cruise travel list

Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Packing for a cruise can be complicated, especially for first-timers who aren't 100% sure what to expect. The task is made even more stressful because you can't run to the nearest shopping mall to pick up something you forgot when you're sailing in the middle of the ocean.

What you need is a cruise packing list that accounts for cruise line dress codes for daywear and evening wear, the various activities you'll do on board and in port, the gear you need for travel and to enhance your cruise cabin, and the necessities you need for daily life and unexpected emergencies.

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We've listed 103 essentials you should always pack for any cruise vacation. Follow our cruise packing list to avoid packing mistakes and be prepared for anything on your next sailing.

Daytime clothing

When packing for a cruise, start with the basics: what you plan to wear each day.

On every cruise line, daytime clothing is casual, and on a big-ship cruise, nearly anything goes. On a more upscale or luxury cruise ship, casual daywear tends to be more fashion-forward and stylish, so you might feel out of place in your cheap tee from Target.

Of course, the destination and weather will dictate what exactly makes it onto your cruise packing list. For a Caribbean cruise , you'll want plenty of beachwear; for an Alaska cruise , you'll want rugged clothes for hiking and warm layers for the frequently changing weather. In the Middle East and Asia, you might need an outfit that covers the shoulders and knees for visiting religious sites.

Remember that any destination can be unseasonably warm, cold or wet, so pack a jacket for that Bahamas cruise or a short-sleeved top for an Arctic sailing — just in case.

If you want to stay fit on your cruise and plan to hit the onboard gym or go biking in port, pack activewear. I once forgot to pack socks on a short warm-weather cruise and was disappointed when I wasn't allowed on the ship's bungee trampoline.

Related: The 10 wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship

Cruisers traveling in a group should consider planning matching outfits, especially if they wish to take group photos on board. Group T-shirts are common, as are color-coordinated outfits for everyone from the kids to the grandparents.

Most important of all: Double-check that you've packed underwear. You're welcome.

Pack one outfit for every day, or plan to do laundry on your cruise ship . I like to look for ways to reuse pieces to save space. For example, I'll dress up a top with a skirt or dress pants for dinner, then wear the same shirt with jeans in port the following day. Or, I'll bring one solid color dress and wear it twice, but with different accessories.

Here's your daywear packing list (adjust numbers for the length of your sailing):

• Casual tops
• Workout wear
• Bathing suits and swimwear
• Cover-up or swim shirt
• Sweatshirt or sweater

Evening clothing

Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line , have a relaxed attitude toward dinner attire, and you can come as you are. Other lines, especially the more upscale ones, have strict dress codes for dinner. For cruises on those ships, you'll need to add some nicer outfits to your cruise packing list.

Evening wear on cruise ships tends to fall into two categories: resort casual and elegant. For casual nights, think of a date-night style. Some cruise lines do allow jeans in the evening; pair them with cute tops and nice shoes.

Elegant or formal nights bring out cocktail dresses, suits, ties and jackets. If formalwear is not your thing, choose room service, or go to the buffet or a casual restaurant for dinner to skip dressing up. Some luxury cruise lines will not allow underdressed passengers into certain restaurants or entertainment venues on formal nights.

Related: Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The best meals you can have at sea

Pro tip: Many cruise ships turn up the air conditioning at night. Pack a light sweater or dressy shawl to keep you comfortable in cool onboard restaurants and theaters.

Don't forget to pack outfits for cruise ship theme nights. Popular themes include white night, pirate night and Halloween — and, yes, cruisers do go all-out with costumes. Check with your cruise line to see which parties or theme nights will take place, and then pack accordingly.

Consider an eye patch or swashbuckling hat for Disney Cruise Line 's Pirate Night, a white sundress for Norwegian Cruise Line's White Hot Night and some neon leggings for Carnival Cruise Line 's '80s night.

Definitely don't forget the ultimate evening wear — comfy pajamas — especially if you're sharing a cabin with family or friends.

Here's your eveningwear packing list:

• Skirt and blouse
• Wrap or sweater
• Button-down shirt or polo
• Dress slacks or nice jeans
• Suit or tuxedo for formal night
• Cocktail dress or gown for formal night
• Theme cruise attire and costumes

It's easy to fill a carry-on with footwear alone when packing for a cruise. The must-have basic is a comfortable pair of travel shoes for the flight, ship and walking in port.

Other types of footwear to add to your cruise packing list are sneakers for athletic activities, flip-flops for the pool and beach, and dress shoes for dinner. (Ladies, try to match your outfits, so you only need to bring one pair of heels.) You might also want casual or athletic sandals, hiking boots or water shoes for rocky beaches.

Related: 13 things you should do before every cruise

Pro tip: Lay out all the pairs of shoes you think you need for the cruise, and then decide which shoes can do double duty and which you can leave at home. For example, on a Caribbean cruise, a sturdy pair of waterproof athletic sandals (like Keens) can multi-task as travel shoes, beach shoes and rugged activity footwear. A comfy pair of flats can pair with your casual daywear and your fancy evening attire.

Here's your footwear packing list:

• Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
• Water shoes
• Hiking boots
• Dress shoes for the evening
• Slippers for in-cabin use

Accessories and gear

Once you've packed all the clothing, it's time to accessorize.

For sunny days, men and women will want to bring hats and sunglasses. On cold-weather cruises, you'll need a warm beanie, scarf, gloves and waterproof gear. (Antarctica and Arctic cruises have unique packing lists, so check with your cruise line.)

Related: 20 must-have cruise items — including a roll of duct tape

Don't forget belts, jewelry and ties for evening dress. Have a little fun with it — you're on a cruise.

Don't forget to add these accessories to your cruise packing list:

• Wide-brimmed sun hat or baseball hat
• Rain jacket and/or pants
• Pashmina or shawl

Toiletries and medicine

Like hotels, cruise ships typically provide soap and shampoo in your cabin. Some also offer conditioner and body lotion. However, it's hard to know whether your hair will respond well to the onboard products or if you'll hate the scent.

It's always safer to pack your own toiletries. Bring more than you think you'll need because it may be hard to find your favorite brands in foreign ports, and cruise ships sell necessities at inflated prices. (Here are a few more things you should never buy on a cruise ship or in port .)

Although you'll find hand sanitizer stations throughout your cruise ship, you'll still want to pack your own.

Sunscreen is essential; look for reef-safe versions if you plan on swimming in the ocean. Bug spray is also useful, especially in Alaska, where people joke that the mosquito is the state bird.

Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

It's always smart to pack a first aid kit for your cruise; make sure it contains seasickness remedies if you're sensitive to the motion of the ocean. Over-the-counter medications are pricey on board, so bring the brands you most commonly use. If you take prescription medicine, bring enough for the trip and a few extra days' worth, just in case.

Pack these toiletries and medications for your cruise, preferably in your carry-on bag:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hair-styling products
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Glasses, contacts and contact lens solutions
• Razor and shaving cream
• Moisturizer
• Body lotion
• Lip balm (consider one with SPF protection)
• Soap (if you're picky about scents or ingredients)
• Feminine products
• Hand sanitizer (gel or wipes)
• Seasickness remedies (patches, pills, ginger candies and acupressure wristbands)
• Pain-relief medication, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen
• Allergy medication
• Upset stomach medication

Travel gear

Not all of us are lucky enough to live an hour or two from a cruise port. Many cruisers have to fly or road trip to their departure port and need to pack for this travel as well. Make sure your cruise packing list accounts for your pre- and post-cruise travel needs, as well as items useful for your time on board.

For long and overnight flights to your cruise, pack accessories for the plane. If you've scheduled a pre-cruise hotel stay, consider packing the necessities for that overnight in a separate bag so you don't need to unpack and repack your main suitcase.

Related: 10 must-have travel accessories for less than $15

You'll want to pack your tablet, portable video game system and e-reader for both your pre-cruise travel and the sailing itself. Don't forget all the related charging cables. Or, skip the tech and bring a few books, as many cruise ships no longer offer onboard libraries.

It should go without saying, but you are responsible for packing necessary travel documents, including your cruise/flight/tour tickets, passport book or passport card (or birth certificate) and visa paperwork. Do not put these items in your checked bags. Pack them in your carry-on so they're always on hand and less likely to go missing.

I'm a fan of bringing a day bag for carrying things around the ship (like toting my book, water bottle and cover-up to the Lido Deck pool) and a small purse for carrying my key card, lipstick and tissues at night. Some folks prefer to bring a lanyard to keep their cruise room key card close at hand.

If you like to walk about with your morning coffee or tea, you can't get a to-go cup at the buffet unless you're paying extra for a latte or espresso. Pack a travel coffee mug so you can fill up on the free stuff. I also recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it up at the buffet or even a bar. It helps reduce plastic waste, and you don't bust your budget buying bottled water.

• Neck pillow
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Regular headphones or earbuds
• Tablet or laptop
• Portable video game system
• Playing cards or other small diversions
• E-reader or physical books
• Visa documents
• Cruise ticket or documents
• Travel insurance information
• Tour booking information
• Small purse
• Water bottle

Cabin enhancements

First-time cruisers don't realize all the cruise ship cabin hacks they can employ to enhance their onboard accommodations. Usually, all you need to pack are a few key items from home.

Many cruise cabin walls and doors are magnetic (Did I just blow your mind?), so I like to pack magnets both as fun decor and for organizational purposes. Magnetic clips and hooks can help keep paperwork and hats off the in-room desk and couch, while a magnetic whiteboard can be useful for leaving notes for your travel companions.

Newer cruise ships are designed so every cabin has enough electrical outlets and USB ports conveniently located throughout the room. However, older cruise ships have a sad lack of outlets. Unless you want to constantly battle your travel companions for charging priority, pack a power strip, multi-prong outlet or power adapter/current converter so you can charge multiple devices at once (and use any 220V European outlets in the cabin).

Just be sure that your power strip doesn't include a surge protector; those are banned from most cruise ships, as are extension cords.

Related: Packing for a cruise? These items aren't allowed on board

For evenings on board, pack a night light or battery-operated candles so you can find your way to the bathroom in the dark. A small, portable sound machine is helpful for blocking out hallway noise if your cabin is in a noisy area of the ship, such as close to the elevator banks.

You can sweeten your cabin bathroom by bringing a bathroom spray to mask unpleasant odors. Traveling with babies and toddlers who hate showers? A small inflatable kiddie pool or tub packs down small and can be used to give your little one a bath.

You don't need to pack a clothesline to dry wet items because one is usually hidden in your cabin's shower. However, I do recommend bringing a laundry bag or pop-up hamper to keep dirty clothes separate and off the cabin floor. Chair clips are useful if you plan to dry your clothes on the balcony and don't want them to blow away.

Related: 6 reasons you'll want to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

Pack these items to enhance our cruise cabin:

• Power strip or multi-pronged outlet without surge protection
• Power converter
• Night light
• Battery-operated candles
• White noise machine
• Bathroom spray
• Inflatable kiddie pool
• Pop-up hamper or laundry bag
• Chair clips

Port day gear

You'll want to pack items specific to the activities you aim to do in port. Leave room on your cruise packing list for items that will change based on your destination and planned tours.

No matter where you cruise, you'll want a strong but lightweight backpack to stow everything you want to take off the ship with you. I love the kind with mesh pockets on the side to tuck away a water bottle.

In especially scenic destinations, such as Alaska or Scandinavia, you might want to bring binoculars and/or a DSLR camera (rather than relying on your phone for photos). Don't forget accessories like extra batteries, chargers and memory cards.

On beachy cruises, you'll want a beach bag, sand toys for the kids and perhaps your own snorkeling gear. Wet bags (or even plastic zip-top bags) will keep your wet stuff from leaking onto everything on your way back to the ship.

Related: 8 must-pack accessories for your next beach vacation

For water sports like kayaking, consider a dry bag to stow your camera gear, smartphone and wallet and prevent them from getting wet. Waterproof cases for your cellphone and camera are also useful, as well as "beach wallets" that let you go into the water with your credit cards and cash on your person.

• Camera, memory cards, portable tripod and other accessories
• Waterproof dry bag
• Waterproof phone and/or camera case
• Waterproof beach wallet
• Snorkel, mask and fins
• Beach toys for kids (such as packable pails and inflatable floats)
• Retractable hiking poles
• Packaged snacks (such as protein or granola bars) for long excursions
• Lightweight packable travel towels if you want something that folds up smaller than the bulky cruise ship beach towels

Miscellaneous items to pack for your cruise

Some must-pack items for cruises defy categorization but are important nonetheless. Don't leave them off your cruise packing list.

Cruise lines have strict rules about what types of beverages and alcohol you can bring on a cruise ship . If you're picky about wine, many lines will let you bring on a 750 ml bottle or two. Pack your favorite, but be prepared to pay a corkage fee if you drink it at an onboard bar or restaurant.

If you plan to purchase wine in port to bring home, you'll also want to pack bubble wrap or wine protector bags to get your bottles home safely.

Some lines, such as Holland America and Carnival, also allow you to bring on a limited number of cans of nonalcoholic drinks such as soda, juice or seltzer water. This can cut down on your bar bill or fuel your Diet Coke obsession should your ship carry only Pepsi.

I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone to bring their cell phone on vacation (but remember to pack the charging cables). However, you might not know to download your cruise line's app before you leave home. The app will show you the daily schedule, deck plans, dining reservations, shore excursion options and more. Many apps, like the one from Celebrity Cruises , even allow you to chat with other passengers while you're connected to the cruise ship's internet . (Remember to keep your devices in airplane mode to avoid accruing large at-sea roaming charges.)

You'll want cash, especially small bills, for tipping porters and purchasing small souvenirs in port. Depending on your itinerary, you might want to acquire some foreign currency in advance. Otherwise, you can use an ATM once you arrive in port. (ATMs almost always offer a better exchange rate than airport kiosks.)

Bring a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, so you don't spend more than you need to abroad. (If you don't have one, consider applying for one of the best credit cards for travel .)

What not to pack for a cruise

Now that you know what to put on your cruise packing list, you'll also want to know what to leave out. Some items you might be tempted to pack are outright banned by the cruise lines . Others simply aren't necessary.

Here's what you can leave out of your suitcase.

• Linens and towels
• Hand soap (unless you're picky)
• High chair and portable crib (your ship will provide these)
• Coffeemakers and other appliances with heating elements
• Illegal drugs (including marijuana and CBD products, even if they're legal in your home state or departure port)
• Extension cords
• Beverages beyond the modest allotment of wine or nonalcoholic drinks in cans
• Meat, cheese, fruit or other non-prepackaged food (check with your cruise line if you have dietary restrictions and require special food items)

Bottom line

Many cruisers tend to overpack when it comes to clothes and shoes but sometimes forget about other necessities. When you take your suitcase out of the closet and begin packing for your next itinerary, refer to this list and be sure you're covered when it comes to both clothing and those all-important accessories.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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The Ultimate Cruise Vacation Packing Checklist & Best Tips [Printable]

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Getting Started

Travel admin, packing your luggage, airline considerations, apps for packing, apps for cruise vacation travel, how to prepare your house before you leave, final thoughts.

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Whether you are new to the cruising life or a regular seafarer, taking a vacation onboard a luxury liner is an affordable and fun way to see the world and make new friends along the way. Seasoned cruisers and rookies alike get to enjoy action-packed days and fun-filled nights on a vacation that is as high energy or laid back as you want it to be.

With so much to see and do, packing for your cruise vacation can be a bit of a nightmare. Make sure you have everything you need to dress for dinner or dive in the pool by downloading our cruise vacation packing list before you go.

📋 Click Here to View Our Printable Cruise Packing List 📋

Cruise Packing Tips and Advice

Cruise vacations offer lots of different activities and destinations. Follow these top tips to ensure that you are always dressed for the occasion.

Check the Weather

Out on the ocean waves, it can get pretty chilly at night, no matter how tropical it may feel during the day. Cruise ships offer lots of indoor entertainment to suit long days at sea, inclement weather, and occasional rain, but you will need to check the weather before you to leave to see how many layers you need to pack.

