So, you have finally decided to treat yourself to a much-deserved cruise. Good! The question now is what to pack. What you pack depends slightly on which sort of cruise you are going on, but the basics remain the same, for the most part.

For instance, if you are taking a cruise up to Alaska, you may need to bring along a few extra, warmer pieces of clothing. It can get a little chilly when you are out walking on a glacier! And if you are going to be cruising through the Bahamas, for instance, you are going to want to be prepared for very warm (and maybe wet) weather.

Also, if you are going on a singles cruise... well, you are just going to want to make sure that you bring your cutest outfits! Make sure to bring an outfit for the bars or dancing, etc. Also, whereas most cruises do not require you to dress for dinner, some might (at least for one meal), so you may need to bring an evening gown or a tuxedo.

Of course, that being said, there are certain things that you are going to want to take, regardless of what sort of cruise you are on or where you are headed:

Sunscreen. You can never have enough sunscreen on a cruise! Think about it -- you are surrounded by water, and the sun wants nothing more than to burn you. You are going to tan and burn much faster than you would at home, so be prepared.
Passport! Many cruises stop at the ports of foreign countries. Make sure that you have the opportunity to explore them.
A camera. Make sure you catch all of the special moments.
Chapstick with an SPF of at least 15
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Prescriptions!
Swimsuit (you likely will want more than one!)
Swimsuit cover-up (so you can go straight from the pool to the bar)
Copies of your tickets
Credit card
Extra batteries (for camera, music player, etc.)Shorts (at least one pair)
T-shirts
Tank tops
Pants
At least one long-sleeve top
A sweater or jacket
Pajamas
A book (or crossword puzzle, etc.)
Dramamine, or another seasickness pill!
Sandals
Walking shoes
Socks
Underwear (bring at least one or two extra pairs)
Do not forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, contact solution, razors, etc. Of course, if you do, it will be easy to find them at a shop on the cruise (but probably for a higher price)

Of course, the list of items to bring will vary from person to person. This list is just meant to get you thinking of items that you may want. Also, the amounts of clothes, etc. that you bring varies greatly depending on how long your cruise is. And if you happen to forget anything, you are likely going to be able to find it somewhere on the ship!