101+ Things to Take on a Cruise is a list of absolute must-haves to make your cruising life easier. At least that is what veteran cruisers will tell you. Gleaned from the responses of veteran cruisers about what they consider to be “must haves”, 101+ Things to Take on a Cruise lists it all – from the simplest item to the most expensive.
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101+Things to Take on a Cruise
Wow! That is a lot of stuff. If you are driving and luggage is not a problem, then by all means, grab some or all of these things and take off for the closest port. If however, you are flying and need to very carefully pack a carry-on bag for a 10 day cruise, you probably won’t have room for most of these things. That is okay.
Do you really need all of these items? No, probably not. Have a laugh or two at all of the things that some people take. The list of 101+ things to take on a cruise is here simply to answer the question “What should I pack?” Specifically, the list helps you remember important items that you might want to find space for in an overfilled bag. So pick and choose what makes sense to you. Don’t pack everything. And, above all, relax and enjoy the cruise.
Here is the list of 101+ Things to Take on a Cruise. I have not listed the obvious – such as clothes, makeup, toiletry items, etc, because I know you will pack those. Instead, the list contains all of the extra items to add comfort, ease, and security to your trip. The list is broken down into several sections for easy skimming. So pack your bags and get going!
First Things First
- Common Sense
- Courtesy
- Manners
- Public Decency
- Health precautions
I am putting this first because many cruisers mentioned that the most important things that they hoped others would remember to take were just simple manners and common courtesy. Too often people seem to forget and leave these at home. Their excuse is that they are “on vacation” or that they “paid for an expensive cruise and will do what ever they want to do”. Well, that is so true. But then, we all did. A little bit of manners and common courtesy will ensure that we all enjoy the cruise.
However, it is really more important than that. Being sick on your cruise is not fun. We all need to follow basic health precautions, such as hand hygiene and cough etiquette, so that we don’t get sick or spread it to others.
Bags & Luggage
The first order of business when packing for a cruise – or any other travel – is luggage. Here are some suggestions.
6. Extra large suitcase – leave it half empty to bring home souvenirs, gifts, and vacation T-shirts.
7. Extra bags (foldable) – These extra bags come in several sizes and fold up into a small pouch. They come in really handy and have multiple uses, from use as a beach or excursion bag; to holding dirty laundry; or carrying home souvenirs.
8. Cruise Luggage Tag Holders – the holders are designed to hold your printed paper boarding passes. They keep the paper tags from ripping off or getting wet. They come in several sizes based on the cruise line, but get them large enough to fit the tags of all the different cruise lines.
9. Perfumed drawer liners – place in luggage during transit, then place in wardrobe and shelves once in your cabin. Keeps clothes smelling nice and fresh.
10. Dryer sheets – dryer sheets in your luggage also help keep clothes fresh and smelling nice. Or keep some in a ziplock bag in your carry-on. A dryer sheet held near your nose helps block out nasty smells.
11. Backpack / purse with slash proof straps – never can be too careful.
12. Jacket Strap / Travel Strap / Carabiner clip – clip to the outside of your backpack, purse, or luggage to carry your jacket, beach towel, or shopping bag.
13. Packing cubes / compression bags – save space and stay organized.
Stateroom Must Haves
Here are some things to take on a cruise to make your stateroom more comfortable.
14. Highlighter Marker – to highlight activities on the daily program or to use at bingo.
15. Itinerary Calendar – print out the itinerary calendar and add show, dinners, excursions to it before the trip.
16. White Magnetic Board – buy an inexpensive white board from the $$ store to put on your door for fun messages for your group.
17. Dry Erase Markers for the Board – don’t forget to take along the dry erase markers!
18. Fun Magnets – decorate your stateroom door so it can be easily located.
19. Night light – Use a small battery powered nightlight in the bathroom. A magnetic one is even better. No need to half blind yourself turning on the ceiling light.
20. Small Flashlight- you never know when the power might go out in the hotel or on the ship. Make sure everyone has a flashlight, even the children.