Weather is an important factor if you’re going on a cruise to Alaska . You’ll need to include things like a jacket, boots, and a hat in your suitcase to be prepared.

How Many Nights Are You Away?

A 7-, 10- or 14-day cruise should require several outfit changes. Unlike similar vacations on land, you will not always have access to laundry facilities so you will need to make sure you have enough clothing to see you through.

Because you can’t take your entire wardrobe with you on your cruise vacation, it is vital that you understand how to mix and match key items to make them work for you.

Bottom Line: As a rough guide, for a 7-night cruise you will need to bring enough clothing for at least 4 formal or semi-formal nights, a couple of casual evenings, pool and loungewear, and practical clothing for excursions on dry land.

Are There Any Special Occasions or Themed Nights?

Cruise ships may assign daily dress codes that take effect in public rooms and restaurants from 6 p.m. onward. You may be expected to dress up for dinner , so be sure to pack lightweight, interchangeable items of formal attire and shoes to go with them.

If you want to bring your own costumes for themed nights or fancy dress — go ahead! Cruises are all about having fun, so bring as many as you can pack if that’s your thing.

Make a Packing List Early

Buying, sorting, and packing for your cruise vacation is not just a necessity — it is also an exciting part of the cruise vacation experience. Start shopping and planning as early as possible to ensure that you have everything packed and ready by the time you leave.

Choose the Right Luggage

Most cruise line companies will allow you to bring up to 2 full-size suitcases onboard, although there may be restrictions on weight. When thinking about the right luggage for your cruise vacation, think of it more like staying at an upscale hotel, rather than cramming your belongings in a carry-on .

Your cases should be large enough to carry everything you need, but not so big or heavy as to be difficult to lug through the cruise terminal. You will also have a limited amount of space in your cabin, so don’t go mad with oversized cases as you will have nowhere to put them. Stick with hard-sided luggage, too, as it will protect your belongings better.

Purchase Travel-Sized Items

The “3-1-1” rule does not apply to cruise ships. You can bring full-sized bottles if you want to, but most cruise liners will supply shampoo and shower gel in the cabins on your arrival. Save space for other items by bringing travel-sized versions of your toiletries.

Hot Tip: Check out these ways to book a cruise using points and miles .

What Electronics Should I Take?

Cruise ship vacations are designed to keep you entertained every minute of the day. From sunbathing on deck to fitness classes, live music, and midnight buffets, there is never a dull moment out on the ocean.

Wi-Fi can also be limited, and you may have to pay extra for access to it. But, if you do want to take electronics onboard with you, limit them to:

A digital camera — You will want to capture epic images of life at sea, as well as the many destinations you will visit along the way. Read our guide to buying a digital camera for travel if you don’t have one already.

An e-reader — If you like to read when sunbathing or winding down at night, download a few e-books before you go for your e-reader .

Your laptop — Catching up on your emails while sipping a coffee in the lounge is a wonderful way to work if you really have to. Laptops are welcome onboard, but they are your responsibility to keep safe for the duration. Don’t forget travel insurance to keep you covered.

Your cell phone — Always worth taking. Call home and tell them what a wonderful time you are having!

Hairdryers and styling appliances — Cruise ships will usually provide a hairdryer in your cabin, and there is no rule against bringing your straightening irons or electric curlers.

You will not usually be able to bring your travel iron onboard, but most ships have laundry services of some kind where you can pay to have your clothes laundered for you.

Hot Tip: Most cruise liners will have U.K., U.S., and European plug sockets in the cabins, so you may not need to bring a travel adapter . However, you should confirm what your particular ship offers before you go.

Flying to your cruise terminal, boarding the ship, and disembarking at various ports of call will all require tickets, passports, and other paperwork. You will need to have everything with you, either electronically or in paper format, otherwise, your cruise vacation will be a total non-starter.

You will, at the very least, need to have:

Your Passport

Passports are not technically required if you are a U.S. citizen embarking on a “closed-loop” cruise route. This means that you depart from and return to the same U.S. port, after visiting at least 1 foreign port of call. If you are leaving from and returning to separate ports, you will need your passport. 

While an Enhanced Driving License may suffice for I.D. on a closed-loop route, it is probably best to take your passport with you just in case, and all passengers should be sure that it is valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

Your Tickets and Travel Documents

Your tickets will usually be in the form of electronic documents that are either downloaded or sent to you by email. These will also include useful information such as the departure date, itinerary, and airline details if you are flying into shore. You may also want to print a hard copy of all of the above and keep them in your bag, just in case.

Usually, cruise vacations are all-inclusive, and you shouldn’t have to pay for food, drink, and entertainment. You may, however, need to pay for specific activities and excursions while onboard and on dry land, and you will also need to tip the staff while onboard (if not pre-paid).

Keep the majority of your money (and even your cards) in the safe in your cabin closet. Most cruise staff and fellow passengers would never dream of helping themselves to your money, but better to be safe than sorry.

Your Personal Details

In case of an accident or illness, you should keep a copy of your personal details somewhere easy to find . Print basic details like your name, address, next of kin, and any relevant health issues on a credit card-size laminate, and tuck it in your purse or travel wallet .

Hot Tip: Make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck! Check out our list of the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices .

Prepare for the perfect cruise vacation by packing everything you need, and not a single item more.

Get Everything Together and Lay It Out

The key to always looking awesome on a cruise vacation is making sure you bring the right items for every occasion. Before you start to pack, lay out everything that you want to pack out in front of you . This way, you can see how much room you are going to need in your suitcase (or even how many cases you will need), and what, if anything, you are missing.

Pick Capsule Items

With a variety of dress codes and themed events taking place throughout your cruise vacation, it is essential that you can find the right mix of outfits for every occasion. A capsule wardrobe will help you to mix and match your formal wear to look gorgeous every evening, as well as dressing down to lounge and look great around the pool.

A sample capsule wardrobe for a cruise vacation could include:

• 3-5 bathing suits
• Flip flops for the pool or beach
• Sneakers for the gym
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 3 casual shirts
• 3 beach cover-ups
• Enough socks and underwear for a clean pair every day
• 1 sweatshirt/sweater as nights can be chilly on deck
• Dress or smart trousers
• A formal skirt
• 2 formal tops
• A formal jacket
• A pair of smart shoes
• Make-up, jewelry, and accessories to dress up evening wear

Remove Anything Unnecessary

If you are unsure of what not to take, have a look at the website for the cruise ship you are about to travel out on or read passenger reviews. For example, if it turns out that there isn’t a gym or track onboard, you can take out your sportswear as you will have no use for it.

Your luggage allowance may be more than you would usually enjoy on an airplane, but that doesn’t mean you need to take your entire wardrobe with you.

Consider Washing Clothes on the Road

Some cruise liners have laundry facilities that you can use yourself for a small fee. Be aware though, that these are in the minority and most will have serviced laundries that will charge to wash and iron your clothing.

You may get away with washing your small items in the sink, but drying facilities will be scant if you have an inside cabin.

Fold, Interfold, Bundle, or Roll?

Once you have your definitive list of what to take with you, and you have purchased the perfect set of luggage, it’s time to get packing. Want to arrive crease-free and ready to roll? Try these different packing techniques for your next cruise vacation:

Folding — Folding your clothes is the most traditional way to pack your luggage. Freshly laundered and nicely folded items should be packed in the order that you want to unpack them when you reach your cabin. If you do it well, your items should be pretty crease-free on arrival.

Interfolding — By cleverly layering clothes on top of each other in a top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top format, you will be able to unpack well-organized outfits, that arrive wrinkle-free and ready to roll.

Bundling — By tightly folding or wrapping your clothing around your bulkiest pieces, like a pair of sneakers or your toiletry bag , you can save much-needed space and decrease the risk of wrinkles.

Rolling — Rolling your clothes is a great way to get casual items neatly packed without wrinkles. This is a space-saving technique used by many experienced travelers, but be wary of rolling your formal items — stick with a hanging garment bag instead.

Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes provide useful zippered compartments that can be removed from your suitcase to help keep your items well organized on the move. Keep your swimwear, shoes, underwear, and all manner of other items all in 1 place with these smart little portable compartments.

The cubes stack neatly meaning you never waste any space in your suitcase, and they can even help compress your belongings so you can squeeze even more in.

Secure Your Liquids

If you are planning on decanting your full-sized products into smaller, travel-sized containers, be sure that they are leakproof. While the “3-1-1” rule does not apply to cruise ships, you may still need travel-sized bottles for your onward journey, or you may prefer to use them.

Stuff Your Shoes

Stuffing your shoes with socks or underwear helps them to keep their shape, as well as helping to save space in your suitcase.

Take Sticky Notes

This is not a joke and is a great secret weapon for making your cruise life a bit easier. Made a new friend in cabin 1005 and want to meet them for drinks later? Leave a sticky note on their door. Sometimes the simplest methods of communication are best.

Other niche items you may not have thought of are:

• A lanyard to keep your room key easily accessible
• A corkscrew because there’s never one around when you need one
• A small portable fan for your cabin
• An alarm clock with night light for your cabin

Hot Tip: Get started on the right foot — use a great travel rewards credit card to book your cruise so you’ll earn points or miles with each sailing!

Check the Airline Baggage Policy

Different airlines have differing types of restrictions, but there are some general rules that you need to keep in mind when traveling to the port to take your cruise:

Cabin Luggage

Every airline has carry-on allowances that restrict the size and amount of luggage that each passenger can bring onboard. If your carry-on luggage is too large, it will be placed in the hold and also cost you extra.

Cases and carry bags must be no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches to fit in the overhead locker and are limited to 1 carry bag or case per passenger. Passengers may also carry 1 small purse or shoulder bag but this depends on the airline. There is not usually a restriction on weight.

Bottom Line: Always check with your airline about carry-on luggage restrictions so that you don’t get caught out at the airport.

Checked Luggage

Most airlines will allow for 1 checked item per passenger for international flights for free but may charge for checked items on domestic flights. Your suitcase should not have a total dimension of more than 62 inches. That’s the total measurement of the length, height, and width.

Your checked luggage should not exceed 50 pounds in weight , and you may be charged fees if it weighs more. Each airline will have different restrictions so please check with yours first before you travel.

Other items such as strollers , sports equipment, wheelchairs, musical instruments, and other medical items can also be checked, but you should speak to the airline first.

Follow the 3-1-1 Rule for Carry-On

The TSA has strict rules for anyone carrying liquids onboard any domestic or international flights. Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces, and they must be carried in a clear plastic bag.

The 3-1-1 rule essentially means:

• 3.4-ounce bottles or less
• 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag
• 1 bag per passenger

Never Check Essentials

You may be hoping that you can stash your currency, medication, and money in the shiny hardshell suitcase that you have purchased especially for your cruise vacation, but honestly — don’t!

Always keep your essential personal belongings in your carry-on bag; this way they will always be close at hand when you need them.

Pack Spare Clothes in a Carry-On in Case of Delays

Airline travel can lead to lost or delayed luggage from time to time. To prevent your arrival at the cruise terminal with nothing but your purse and passport, pack an emergency change of clothes in your carry-on.

Sometimes it’s useful to ask for a little extra help with getting organized. These packing apps can help to ensure you never leave a single item behind:

PackingPro offers sample lists that can be used to get you packing, or you can build and customize your own based on your clothing preferences and expected weather conditions. You can create lists for multiple travelers and share them via iTunes, Airdrop, or iCloud . You can even attach photos and add scheduled alerts to remind you exactly what to do and when to do it.

This useful little app is only available on iOS and costs $2.99.

While the free version is pretty basic, an upgrade to the paid version will give you a variety of useful additions to the list building element of the app. With gender-specific packing recommendations and expected weather conditions , this intuitive and easy to use app also lets you share your lists and will convert your list to a PDF for printing.

This app is available on iOS and Android, and the Premium edition costs $4.99.

Travel List App

With an easy to use interface, the Travel List App allows you to view your information in list or calendar format, and you can set reminders and alarms to pack specific items and tick them off when they are packed. Fully customizable lists can be synced via your iCloud account or shared on social media.

The app is only available on iOS and costs $1.99 to buy.

Create your own individual packing list for you and your family based on your destination, the duration of your cruise vacation, and the weather forecast. You can share your lists with fellow Packtor subscribers, and you can make duplicate lists and sync them on all of your other devices to ensure you never leave anything behind.

This app is available on both iOS and Android and is free to download, although in-app purchases are available.

Packing List Checklist

This easy to use app will help you to pick suggested items for your next cruise vacation, as well as creating your own customized categories. Use both the “To Do” and ‘To Pack” lists to help get organized , and set reminders and alarms to make sure you don’t forget anything. You can also sync your list with all of the other iOS devices you use before and during your cruise vacation.

The app is available on iOS only and is free to download.

Make the most of your next cruise vacation with these top traveling apps:

Cruise Ship Mate

As one of the most popular cruise apps available, Cruise Ship Mate has lots of fun features that will help you interact with your fellow passengers both on and off the ship . See the full roster of passengers embarking with you, check out deck plans and entertainment programs, or find things to do in your various ports of call. You can even view the deck cams in the run-up to your cruise vacation, and share a cruise countdown on social media.

The app is available on iOS and Android and is free to download.

As the most popular trip planner and flight tracker in the U.S. today, TripIt is much more than just another packing list app. You can save all of your electronic travel documents in 1 place, build your own itinerary, and send a comprehensive list of your travel plans to yourself and fellow travelers.

TripIt Pro also offers more advanced features, including interactive maps and real-time flight checkers.

The app is available on both iOS and Android. The basic edition is free, or you can upgrade to Pro for $49 per year.

Cruise Card Control

It can be easy to overspend while onboard and trying to live the luxury lifestyle regardless of your budget. This app is designed to help you budget and track your onboard spending and offers a straightforward way to monitor your outgoings with an easy to use expense tracker. You can create custom categories, enter costs along with pictures of receipts, and have a customized budget with helpful graphs to keep track of how you’re doing.

Available on iOS only, this app is $2.99 to download.

Deck Director

Taking deck maps to a new dimension, this app offers simple, step-by-step directions to any place or amenity on board the supported cruise ships . Not only is it a handy tool for anyone who gets lost easily, but it is also a useful app for passengers with limited mobility who need to be able to traverse the ship using elevators. You can also link up with fellow passengers using the real-time chat facility.

See the skies like never before with this stargazing app designed for cruisers. The night sky is brighter and more beautiful out at sea, and by simply tilting the device towards the sky, the intelligent GPS technology will track the position of the stars, planets, and moons in real-time , so that you can see what’s going on up above.

The app is free for both iOS and Android devices.

Before you head out off on your dream cruise vacation, be sure to take care of a few basic housekeeping chores at home:

Clean out the refrigerator — You don’t want to return home from your vacation to a stinky house and a kitchen full of rotting food, so clear out date-sensitive produce and give everything a quick wipe over before you leave.

Take out the trash — All of those items that you have just thrown out of the fridge need to be disposed of. Take them, and any other garbage bags out to the trash before you go.

Check the laundry — Nobody wants to return to the laundry that has sat wet in the washer for weeks on end. Prevent sour smells and even mold by checking your washer and dryer before you leave.

Program your thermostat — Save money and energy by re-programming your thermostat to only come on for an hour or so a day. That way, you can come home to a house that is the perfect temperature and also avoid any burst pipes if the weather is freezing.

Put your lights on timers — Deter burglars by setting your lights to come on using timers or smart devices. A little light every evening will make your home look occupied and therefore less attractive to would-be criminals. If you have a smart hub, you could even put your TV on for an hour or so at a time, too.

Ask a friend to check in — Have a friend or neighbor check in regularly to collect your mail. Doormats piled high is a sure sign of a vacant property, making it an attractive proposition to burglars. Have them collect it, and you can pick it up when you get back from your cruise vacation.

