20 Cruise Essentials: What to Pack for Your Cruise

Let's skip the obvious: you know to pack shirts, socks, and underwear for your cruise, but what other cruise essentials should you pack?

As someone who has been on many cruises of different sizes and destinations, I have compiled a list of cruising essentials to help you pack smart for your upcoming cruise... and what NOT to bring on your cruise.

(If you need more help, see my full cruise checklist and planner for helping you pack for the Caribbean or Alaska)

Packing for a cruise is not the same as packing for any other land vacation, while there are some items you would pack for a cruise you may not pack for staying in a hotel. Let's dive in...

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What you will find in this article:

• Cruise Essential Packing List

• What you don't need to pack

• What Not to Pack - Prohibited Items

• Alaska Packing

• Other Related Posts

Hey, y'all, I'm Tiffany!

I am a travel enthusiast and have been helping others for over 15 years, cruise and travel affordably!

I'd love to connect with you. Come join me on my journeys in exploring new places!

What to Pack for a Cruise?

Cruise Essential Packing List

1.Portable Fan

Cruise cabins are small and there are no ceiling fans in the cabin. So, a small portable fan in the room can really help with air circulation, especially on those hot Caribbean cruises.

Some people like to bring portable neck fans, which are great for keeping cool walking around the ship or taking out to the port with you.

2. Magnetic Hooks

Magnetic hooks are always at the top of my list to pack for any cruise. These are great to help keep your cruise cabin organized and keep things off the floor. I like to use mine to hang swimsuits, jackets, beach hats, and beach bags on them.

3. Packing Cubes

You either love these or hate them, but for me, I love to pack with packing cubes for a couple of different reasons.

• Packing cubes can help keep your suitcase organized and help you from overpacking

• You can put your packing cubes straight into the drawer in the cabin and stay organized in the cabin

• Instead of bringing a laundry basket, just put your dirty clothes back in your packing cube

4.Portable Battery Charger

A portable power bank is great to have in your cruise cabin to give you an extra outlet for charging your devices. I love to keep mine by my bed at night charging my phone. Plus, if you plan to stay out for a while at the port, you might want to pack this in your day bag to take with you. I recommend having at least two. You can find them on Amazon starting around $15.00.

5.Charger Block

Along with your power bank, you might want to pack a charger block as well. Most cruise ship cabins only have one outlet available in the room. This is especially true if you plan on cruising on an older ship, while many of the newer ships have a couple extra outlets and USB ports available now.

6.Travel Adapter

You will definitely want to pack a travel adapter if you are doing a European or Mediterranean cruise. However, travel adapters are great for all other cruises as well to help give you an extra outlet in your room as all cruise cabins will have a European outlet available.

7.Seasick Meds

Even if you think you may not need them, it is always better to have them and not need them, trust me. Sometimes you just can't predict how rough the seas might be. I prefer using motion sickness patches and always have Dramamine on me as well. Some of my cruising friends prefer Bonine instead, but it all works the same to help give you that peace of mind without getting seasick.

8.Waterproof Phone Case

A waterproof phone case is perfect for walking around the cruise port, taking with you on shore excursions, and to the beach. You can put your phone, money, and cruise ship card all in one place.

9.Binoculars

While binoculars are a must for an Alaskan cruise, you may want to consider bringing a pair if you are doing any kind of shore excursions in the Caribbean where you will look for wildlife off in the distance.

10.Beach Bag/ Day Port Bag

A small bag or backpack that you can carry around with you at the port, on your excursions or headed to the beach is a great idea. I always carry a small sling backpack with me to the port and I typically carry a bottle of water, power bank, chargers, phone/ camera and any other important things needed.

11. Jacket or Hoodie

Yes, you will want to pack a lightweight jacket or hoodie for both a summer Alaskan cruise and a Caribbean cruise. While you won't need it much in the Caribbean, the night air can get a little chilly walking around the cruise ship.

When cruising to Alaska, you always want to think layers, even in the summer months.

12. A Beach hat/ ball cap

You don't want to forget to bring your beach hat or a ball cap to wear to the beach or even walking around the cruise ship. I like to wear a ball cap around the cruise ship, as it gets pretty windy, and I have lost a beach hat a time or two unfortunately.

Plus, cruising in Alaska, the sun can be pretty harsh during the day.

13. Water shoes

Water shoes are totally optional, but if you're like me and don't like stepping on rocks or not seeing your feet at the bottom of the ocean you might want to pack a pair.

14. Lanyard

Lanyards are great to keep your room key in and you don't have to worry about it falling out of your pocket. You can even put a little money in it as well and wear it around at the port.