21. Ear plugs – use to block out loud music, ship noises, and airplane noise when you are trying to sleep.
22. Cash – cash in small bills can be used to purchase inexpensive items such as candy, gum, and snacks. Furthermore, you will need plenty of $1 and $5 bills on hand for tipping tour guides; baggage handlers at the airport, cruise port, and shuttles; and for extra tips to your room steward if you are so inclined.
23. Thank you notes – to write a nice thank you note and to include that final personal tip to those who gave service above and beyond your expectations.
Personal Health
Your personal health is so important. Remember to pack the following items.
24. Medication – remember to pack your medication in your carry-on bag. In fact, your medication is so important that you should pack a little bit extra to cover trip delays or a pill lost to a dirty floor.
25. Vitamins – take vitamins? Remember to pack them as well.
26. Spare glasses / contacts (or a copy of the prescription) – what if something happens to your glasses? How difficult will the remainder of the trip be if you can’t see to read the menu, the boarding pass, or the daily activity program; to enjoy the excursions or tours; to use your cell phone; or to just walk about the ship or maneuver through the airport, maybe even to drive home?
27. Spare reading glasses – even if you don’t have prescription glasses, replacing your reading glasses will be expensive. Get some folding readers to keep in your pocket or purse.
28. Spare sunshades – lose your shades on the snorkeling excursion. Luckily you packed in those folding sunshades. They come in kid sizes too. So grab some for everyone.
29. Eyeglass repair kit – you just never know when that screw will fall out. Without a screw, you will be repairing your glasses with duct tape or a bandaid. 🙂
Personal Care
30. Shampoo, Conditioner, Hand Soap, Body Wash, Lotion – these items are usually supplied in hotels. On the ship, shampoo and body wash is often provided in a dispenser, and some ships do not supply lotion any more. If you prefer your own brand, be sure to pack it.
31. Suntan Lotion – use it liberally and reapply it often. A bad sunburn can ruin the trip. For ease, try suntan lotion packets or wipes – easy to carry and easy to use.
32. Feminine Products – the last thing you want is a cruise ship or port side scavenger hunt for this elusive and expensive product.
33. Baby Powder – removes sand from feet at the beach.
34. Disinfectant spray or wipes – to be safe, wipe down germy areas such as tray tables and arm rests on planes and excursion buses; and desk tops, tv remotes, door handles, light switches, phones, etc in the cabin.
35. Hand Sanitizer – keep it with you and use it everywhere, especially prior to eating.
36. Wet Wipes – wipe off sticky hands and faces; clean off a dirty table top; or clean hands after toileting where sanitation is lacking.
37. Personal wash cloths for face – who knows where that wash cloth was used or how clean it actually is! Take one or two of your own if this bothers you. Or take cleanser face cloths. They are small, disposable, and easily packable.
38. Homemade Toileting Kit – You can purchase a toilet kit to use in places that lack sanitation or simply places that are lacking supplies, but I make my own. Place a toilet seat cover (they can be purchased in individual wrappers), several lengths of toilet tissue, and a wet wipe into a small sandwich size ziplock bag. You can also add small packets of hand sanitizer. (A diaper disposal bag can be included if you will be in a primitive situation that requires proper disposal of waste.) Pack several of them into your travel bag. Even the men need these from time to time.
39. Nail Clippers / nail file – for those nail emergencies
First Aid Kit
A small first aid kit in your carry-on or excursion bag with some common items will be very useful if you need them. These items can be purchased on the ship, but are pricey. No one wants an expensive trip to the medical facility for a non-emergency ailment when a few Tylenol or Tums might make you feel as good as new.
40. Pain Reliever – take your choice of Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol. These can be purchased in travel packages so that they don’t take up much room. Or pre-package some at home to add to the kit.
41. Upset Digestive relief – Pepto tablets, Alka-Seltzer. Also Kaopectate, Imodium, or Emetrol for – well – you know! There are lots of different brands. Take the one that serves you best.