A cruise vacation is an experience unlike any other. With plenty to see and do, and tons of new people to meet along the way, many cruise vacationers find themselves returning year after year.

Make your next cruise vacation the best ever by getting your packing groove on nice and early. Create a carefully crafted packing list, and you really can’t go wrong. With apps to help you create and share your packing lists and to remind you what to buy and when to pack it, you can be better organized this time than ever before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i pack for my cruise.

You can download a printable cruise packing list here, but as a rough guide you will need to pack:

• Travel documents such as your passport, tickets, and boarding passes.
• Items for personal comfort such as a neck pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs.
• Electronics
• Medication and health products
• Clothing, shoes, and accessories

What can you not bring on a cruise?

Prohibited items will vary depend on the cruise company you are traveling with but here are some general guidelines of items you should not take on a cruise:

• Firearms and sharp objects
• Flammable objects and explosives
• Illegal drugs
• Coffee makers and hot plates
• Skateboards and scooters
• Self-defense items such as pepper spray

How much cash should I bring on a cruise?

The amount of cash you need on a cruise is less than you think. Cruise lines will have your room key tied to an account that you can pay off by card. The same usually applies for gratuity.

Cash will therefore only really be needed for days in port and the amount will depend on your spending habits and how many shore days you have.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Cruise Packing List | Ultimate 2023 Checklist [With PDF Download]

Our 2023 Cruise Packing List is the only checklist you'll need in preparation for your cruise vacation. From the "essentials" to the "extras," we've got you covered.

We're constantly asked "what to pack for a cruise." To make it as simple as possible, we've created this printable PDF Cruise Packing List . Click that link for a high-resolution, downloadable Cruise Packing List.

Use the button above to add this to your Cruise Packing Pinterest Board .

We've also included your cruise necessities below. Each section of the list is broken up to provide a bit more detail. When advising our community to pack a "dress shirt," we often have follow up questions. Or when suggesting a "cruise power strip" we're given blank stares. That's why you'll find images and a short description to go along with many items on our checklist. Hopefully that helps to avoid any confusion.

Clothes to Pack for a Cruise

*Below are the clothes you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

This is probably the trickiest set of items on our cruise packing list. Depending on where you're cruising to and from, your clothing items will vary. Your specific itinerary will also have an impact on your packing list. If sailing for 7 days, you'll obviously need more stuff than a 3 nighter. Seven-night cruises are the most common. We'll assume seven night in our list below.

With our downloadable packing list, we've included a "Quantity" column. Feel free to adjust this. Some items will require multiple pieces (like socks).

As a woman, what clothes will I need for my cruise?

Cruise Packing List - CLOTHES

Athletic Shoes : You'll be doing a LOT of walking. You'll need a comfortable set of sneakers for the extra-long walks when exploring the ship, port, or hitting the gym.

Casual Shirts : Comfortable shirts are needed for strolling around, breakfast, port-stops, and more, throw on comfortable, casual shirt.

Dress Shirts : Pack dressier shirts and blouses for night-time activities such as dinner, shows, and lounges.

Dresses : Expect at least one "formal night" on your cruise. Check with your agent or the line to see how many you'll have. Consider bringing a dress for each that you plan to attend.

Gym Clothes : Cruise ships are equipped with running tracks, beautiful gyms, rock climbing walls, and many more opportunities to get active. Bring an outfit or two to get in on the action.

Jacket / Windbreaker : The top deck of your ship will be windy (guaranteed). Also, ship venues will have the A/C cranking. Have a light jacket or windbreaker to keep warm.

Jeans : Jeans are great for mid to late day activities. You'll wear these often to events like bingo, exhibitions, snacking, etc.

Leisure Shoes : You'll want shoes somewhere between a sandal and a sneaker. They'll be necessary for walking around the ship or port in mid-range distances.

Pants : Whether sweatpants or slacks, we're sure you have your favorite pants you'll want to take on vacation.

Sandals / Flip Flops : Hopefully you'll spend a good amount of time poolside or visiting cruise port beaches. Sandals are a must.

Shorts : You'll want a few sets of shorts to slip on during the day.

Skirts : Pack some longer skirts for night-time activities or shorter skirts for day-time activities.

Sleepwear : If you have a favorite set of jammies, make sure to stick those in your luggage. Your cabin could be warmer or colder than you're expecting based on the individual ship. Plan for either.

Swimsuits / Cover Ups : You'll want multiple swimsuits for the pool, jacuzzis, beaches, and maybe even waterslides. We bring 3-4 pairs for a seven-night cruise. You're expected to cover some skin when popping into the buffet and other eating venues, so pack a cover up for ease.

T-shirts : We typically pack 7 casual shirts or t-shirts for the week. Also, we love wearing a funny cruise shirt on Day 1 of the cruise. When wearing, you're guaranteed to make ship mates that you'll see throughout the week.

Undershirts / Bras : Easily overlooked and oh so necessary. The ship store will not have your favorite brand!

Underwear : Don't forget to pack that pair you've been saving for vacation. Ooh la la.

Accessories to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the cruise accessories that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

These are in the " very easy to forget " category of our cruise packing list. You won't realize you forgot some of these items until you get ready for dinner on Night One of your cruise.

Not this time. Use our accessories checklist to assure that you're fully accessorized throughout your sailing.

Cruise Packing List - ACCESSORIES

Sunglasses : The top decks of your ship will be super bright. Not to mention the powder-white sands at port. Grab a UV-protected set of sunglasses for extra care.

Watches : Cruise ships are infamous for their lack of clocks. As such, cruise passengers are infamous for missing out on events. Consider bringing a watch that's easy to adjust. Cruise ship staff may ask that you set your clock to a specific time (ship and port times can actually differ) to assure that you're back on board before the ship leaves.

Hat : We take a few hats with us. Some for "dress up" and then possibly another for the gym or jogging track.

Belts : This is probably one of the most forgotten items. A missing belt can ruin the whole outfit. Please note that cruise ships have been known to mysteriously shrink belts.

Jewelry : There are two schools of thought here. The first is to pack your fancy jewelry that you otherwise don't get to wear in "real life." Strategy Two is to only include the cheap stuff on your cruise packing list. We see the logic in both and will let you decide.

Purses : We bring purses for night-time activities (dinner, shows, bars) and small handbags for the essentials. Typically, one of each will do.

Journal : If you're like us, you enjoy capturing your cruise vacation in time. There's nothing better than sitting top deck with a warm coffee and journaling about the amazing cruise thus-far.

Toiletries to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the toiletries that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

Another set of easily forgotten cruise packing list items... Toiletries! If you forget dental floss, you'll probably be just fine. Forget your contacts, though, and things could get a bit less enjoyable.

Below, you'll find a list of the essentials you'll need in your cruise bathroom.

Cruise Packing List - TOILETRIES

Shaving Cream and Razors : Just know that your cruise cabin bathroom will be tiny. There's very little space to maneuver, in case that impacts your choice of shaving devices.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste : A tube of travel-sized toothpaste will last one person the full week... unless you really like the taste of toothpaste.

Tweezers : It always happens. You think to yourself, "I won't need these." Then two days into your vacation, you really wish you had them. They take up so little space, just pack them!

Makeup : You'll have seven full nights to get all "made up." Make sure to take advantage of each!

Makeup Remover : After a few drinks, it's so easy to just hit the hay without washing off "your face." Make it easy on yourself by packing some proper makeup remover.

Contacts & Solution : There will be plenty to see. Make sure you're able to fully take it all in by packing your contacts and solution.

Hair Brush : "Salt hair don't care" is a phrase that feels appropriate here.

Deodorant : Travel-sized may not be enough. Bring a full stick just to be "sure."

Floss : Food will be in abundance. And some of it may come in the form likely to get caught up in those teeth. You'll be glad that you packed floss.

Facial Cleanser : Your face will undergo a daily regimend of lotion, salt, sand, margaritas and more. Prepare to wipe the slate clean at the end of the night.

Shampoo & Conditioner : We use the cruise ship stocked shampoo and conditioner, but can appreciate that some like to add these to their cruise packing list.

Moisturizer : Unlike a hotel, typically a cruise cabin will not come equipped with moisturizer. Bring your own to stay hydrated.

Face Lotion : Keep your face healthy from the sun, lotion, makeup, and salt air from the week.

Electronics to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the electronics that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

Some people prefer to unplug on their cruise. Not us. We like to enhance our cruise experience with our favorite gadgets.

Whether watching our favorite movie on the back deck of the ship, jamming to our favorite song while jogging the track, or capturing a wide shot of the port, we appreciate our electronics while cruising.

Here are the items our family packs for each cruise.

Cruise Packing List - ELECTRONICS

Camera & Memory Card : Smartphones are great for capturing most photos. But, to get that underwater shot or for museum-quality photos, we like to bring our own gear.

Video & MP3 Player : We use this less on the cruise than we do traveling to our ship. While waiting for our plane or our embarkation group to be called, this is a great option to pass the time.

iPhone : We try to limit our phones to photos, the ship's texting plans, and emergency contacts.

Laptop & Charger : We're much more motivated to curate and edit photos or videos as we go. If we wait days or weeks to edit, it never gets done. A laptop is the easiest way to edit as we go.

iPhone Charger : Bring a good charger, not a dollar-store version. You'll find yourself waiting in your cabin while your device charges and you'll want to limit that downtime. A good charger will achieve that.

Cruise Cabin Power Strip : Your cabin has just one outlet. Turn two outlets into five with a small power strip. Note, cruise lines ban most power strips. This power strip is cruise approved.

eBooks : Another great way to spend the time. We love curling up with our favorite e-book while the sun sets. Make sure to download before you board the ship, as internet will be gone (or terrible) once at sea.

Earphones : Don't forget your favorite earbuds or noise cancelling headphones.

Health Items to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the health essentials that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

You've waited so long to finally set sail and you deserve this vacation. Don't let anything, like a sunburn or seasickness, ruin it for you.

Below you'll find the "must-have" health & wellness items for your cruise packing list. It's better to be prepared and to sacrifice a little bit of luggage space then to wish you had some of these essentials once on your ship.

Cruise Packing List - Health Items

Compression Socks : Many in our community complain about the "swelling" that occurs on a cruise ship. We've also heard from many that compression socks are the best way to control this ailment.

Water Bottle : This is an absolute essential. It's surprisingly inconvenient to find a glass of water on the ship. Pack this and never get parched.

Reading Glasses : While you won't have access to your Wall Street Journal, you will be reading the Daily Planner and Dinner Menus with frequency.

Tissues : Tissues are always an essential when traveling, particularly with children.

Dramamine : Seasickness can be devastating to your cruise experience. If Dramamine isn't your cup of tea, here are 32 other ways to prevent or treat seasickness .

Prescription Meds : An obvious and super important item on our cruise packing list.

UV Sanitizer Box : In this day and age you can never be too careful. This UV Light Sanitizer Box uses ultraviolet rays to kill pathogens on key cards, phones, and more. It's the same technology used in hospitals! UV Sanitizer Box

Vitamins : Your diet is in for a roller coaster of a ride. Bring vitamins and probiotics to supplement your health.

Pain Reliever : This can come in handy for common headaches or less common ailments like sore feet (from tearing up the dance floor).

Feminine Hygiene Products : Also available at the ship's sundry store if needed.

First Aid Kit : You can always visit your ship's medical facility when needed. We like to have this on-hand for minor cuts and scrapes as well.

Photocopy of Medications : In the rare case that you and your bags are separated, this will come in handy. This can also be used as a shopping list while in Mexico... totally joking - please don't do that.

Refillable Sanitizer Bottles : These are super convenient! Attach to your cruise lanyard or other accessory. Everywhere you go, you'll have sanitizer at the ready! Refillable Travel Sanitizer Bottles

Lip Balm : The cruise line gift shops likely make a killing charging 5x the cost of lip balm for all those forgetting to pack this essential item.

Sunscreen : Double up on your favorite sunscreen. We want to see you cruising for many years to come.

Money & Docs to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the money and document items that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

This is one of the more boring categories, but essential to get right on your cruise packing list.

You can forget many of the items on this list and bust out the credit card as a fail safe. But if you forget that credit card, you're in some deep waters.

Double-check this section of your list to assure everything is checked here.

Cruise Packing List - Money & Docs

Cash : Don't worry about foreign cash. The almighty USD is all that you'll need at any of your cruise ports.

Credit Cards : Always default to your credit card rather than your debit card when on a cruise. You'll be much more protected in situations where it's necessary.

Passport & ID : Technically, you probably won't need your passport. But if you have an active passport, we strongly encourage you to bring it.

Vaccination Card : You may or may not need this. Check your specific cruise ship policies for confirmation.

Photocopies of ID's : In the case that your ID or passport is stolen, this will be critical. Consider hard copies and digital copies as backup.

Insurance Information : Most personal insurance plans aren't covered on cruise vacations. You'll want cruise-specific coverage. Here's a great article on what you'll need and what you can expect to pay.

Pen and Paper : You'll need a pen to fill out boarding and customs docs. A pad of paper could also come in handy for those note-takers out there.

Boarding Pass : The cruise line will email your boarding pass. When showing up to your embarkation port, they'll ask for this. It's not 100% necessary, but will save some time.

Excursion Confirmations : It's a good idea to book shore tours in advance. Search all major providers using Gangwaze . Once booked, print and pack your confirmations.

Emergency Numbers : Include essential contacts back on shore in the case that someone needs contacting in an emergency.

Extras to Pack for a Cruise

Below are the extra must-have items that you'll want to add to your cruise packing checklist.

While the items below aren't 100% essential to your cruise packing list, they can seriously enhance your cruise.

This is, by far, the most fun packing category. In the cruise items list below, we've included the best of the best "extra" items to buy in preparation for your sailing. To see more of these items, check out our post, 29 Cruise Essentials on Amazon .

For some of these items, we've included links to our favorites found on Amazon. All have been thoroughly tested and get our seal of approval.

Cruise Packing List - Extras

Cruise Luggage Tag Holders : Your cruise line will email your e-tags before your cruise. They'll advise you to staple these to your luggage. We're better than that. Cruise Luggage Tags on Amazon .

Playing Cards : Gin Rummy has never been more fun than when played listening to the crashing ocean waves.

Bottle of Wine : Most cruise lines allow you to bring one bottle of wine. Don't lick a gift horse in the mouth... or whatever that expression.

Travel Pillow : Great for the plane ride, but also wonderful in your deck chair.

Towel Bands : The Lido Deck is super windy. Don't lose your towel (and towel deposit) to Mother Earth. Towel bands are a perfect way to secure these to your chair. They also make it easier to find your beach chair in a sea of similar towels. Cruise Towel Bands on Amazon

Ear Plugs : Your cruise neighbors and their noise level is entirely up to chance. Be prepared.

Cruise Lanyards : Never lose your cruise key card again. Also protect money and credit cards while at port. Cruise Lanyards on Amazon .

Cruise Cabin Night Light : One of the most brilliant cruise products we've ever used. Invaluable for the pitch-black cruise cabin in the middle of the night... and it's magnetic to stick to your cabin wall! Cruise Night Light on Amazon .

Cruise Cabin Hanging Organizer : Staterooms are tiny. Add this to your cruise packing list to become the most organized cruiser on your deck. Make sure it's flame retardant, as with this one. Cruise Hanging Organizer on Amazon .

Collapsible Tote Bag : This is perfect for trips to and from the pool and also lugging stuff around port. And it collapses to the size of a wallet for easy packing. Collapsible Travel Tote Bag on Amazon .

Travel Laundry Bag : For those soiled clothes piling up in the cabin corner.

RFID Money Belt : Keep your essentials safe while at port. Your credit cards can be stolen these days from across the room without RFID protection.

Snorkel : If you have extra room and plan to snorkel, this is a great addition to your cruise list. You can pick one up for the price of a rental once you get to port. And you won't have to french kiss a used piece of plastic.

