18 Cruise Travel Essentials – No, Not a Fancy Outfit
Packing for a cruise isn’t about bringing everything you might need – it’s about bringing what you will use. Space is limited, and every item should earn its place. Instead of filling your suitcase with just-in-case extras, packing intentionally means focusing on versatility, comfort, and sustainability.
Unlike a typical vacation where you can duck into a convenience store for forgotten essentials, a cruise leaves little room for last-minute fixes. Onboard shops exist, but they’re overpriced, and not every port has what you need. Smart packing helps avoid unnecessary waste, overpacking, and frustration.
Below is a list of cruise travel essentials for any voyage. If you're on a short weekend cruise, you'll only need the basics. For longer cruises, a few extra items can add convenience and comfort.
1. Multi-USB Charger
Cruise ship cabins are notoriously low on power outlets. Between charging your phone, camera, and other devices, you’ll quickly find yourself playing a game of “who gets to charge next?” Some ships now have USB ports built into bedside lamps or desks, so bring a multi-USB charger.
2. Refillable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important, but buying bottled water every day isn’t exactly budget-friendly – or great for the environment. While some cruise lines provide water stations, others charge for bottled water, even at meals. Some regional cruises may offer complimentary bottled water, but relying on single-use plastics isn’t the most sustainable option. A good insulated water bottle keeps your drink cold and saves you from constantly buying overpriced bottled water, while also cutting down on plastic waste.
Bonus tip: Some ports don’t have the safest tap water, so a bottle with a built-in filter can be a lifesaver.
3. Reusable Silicone Bags or Ziplocks
Whether it’s for storing snacks, toiletries, or wet swimsuits, reusable silicone bags are a more sustainable way to keep your electronics and snacks protected from moisture.
Pro tip: They’re also great for sealing up toiletries so they don’t explode in your suitcase.
4. Earplugs & Eye Mask
Cabin walls don’t do much to keep noise out, so depending on your luck, you might get a lullaby of hallway chatter, snoring, or late-night door slams. Even if your cabin is pitch black, an eye mask helps block out sudden light from a cabinmate turning on the lamp – or that little blinking light from the TV that somehow feels as bright as the sun at 3 AM.
A good pair of earplugs helps drown out hallway noise, and an eye mask can be handy for naps, even in an interior cabin where darkness is already guaranteed.
5. Travel Alarm Clock
Most cruise cabins don’t have clocks, and while your phone works, relying on it means dealing with time zone changes and potential dead batteries. If you have a small travel alarm clock lying around, bring it – it might just save you from missing breakfast.
6. Travel-Size First Aid Kit
Cruise ships have medical centres, but they charge a premium for basic meds. Pack a small first aid kit with essentials like pain relievers, band-aids, motion sickness tablets, and antihistamines.
If you have prescription meds, bring enough for your entire trip plus a few extra days, just in case of travel delays.
7. Day Bag for Shore Excursions
Instead of stuffing your pockets with essentials, carry a lightweight crossbody bag or small backpack that fits everything you need for a day off the ship – cruise card, water, sunscreen, and a snack.
If you’re heading to a beach destination, consider a waterproof dry bag to protect your phone and valuables from unexpected splashes.
8. Minimal Toiletries with Refillable Bottles & Solid Shampoo Bars
Most cruise lines provide basic toiletries, but if you’re particular about what you use, bringing your own in refillable travel bottles cuts down on waste and ensures you have what works for you. Better yet, solid shampoo bars and all-in-one soap bars cut down on plastic and last much longer than liquids.
9. Magnetic Hooks or Clips
Cruise cabins are small, and storage is minimal. But here’s a little-known secret: most cabin walls and doors are metal. Magnetic hooks let you hang hats, lanyards, or even wet swimsuits, while magnetic clips help keep daily schedules or shore excursion tickets in sight.
10. Motion Sickness Remedies
Even if you think you have an iron stomach, rough seas can surprise you. Pack a motion sickness remedy that works for you, whether that’s non-drowsy Dramamine, acupressure wristbands, or ginger tablets.
Pro tip: Start taking seasickness medication before you feel unwell. Prevention is key.
11. Lightweight Jacket or Shawl
Even in tropical destinations, cruise ships can get chilly due to strong air conditioning. A lightweight cardigan, shawl, or packable jacket is a lifesaver when moving from the sun-soaked deck to a freezing dining hall or theatre.
Pro tip: A large scarf or wrap doubles as a blanket during long flights or breezy evenings on deck.
12. Waterproof Phone Pouch
Between pool days and beach excursions, a waterproof phone pouch keeps your device dry while letting you take photos. Plus, it lets you take underwater photos without splurging on a GoPro.
Bonus: Some cases even float, preventing heart-stopping moments if you drop your phone in the water.
If you don’t have one, a resealable Ziplock bag works just as well in a pinch.
13. Towel Clips or Binder Clips
Cruise ship decks can get windy, and the last thing you want is to chase your towel across the pool area. Towel clips help keep your spot secured, but if you already have binder clips or clothespins at home, they do the job just fine.
14. Notepad and Pen (Yes, Really)
Sometimes, Wi-Fi is spotty, and your phone isn’t always the best way to jot down notes. A small notebook and pen come in handy for planning excursions, making notes on schedules, or leaving messages for your cabinmate.
15. Reusable Coffee Cup
If you love coffee or tea, a reusable cup with a lid means you can grab a drink from the buffet and sip it on deck without worrying about spills. If you already own one, bring it along instead of grabbing disposable cups onboard.
Additional Essentials for Longer Cruises
Some items might not be necessary for a short weekend cruise but can make a longer voyage much more comfortable.
16. Cruise Luggage Tag Holders
For longer cruises where checked luggage is more common, many cruise lines require printed luggage tags, which can rip or fall off. Cruise luggage tag holders keep them secure and are reusable for future trips. If you're on a short cruise with only a carry-on, you likely won’t need them.
17. Over-the-Door Organiser
A hanging toiletry bag or packing cubes help keep small items organised without turning your cabin into a chaotic mess of scattered belongings. While some people use shoe organisers, they aren’t necessary if you prefer to keep your shoes on the floor. Instead, a simple hanging toiletry bag or packing cubes can keep your essentials organized without taking up extra space.
18. Foldable Laundry Hamper or Wet Bag
Cruise cabins get messy fast. A collapsible laundry hamper keeps dirty clothes contained and makes it easier to send them for washing or pack them up for home.
For swimsuits, a waterproof wet bag prevents the dreaded “everything in my suitcase is damp” scenario when traveling back.
Sail Smoothly Without Overpacking
Packing smart isn’t about hauling around ‘just in case’ items – it’s about bringing what you’ll actually use and making do with what you have. If you already have something that works, bring it instead of buying new travel-specific gear. A little planning goes a long way, and with these essentials, you’ll be set for smooth sailing – just don’t expect them to help with the mystery of why drinks onboard cost as much as a small island.
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