep several copies of your passport and ID. You should have one extra copy in a completely random place on your body every time you leave the ship (such as your shoe), one in your cabin safe, one in your luggage and one checked with the ship's purser. It is also a good idea to bring your insurance card, and a prescription card if you have one. There will be an onboard doctor, but to avoid any extremely expensive charges made because of health care, present your card when you are treated. It is a good idea to keep several copies of these as well.

Packing the right clothing, electronics and paperwork can be vital to the success of your luxury world cruise. Arriving prepared will give you peace of mind. Packing right will also save you money in the long run, so that you do not have to purchase overpriced items at the onboard boutique or abroad, unless you want to.

A luxury world cruise is the adventure of a lifetime, and now that you know what to pack, you can look forward to embarking on an adventure full of excitement and empty of worry.