33 Things to Pack for a Cruise Besides Clothes

As a rule of thumb, bring only what you need on your cruise. Try not to over pack. You don’t really need to pack your entire wardrobe into your suitcase. Remember, with the exception of suite rooms, you have limited space and storage in your cabin. So pack light, and pack smart.

Apart from packing what you plan on wearing during your trip, here are 32 things to pack that you will find useful on your cruise.

There are some items you can’t bring on your cruise and might be confiscated by port officials. Check out this post on what not to bring on your cruise.

Beach Day Essentials

1. Sunglasses -protect your eyes from the bright Caribbean sun
2. Sun Hat – protect your face from painful sunburn
3. Beach Bag – keep your things together especially when at the beach
4. Sunscreen
5. Mosquito Repellent – you can get these as a spray-on repellent, or if you prefer, a repellent band you can wear on your wrist.
6. Beach Shoes – these are a lot more comfortable than your flip flops especially with uneven rocky terrain. But do invest in comfortable ones that you won’t mind walking in for hours.
7. Swim Coverups
8. Baby Powder -great way to remove sand from your body
9. Towel Clips – keep your beach towels secure even on windy days
10. Waterproof Camera – great to have especially when snorkeling

Health Essentials

1. First aid kit
2. Hand sanitizer – protect yourself from Norovirus and other environmental pathogens
3. OTC & Prescription Medications – keep them organized with this handy organizer
4. Seasickness remedies

Here are our favorite seasickness remedies that have worked for us. Bring at least two different kinds just in case.
a. Prescription scopolamine patch
b. Dramamine Less Drowsy
c. Dramamine Non Drowsy (Ginger)
d. Sea Band Natural Nausea Relief

Cabin Essentials

1. Small bills for tips – cruise lines usually add automatic gratuities to your final cruise bill. But if you want to give a little extra to your favorite crew member, these would come in handy.
2. Packing cubes – keep your packing organized, as well as keep dirty laundry or wet swimwear separate from your clean dry clothes
3. Food and drinks (what’s allowed) – most cruise lines allow you to bring two bottles of wine that you can store in your cabin. Some will also allow packaged snacks and limited number of non alcoholic drinks on board. Be sure to check with your cruise line’s policy.
4. Highlighter or Sharpies – great for marking (or highlighting) your daily cruise planner
5. Wrinkle release spray – since you can’t use irons, might as well use these
6. Cruise-friendly power strips or European power adapters – great solution for the limited number of outlets in your cabin
7. Magnets with Hooks
8. Nightlights
9. Shampoo and Conditioner – most cruise lines don’t have these
10. Post-it Notes – great way to leave notes and communicate with your group
11. Bathroom spray
12. Lysol Wipes – quickly disinfect high touch surfaces in your cabin

Other Cruising Essentials

1. Reusable water bottle – you can fill this up and keep this in your cabin or take with you during excursions
2. Sweater – cruise nights can be cold and windy at times
3. Lanyard Cruise ID Holder – wear your cruise card around your neck
4. Luggage Tags Holders – these waterproof holders keep your printable etags dry and secure.
5. Power Bank
6. Sewing Kit – quick fix to wardrobe malfunctions
7. Binoculars – great for whale watching especially when cruising over Alaskan waters

Please check out some of our other cruising articles:
a. 30 Things You’ll Want To Know Before Cruising Royal Caribbean
b. 18 Hidden Costs That Bumps Up Your Cruising Budget
c. Cruising vs All Inclusive: What Defines Your Next Travel Adventure?