42. Heartburn Relief – Tums, Zantac. All that rich food? Just saying!
43. Motion Sickness – Dramamine, Bonine, anti-nausea wrist bands, motion sickness patches. These come in multiple sizes, including children’s sizes. Ginger candy such as Tummydrops, Ginger Chews, ginger gum, or Ginger gummies are also helpful
44. Allergy Medication – Benedryl, Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, or a generic medication. Don’t forget eyedrops for itchy eyes.
45. Mosquito / Bug Repellant – spray or wipes – forests have mosquitoes, and beaches have sand fleas.
46. Bite & Sting Relief – Benedryl spray, sting wipes, anti-itch cream, etc. Once on a cruise, I took a nap under a blanket I had just purchased in a souvenir shop and woke up with spider bites on my face. Ouch! No, you don’t want to see the photos!
47. Cold medications – Over the counter cold medications might save the day.
48. Sun Burn relief – spray, gel, or wipes. Don’t let that day at the beach ruin the trip.
49. Antibiotic ointment – such as Neosporin, either in a tube or in individual packets
50. Bandaids – multiple sizes.
51. Thermometer – or fever strips, especially if you are traveling with children.
52. Tweezers – remove splinters from rough wooden handrails on excursions
This looks like a long list, but you will only need a few of each thing. Although these medications can be purchased in individual packets for travel, many are already packaged in individual blister packs which can easily be tossed into your first aid kit. Or you can make your own packets using ziplock pill pouches. Be sure to label and date the bag. Take your pick of what you might need and leave the rest. Put everything into a ziplock bag.
Closet / Bathroom
Here are some ideas to keep the bathroom sweet smelling and the closet organized. Make a trip to the Dollar Store to find some of these items.
53. Air Freshener – tiny spaces, especially the bathroom, get really stinky really fast. A quick spray is all it takes. A lovely scented disinfectant spray can do double duty. (See #33 above)
54. Poopourri – a before-you-go toilet bowl spritz to cut down on bathroom odors.
55. Lint roller –
56. Extra hangers – or just ask your room steward for a few more if you need them.
57. Clear, hanging shoe bag – to store your toiletries and other items. Keeps everything handy but out of the way and organized.
58. Folding bins or shelves for closet – also to keep items organized and off the floor.
59. Magnetic Hooks – the walls are steel. Use a sturdy magnetic hook to hang bags, lanyards, travel towels, or laundry. Keeps the room tidy and you know where everything is.
Laundry
There are many ways to deal with dirty laundry.
60. Small pop up hamper – to place in bottom of closet for dirty clothes
61. Mesh laundry bag – if sending your laundry out to be washed by the ship service, then a washable laundry bag with your name and cabin number on it.
62. Large garbage bag or folding bag (See #7 above)
63. Downey Wrinkle spray
64. Laundry soap – packet or pods or detergent sheets. Check to see whether your ship has a self laundry
65. Hand Laundry soap- Woolite travel packets, Tide Travel Sink Packets, or SinkSuds – to do handwashing in the sink.
66. Travel Clothesline or light cordage – tie up across the magnetic hooks (see #58) to hang laundry, wet towels, & swimsuits.
67. Clothespins – to hang things on the clothesline, of course. But they also come in handy to clip the drapes together, clip opened bags of snacks closed, or clip a towel to a chair.
68. Handwash bag – prefer to handwash your delicate items? A handwash bag eliminates the sink, keeps the mess in the bag, and gets clothes cleaner and faster.
Clothing
When packing your wardrobe, here are a few extra items to consider.
69. Sarong – light weight and versatile. Buy a large scarf or a length of material from the fabric store. Then watch YouTube to learn how to tie it in many different ways for a cute swimsuit coverup to a skirt to a dress perfect for formal night.