Cruise Staff Thank You Cards : These will turn good service into amazing service and it's heartwarming to do. We've seen cruise staff in tears and never go without these. Cruise Crew Thank You Cards on Amazon .

If you haven't yet, you can download our printable PDF Cruise Packing List . Feel free to add or edit it as you'd like. We hope that it helps to remember everything that you need.

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Cruise Packing List for Dummies: 150+ Items & Free Printable PDF!

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2024

Embarking on a cruise is an exhilarating journey, promising adventures on the high seas and unforgettable memories at exotic ports.

Whether you’re a cruising newbie or a seasoned sailor, our cruise packing list will help you navigate through 150 essential and optional items, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every moment on board.

So, without further ado, print out your free cruise packing list and let’s get started!

Essential Documents

Navigating the vast expanse of the ocean on a luxurious cruise liner is a dream for many, but even dreams need some practical groundwork.

That groundwork starts with essential documents as part of your cruise packing list. Imagine arriving at the port, the buzz of excited travelers around you, only to realize you’ve forgotten a crucial piece of paper.

To ensure you’re never in that nightmarish situation, we’ve compiled a list of must-have documents. Keep them handy, and you’ll have a seamless boarding experience.

Passport & Visa: Your primary identification when traveling internationally. Ensure they’re up-to-date with sufficient validity. Some destinations might require a visa, so do your research well in advance.

Boarding Passes & Cruise Tickets: Think of these as your golden tickets to paradise. Without them, the dream cruise remains just that – a dream. Always double-check your reservation details and timings.

Travel Insurance Documents: Hope for the best, but prepare for the unexpected. Travel insurance can be a lifesaver in emergencies. It can cover anything from medical expenses to trip cancellations, ensuring peace of mind throughout your journey.

Emergency Contact List: In the age of smartphones, we often forget numbers. A physical list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, and medical professionals, can be invaluable in case of mishaps.

Photocopies of All Important Documents: Loss or theft can happen, even in the middle of the ocean. Having photocopies (and digital backups) means you’re not completely stranded if the originals go missing.

Driver’s License or Other ID: While your passport is primary, having a secondary form of ID can be useful on your cruise packing list for in-port activities or rentals.

Medical Prescriptions and Health Insurance Cards: Your health is paramount. Always carry prescriptions for any medications you’re on, and don’t forget your health insurance details. It simplifies processes if you need medical attention.

Currency and Credit Cards: While most cruises are all-inclusive, when you disembark at various ports, you’ll need local currency or a universally accepted credit card for expenses.

With these documents on your cruise packing list, you’re not just packing papers; you’re packing confidence. Knowing you’re prepared for any administrative eventuality means you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying your cruise to the fullest.

The allure of cruising is its unique blend of relaxed leisure and sophisticated elegance. As the ship sails from one magnificent destination to another, the backdrop might change, but one constant remains: your need to feel comfortable and look fabulous.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, exploring a local market, or attending a black-tie dinner, your wardrobe choices play a pivotal role.

Let’s help you pack cruise clothes that resonates with every mood and moment of your cruise adventure.

Casual Wear (Shorts, T-Shirts): Your day-to-day staples. Perfect for a sunny day on the ship’s deck, an impromptu volleyball match, or a laid-back lunch at the buffet. Remember, comfort is key here.

Formal Wear (For Cruise Dinners & Events): Many cruises host formal nights where elegance reigns supreme. A stylish dress or a sharp suit can make you feel like royalty. Don’t forget the matching shoes!

Swimwear : With pools, jacuzzis, and tropical beaches at many port stops, you’ll be glad you packed that swimsuit. Consider bringing more than one, so you always have a dry option.

Light Jacket or Sweater: Even in tropical paradises, evenings can get a tad chilly. A light jacket or sweater ensures you can enjoy the ocean breeze without the shivers.

Workout Clothes: For those motivated mornings or post-dessert guilt trips. Cruise ships often feature state-of-the-art gyms, and you might want to join a sunrise yoga class.

Comfortable Walking Shoes : Essential for those port excursions. You might end up walking more than anticipated while exploring, and the right shoes can be the difference between an adventure and an ordeal.

Sandals/Flip-Flops: Perfect for the poolside, spa, or beach. Easy to slip on and off and quintessential for a beachy vibe.

Hats & Sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun’s rays while looking effortlessly stylish. A wide-brimmed hat or a snazzy pair of shades elevates any outfit.

Rain Jacket or Poncho: Tropical weather can be unpredictable. Stay dry during unexpected drizzles or showers.

Themed or Specialty Attire: Some cruises have themed nights – think ’70s disco or masquerade balls. Check in advance and pack accordingly to be part of the fun.

Dressing right on a cruise is more than just fashion; it’s about feeling in tune with your surroundings.

With a well-thought-out mix of cruise essentials and a sprinkle of specialty items, you can ensure that you’re not just dressed for the occasion, but you’re dressed for every memory you’re about to make on your cruise packing list.

Personal Care Items

Cruising is as much about the exhilarating experiences as it is about self-care and relaxation. As you sail the seven seas, ensuring that you maintain your personal hygiene and appearance is crucial.

After all, feeling great is integral to fully enjoying every moment. This section is your compass to the personal care essentials that should find a place on your cruise packing list.

Toiletries : The basics can make or break a trip. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap or body wash – pack travel-sized versions if you’re tight on space.

Sunscreen : You’ll likely be spending a lot of time under the sun. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with a good sunscreen, and consider one that’s waterproof if you’re hitting the pool or beach.

Deodorant: Stay fresh as you hop from one activity to the next. Whether you prefer roll-on, stick, or spray, don’t forget to pack your trusty deodorant.

Moisturizer & After-Sun Lotion: The sun and sea can be drying. Keep your skin hydrated and soothe any sunburns with moisturizing lotions.

Razor & Shaving Cream: For those who prefer a smooth shave even while on vacation. Remember, even if the cruise has a store, these items can be pricey.

Makeup & Makeup Remover: Whether you’re aiming for a natural look or something more glamorous for the evening events, ensure you have your makeup essentials. And at the day’s end, a good makeup remover is a must.

Hair Care Products: Hair spray, gel, or your favorite styling product. With the sea breeze, having something to manage your mane can be handy.

Personal Hygiene Products: Such as sanitary napkins, tampons, or any other personal hygiene product you typically use. It’s always good to be prepared.

Nail Clippers & Tweezers: For those unexpected hangnails or stray brows. Small but essential tools.

Lip Balm: Salty sea air can be harsh on the lips. Keep them soft and moisturized with a good lip balm.

Travel Towel: While the cruise will provide towels, having a compact, quick-drying one can be handy for off-ship excursions or if you prefer your own.

Hand Sanitizer: A small bottle can go a long way, especially when you’re exploring ports and might not have immediate access to soap and water.

Travel Laundry Detergent: For those small emergencies or if you prefer washing certain items by hand. A sink-friendly detergent can be a lifesaver.

Looking great on a cruise is a blend of preparation and self-care. With these personal care items on your cruise packing list, you’ll not only feel refreshed but also face every day with confidence, ready to make the most of your cruising adventure.

Health and Medication

The majestic views, the rhythmic waves, and the promise of new horizons—cruises are an escapade into serenity. Yet, amidst all this, health should never take a back seat.

Whether it’s the thrill of adventures in foreign lands or simply indulging in on-board activities, being prepared on the health front ensures you can make the most of every moment.

Here’s our beacon of guidance on what to put on your cruise packing list for health and well-being during your cruise journey.

Prescription Medication: Always at the top of the list. If you have ongoing medications, ensure you pack enough for the trip’s duration and a bit extra. Keep them in their original packaging to avoid any customs issues.

First Aid Kit: A compact kit with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and gauze can come in handy for minor accidents. You never know when you might need it, especially during excursions.

Over-the-Counter Medications: Think pain relievers, antacids, or allergy meds. Even if you don’t regularly use them, they’re good to have on hand for unexpected ailments.

Motion Sickness Remedies: The ocean isn’t always calm. Whether you opt for pills, wristbands, or natural remedies, it’s wise to have something for potential seasickness.

Insect Repellent: Depending on your destinations, this can be crucial. Protect yourself from unwanted insect bites, especially in tropical locations.

Water Purification Tablets or Bottle: For those stops at places where tap water might be questionable. Staying hydrated is crucial, but so is ensuring the water is safe to drink.

Vitamins and Supplements: If you’re on a daily regimen, remember to pack them. Even on vacation, it’s essential to keep up with your health routines.

Digestive Health Items: Travel can sometimes upset your system. Pack items like probiotics, anti-diarrhea medicine, or anything else you trust to keep your digestive system in check.

Sleep Aids: New environments and time zones can disrupt sleep. If you occasionally use sleep aids, they might be worth adding to your cruise packing list, whether they’re over-the-counter meds or natural remedies like melatonin.

Contraceptives: If you use them, don’t forget to pack them. Better safe than sorry.

Ear Plugs & Sleep Mask: For a peaceful night’s sleep, especially if you’re sensitive to unfamiliar noises or lights.

Hand and Face Wipes: For quick refreshers. They can be especially handy after long excursions or activities.

Personal Medical History & Doctor’s Contact: In the rare event of a medical emergency, having a brief medical history and your primary physician’s contact can be invaluable.

Health and wellness are foundations for any memorable trip. A cruise, with its blend of relaxation and adventure, is no exception.

By ensuring you’ve packed smartly for all health-related scenarios, you’re setting yourself up for a journey where every day is lived to the fullest, free from unnecessary worries.

Gadgets and Electronics

As the waves whisper stories of far-off lands and the ship sails into the horizon, modern travelers know the importance of staying connected and capturing memories.

In the digital age, gadgets and electronics aren’t just conveniences—they’re essential companions.

Whether you’re a tech junkie or a casual user, this cruise packing list section will guide you through the electronic cruise accessories to pack for a seamless cruise experience.

Camera & Extra Memory Cards: From the vastness of the open sea to the intricate details of local markets, there’s a lot to capture. A good camera ensures you don’t miss a moment. And extra memory cards? They ensure you never run out of space.

Smartphone & Charger: Your multipurpose tool—camera, communication device, map, and more. And its charger, because what’s a smartphone without power?

Portable Charger/Power Bank: Especially useful during long excursions ashore. A reliable power bank ensures your devices stay charged even away from the ship.

Universal Travel Adapter: Cruise ships and foreign ports might have different outlets. An adapter ensures you can plug in wherever you are.

Headphones or Earbuds: For those personal music moments, movie nights, or simply when you want to block out the world and relax.

E-reader or Tablet: Carry a library with you without the weight. Perfect for poolside reading or winding down in the evening.

Laptop (if necessary): For those who might need to check in with work, edit photos on-the-go, or stream movies.

Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker: Keep track of your steps during excursions or monitor your health. Plus, it’s an easy way to check the time without pulling out your phone.

Waterproof Phone Case or Pouch: For those beach excursions or poolside lounging moments. Protect your devices from unwanted splashes.

USB Flash Drive: Handy for transferring or storing photos, especially if you plan on sharing with fellow travelers.

Travel Router (if staying connected is a priority): Some ships offer Wi-Fi, but having a personal travel router can sometimes give a more reliable connection.

Portable Speaker (waterproof, if possible): For impromptu dance parties in your cabin or background music during sunset gazing. Just ensure you’re respectful of your neighbors!

Digital Luggage Scale: Avoid overpacking or fees by ensuring your luggage is within the weight limits, especially useful if you’re flying to or from the cruise port.

Electronics enrich our travels in myriad ways, from capturing memories to facilitating convenience.

While disconnecting occasionally on your cruise is therapeutic, having these gadgets ensures you have the choice to connect when you wish.

As you pack these cruise packing list essentials, remember to also consider insurance or protective cases for your pricey items, ensuring they stay safe and functional throughout your journey.

Entertainment

Cruising is often a delightful blend of excitement and relaxation. While there’s a plethora of activities to enjoy onboard and at various ports, there will be moments when you crave personal entertainment.

Perhaps it’s a day at sea, a quiet evening on the balcony, or just some downtime in your cabin. Whatever the scenario, it’s great to be equipped with a mix of entertaining resources to keep you engaged.

Books: Dive into a gripping novel, a travel guide about your next port, or a magazine as the sea breezes by. Even in the digital age, there’s something magical about flipping through real pages with the sound of waves in the background.

Board Games or Card Games: Perfect for those lazy afternoons or evenings with family and friends. From classics like Scrabble or Uno to travel-sized versions of your favorite games, they’re fantastic social entertainment to add to your cruise packing list.

Journal or Notepad: Document your journey, doodle, or even pen down postcard messages. It’s therapeutic and creates a keepsake of your memories.

Coloring Books & Colored Pencils: Adult coloring books have surged in popularity. They’re not just fun but also a meditative way to relax.

Music Playlist or Streaming Service Subscription: Create a cruise-themed playlist or enjoy your favorite tunes as you sail. With offline modes available on many streaming platforms, your music can accompany you even without Wi-Fi.

Movies or TV Show Downloads: While many cruise cabins offer entertainment systems, having your favorite shows or films on your device ensures you’re entertained even during Wi-Fi downtimes.

Puzzle Books (Crosswords, Sudoku, etc.): Engage your brain and pass the time with some challenging (or not-so-challenging) puzzles.

Crafting or Knitting Supplies: If you’re into crafting or knitting, the calm of the sea can be the perfect backdrop to some creative time.

Portable Video Games: Devices like the Nintendo Switch or other handhelds can be great for personal entertainment or even multiplayer fun with fellow travelers.

Audiobooks or Podcasts: Download a captivating story or a series of informative podcasts. They’re perfect companions for a sunbathing session or even a workout in the ship’s gym.

Language Learning Apps or Guides: Heading to foreign ports? Use the journey time to pick up a few local phrases. It enhances the travel experience and is a fantastic way to engage your mind.

Binoculars: Not strictly for entertainment, but these can amplify the joy of spotting distant islands, marine life, or even stars on a clear night.

While cruises are a treasure trove of entertainment options, having personal choices on your cruise packing list truly enhances the experience.

It ensures that in every moment—whether action-packed or leisurely—you’re immersed in enjoyment, making the most of your voyage.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Amidst the frenzy of packing clothes, documents, and tech gadgets, there’s a realm of often-overlooked items that can significantly enhance your cruise experience.

These aren’t always the first things that come to mind, but trust us—they’re absolute game-changers. This section delves into those miscellaneous must-haves that might not scream “essential” but often prove to be invaluable during your journey on your cruise packing list.

Ziplock Bags: These are versatile wonders. Keep your belongings dry during beach excursions, separate wet swimwear, or even store snacks for a day out.

Travel Pillow: Be it for an unexpected nap on the sundeck or ensuring better sleep in your cabin, a familiar and comfortable pillow can make all the difference.

Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated without constantly purchasing bottled water. It’s eco-friendly and ensures you have a drink on hand during excursions.

Snacks: While all-inclusive cruises offer an abundance of food, having some of your favorite snacks on your cruise packing list can be comforting, especially for mid-adventure munching.

Backpack or Daypack: Perfect for carrying essentials during port excursions. Make sure it’s comfortable and lightweight.

Waterproof Phone Pouch: Protect your phone from splashes, sand, or an accidental dip during beach visits or water activities.

Highlighters & Pens: Highlight activities you’re interested in on the daily itinerary provided by the cruise line. And pens? Always handy.

Door Decorations: Some cruise enthusiasts love personalizing their cabin doors. It adds a touch of home and makes your room easily identifiable in the long corridors.

Sticky Notes or Dry Erase Board: Leave notes for your cabin mates or keep track of daily plans. It’s old-school but effective.

Clothespins or Clips: Useful for hanging wet clothes or simply keeping your towel in place on the deck chair.

Tote Bag: An eco-friendly option for shopping at ports or carrying essentials around the ship.

Earplugs: If you’re a light sleeper, these can be lifesavers, especially if there’s ambient noise or if your cabin is close to high-traffic areas.

