Planning a cruise requires thorough research and thoughtful decision-making. Once you’ve chosen your cruise line, ship and itinerary, the next steps involve planning activities for each port of call or deciding to relax on board. Packing the right travel gear wisely is also crucial since cruise ship cabins often have limited space, and you’ll want to avoid overcrowding your room with unnecessary items.
We consulted several cruise experts to gather insights on what to pack for a cruise to help you optimize your space and fully enjoy your vacation.
If you’re getting ready for a cruise and wondering what to bring, let this packing checklist be your guide. Remember to pack essentials like shorts, shirts, dresses and swimwear, tailored to your itinerary and the season.
Tech essentials for your cruise
Stewart Chiron, founder of The Cruise Guy and a veteran of 300 cruises, always brings a portable Bluetooth speaker to enjoy his music in his cabin. His favorite is the Bose SoundLink Flex, which is waterproof and durable enough for any cruise.
Cruising can be noisy, with loud passengers, the ship's horn and music in common areas. Chiron recommends Bluetooth wireless earphones to enjoy music and quiet time, even in the loudest environments. His favorite pair is the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2.
Tanner Callais, founder of Cruzely, advises travelers to bring an international plug adapter on cruises, as ships often have various plug types due to their global routes. The Bestek International Power Adapter is a great option, featuring three AC outlets, four USB ports and plug adapters. This adapter not only allows charging in different outlet types but expands charging capacity for multiple devices.
We love the compact nature and power of this charger. It uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to efficiently charge multiple devices at once through its USB-C ports. This eliminates the need for multiple chargers and is easy to pack. With included international adapters, it's compatible with various power outlets.
This power adapter includes three US outlets four USB ports and one USB-C port to charge several devices simultaneously. The built-in 5-foot cable offers flexibility for accessing hard-to-reach outlets. However, it does not convert voltage, so make sure your devices are compatible with local voltage to avoid damage.
Chiron always recommends bringing a long cell phone charging cable. After all, you never really know where the plug-ins will be in your cruise ship cabin. Having a long cord makes it easier to situate devices where you want them.
We highly recommend traveling with an Apple AirTag in your luggage, especially for cruises. Ben Souza, editor at Cruise Fever, considers AirTags a must-have accessory. “You’ll never have to wonder where your luggage is when you place an Apple AirTag or a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag in each suitcase,” he says. Simply pair the device with your phone, place it in your bag and track your suitcase as it makes its way to your cabin.
This portable charger can serve as a supplement to your cabin outlets or while you're out for the day exploring a new port. The Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh is a great option for travelers, as it's slim and ultra portable while also carrying enough power to charge an iPhone 13 more than once.
Souza recommends a waterproof pouch to protect your essentials, especially if you'll be at the beach or snorkeling. "Bring one for cash and your phone," he says. It’s also handy on the pool deck. This popular set of two, with nearly 75,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, is a great choice.
Organization essentials for your cruise
This cruise lanyard with a waterproof ID badge holder is essential for keeping your cruise key card, cash and credit cards secure and easily accessible.
Erica Silverstein, travel editor at The Points Guy, recommends bringing magnets on your cruise. "Cruise ship cabin walls and doors are magnetic," she says. Silverstein uses magnetic clips for organizing papers and hooks for hanging items like hats and swimsuits.
Packing cubes are essential for cruise cabin organization, especially if you use the built-in drawers. Monos' compression cubes come in a set of four, helping you sort clothes and easily arrange them in your cabin drawers. When it's time to leave, simply pack the cubes back into your luggage.
Shaving on a cruise can be challenging due to tight cabin showers, but Alleyoop’s All-in-One Portable Razor simplifies the process. It features two shaving heads, a refillable water spray bottle and a shea butter moisturizing bar. It's also TSA-approved and suitable for all skin types.
Finding a lounge chair on the pool deck of a cruise shipcan be tough, and wind can be a problem. Souza suggests using towel clips to secure your towel to your chair. This multicolored set of eight clips will help you easily spot your spot.
For a family cruise with multiple devices, keeping chargers and cables organized is essential. The STM Dapper Wrapper offers a central solution with multiple pockets and a secure magnetic closure. Available in various colors, it wraps up neatly for easy packing in your luggage or backpack.
Even with a laundry package, a good laundry bag is essential. The Nomatic Laundry Bag, available on Amazon, is lightweight and mesh, and it features a hook for hanging in your cabin. It also folds into a compact rectangle for easy storage and transport.
No matter how well you pack, wrinkles are inevitable. And since irons aren't an option in cruise ship cabins, Souza recommends taking wrinkle-release spray for clothing. While packing your evening attire in a garment bag can help, Downy Wrinkle Releaser+ can help your clothing appear crease-free.
Although most cruise ship lines provide shampoo and conditioner, these TSA-approved travel-sized bottles let you pump in your preferred product from home and bring them on your cruise vacation.
Travel bag essentials for your cruise
Bringing a cooler on a cruise might seem unusual, but it's handy for port excursions. The IceMule Jaunt 15-Liter Cooler, with backpack straps and a roll-up design, lets you carry drinks and snacks hands-free to your favorite beach. It’s compact and easy to pack in your suitcase or backpack.
Storing multiple suitcases in a cruise ship cabin can be challenging. Rollink’s collapsible luggage offers a solution that's lightweight and foldable for easy storage. This bag fits all your cruise essentials and folds flat for convenient storage in small spaces.
Paravel is a top luggage brand with its chic and sustainable designs. We especially love the Fold-Up Backpack, which folds neatly for storage and expands to carry all your essentials when exploring ashore.
Another great lightweight backpack that folds up is the Away Featherlight Backpack. At just 1 pound, it's one of the lightest in the business.
The Kusshi Vacationer Makeup Bag is ideal for organizing your toiletries and makeup in your cabin bathroom. It features multiple interior compartments for storing items like makeup sponges and eyelash curlers, and its main compartment can hold 20 to 30 products. A zippered pouch is included for smaller items like eye shadow and lipsticks. Plus, it's fully machine-washable, so you can easily clean it and use it for many cruises to come.
Cruises are cash-free, but you'll still want a travel wallet for tipping crew members and carrying credit cards and ID when exploring ports. The Victorinox 5.0 Deluxe Security Pouch with RFID Protection is the perfect size for holding your smartphone, cash, cards and ID.
You'll want a quality beach bag for your cruise, especially if you're headed somewhere tropical. The Black Hole Gear Tote 61-Liter is ideal for carrying essentials like towels, sunscreen and snorkeling gear. It's weather-resistant and waterproof with a large opening and durable handles for easy carrying. Plus, it folds down for easy transport and storage.
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