Packing your bags for the cruise is part of your vacation management. Have you seen Home Alone? Of course, it's very unlikely that you should accidentally leave a member of your family at home, but smaller and more discrete items such as medical and health supplies are often overlooked in the preparation process. If we think that cruise ships are often not requested to carry medical equipment and to have doctors or nurses on board, it is obvious why this aspect deserves your attention.

You will probably spend most of the time on the deck, enjoying the nautical panorama. While this is truly a wonderful experience, you should be aware that there's more to it than just enjoyment - too long exposure to the sun and the wind can be at least mildly deleterious to your skin. Some sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and some lip-balm will help you avoid spending your cruising vacation inside the cabin - not that portholes don't give you a nice view of the glittering wavy water, but you probably want something completely different from your TV. All is not lost, of course, if you forget your sunscreen and lip-balm, because you'll probably be able to buy them aboard too, but they'll be more expensive there.

The deck is like a swinging park alley, the key word here being "swinging". Pack some seasickness tablets if you suspect you might not be a natural born sailor. And since the wide variety of tantalizing food you will be able to choose from on the ship is likely to turn anyone into a gourmand, don't forget stomach medication. Other over-the-counters like aspirin, cold pills, and flue medicines can save you a lot of trouble if you pack them before you leave - they'll save you money too, because it'll cost you dear if you need to buy them on the ship.

It goes without saying that you should not forget your prescription medication. Make sure you have the prescription itself with you as well - you might need it if ship or port officials raise an inquiring eyebrow regarding the medical supplies you're carrying.

Most proverbs about caution and prevention are true - and, you never know, some of them may have been born on a ship. Don't rely on other people when it comes to your health, or the health of your loved ones. The mere fact of knowing that you've packed all the medicines you need may help prevent headaches on board.