70. Fat pants – eat too much and put on a few pounds? Wear your stretchy fat pants. Just saying!
71. Flip flops – for around the cabin, in the shower, quick runs to the buffet, or just around the ship.
72. Sun Hat – A foldable, packable sun hat will protect your face from the sun, shade your eyes, and keep the heat off of your head. A hat rated UPF50+UV protection will protect you even better.
73. Jacket – A lightweight jacket is a must have. It’s even better if it is waterproof. A jacket that folds up into a pouch or pocket takes up very little room in the luggage, carryon, or day bag. Take it on day excursions in case of storms or to ward off the evening chill.
74. Water shoes – perfect for the pool, shower, snorkeling, or swimming with the dolphins. Some styles are even made for walking so they can do double duty.
75. Small umbrella / rain ponchos – buy inexpensive rain ponchos from the Dollar store and take an umbrella because – well – rain happens!
76. Extra swimsuit – if you enjoy the pool, spa, or beach every day, a second swimsuit is really a must.
77. Small sewing kit – to repair a hem or small rip
Containers
Here are some ideas to make it easy to carry around your snacks and beverages.
78. Travel mug – large insulated mug with a lid for coffee, water, etc.
79. Refillable water bottle – insulated. For easy carrying, make sure it has a loop or handle that can be attached to your backpack. Some water bottles have built in water filters as well, so that you don’t need to buy bottled water.
80. Dishwashing soap and sponge – to wash out the mug or water bottle, of course.
81. Small disposable cups for the cabin – although there are glasses in the cabin, some people worry that these glasses may not be properly washed after being used. If this is worrisome to you, use the dishwashing soap (see #80) to give them a rinse, or bring a few disposable cups to use in the cabin.
82. Straws – straws are not always provided so bring your own if you like.
83. Ziplock bags of all sizes – from gallon down to sandwich size – great for snacks to carry back to your room; great for seasick bags; great for wet swimwear; great for tv remote, works through the bag; and great for packing small items such as jewelry, toiletries, and souvenirs.
84. Sandwich size plastic food container – perfect for taking dessert back to the room and enjoying later in the evening.
Food & Snacks
It’s nice to have a few snacks ready to toss into your excursion bag.
85. Snacks in small bags – for munching on in the room or on excursions; i.e. popcorn, chex mix, cookies, gum, granola bars, candy (that won’t melt)
86. Drink mixes – Sugar Free Drink mix such as Crystal Light, or instant Ice Tea For hot drinks, tea bags, or instant coffee, specifically Starbucks instant coffee packets or Nestle Cappuccino. Just add boiling water and relax.
87. International Delights Coffee Creamer
88. Stevia
Safety Precautions
89. Bicycle Lock – to lock backpack to chair. Makes it harder for someone to take off with your backpack. (also see #11 above). A lock with bluetooth capabilities can be locked and unlocked from your cell phone.
90. Portable travel lock box – for personal items, can be locked on chair, fence, or anywhere else.
91. RFID blocking passport holder – lots of different styles to choose from.
92. Waterproof phone pouch – protect your phone from splashes, spills, and submerging.
Fun & Games
A vacation is for fun, so relax and enjoy the moment.
93. Binoculars – perfect for whale watching at sea or bird watching on the beach.
94. Travel Towel – small, compact, and light weight. The cruise (or hotel) provides beach towels for use at the pool, so you do not need to take a towel. They even provide beach towels for excursions. However, the ship towels are bulky and heavy to carry around, and if you lose the towel there is a fee.
95. Towel Clips – clip your towel to your chair so it doesn’t blow or slide off.
96. Books or Kindle download – love to read? Be sure you take enough to keep you happy.
97. Travel games / Deck of Cards / Dominoes – even though you might not play these at home, it is surprising how fun games can be on a sea day. The ship usually has some, but they are popular and get checked out fast. Play with your kids, your family, your travel buddies, or make some new friends to play with.
98. Toys & teddy bears – traveling with kids? Pack a few surprises to keep them occupied on the plane and on sea days. Grab some fun items from the dollar store.