Extension Cord or Power Strip: With the number of gadgets we carry, cabin outlets might not suffice. Ensure it’s cruise-friendly and doesn’t have surge protection, as many cruise lines prohibit those.

Nightlight: Cabin rooms can get exceptionally dark. A small nightlight ensures you find your way without disturbing others.

Lanyard for Cruise Card: Many travelers find it convenient to hang their cruise card (used for room access and onboard purchases) around their neck, especially if you’re prone to misplacing things.

These items might seem trivial, but they epitomize the saying, “It’s the little things that matter.” By ensuring you pack these miscellaneous must-haves, you’re not just preparing for a cruise; you’re optimizing for an experience that’s as seamless as it is memorable.

Optional But Handy

There’s packing, and then there’s pro-level packing. This section is for those travelers who love to be ultra-prepared, reveling in the comfort of knowing they’ve thought of everything.

While these items aren’t necessities for everyone, they can significantly enhance the cruise experience for many, turning potential minor inconveniences into moments of “I’m so glad I packed that!”

Binoculars: Eager to spot distant islands, ships, or marine life? These are your best friends. Especially if you have a balcony cabin, binoculars can bring the horizon a little closer.

Travel Journal: Sure, photos capture memories, but a journal captures feelings. Document your journey, the people you meet, and the unique moments that photos might miss.

Collapsible Laundry Basket: For those longer cruises, this helps keep your dirty clothes organized and makes the trip to the ship’s laundromat easier.

Portable Clothesline: A nifty tool if you prefer washing some items by hand in your cabin. String it up in the bathroom and let your clothes dry.

Corkscrew/Bottle Opener: If you’re bringing wine or beverages onboard (as per the cruise line’s alcohol policy), adding this to your cruise packing list ensures you’re not left staring at a sealed bottle.

Small Umbrella or Poncho: Weather can be unpredictable. A compact umbrella or poncho can easily fit in your daypack for those unexpected showers.

Thermal Flask/Coffee Mug: Keep your coffee hot or your water chilled as you roam around the ship.

Portable Fan: Especially useful for those who prefer a breeze while sleeping or for quickly drying wet items.

Sewing Kit: For those unexpected wardrobe malfunctions. A small kit with some needles, threads, and buttons can be a savior.

Extra Glasses/Contact Lenses: Your vision is paramount. If you wear corrective lenses, having a spare can prevent potential inconveniences.

Magnets or Over-the-Door Organizer: Cruise cabin walls are usually metal. Use magnets to pin daily itineraries or an organizer for added storage space.

White Noise Machine or App: If you’re sensitive to unfamiliar sounds while sleeping, this can help mask unwanted noises and ensure a peaceful rest.

Beach Toys (for kids or the young at heart): Building sandcastles or beach games can add an extra layer of fun during shore excursions.

Scuba Diving or Snorkeling Gear: If water adventures are on your agenda and you prefer using your own equipment, consider packing them.

Reusable Straw: Eco-friendly and handy, especially if you’re particular about how you sip your favorite drinks.

Having these optional items on your cruise packing list showcases foresight and an anticipation of needs that many might overlook. They epitomize the traveler’s mantra: “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

While they might not be essentials for every cruiser, they certainly add an extra layer of convenience, ensuring your voyage is as smooth as the calmest seas.

Commonly Forgotten Items on a Cruise

Cruises are a whirlwind of excitement. Amidst the anticipation, even the most seasoned travelers sometimes forget items that would have made their trip just a bit smoother.

These aren’t always big-ticket items, but their absence on your cruise packing list can sometimes lead to inconveniences or missed opportunities. Let’s dive into those commonly overlooked essentials, so you can ensure they find a place in your luggage.

Over-the-Counter Medications: Yes, there’s usually a medical center onboard. However, why pay marked-up prices for simple pain relievers or antacids when you could easily bring them along?

Extra Swimsuit: One might be enough on your cruise packing list, but having a second ensures you always have a dry option, enhancing comfort and spontaneity for that dip in the pool or jacuzzi.

Sea Bands or Ginger Tablets: Even if you’ve never experienced seasickness, cruises can be unpredictable. Having a non-drowsy remedy on hand can be a game-changer.

Formal Attire Accessories: While you might remember your formal dress or suit, it’s the tie, cufflinks, or matching jewelry that sometimes get left behind.

Refillable Drink Container: Many cruisers forget that while drinks might be available, having a personal container can be more convenient and eco-friendly.

Extra Sunscreen: You might remember to pack sunscreen, but underestimating how much you need is common. The sun at sea is fierce, and reapplying is crucial.

Water Shoes: Great for rocky beaches or excursions that involve water. They can protect your feet and offer better grip.

Daily Backpack or Tote: While luggage and evening bags are often remembered, a simple daily bag for excursions or lounging on the ship can be overlooked.

Chapstick with SPF: The lips are one of the most forgotten areas when it comes to sun protection. An SPF lip balm can save you from the unpleasantness of sunburned lips.

Room Freshener or Essential Oils: Cruise cabins, especially bathrooms, can get stuffy. A mild freshener can keep your living space pleasant.

Dress Socks or Hosiery: In the flurry of packing, these small items often get overlooked, only to be missed when dressing up for formal nights.

Conditioner or Special Hair Products: While cruises might provide basic toiletries, they often lack conditioners or specific hair products. If you’re particular about hair care, don’t forget these.

Outlet Multiplier or USB Hub: Cruise cabin outlets can be limited. Expanding your charging capabilities can be especially handy when multiple devices need juice.

Local Currency (in small denominations): While credit cards are widely accepted, having some local currency for tips or small vendors at port stops can be invaluable.

Reading Glasses or Prescription Sunglasses: Overlooked, especially if they’re not used daily, but oh-so-essential when you need them.

No one’s perfect, and the excitement of a looming cruise can scatter even the sharpest minds. This list is your safeguard against those “Oh, I wish I’d remembered to pack that!” moments.

Double-checking against these important cruise packing list items ensures that, big or small, you have everything you need to set sail with confidence.

Extra Items Depending on Itinerary

Every cruise is unique, shaped not just by the ship but also by the destinations on the itinerary. A Caribbean voyage is vastly different from an Alaskan expedition or a European river cruise .

As such, packing without considering your specific route might lead to some significant oversights. Let’s delve into items you might need, tailored to various popular cruise itineraries.

Tropical or Caribbean Cruises

• Aloe Vera Gel: Sunburns are more common closer to the equator. A good soothing gel can provide relief.
• Beach Bag: For those sandy shores and picturesque beaches.
• Insect Repellent: Tropical paradises often come with pesky mosquitoes.

Alaskan or Northern Cruises

• Warm Clothing: Layers are your best friend here. Think thermal wear, fleece jackets, and warm hats.
• Waterproof Boots: For those icy terrains or wet landings.
• Gloves and Scarves: Keeping extremities warm is essential in colder climates.

European or River Cruises

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: European towns are best explored on foot, often on cobbled streets.
• Plug Adapters: Europe’s electrical outlets are different from those in North America.
• Lightweight Rain Jacket: Weather can be unpredictable, especially in places like the British Isles.

Asian Cruises

• Travel Guide or Translation App: Navigating diverse cultures and languages can be challenging.
• Face Masks: In some Asian cities, wearing a mask can be a norm, especially during high pollution days or certain health outbreaks.
• Conservative Clothing: For visiting temples or religious sites.

Adventure or Expedition Cruises (e.g., Galapagos, Antarctica )

• Specialized Gear: Depending on activities, think snorkel gear, hiking poles, or even waterproof pants.
• Binoculars: Enhance wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Specialty Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or even mud boots for wet landings.

Middle Eastern Cruises

• Headscarf or Shawl: Essential for women when visiting mosques or religious sites.
• Sun Hat and Lightweight Long Sleeves: Protect from the sun while respecting local customs.
• Hand Sanitizer: Handy as you traverse through traditional markets or street food areas.

Australian or New Zealand Cruises

• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: If you’re exploring the Great Barrier Reef or other marine areas.
• Daypack: For hiking or exploring the diverse terrains.
• Swim Gear: The beaches down under are tempting!

Remember, the joy of cruising lies in its diversity. Every destination offers a new world of experiences, landscapes, and cultures.

By tailoring your packing list to your specific itinerary, you ensure that you’re not just ready for a cruise, but you’re ready for your cruise.

How Best to Pack for a Cruise

Cruises are a unique blend of relaxation and adventure. While the idea of sailing into the horizon is thrilling, packing for such a journey can be a daunting task.

How do you maximize limited luggage space, ensure you’ve got everything you need, and still manage to navigate airline weight restrictions if you’re flying to the port?

Here’s a guide to help you pack this cruise packing list like a pro, ensuring your cruise starts on the right note.

1. Start with a Checklist: Before you even touch your suitcase, make a checklist. Our comprehensive packing guide above is a great place to start. Tailor it to your needs, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

2. Embrace Packing Cubes: These small zippered containers compartmentalize your items, making it easier to organize clothes and find items quickly. Plus, they help compress clothes, saving space.

3. Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling clothes instead of folding can free up more space and reduce wrinkles. For bulkier items, consider using compression bags.

4. Limit Shoe Choices: Shoes can be bulky. Prioritize versatility. A pair of comfortable walking shoes, formal shoes for dinners, and a pair of sandals or flip-flops can cover most needs.

5. Pack Versatile Clothing: Think layers and outfits that can transition from day to night with a few tweaks. Neutral colors can be easily mixed and matched.

6. Use Inside of Shoes: It’s wasted space! Stuff socks, underwear, or even toiletries inside.

7. Pack Toiletries Strategically: Use travel-sized containers. Consider double bagging to prevent leaks. If you’re particular about brands, decant products into smaller bottles.

8. Heavy Items at the Bottom: When packing your suitcase, heavier items like shoes should be at the wheelbase. This distributes weight more evenly and makes your bag easier to manage.

9. Consider a Carry-On Only Approach: If you’re on a shorter cruise, this can be a game-changer. Not only does it force you to prioritize essentials, but it also makes embarkation and debarkation smoother.

10. Leave Some Space: Chances are you’ll return with more than you left with, be it souvenirs, gifts, or duty-free purchases. Ensure there’s a little wiggle room in your suitcase.

11. Waterproof Everything: Invest in a waterproof bag for excursions. Also, consider packing a few resealable plastic bags. They’re handy for storing wet swimwear or protecting electronics.

12. Medications in Hand Luggage: Always pack essential medications in your carry-on. You don’t want to be caught out if your checked luggage gets delayed or misplaced.

13. Jewelry and Valuables: These should always be in your hand luggage. Consider using a jewelry roll or even pill containers to organize and protect individual pieces.

14. Dress in Your Bulkiest Items: If you’re flying to the port and worried about luggage weight, wear heavier items like boots or jackets. You can always stash them away once onboard.

15. Digital Backup: Consider scanning important documents like passports, ID, and travel insurance, and store them securely in a cloud or an offline device. This can be a lifesaver in case of loss or theft.

16. Last-Minute Essentials Bag: Pack a small bag with items you’ll need immediately upon boarding (like swimwear or medications). This ensures you can kick off your cruise without waiting for your primary luggage to be delivered to your cabin.

By approaching cruise packing with a strategic mindset, you transform it from a daunting task into a seamless part of the travel experience.

Remember, cruising is all about relaxation and exploration, and starting off organized sets the tone for a journey you’ll cherish forever.

Setting sail on a cruise is more than just a vacation—it’s an odyssey of experiences, memories, and adventures.

While the vast oceans and enticing cruise ports beckon, ensuring you’re well-prepared is the key to truly immersive enjoyment. Our comprehensive packing guide is your trusty compass, steering you away from common oversights and towards a journey where every moment is cherished.

As you zip up your suitcase and anticipate the horizon, take a moment to relish the excitement. With every cruise essential (and a few extras) in tow, you’re not just embarking on a cruise; you’re diving headfirst into a voyage of a lifetime. Safe travels!

FAQs on Cruise Packing List

Navigating the ins and outs of cruise packing can sometimes feel as complex as plotting a ship’s course. But fret not! We’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to ensure smooth sailing as you prepare for your journey.

1. Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise? It varies by cruise line. Some allow a limited quantity of wine or champagne, while others might charge a corkage fee. Always check your cruise line’s specific policy beforehand.

2. How many suitcases can I bring? Most cruise lines don’t have a strict luggage limit, but remember, cabin space is limited. It’s wise to pack efficiently, considering both your needs and storage constraints.

3. Do I need formal attire on a cruise? Many cruises host formal nights or events. If participating appeals to you, pack appropriate attire . However, there’s usually no obligation, and alternative dining options are available for those who’d rather keep it casual.

4. Is there a laundromat on board? Many modern cruise ships offer self-service laundromats or paid laundry services. Check with your specific cruise line to know what’s available.

5. Can I pack a hairdryer or iron? While hairdryers are generally allowed (and often provided in cabins), irons are usually prohibited due to fire safety concerns. If you need to smoothen out your clothes, consider wrinkle-release sprays or utilize the ship’s laundry services.

6. Do cruise ships provide toiletries? Yes, most cruise cabins come equipped with basic toiletries like shampoo, body wash, and soap. However, if you have specific brands or products you prefer, it’s a good idea to pack them.

7. Should I bring cash or just rely on credit cards? While many transactions onboard will be charged to your cruise account, it’s wise to carry a mix of cash (especially for smaller ports or tips) and credit cards for flexibility during shore excursions.

8. Are there power outlets in cruise cabins? Yes, but their number and type might vary depending on the ship and its origin. It’s always handy to bring a universal adapter and consider a power strip (without surge protection) for multiple devices.

9. How can I minimize the risk of seasickness? Packing motion sickness remedies like wristbands, ginger tablets, or over-the-counter medications can be helpful. Additionally, mid-ship cabins on lower decks tend to experience less motion.

10. Can I bring snacks or food on board? Cruise lines have different policies, but in general, bringing non-perishable, pre-packaged snacks is usually allowed. Check with your specific cruise line regarding their policy on bringing food onboard.

11. What should I pack for excursions ashore? Consider the nature of the excursion. For beach outings, bring swimwear, towels, and sunscreen. For city tours, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and a daypack might be essential. Always carry some local currency, your cruise ID, and a copy of your passport.

12. Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi, and should I pack my devices? Most modern cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, though it might be at an extra cost and may not be as fast as your home connection. Packing devices like tablets, e-readers, or laptops can be handy for entertainment and staying connected.

13. How can I secure my valuables on the ship? Most cruise cabins come equipped with safes. Use them for storing passports, jewelry, or other valuables when you’re not using them. Also, consider investing in anti-theft bags or pouches for excursions.

14. Do I need to pack beach towels? While most cruise lines provide towels for onboard and shore use, some travelers prefer to bring a lightweight, quick-drying towel for excursions.

15. Is there a dress code for dining on the cruise? While daytime dining is usually casual, evening meals, especially in the main dining room, might have a dress code ranging from smart casual to formal. Always check your cruise line’s specific guidelines.

16. Should I bring my snorkeling or diving gear? If you’re an enthusiast and particular about your equipment, bringing your own might be a good idea. However, many excursions offer rental gear, so weigh the convenience against luggage space.

17. Can I pack bottled water or soda? Policies vary by cruise line. Some allow guests to bring a limited quantity of bottled water or soda, while others might charge a fee. It’s crucial to check the cruise line’s specific policy.

18. How do I manage packing for a family, especially with kids? Consider using packing cubes to organize items for each family member. Don’t forget kid-specific items like games, favorite snacks, or comfort items. For infants, ensure you pack essentials like baby food, diapers, and wipes, as these might be pricey or unavailable onboard.

19. Are there restrictions on what I can pack? Yes. Most cruise lines prohibit items like illegal drugs, weapons, candles, drones, and certain electrical appliances. Always check the cruise line’s prohibited items list.

