What to restock before signing on for a new contract at sea
I’ve already shared my full packing list for cruise ship crew (and plenty of stories about life on board), but packing for your first contract is different from restocking between contracts.
After a few rotations at sea, I realised there’s another layer to packing – knowing what actually needs topping up before signing on again. What tends to run out? What survives multiple contracts? And what’s easier to buy later, once I’m settled in?
Here you have it: the restocking routine of someone who likes to keep things simple, but also hates the idea of running out of shampoo in the first week on board.
How I decide what’s worth restocking
Restocking isn’t about replacing everything. It’s about reducing friction during those first few weeks on board, when you’re adjusting to a new cabin, a new schedule, and sometimes a new team.
If something can comfortably last the whole contract – like full-size toiletries I already use – I pack it. If it won’t last, I still bring enough to cover the adjustment period before I’ve had time (or energy) to shop in port.
Durable items stay. A good bag, reliable shoes, or anything that’s held up well doesn’t need replacing just because a new contract is starting. Preferences matter too – if there’s a particular brand I like and I’m not sure I’ll find it overseas, I’d rather bring it.
For me, restocking is simply about topping up what I know will run out or wear down, so I can start the contract prepared instead of playing catch-up.
The things I replace, repack or prepare before returning on board
Here’s what usually makes it onto my restock list…
Toiletries & personal care
Toiletries are one of the few things I consistently top up between contracts. I don’t use much product, so a full-size bottle of shampoo and conditioner usually lasts my entire five-month contract – sometimes longer. I’ve switched from body wash to soap bars because they take up less space, don’t spill, and tend to last surprisingly well.
I keep it simple: one full-size shampoo and conditioner, a few soap bars, a tube of toothpaste, and my basic skincare. That’s enough to get me through comfortably without overpacking.
Hand sanitiser and wipes fall into the “useful but not urgent” category. I prefer washing my hands when I can, but a small bottle of sanitiser and a pack of wipes come in handy during shore leave or on long, busy days when there’s no sink nearby.
As for extras like perfume, hair oil, or lotion, I only bring them if I already have them at home. They’re nice to have, but not essential – and I’ve learnt I don’t miss them much at sea.
Medicines & first aid
I’ve never been someone who packs a full pharmacy for sea. For most contracts, the only constant in my bag has been a small jar of Tiger Balm – my cure-all for headaches or nausea.
The ship’s medical centre is there if anything serious comes up, so I don’t feel the need to bring much. That said, I’ve noticed many crew like having a few familiar remedies in their cabin – whether it’s paracetamol, medicated plasters, or small bottles of herbal oils, like White Flower Oil which seem to fix everything from mild seasickness to general discomfort.
Having something familiar in your cabin can be comforting, especially if it’s a brand you trust or something you grew up using at home, even when the ship has everything you might need.
Laundry nets
If you send your laundry to be done, the industrial machines onboard can be brutal on clothes. Zips snag, socks vanish, and delicate fabrics rarely survive unscathed. That’s why I always restock a few mesh laundry nets before signing on.
I recommend bringing different sizes:
Small nets for socks, undergarments, or smaller items that tend to disappear.
Medium nets for T-shirts.
Large nets for thicker clothes like sweaters.
Even with zippered nets, the laundry crew often ties them tightly, which can wear down the mesh over time.
Laundry detergent
I bring a small bottle of gentle laundry detergent for handwashing my delicates, like underwear or anything I don’t trust in the ship’s machines. On my ships, we’re not encouraged to add our own detergent to the industrial laundry, so I keep this just for quick hand washes in the cabin.
Socks & undergarments
These are the least exciting items to restock – and somehow the ones that matter most.
Life at sea is hard on basics. Long shifts, humid weather, constant laundry cycles, and industrial washing machines can wear out socks and undergarments faster than you expect. Elastic gives up, fabric thins, and favourite pairs disappear into the ship’s laundry system.
Before signing on, I always check my supply and replace anything that’s stretched out, faded, or on its last thread. I don’t think I’m packing excessively – just making sure I have enough to rotate comfortably between laundry days.
Comfort starts with what you wear closest to your skin. Good socks can make a long day on your feet easier. Well-fitting undergarments make uniforms sit better. And having a few extra pairs saves you from scrambling when laundry turnaround takes longer than expected.
Hair ties
Hair ties are small, easy to lose, and constantly stretching out. But unlike socks or toiletries, this isn’t something I deliberately restock before signing on.
They’re cheap and easy to find once onboard – especially in places like Taiwan or Hong Kong, where drugstores and street shops sell them in bulk for very little. If I’m short, I’ll just pick up a few packs when we call there.
Surface wipes
I have housekeeping privilege, so technically I don’t need to bring cleaning supplies.
Still, I like keeping a pack of multi-purpose or disinfectant wipes in my cabin.
On days when I’m not feeling lazy and want things to feel extra clean, I’ll wipe down my desk, door handles, or even the cabin floor – especially on older ships without carpeted floors where dirt shows up quickly.
Essential oils & diffusers
This isn’t a necessity. It’s a comfort thing.
Cabins can feel sterile – recycled air, standard-issue furniture, and the faint trace of whoever stayed there before you. Essential oils can shift the atmosphere almost instantly.
I don’t pack them every contract, but when I do, it makes a difference. A familiar scent – ylang ylang, eucalyptus, citrus – can make the cabin feel less like temporary accommodation and more like a space that feels personal.
Reed diffusers are low maintenance and don’t require electricity, which makes them an easy option onboard. Electrical diffusers, especially those with a humidifier function, can also be helpful in dry, air-conditioned cabins – as long as they comply with shipboard safety guidelines. Candles, of course, are not permitted.
Comfort food & drinks
Ship food is generally adequate. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s repetitive. And sometimes you just want something that tastes like home.
I don’t bring a suitcase full of snacks, but I do pack a few small comfort items – instant noodles I actually enjoy, sachets of familiar coffee, or a childhood snack that’s hard to find on board (sometimes it’s Popo fish murukku).
You don’t need much. Just enough to carry you through the first few weeks, or to save for the days when morale dips a little.
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