99. Snorkeling gear /Prescription snorkeling gear – If using a snorkel that someone else has used makes you cringe, take your own.
100. Cheap watch – leave your expensive watch at home or save it for formal night. Wear a cheap watch that you won’t mind losing on those water excursions.
101. Cheap sunshades – just like the watch, save those expensive shades for lounging by the pool. Take inexpensive glasses on the water excursions.
102. Ducks – small plastic rubber ducks. On some cruise lines, people like to hide these ducks on the ship for other people to find. If you find it, take a photo and post it on any of the Cruising Duck pages. Then keep it or re-hide it for someone else to find. I’ve never found one, so tell me if you do.
Tech & Power
Hoping to get away and get unplugged? Then you might not need these items, but the rest of us will.
103. Extension cord / power strip – there aren’t many outlets in the cabins
104. Chargers / power cords for electronics –
105. Portable battery pack for cell phone – carry a little bit of extra battery in your day bag – just in case!
106. Travel clock with an alarm – you can also use the clock & alarm on your cell phone or ask for a wake up call.
107. Extra ink cartridges for portable printer – planning to do some work on sea days? Take extra supplies – or maybe don’t – and just enjoy the view.
108. Extra battery & disc for camera – not only will these items will be expensive on the ship and on the shore, but do you really want to be caught off guard with a dead battery. Take the charger with you as well.
Just as a note: Most cruise lines do allow power strips, multi plug outlets and adapters without surge protectors. However, if these are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned on debarkation day. Check with your cruise line for specifics.
Useful Supplies
Toss a few of these items into a small ziplock bag.
109. Rubber bands
110. Paper Clips / Binder Clips – clips of different sizes to clip your papers, tickets, program, etc., together
111. Hole puncher – to punch a hole in your key card or luggage tags. Guest services has one to help you with this job, but there is also a line to use it.
112. Small scissors- less than 4″ blades. I carry small folding sewing scissors.
113. Duct tape – it comes in small, colorful rolls now. It can be used to tape broken luggage zippers; fasten banging drawers and doors closed; mend a hem; tape tickets to luggage, etc.
114. Post it Notes & a Sharpie pen – for leaving a note to the room steward
Over The Top Comfort
If you live close to the port, and the amount of luggage is no problem, here are a few items to tailor your cruise experience for your own personal pleasure. But, if you are flying, and have limited luggage space, you may have to leave a few of these extras at home. Don’t worry! You won’t miss them.
115. Travel size French Press / Travel kettle – if you like to make your own coffee early in the morning, or you could have room service deliver coffee or a pot of hot water for tea.
116. Small clip on fan – it can get stuffy in the cabin and stinky in the bathroom.
117. Small tens unit – to help those tired, achy muscles after an active day parasailing.
118. Small plastic sand table – Relax by the beach with a table for your drink.
119. Scale – oops! Gotta watch that weight. Maybe hit the treadmill after dinner.
120. White noise machine – helps block out the noise from nearby activities or decks so you can sleep
121. Mini diffuser & oils – relax, keep calm, chill out!
122. Rubber bottle stopper – To close that opened bottle of Wine or Champagne. Here’s a little tip. Have your steward or room service bring a carafe of orange juice and make Mimosa’s the next morning.
123. Beach Tent – can’t find any shade? Make your own shady spot with a beach tent.
No No’s
Different cruise lines have different rules about prohibited items. Check with your cruise line if you have a questions about prohibited items. Here are some universal No-No’s on all cruise lines.
- Toilet Paper – regular toilet paper doesn’t do well in the septic tank. In short, it jams up the plumbing – not just yours, but everyone’s. That’s how ships end up with massive toilet troubles.
2. Candles and open flames
3. Extension cords / power strips with surge protectors
What Do You Pack?
Undoubtedly, you have your own favorite items to take on a cruise. So now it’s your turn to tell us what you pack. Is it on this list? Have I left it off? Leave a comment below to let us know the “must have” items in your cruise bag.
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