You will find lanyards for sale on your cruise ship but purchasing them ahead of time can save you money.

15. Hanging Toiletry Bag

I love my hanging toiletry bag because it really helps to keep that small cruise cabin organized especially when you are cruising with multiple people. You can find hanging toiletry bags for both men and women available on Amazon.

16. Waist/ Belt Bag

I much prefer to carry a belt bag when on vacation than a purse, especially when walking around at the cruise port. You can find waterproof belt bags on Amazon for under $20.00.

17. Travel Make-up Mirror

I recently found this travel make-up mirror on Amazon and love it! I thought I wouldn't use it as much, but when I cruise with my husband and son, it helps to have it as I set up in the room to put on my make-up while they are going in and out of the bathroom.

18. Ziploc Baggies

Ziploc baggies are great to bring for the following:

• Put dirty clothes or shoes in

• Pack small jewelry

• Bring back snacks from the buffet

• Keep your phone or wallet dry

19. Travel Luggage Scale

While you might use a luggage scale at home to make sure your bag doesn't go over the weight limit and have to endure extra costs at the airport, it's a good idea to pack it and use it again at the end of your trip before heading home just in case you bought too many souvenirs.

20. Luggage with Spinner Wheels

Before heading out for your cruise whether you are flying in or driving in, a good set of luggage with spinner wheels is so helpful to have. Trust me it makes walking through the airport or through the cruise ship a lot easier and smoother. I am a hardshell luggage kind of girl, but there are some great softshell luggage with spinner wheels as well.

What You Don't Need to Pack

Cruising is not the same as any other vacation, so there are a few things you don't need to pack and save the extra room in your luggage.

• Beach Towels - All cruise lines will provide beach towels for you to use on and off the cruise ship

• Shampoo - Only if you want to, but cruise ships do offer shampoo and conditioner. However, if you don't like the all-in-one shampoo and conditioner then I do recommend bringing your own.

• Hair dryer - Cruise cabins will provide a hair dryer for you in your cabin

Prohibited Items - What NOT to Pack for a Cruise

Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives

One of the most important prohibited items on a cruise are firearms, ammunition, and knives. Bringing any of these can result in serious consequences, including having the items confiscated, being thrown off the cruise ship, and even potential arrest and legal penalties. It's crucial to avoid packing any weapons or replicas, even if you plan to purchase them at a port. If you do buy a knife while in port, make sure to ship it home instead of trying to bring it back on the ship.

You can bring:

• Grooming scissors with a 4" blade.

• If purchasing a knife at a port as a souvenir, ask you cruise line if they can hold it for you until you disembark. Some cruise lines will allow this.

Flammable Items

Anything that could potentially cause a fire, such as candles, irons, steamers, and hot plates, is prohibited on cruise ships. These items will be confiscated if found in your luggage. The top two most confiscated items are irons and steamers, so it's best to avoid packing them entirely.

You can bring:

• Lighters for smoking (only in designated areas)

• Hair straighteners and curling irons - check out this easy-to-use travel curling iron.

Alcohol

While some cruise lines may allow you to bring a limited number of bottles of wine or champagne (typically 2 per person), hard liquor and beer are not permitted. The alcohol will be confiscated, and you may face additional consequences.

You can bring:

• 750 ml corked bottle of wine or champagne (check with your cruise line first)

For more prohibited items check out my What to Avoid Packing List and always check with your cruise line's prohibited list of items.

Alaska Packing Essentials

Mosquito Repellent

We had to cut our hike short in Juneau due to the bugs. We saw some beautiful sights on the way up, but we couldn't continue through the woods.

Don't make the same mistake I did—bring mosquito repellent to enjoy your Alaskan cruise without the hassle of bugs.

Gloves

This might seem obvious, but I was unprepared and didn't think to bring gloves in July. Watching the icebergs from 6:30 am to 7:00 am going through Tracy Arm fjord was colder than I expected. Taking pictures and holding binoculars made my fingers cold. Next time, I'm bringing tech gloves so I can still use my phone and camera comfortably.

Gloves are also essential for glacier excursions. Don't forget to pack them, even in the summer months.

Sleeping Mask

Given the long daylight hours in Alaska during summer, a sleeping mask helped me sleep if I went to bed before midnight or wanted to sleep past 4:00 am. The sun could still be seen at midnight, and it would rise again at 4:00 am. It's hard to maintain a sleep schedule with the extended daylight, so a sleeping mask can be very helpful.

For more surprising things I didn't think to pack on my Alaskan cruise check out my full

Alaskan Cruise Essential List.

For more cruise tips and planning, don't forget to grab your free Cruise Packing Checklist

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