20. Should I pack specialty items for themed nights or events? Many cruises have themed events like “White Night” or “Pirate Night.” It can be fun to participate, so if you’re keen, pack accordingly. However, participation is typically optional.

Celebrity Blog

• Choosing a Cruise
• Planning / Booking A Cruise
• Preparing For Your Cruise
• Special Occasions
• What To Expect On A Cruise
• Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
• Central America
• East Coast & Bermuda
• Mexican Riviera
• South America & Antarctica
• Destinations

The Only Cruise Packing List You’ll Ever Need

By Elissa Garay

Last updated: November 7th, 2023

• Find a Cruise

The task of packing for a cruise can feel daunting, given all of the special considerations—there could be temperature variations between ports of call, there are onboard dress codes to adhere to, and different types of shipboard activities and shore excursions that you can sign up for.

And, of course, destination consideration comes into play. A cruise packing list for an active, outdoorsy cruise to Alaska is going to look a lot different than one for a laid-back beach trip to the Caribbean , or for a sophisticated city-hopper sailing in the Mediterranean.

Have no fear: our expert-compiled cruise packing list will make sure you’re the savviest passenger at sea—and the best dressed one, to boot. After all, you want to spend your precious time in port shopping for spectacular souvenirs—not some forgotten sundries.

And remember that the beauty of a cruise vacation is that once you get everything into your bag, you only have to unpack one time after boarding the ship. So simply zip through this comprehensive list of things to pack for a cruise, and you’ll be packed like a pro and ready to go in no time.

What clothing, shoes, and accessories do I need to pack for a cruise?

A cruise vacation covers a lot of ground, which means you’ll need a lot of flexibility with your wardrobe, too. You can generally count on transitioning from daywear to smart casual on one or two nights per cruise and Evening Chic aboard the ship.

You should also be able to segue from a fun-in-the-sun beach outing to a rainy-day city walking tour with ease.

Consult the weather forecasts closely in the days leading up to your trip, and think in terms of layers and mix-and-match ensembles to make sure your suitcase doesn’t burst at the seams.

Don’t be afraid to recycle your more gently worn outfits—rest assured that your fellow cruisers will be none the wiser if you don the same pieces twice. Remember that there’s an onboard launderette and a laundry service, too.

Read: Expert Cruise Packing Tips

Undergarments & Sleepwear

Start off with the basics. As for any trip, don’t leave home without your underwear, socks (both athletic and dress socks), and bras/undershirts as the base for any day’s dress. You’ll want comfy pajamas to cozy up in after a long day spent exploring in port, too.

Casual Daywear

For laid-back days spent walking around the ship or port, you’ll want to have a good selection of comfortable and casual clothing.

Check the weather, and stick to a cruise packing list with a good selection of shorts, jeans/khakis, sundresses/skirts, T-shirts (both long- and short-sleeved) and tank tops.

Remember that if you’re visiting churches, mosques, or other religious sites on your adventures ashore, it’s expected that shoulders and bare legs are covered.

Smart Casual Evenings

Evenings on Celebrity’s ships reflect the ambiance of Relaxed Luxury.

Most nights, the dress code is smart casual, which means you look comfortable yet tasteful in anything from a skirt or dress to long pants, chic jeans, and a stylish top or button-down.

Evening Chic

Some evenings take on a dressier air aboard the ship, so be sure to consult with the dress code to make sure you’re dressed appropriately.

On Celebrity’s polished Evening Chic nights, you’ll have the chance to dress to impress with your own interpretation of glamor and sophistication. This might be a cocktail dress, a skirt, slacks, designer jeans with a blazer, or an elegant top.

There’s no requirement to pack a tuxedo or formal gown, although some guests love doing this for the sense of occasion. A suit and tie is welcome for Evening Chic nights, but is by no means essential.

Celebrity’s sailings of seven nights or longer have two nights designated as Evening Chic, while shorter cruises have one. All other days permit Smart Casual attire in the evenings.

Study the weather forecast and be sure to bring along climate-appropriate outerwear. When you’re packing for an Alaska cruise , for instance, you’ll almost certainly need lots of layers, with waterproof outerwear, winter hats, and gloves on hand.

You might have to throw in a sweater or sweatshirt on your packing list for a Caribbean cruise , and the same goes for a spring or fall stroll in a Mediterranean port.

Don’t forget sun hats and baseball caps for sunny days out on deck or in port, while a dressy scarf or shawl to drape over your shoulders is a good accessory for sophisticated evenings aboard the ship.

Beachwear & Activewear

Whether you’re splashing around on the pool deck or beachside, you’ll want to bring along at least a couple of swimsuits so they can dry between uses.

Cover-ups offer added protection on sun-kissed days, as well as an easy transition in attire from swimming to grabbing a bite to eat poolside or in the Oceanview Café at lunchtime.

Keep in mind that ships are equipped with gyms and outdoor tracks, fitness classes abound, and many ports welcome runners, kayakers, bikers, and other active types. There’s no need to skip out on your fitness regime if you don’t want to, so bring along your activewear, too.

You’ll want comfortable walking shoes for long excursions in port, whether it’s a pair of sneakers or comfy flats.

Sandals and flip-flops are must-haves for pool and beach days, while more elegant shoes are de rigueur for fancier evening dinners on board. Flip flops aren’t allowed in the main dining rooms and speciality restaurants in the evenings.

If the weather is going to be very rainy, the beaches rocky, or if there are mountains you’re looking to climb, be sure to bring along appropriate footwear, too, like rain boots, water shoes, or hiking boots.

Accessories

Don’t forget the trimmings! Bring some jewelry if you like, though, as with any trip, you’ll want to leave your best pieces at home. Though staterooms have safes, you’d be wise not to flash expensive baubles in some ports around the world.

A wristwatch is key, especially when cruising between time zones (so you won’t stress about missing the ship while out on an excursion), while an umbrella or poncho can help save a rainy day.

Topping your cruise packing list should be your eyeglasses and sunglasses. Do be sure to bring along some protective cases to help keep them intact during all of your travels.

Once you get the luggage unloaded, you’ll want some smaller bags on hand for the many adventures that await during the course of your cruise.

A daypack and/or beach bag is essential for toting items while in port, as well as whatever purse you want to use on board in the evenings.

Adding a collapsible tote to your list of things to pack for a cruise is a good strategy to help carry any extra souvenirs you might acquire along the way.

Other handy add-ons include ziplock bags (for waterproof storage and organization), and a wet bag (for snorkel gear and trips to the beach).

A top tip for embarkation day is to pack a day bag with essentials. With swimwear, flip flops, cover-up, and sunblock in hand, rather than in your checked baggage, you can head straight for the pool once you’re onboard and let the vacation begin.

Bring a bag for dirty laundry along. If you are on a longer sailing, consider taking advantage of the onboard laundry service rather than overpacking.

What hygiene products do I need to pack for a cruise?

Apart from clothing, shoes, and accessories, you’ll want your stateroom bathroom and vanity well-stocked with all of your favorite personal hygiene products from home.

While your stateroom will come stocked with premium bath amenities, you might want to bring travel-sized bottles of your preferred products, too.

Other cruise packing list must-haves include a facial cleanser, moisturizer, deodorant, shaving supplies, lip balm, Q-tips, and cotton balls/pads.

Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash, too. Contact lens wearers should bring all the related gear (including a case and solution), and a pair of tweezers and a nail file and/or clippers will surely come in handy, too.

In the case of emergency, you can always restock most of these items from the onboard shops or from a drugstore in port.

Hair & Makeup Products

Hair can sometimes require extra taming when coming in from a day at the beach or a windy sea day up on deck. Be prepared with all the hairstyling products, accessories, and tools you need, as well as a brush/comb, too.

Hairdryers are provided in each stateroom, and all Celebrity ships have an onboard salon should you wish to try a new look.

Bring along your makeup (and don’t forget the makeup remover). You might also want a small bottle of perfume or cologne, too.

Health & Safety Products

Cover your health and safety bases by packing any necessities like medications (including seasickness remedies , as needed), pain relievers, vitamins, feminine hygiene products, birth control, and a basic, personalized first-aid kit.

Other things to pack for a cruise include sunscreen (and aloe vera for relief, just in case you miss a spot), as well as insect repellent if you’re sailing somewhere tropical.

Keep hand wipes and sanitizer close on hand to help keep the germs at bay while you’re on the go. Sanitizer is provided all over the ship, too.

What documents do I need to pack for a cruise?

Sure, it’s vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can get by on sunshine and frothy drinks alone. You’ll need some essential documentation and a properly stocked wallet to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch.

Wallet & Money Belt Items

You may want to trade in your wallet for a money belt while on your trip. Whichever route you choose, be sure to bring cash (including small bills for tips ashore), an ATM or debit card, and credit cards.

Tuck away your driver’s license, too (as well as an international driver’s license if you plan on renting a car abroad). Foreign travel also means having a passport on hand that’s stamped with any visas, if necessary.

You’ll also want to have your medical insurance card, as well as any travel insurance information, on you at all times.

Read: Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Documentation & Contact Info

Be sure to bring along key travel documents, like copies of flight and hotel bookings. The cruise line will send you designated luggage tags, too; add those onto your luggage before embarking the ship.

Make sure you have copies of key documentation and information as backup, should anything get lost or stolen on your trip. Keep photocopies separate from the originals, and consider having scanned copies saved somewhere digitally, too.

Also have important phone numbers available (like for credit card companies or emergency contacts back home), as well as the mailing and email addresses for any friends or relatives you might want to write to while away.

It’s also prudent to keep copies of any prescriptions you take, as well as a list of medications and your medical history, should any medical incidents arise.

Travel guides can come in handy to read up on the ports that await you, while a pen and journal will allow you to jot down anything that might come up on the trip—or to document your vacation memories for posterity.

What technology items do I need to pack for a cruise?

These days, all of those electronic gadgets that we love could take up a suitcase all their own! To be digitally entertained and easily catch up with emails and news back home, keep your cell phone and laptop (or tablet) high on your cruise packing list.

Your cell phone might be all you need to take pictures, listen to music, and have an alarm clock for the morning. If that’s not the case, you might want to bring along a proper camera (with lenses, memory cards, etc.), music (and a player), and a travel alarm clock.

All those gadgets will need charging, too, so don’t forget those chargers. A power strip (preferably with built-in USB ports) can help ensure that the stateroom has more than enough juice to go around. On Celebrity’s Edge-series ships , you’ll find USB charging ports in your stateroom.

If you’ll be spending a lot of time by the pool and beach, do consider a waterproof phone case to help protect your cell phone. And if you’re staying abroad at a hotel pre- or post-cruise, don’t overlook voltage adapters, as needed.

Finally, if you’re headed somewhere with great wildlife—like Alaska , for instance—a good pair of binoculars is sure to up those wow-factor moments.

What else do I need to pack for a cruise?

There are a few more odds and ends to help ensure that your cruise packing list is seamless. Toting along some favorite snacks, chewing gum, and a reusable water bottle is a smart move to keep you satiated and hydrated on the go, whether at the airport or in port.

Travel aids like earplugs, a travel pillow, and a sleeping mask can help make long flights or car rides more comfy. A pack of travel-sized antibacterial wipes is always a good idea to help wipe down germ-prone surfaces as needed.

Consider bringing along some reading materials for lazy afternoons on your veranda or by the pool, whether you prefer paperback or e-books or magazines.

If you’re headed somewhere with loads of time for sand and surf, you might want to bring along your own snorkel and goggles so that you can set off on snorkeling excursions at whim.

If you’re cruising with kids , there’s a whole world of age-appropriate gear to consider, like diapers, strollers, toys, and games.

Finally, don’t forget to tuck away your house and car keys somewhere safe—you won’t need them until the end of your trip, but you’ll want to be able to find them in a snap when the time comes.

The Ultimate Cruise Packing Checklist

Tick off this handy cruise packing checklist to ensure that all of your vacation essentials make it into your bags. Just note that some of these items will be optional, depending on factors like your cruise destination, duration, weather, and the types of activities you choose on your cruise.

Read: What to Wear on a Cruise

• Socks/stockings
• Undershirts

Casual Attire

• Jeans/khakis
• T-shirts/tank tops
• Sundresses/skirts

Formal Attire

• Dress shirts
• Blazers/suits/tuxedo
• Cocktail dresses/gowns
• Skirts/blouses
• Dressy pantsuits
• Sweaters/sweatshirts
• Coats/jackets/raincoats
• Hats/sun hats
• Scarves/shawls
• Workout clothes/activewear
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Leisure shoes
• Dress shoes
• Specialty footwear (hiking boots/rainboots/water shoes)
• Wristwatches
• Glasses cases
• Umbrella/poncho
• Daypack/beach bag
• Collapsible tote
• Ziplock bags
• Luggage locks
• Laundry bag
• Laundry kit (detergent/wrinkle-release spray/stain remover)
• Dental floss
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Facial cleanser/skincare products
• Moisturizer
• Shaving cream
• Contact lenses/case/solution/eye drops
• Nail file/clippers
• Cotton balls/pads
• Hairstyling tools
• Hairstyling products
• Hair accessories
• Makeup remover
• Perfume/cologne
• Sunscreen/aloe vera
• Insect repellent
• Feminine hygiene products
• Birth control
• Pain relievers
• Medications/vitamins
• First-aid kit
• Seasickness remedies
• Hand sanitizer
• Wallet/money belt with cash/ATM card/credit cards
• Driver’s license/international driver’s license
• Passports/visas
• Medical insurance card
• Travel insurance information
• Travel documents (cruise boarding passes/airline tickets/hotel info/itinerary/etc.)
• Printed/personal luggage tags
• Maps and directions if you don’t have them on your cellphone
• Travel guides/phrase book
• Prescriptions/list of medications/medical history
• Copies of passport/important documents/credit cards/etc.
• Important phone numbers (credit cards/emergency contacts/etc.)
• Addresses/e-mail addresses for friends/relatives
• Small notebook/journal
• Pens/highlighters
• Cell phone and charger
• Laptop/tablet and charger
• Camera/lenses/memory cards/batteries/charger
• Voltage adapters (for international pre-/post-cruise hotels)
• Alarm clock
• Power strip
• Portable speaker
• Waterproof phone case

Miscellaneous

• House/car keys
• Snacks/chewing gum
• Reusable water bottle
• Travel aids (earplugs/sleeping mask/travel pillow)
• Pleasure reading (magazines/books/e-book with charger)
• Antibacterial wipes
• Snorkel/goggles
• Kids/baby gear (diapers/toys/games/etc.)

Now that you can pack like a pro, the only thing missing is your cruise ticket and you’ll be all set to go! Browse our cruise itineraries that visit more than 300 destinations across the seven seas. Simply visit our website to book your dream cruise today.

Elissa Garay

Modern-day explorer, perpetual seeker, and diligent travel scribe Elissa Garay has traveled to and reported on 60-plus countries and 30 cruises, contributing to major national publications like Condé Nast Traveler , CNN Travel , AFAR , and Fodors  along the way. When not out globe-trotting, Elissa resides in Kingston, NY, with her husband and young daughter.

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The Ultimate Cruise Packing List, Tips and Hacks (Free Digital and Printable Checklist)

What’s the biggest headache associated with going on a cruise? Figuring out what to pack for a cruise.

It’s not just deciding on what suitcase to pack; it’s deciding what to pack, and how much of everything to try to jam into your suitcase, with space left over for souvenirs, of course.

Relax. Our cruise packing tips can help you pack smarter for any cruise and our cruise packing checklist will help you get out the door with everything you need.

And, if you’re really looking to cruise smarter,  see why travel protection is crucial for your cruise .

See all of our cruise articles

Cruise Packing Checklist

You can download our Cruise Trip Packing Checklist by clicking the button below. The  accessible interactive PDF  can be digitally checked off using any device or easily printed for your use.

See text version of the cruise packing list

Cruise Packing Tips

1. Pack by subtraction

The best way to deal with the first big problem of cruise packing – deciding how much to pack – is to start with everything and whittle it down.

