Dubai has been one of the prime tourist destinations for decades. In recent years, it has become quite popular for cruising as well. Thanks to its top-notch port facilities, numerous well-known cruise lines have introduced cruises from Dubai. From cruises that take you on a journey in the Middle East to those that sail to other continents in the world, you will find plenty of cruise options in Dubai. While selecting and booking a cruise and preparing your itinerary is easy, packing for your cruise can be confusing and overwhelming. You may be sailing for several days without a store on site. It is important to pack all the essentials to avoid wasting money on buying basic things from the retail stores onboard, which are usually quite expensive. This is the reason we have come up with a complete checklist on what to pack for a cruise from Dubai.
Travel Documents
A cruise from Dubai is like any other international holiday, and you will need the essential travel documents during embarkation, disembarkation, and even during port visit days. It is best to organize these documents into labeled pouches and keep them in your carry-on bag. This way you could easily get them out when needed. Here are the essential travel documents you need for your cruise vacation.
- Passport: Your passport is the most important document you need to carry. You need to ensure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from the date of returning from the cruise.
- Visas: Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to the countries you are visiting while cruising from Dubai. If you are a foreign national arriving in Dubai for your cruise holiday, you may need a UAE or Dubai visa. Similarly, you will need to apply for visas to all the countries you are visiting in advance.
- Emirates ID/UAE Residence Visa: If you are a citizen or resident of the UAE, you should pack a copy of your Emirates ID or UAE residence visa along with your documents.
- Cruise Booking Confirmation: When you book your cruise and make the payment, you will receive confirmation via email. It is important to take printouts of the same and keep them along with your documents. You will have to produce the same at the time of check-in.
- Travel Insurance: Getting travel insurance is absolutely essential when you are going on a holiday in a foreign country. Standard travel insurance covers medical emergencies, delays, etc. Make sure you have a printout of your travel insurance along with the documents.
- Accommodation Details: If your cruise itinerary includes a stay at certain ports, you need to have documents that confirm the hotel booking.
- Vaccination Certificates: Some nations may require their visitors to have taken certain vaccinations. In such a case, you must keep these vaccination certificates along with the other important documents.
- Copies of All Documents: You need to have copies of all the important documents along with the originals. Keep the copies in a different folder, but it should still be easily accessible when needed.
Clothing Essentials
Your clothes for the cruise can be divided into formal and casual wear. Several cruise lines have a dress code, especially for dining rooms and specialty restaurants. You must also pack as per the weather of the ports you are visiting.
- Day Time Attire: Day time attire includes casual clothing like jeans, pants, tops, blouses, shirts, t-shirts, etc. You can wear shorts while exploring the cruise ship. If you are cruising in and around Dubai and other Middle Eastern cities, opt for clothes with breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. It is best to dress up in modest clothing when you are exploring the cities of Middle Eastern countries.
- Nighttime Attire: If your cruise line has a formal dress code for dinners or shows, it will be best to pack tuxedos and evening gowns. If there is no strict dress code, opt for smart casual clothes like trousers and shirts for men and maxi dresses, skirts or pants with blouses, etc., for men. Avoid shorts and flipflops during dinner times, especially in the main restaurants and dining halls.
- Additional Clothing Essentials: Apart from the above-mentioned clothes, you need to pack undergarments, swimwear, gym wear or active wear, and night dresses too. If you are sailing to colder destinations from Dubai, winter jackets, thermal wear, gloves, hats, socks, etc., should also be a part of your packing list.
Footwear
If you are thinking of taking just one pair of shoes with you on your cruise, it may not work well. Here are some of the types of footwear that you need to pack.
- Walking Shoes: A sturdy pair of walking shoes is essential for shore excursions where a lot of walking will be involved. This would work great when you are exploring the cruise.
- Flipflops or Open Sandals: Flipflops are your best friends for pool days. You will need this footwear if you are planning to visit beaches on your shore days.
- Formal Shoes or Dress Shoes: You may need a pair of dress shoes or formal shoes to go with your formal outfits.
Accessories, Toiletries, and Personal Items
Here are some accessories, toiletries, and personal items checklist for a cruise from Dubai.
- It is important to take sunglasses, a hat, and a lightweight scarf to protect yourself from the harsh sun.
- A sunscreen with a minimum SPF 50 is necessary to deal with the sun in the Middle East.
- You must get your own basic toiletries like face wash, body wash, body lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Women can get their makeup kit.
- Do not forget to pack your prescription medications. Along with this, you must pack some emergency medicine and a first aid kit as well.
- Wet wipes, hand sanitizers, beach towels, emergency laundry kit, etc., are some other items you can carry on your cruise.
Electronics
It is impossible to go without your electronics in this day and age. Here is the list of electronics you should take with you.
- Your phone and/or camera with adequate memory to store all your cruise vacation photos.
- Chargers for all the electronic items you carry along with a travel adapter.
- Power bank, headphones, tablet, laptop, etc., are some additional electronic items you can carry.
- Travel adapter would be necessary when cruising from Dubai
- A power strip with multiple USB ports that are non-surge protected will also be useful.
Essentials for Babies and Toddlers
Apart from clothes, there are some essential things you need to pack when traveling with kids.
- Diapers, including swim diapers
- Sunscreen for kids
- Toys and books
- Favorite snacks
- Formula
- Feeding bottles and sterilizing equipment
- Pram
Additional Items
- Magnetic hooks for additional storage
- Ziploc bags to store wet swimsuits
- Laundry bag to keep your used or soiled clothes
- Reusable water bottles
- Waterproof phone case
Conclusion
Apart from knowing what to pack for a cruise from Dubai, it is necessary to know how to pack it. Make sure to use packing cubes to save space. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them would also be helpful. Ensure that your luggage does not weigh more than the weight fixed by the cruise line.