Here’s how you do that: Take everything you’re thinking of packing on your cruise and lay it out on your bed. Spread it out, so you can really see everything. Then start subtracting the things you don’t really need. Keep subtracting until you think you’ve reached the bare minimum. Then run it up against our cruise packing checklist and see if there’s anything you’ve forgotten.

Also read: Top 10 Cruise Tips and Hacks

2. Pack your carryon for the long haul

Lost bags happen on cruises, but a more common problem is that there are so many bags to get to so many rooms on a cruise ship that you might not see your main bag immediately.

Packing your carryon like it’s your only bag is the best way to deal with problems like these. Try to fit into your carryon:

• A couple of changes of clothes
• Basic toiletries
• Medications
• Food and snacks
• Reading material
• A travel pillow and blanket

That’s in addition to your important papers, credit cards, cash, and valuables.

If you can get all that into your carryon, you’re just about set in case of an unexpected baggage delay. Just don’t lose your carryon!

Also read: How to Choose the Best Cruise Line for You

3. Pack like you’re going to a resort

A lot of people think that going on a cruise means packing two types of clothes: swimwear and flip-flops, and tuxedos and formal dresses.

The truth is somewhere in between. While swimwear and flip-flops are musts, “cruise formal” attire is actually less formal than you think. A light sportscoat, a polo shirt, and slacks are fine for men, while women should wear cocktail dresses or pantsuits.

Cruises vary in their formality, so check to confirm. And don’t worry: If what you’ve packed is totally outside of  de rigueur  for your cruise, you should be able to rent something suitable onboard.

Also read:  What You Need To Know about Hurricane Travel Insurance and Cruising

4. Pack layers

No one thinks it gets cold on a Caribbean cruise ship, but news flash: It can get cold on a Caribbean cruise ship. Here’s the other thing to consider: If you’re on a Mediterranean cruise that stops in the Middle East or North Africa, you may need to pack clothing that covers your arms and head.

The answer isn’t to pack two separate wardrobes; it’s to pack layers. Pack your T-shirts, but add a windbreaker, cardigan (note: you can’t beat cashmere), and scarf. For cold-weather cruises, add a long-sleeved thermal undergarment and a loose-fitting, water-repellent shell to your warm sweaters.

This can get bulky, especially if you’re living the carryon life, so wear as many layers as you can when flying to your departure destination. At the very least, a rolled-up alpaca sweater makes a wonderful pillow.

Also read:  What to Do if Your Luggage is Stolen on Vacation

5. Suck out all of the air

As any parent of an off-to-college teen can tell you,  vacuum-seal storage bags  are an ultimate hack when it comes to packing. They couldn’t be easier to use: throw your clothes in a bag, hook up the vacuum cleaner, and suck out the air. They’re almost foolproof, but remember: Any clothes that aren’t folded well will come out with the wrinkles practically nailed in. One other note: TSA allows vacuum-seal storage bags, but does not encourage them -- in case they need to inspect the contents, it could be difficult to repack.

Packing cubes are another super packing aid, especially if you’re organizationally challenged. The littlest ones are great for chargers and cords and they are easier to repack if TSA causes you to reorganize your bags in the airport.

6. Go for the freebies

You know those little TSA-approved plastic bottles that came with your carry-on? Leave them home. Take the free versions of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion from your hotel the night before you leave.

Also read: Tips for Going on a River Cruise

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7. Cruise Packing Hacks

Slip these into your suitcases, and you’ll be ready for anything:

• Power strip/extension cords.  Staterooms are notoriously skimpy on outlets – and you’ll want to charge everything.
• Extra clothes hangers.  The smaller the better. Have a lot of leftover little-kids' hangers? Take them with you. They’re great for lighter items.
• Earplugs . There are thousands of people on an average cruise ship, and they don’t all go to bed at 9 p.m.
• Laundry items.  Put dryer sheets in between layers of clothes to get rid of that musty smell, and if one of your hotel shampoo bottles spills over your best dress, a stain stick and some cold water can come to your rescue. Also, doing your own laundry means you can pack less – maybe.
• A spare bag.  If you’re a souvenir hunter, you have two choices: Ship your gewgaws home, or pack an extra bag and fill it with your finds.
• Office supplies and mini-tools . You’ll always find uses for Post-Its, pens and pencils, and paper clips. And if you wear glasses, don’t forget a mini-screwdriver.
• Flashlight . You know those six-for-$3 LED flashlight bargains you see in the sporting-goods section of your local Discount Mart? Buy a pack. Put a flashlight in every bag, and have one by your nightstand. You’ll never again trip on a desk or bed in the night.

Also read:  Travel Packing Tips and Hacks to Help You Pack Like a Pro

Cruise Packing List

Here’s the rest of the items that should be on your cruise-packing checklist, alphabetized for your convenience. If you're traveling internationally, don't forget to cross-compare with our ultimate checklist for traveling abroad . 

Pack in Your Luggage

• Athletic/walking shoes
• Bacitracin or other first-aid ointment/alcohol swabs
• Beach towel
• Blow dryer/hot comb
• Cologne/perfume
• Contact lenses/solution
• Copies of important papers
• Dress shirts
• Dress/dancing shoes
• Emergency contact info (family, friends, banks, credit-card companies)
• Extension cord and/or outlet strip
• Face cleanser/moisturizer
• Feminine-hygiene products
• Flashlight(s)
• Formal wear
• Hairbrush/comb
• Haircare items
• Hand sanitizer
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Insect repellent
• Jackets/raincoat
• Jeans/slacks
• Jewelry (not your most valuable)
• Laundry bag
• Laundry items (soap, fabric-softener sheets, stain stick)
• Makeup/makeup remover
• Nail clippers
• Nail polish
• Pencils/pens/paper clips/Post-Its
• PJs/nightgown
• Plug adaptor
• Polo/casual shirts
• Purse/handbag
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Shaving supplies
• Stockings/socks
• Sweaters/sweatshirts
• Swim goggles
• Swimsuits (at least two)
• Toiletry bag/dopp kit
• Undergarments

Pack in Your Carry-on

• Blanket and pillow
• Boarding passes
• Changes of clothes (2)
• Chargers (including a power bank)
• Chewing gum
• Computer or tablet
• Copies of prescriptions
• Credit/debit cards
• Dramamine or other seasickness medication
• Eye mask /ear plugs
• Headphones/earbuds
• ID/passport/visa
• Insurance cards
• Itinerary and other cruise-related paperwork
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Maps/guidebook
• Pen/pencil/paper
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss/mouthwash tabs
• Water bottle

Also read:  Should You Buy The Cheapest Travel Insurance?

Cruise Travel Protection

One more thing to pack on every cruise:  travel insurance and assistance from Generali Global Assistance. We have comprehensive trip protection plans that can cover almost any cruise or other travel adventures you embark upon.  Get a quote  today. 

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Ultimate Cruise Packing List – Printable Checklist Included!

Lucky you! You’re off on a cruise. You’ve got your trip booked and now you need to put together the ultimate cruise packing list before you set sail. If you’re wondering what to pack for a cruise, look no further. Our cruise checklist with help you decide what to wear on a cruise as well as other cruise essentials you’ll need to bring onboard. In addition to knowing what to take on a cruise, you’ll also need to know how to dress, how to pack and what little extras are important to bring.

Making a list of what to bring on a cruise is essential. Download my printable cruise packing list! You’ll find it further down in the post. This post focuses primarily on what to pack for a Caribbean cruise but the cruise check list is customisable for any type of cruise you’re headed on. For other location-specific cruise ship packing lists see these posts:

• If you’re looking for advice on what to pack for an Alaskan cruise, read my Alaska cruise packing list  post.
• If you’re looking for advice on what to pack for a Mediterranean cruise, read my European cruise packing list post .

What to Wear on Cruise Vacations

Wondering how to dress on a cruise? Knowing what to wear on a cruise ship isn’t easy if you haven’t been. When I think about Caribbean cruise clothes, I think of bright, light and airy resort wear. Picking your clothes for a cruise is actually pretty easy. Break it down and think about the tips of activities you’ll be doing on board though and it’s actually pretty easy to work out how to dress for a cruise.

Excursion outfits

This can be anything from workout gear for active excursions, resort wear for city excursions & shopping or beachwear. It depends on what you plan to do when you’re in port.

Around the ship

Think of your cruise wear clothing as resort wear. Around the pool desk is pretty casual. Dining in the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner is also casual. Shorts are acceptable but not swimwear.

Non-formal dining nights

In the dining room on regular nights, dress as you would going out to dinner or drinks with friends. I’ve heard it referred to as “country club casual” . People tend to dress nicely.  Men wear collared shirts and sometimes a sports coat. Women wear sundresses or pants and a nice shirt or tunic. Jeans are acceptable in the dining room so long as they are nice jeans with no tears.Children can wear shorts & t-shirts in the dining room.

Formal night on cruise

On a 7 day cruise there are usually two formal dining nights. Cruise formal wear isn’t as strict as it used to be. You will see a few tables dressed to the nines in evening gowns and a tux but most passengers will go for nice evening wear. Cocktail dresses or a jumpsuit is perfect formal cruise wear for ladies. Men usually wear a dark suit & tie but if you don’t have it then a dark shirt is fine. Boys should wear pants & a shirt. Girls should wear a party dress. If you don’t want to bring fancy clothing, you really don’t have to as there is also buffet dining, speciality restaurants and room service.

Need more inspiration on what clothes to wear on a cruise?

• For some specific ideas on cruise attire, read my post on 12 cruise outfits you’ll love to wear  where I show how to turn seven key items of clothing into 12 outfits for a cruise.
• For some specific ideas on styles of dresses that work for a cruise, read my post on cruise dresses.
• For some specific ideas on cruise formal wear, read my post on what to wear on cruise formal night

Packing List for Cruise

Planning what to pack for cruise needs quite a bit of thought. I would encourage you to get organised now and print out my checklist for cruise packing below. Go through your own wardrobe and look at the clothing you already have and decide what would make good cruise apparel. Then fill in the gaps by buying a few extra items. It’s always nice to have something new to wear for a vacation!

My biggest tip for deciding what to pack for a 7 day cruise is to think of outfits you can create and selecting pieces of clothing that work with one another . My Caribbean cruise packing list consists of a mixture of excursion outfits, clothes for cruise ship wear, resort casual pieces for non-formal evenings and cocktail dresses for formal wear for cruise dinners.

This is a 7 day cruise packing list. For longer cruises, you will be able to do laundry on board. For shorter cruises, just omit a few outfits to suit the length of your trip.

Clothes for Cruise Travel

• 3 Vest tops – For wearing under tunics and kimonos
• 3 T-Shirts – Striped t-shirts make great cruise wear!
• 2-3 Tops – Something like this red chiffon vest top is ideal.
• White or black Bermuda shorts (or capri pants if you don’t feel comfortable in shorts)
• Denim shorts
• Short romper (or extra pair of shorts or capris if you don’t feel comfortable in a romper)
• White jeans – Stretchy pull on ones like this are ideal! You could also go for light linen pants or palazzo pants. I have a full list of the different types of pants for travel in this post .
• 2 Sundresses – One black and one coloured or print
• Colourful maxi dress
• Black jumpsuit – This one is very affordable and comes in a tonne of colours if black isn’t your thing. If you don’t want to do a jumpsuit, add in a second maxi dress/
• 1-2 Cocktail dresses – This one is absolutely gorgeous for plus size women! . A nice black or navy dress is also a good option.
• 2 Set of workout clothes – Either for the gym or active excursions if planned
• Cardigan – For cool evenings or to wear on the plane
• 8 Pair of underwear – Enough for a 7 day cruise
• 3 bras – One nude everyday bra, one black evening bra and one white sports bra

Your swimwear is one of the most important things to take on a cruise! After all, you will be spending a lot of time in the pool or at the beach. You don’t need to bring a beach towel as they are provided onboard on the pool deck or when you’re leaving for excursions in port.

• 2 Bathing suits – I love the Miraclesuit which is an amazing slimming bathing suit!
• 2 Beach cover ups – You can use the tunic and kimono as part of the clothing listed above or have dedicated beach/pool coverups
• Aqua booties (if you’re planning any water sport excursions that require them)

Accessories

• 2 Pairs of sunglasses – 1 nice pair and 1 cheap pair  for wearing in the pool & sea
• Colorful print scarf
• Pashmina scarf for cooler evenings and wearing on the plane
• 2 statement necklaces
• Tote for every day use
• 2 Clutch purses for evening use
• Sneakers – Sketchers Go Walk sneakers are fantastic for travel!
• Sandals – Aerosoles are my preferred style of sandals for travel. Check out these ones or these ones.
• Wedge sandals – Aerosoles also make incredibly comfortable wedge sandals that look fantastic. Check out these ones .
• Heels – Pick one pair of black or nude strappy heels that work for cocktail dresses or jumpsuits.

Other Things to Bring on a Cruise

Of course clothes are not the only things you need for a cruise! What to bring on cruise depends a little on personal preference, especially in terms of electronics.

Electronics

Electronics may come under the list of things to pack on a cruise vacation…. or they may not! A cruise is an excellent “digital detox” vacation as internet is very slow and expensive on board. You’ll pay about $200 for a week long cruise if you want internet in your cabin. You won’t need a travel hair dryer as they are a provided on board.

• JOTO waterproof iPhone case – I love mine so much! For using my phone at the beach or pool and keeping it safe from sand & water and for taking pictures and videos in the water.
• Hair straightener or curling tongs – You can get travel-sized ones like this and this . I have a whole post dedicated to finding the best flat iron for travel if you’re interested!
• Smartphone (just be wary of additional roaming charges when you are abroad)
• All chargers for your devices
• Portable battery pack for charging your items on excursions
• Walkie talkies – A read just suggested these to me as a great tool when traveling with older kids so you can keep in touch without them needing to make expensive cellphone calls. Great idea!

While you will get some basic toiletries provided in your cabin, it’s often not adequate quality or quantity for me personally so I like to bring my own. I recommend decanting your own shampoo and conditioner into travel bottles. These squeezey silicone ones are the best. Use a hanging toiletries bag for your bathroom essentials. You can organise your toiletries further by using small Ziploc bags for things like makeup, hair accessories and first aid items. Put your sunscreen and bug spray in a large Ziploc bag so you can pop it into your tote when you head off on excursions.

• Moisturiser
• Toothpaste (travel size)
• Toothbrush (travel size)
• Conditioner
• Hairbrush (travel size)
• Hair ties and bobby pins
• Make up remover – Make up remover wipes are great for travel.
• Razor and shaving foam (travel size)
• Sunscreen – This is my absolute favorite sunscreen. It smells amazing!
• Aftersun lotion in case of sunburn
• Bug spray (travel size)
• Antacids – In case you overindulge at the buffet!
• Any medication you require
• Hand sanitizer (travel size)

Seasickness Prevention

A couple of things to pack for a cruise that I would definitely recommend for everyone is seasickness prevention supplies. You never know how your body is going to react to the motion of the ship so it pays to prepare in advance. Throw all these little items into a Ziploc bag together so you can put your hands on them if you need them. Once you return home, keep them bagged up for your next cruise!

A little seasickness prevention pack makes a nice gift for someone you’re cruising with also!

• Essential oil blend to calm motion sickness
• Ginger candy
• Lysol disinfecting wipes – Give your cabin surfaces a good wipe down when you first arrive. Although they are cleaned thoroughly it always pays to disinfect your room to prevent against cruise bugs like norovirus.

Pop all your documents in a travel document wallet to keep them organised. A money belt is also a good idea for cruise excursions when you don’t want to bring your wallet along.

• Driver’s licence
• Wallet – Bring some cash in US dollars as this can be used at most cruise ports
• Credit card & debit card – Only take one out at any time so that if you lose your wallet you still have access to funds
• Cruise booking print outs
• Excursion booking print outs
• Highlighter pen – For highlighting activities you want to do on your daily schedule

Cruise Packing List for Men

My cruise packing list for men is fairly similar to the women’s list above. All the extras can be shared between travel partners so I’ll just cover the list of what to wear on a cruise for men. Men’s cruise wear is relatively straight forward. Cruise attire for men means short sleeved shirts or t-shirts with shorts during the day. Evening cruise clothes for men on non-formal nights is slacks, long sleeved shirts and maybe a sports coat. Formal cruise attire men is a dark suit, shirt and tie with dress shoes or a tux if you’re going full formal. Tuxes can be rented on board.

What to Wear on a Cruise Men

• 2 Pair of shorts
• 3 Short-sleeved shirts – Something like this shirt is fun for cruising!
• 5 T-shirts or polo shirts
• 2 Set of workout wear
• 3 Long-sleeved shirts
• 2 Pair of chinos or khakis
• Sport coat or blazer
• Dark suit (if you are dressing up for formal night)
• Sweater – For cool evenings or to wear on the plane
• 8 Pairs of underwear

Shoes & Accessories

• Leather sandals or  Boat shoes
• Sport sandals
• Dress shoes
• 5-7 pairs of socks – A mix of dress or sport depending on your outfits
• Belt (1-2 to match your outfits or a reversible one )
• Baseball cap
• 2 Pair of sunglasses – One nice pair and one cheap pair  for swimming
• 2 Sets of swimming trunks
• UV rash vest
• Aqua booties (if you’re planning excursions that require them)

Cruise Packing List for Kids

As a mom it’s up to me to decide what to pack for kids on a cruise. Thankfully the rules for dress codes and cruise wear for kids is a little more relaxed. You know your kids best so feel free to adjust my family cruise packing list.

What to Pack for a Cruise for Kids

• 5-7 T-shirts
• 3 Sundresses for girls
• Party dress for formal nights
• Shirt for boys on formal nights
• Sweatshirt or caridgan – For cool evenings or to wear on the plane
• 10 Underwear
• Diapers & wipes (if necessary)
• 4-5 Pairs of socks
• 2 Sets of sleepwear
• 2 Swimsuits – UV swimwear is best for kids as it means less area to apply sunscreen
• Swim diapers (if necessary) – Children must be potty-trained to swim in pools onboard the ship but you may need a few swim diapers for excursions.
• Dress shoes – Only if you’re getting really dressed up for formal dining as a family or having family portraits taken

What to Bring on a Cruise with Kids

You won’t need to bring your own portacrib for babies & toddlers. They are provided by the ship.

• Coloring book & crayons
• Small selection of toys – Cars, dolls etc for playing in cabin
• iPad with games
• Kids’d headphones
• Any special comfort items they need like blankets or lovies
• Lightweight stroller (if necessary)

How to Pack for a Cruise

Here’s what luggage I recommend for a cruise:

Suitcase – Don’t bring a huge suitcase. When you’re packing for cruise trips, remember that your stateroom will be quite small. If you follow my packing list for a cruise below you won’t overpack. A 25″ suitcase should be adequate. This one from Delsey is great! . If you’re sharing a suitcase with your travel partner, then a 29″ suitcase like this will also work. There is limited storage in stateroom closets for multiple large suitcases so it’s a good idea to share one per family.

For further tips on packing for a cruise, check out my post 10 Cruise Packing Tips.

Cruise Packing Checklist to Download

All of the items from my cruise list above have been collated into an easy cruise packing list pdf that you can download and print. As you lay out items for your vacation, check them off the cruise packing checklist pdf so you can organise yourself ahead of time.

>>> Download here: What to Pack for a Cruise Checklist PDF

Questions & Comments on What to Pack on Cruise Ships

I hope you’ve found my cruise checklist, packing advice and ideas of things to wear on a cruise helpful. Good luck with your packing for a Caribbean cruise!

What do you wear on a cruise? I’ve love to know. I’d love to know what you think are the must-have items to take on a cruise.

Join Our Facebook Group to Chat More About Cruise Packing Tips

If you want to ask a specific question, chat to other cruisers about what to pack for your cruise or share your own cruise packing advice then join our Facebook group on Cruise Packing Tips!  We would love to help you work out exactly what to pack or hear your own ideas about what gear you use on your cruise. Join us for some fun and friendly discussions.

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Wow, such thorough info! Nice job.

I love how detailed you were and also how you have the images of the outfits. Will definitely be coming back to this post when we take a cruise!

This is a FANTASTIC list. Cruises seem to be the HARDEST thing for me to pack for this printable will be totally helpful. Pinned for later.

Awesome post!! Getting ready for our multi-gen cruise and needed to send our first time cruising family a good post. Yours was perfect friend 🙂

Oh awesome! Glad I could help. Where are you cruising next??

Hello there! I wanted to add something we have found absolutely necessary for families with kids…..walkie talkies!

We use these to keep in touch with our kids since we do not want to get a huge phone bill at the end. The kids love them because they can also switch the channel and talk with each other! And best of all, no searching the ship for our kids and we can all get together when we need to!

Hope this helps! Marisela

That is an EXCELLENT idea Marisela! Our kids are little still but I can totally see that being useful for older kids or if traveling with an extended family group or friends. I love it! Will add it to the post. 🙂

Ooo forgot to say AWESOME JOB on the post! I’ve been on a ton of cruises but my parents who have never been wanted a checklist and thought before I started to reinvent the wheel I’d search for one and found several but yours was by far the best list out there! Thanks!

Thank you so much for the compliment! I love solving problems for people and what to pack seems like such a common one. Glad I could help your parents! Where are they cruising?

WOW! You are amazing! I am a 76 year old grandmother. I have been on a few cruises and always over packed. My daughter is taking me on a first time 10 day western mediterranean cruise, I LOVE your beautiful outfit ideas/packing list etc. and I am having fun using them all. You are a God Send. Thank you very much.

Oh thank you so much Judy! That is super kind of you to say. I love hearing that what I put out there online has helped someone get read for their trip.

You can join our cruise packing group on Facebook too if you want to ask some questions! Here is the link – https://www.facebook.com/groups/cruisepackingtips/

This information is great but when I click to print, the page is “not found”. Any suggestions?

I’ve fixed the link. You can find it here – https://flashpackerfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Ultimate-Cruise-Packing-Checklist-PDF.pdf

This is fabulous! The best site I have been to for Cruise tips! My husband and I are planning our first cruise ever in March of 2018. We are very excited and this post has helped A LOT!! Thank you 🙂

That’s awesome to hear Allie! Where are you cruising to?

Let me know if you have any questions. You can join our cruise packing group on Facebook here if you’d like to chat more about your cruise with me and other travelers – https://www.facebook.com/groups/cruisepackingtips/

LOVE your post! Going on my first cruise, southern carrebean for 10 days. So excited, but I think I have over packed big time. I have a carryon for toiletries, jewelry and change of cloths. I am on oxygen so I needed to pack in my 21 in. Suit Case my concentrator with accessories for overnight use. Plus I have my crossover purse as well as my crossover portable oxygen concentrator. I have 5 shorts with 5 tops, 2 capri with 4 tops, 2 short sundresses, 3 bathing suits with 3 coverups, 1 black jumpsuit, 1 long blue and white dress. 1 sequin black shawl and a white ballerio, beige wideleg dress slacks with 1 topa lightweight sweater shawl. I also have white skinny jeans with 2 tops and a pair of skinny blue jeans with 1 top. Have white blue, black soft sandals as well as flip flops, sneakers and black dress shoes and beige dress sandles. I need help!!

Thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed list! I am having trouble downloading the pdf – it says it can’t find the server?

pdf is no longer available. Can you help?

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The Ultimate Cruise Packing List: What to Pack for a Cruise

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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When deciding what to pack for a cruise, you’re really packing for three distinct sub-trips: your cruise ship, which is the equivalent of a large destination resort with a controlled environment; the ports of call, where you will get out and roam around the local area; and your flights to and from your departure port. Sometimes you can solve all three problems with a single wardrobe and accessory set, but sometimes you will need completely different sets. Scroll down to the cruise packing list below to learn how to pack for a cruise as well as what to consider during all aspects of your cruise vacation .

Looking for a cheap cruise? Find the best deals at Avoya Travel.

What to pack for a cruise, clothing/accessories.

• Leisure Shoes
• Sweatshirts
• Undershirts
• Dress Shoes
• Dress Shirts
• Casual Shirts
• Laundry Kit
• Dental Floss
• Nail Clippers
• Moisturizer
• Hand Sanitizer
• Seasickness Remedy
• Contact Lenses
• Contact Solution
• Shaving Supplies
• First-Aid Kit
• Conditioner
• Makeup Remover
• Insect Repellent
• Clothespins
• Medications
• Pain Relievers
• Styling Tools
• Menstrual Products
• Birth Control
• Facial Cleanser
• Toiletry Bag

Miscellaneous/Cruise Specific

• Smart Phone
• Plug Adapter
• Waterproof Phone Case
• Snorkel Gear
• Microfiber Towel
• Copies of Documents

Carry-on Items for a Cruise

• Change of Clothes
• Credit/ATM Cards
• Water Bottle
• Insurance Cards
• Suitcase Locks
• In-flight Medications
• Maps/Directions
• Travel Pillow
• Travel Blanket
• Important Toiletries
• Passport/Visa/ID

What to Pack for a Cruise: At Sea

Once upon a time, almost all cruise ships were pretty dressy, including some events calling for full formal wear. Now only a few upmarket ships still require a bit of fussing, but most of the mass-market ships, like those in the Royal Caribbean and Princess stables, are about as casual as you like. In any event, as long as you’re not out on deck, you’ll be in a comfortably air-conditioned space virtually all the time.

The first job of your cruise packing list is to determine just where on the formal-casual scale you want or have to be in, or if you want to prepare for both ends of the scale. Luckily, business casual attire ( pantsuits , maxi dresses , khaki pants , and button-up shirts tend to fair just fine these days). And for those cruise lines that do have more formal nights, there are typically still buffet options for meals if you want to avoid fancier dress.

The Essential Carry-On Packing List

Then, decide how you want to play your wardrobe. I pack the minimum I’ll need to comply with the lowest degree of dressiness required. On the other hand, other couples I know are fully engaged with dress: The wife doesn’t want to be seen in the same outfit at dinner on any two different days, and the husband even packs his tux for the “Captain’s Dinner” event. But that’s not how everyone travels. Ultimately, it’s your call what’s most comfortable for you to wear on vacation, and therefore to pack.

In any case, layers will be your best friend. Moving between the air conditioned interior of the ship and the potentially much balmier surroundings can feel like packing for two totally different climates. Light shawls , thin cardigans , and linen pants all walk the line between warm and cool, and can be dressed up or down to fit your wardrobe strategy.

Beyond the basic daily wear, pack whatever special recreational wear and accessories you’ll need. Even if you never leave the ship, you will probably want swimwear , and possibly some other specialized clothing and equipment as well.

Where to Buy Formal Wear for a Cruise

While many may want to take advantage of the rare opportunity to dress up, few people have a closet full of formal attire at their disposal. Clothing rental services are an affordable way to get glam on the high seas without overspending or cluttering up your closet with an outfit you’ll only wear once. Rent the Runway offers one time rentals for special occasions and monthly subscriptions (cancel anytime) in 5, 10, and 20 item bundles for those who want to round out their cruise wardrobe.

For those looking to make a more permanent purchase, Suitshop has a large selection of sturdy suits that will last a lifetime and Nordstrom offers dresses at varying levels of formality, from beachy maxi-dresses to true formal options .

The Essential Beach Packing List

What to Pack for a Cruise: In Port

The situation here is obvious: You need to pack for the climate in your cruise destination—and, for most people, being active in each port. You’ll be walking around during shore excursions, and many call for specialized equipment. That means you need to pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing on your cruise, even if you won’t need them on the ship itself. Make sure you pack appropriately for any off-shore excursions.

As to how heavy/light to travel, the Caribbean is hot and steamy pretty much all the time, and the Mediterranean in summer can come close. But weather in other popular areas such as Alaska, New England, and inland European rivers is a bit more variable. Your best bet is to check the weather forecasts just before you pack for your cruise, and always be prepared for rain. For Europe and Bermuda, you should aim for more resort-casual clothing (fair warning: Golf courses in Bermuda have strict dress codes). Some other cruise itineraries that are more casual than the norm include Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, and French Polynesia.

7 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Ship

What to Pack for a Cruise: Everything Else

Beyond the perfect wardrobe, there are a few key items that will ensure your cruise vacation is nothing but smooth sailing. Add these items to your cruise packing checklist before you embark:

Day Trip Gear

When putting together a packing list for a cruise, think about what you’ll need for your planned activities. A daypack is a necessity for a spending a full day off the boat. Stock it with a reusable water bottle (collapsible for the ultimate space-saver), sun hats , sunblock , insect repellent , and anything else you’ll need to get through the day. Make sure to download the port city’s map so you can access it offline in the event you lose access to WiFi. Drop a pin in your ship’s docking location and set an alarm well ahead of your departure time to signal its time to head back to the ship.

Travelers sometimes forget that they don’t need to pack a full closet full of personal-care products and accessories in their travel toiletry kit . You can buy toothpaste, batteries, and tissues in most places around the world—and also on the cruise ship, albeit at stiff prices. Ships vary in what toiletries they offer onboard.

However there are a few things you don’t want to leave off your cruise checklist, like prescription medications, glasses or contact lenses, and any specialized skincare or hair products that you can’t live without. It’s also a good idea to have a few OTC medications handy from the start in case of seasickness or minor aches and pains from a long flight.

Unlike air travel, cruise ships don’t place an upper size limit on your liquid personal items, so unless you’re flying to your port of departure, your containers can exceed 3.4oz. 

The latest packing challenge is with gadgets. I, for one, would have withdrawal symptoms if I couldn’t get online every day, so I would select a cruise ship with the latest internet connectivity and pack my laptop. On the other hand, if you want to get away from it all, a cruise ship is the ideal place—and you don’t have to pack any devices, converters, and such. Don’t forget your camera, and a travel extension cord can also come in handy.

As mentioned above, any critical devices you can’t live without should come along in your suitcase, be it a laptop, tablet, or just your smartphone. In addition to any necessary chargers, make sure you have an international adapter that works with any port city on the itinerary.

5 Simple Ways to Make Travel Easier

In-Flight Essentials

When packing for your pre- and post-cruise flights, figure out what goes in your carry-on and what gets checked. If you’re big on collecting souvenirs and buying local handicrafts, leave room in your suitcase for what you bring home. You don’t want to get hit with paying for another checked bag or hauling both your regular carry-on and a shopping bag of loot on your flight home.

Cruises are all about relaxing, soaking up the sun on the ship’s deck and catching up on a good book or finally catching up on that podcast. Make sure you don’t use up the leisure activities you packed for the cruise while bored in the terminal or during the flight. Download multiple books on your e-reader or library app, some for the flight and some for the trip. If you prefer paperback, pick up an in-flight read at one of the terminal kiosks or see if your airport has a library loan program .

Important Documents

Make sure you have your passport, ID, credit cards, and any cash (USD and local currency) you plan to spend. Bring along photocopies of important documents and your cruise itinerary. Make sure to leave any vital documents you don’t need for an excursion locked up safely in your cabin.

Can I Do Laundry on a Cruise?

Do you need to pack for the full cruise, or can you have your clothes washed or dry cleaned during your sailing? Although most big ships provide some kind of service, the specific answer to that question varies wildly among different ships: Some charge for laundry the way hotels do, some set a fixed price for a laundry bag full, some sell laundry packages prior to sailing, and a few offer self-service washers and dryers.

But no matter how you do it, you’ll definitely pay more for doing laundry while cruising than you pay at home. In general, large ships offer more options than small ones, and 200-passenger river cruises may provide only limited services. Again, check what your cruise ship offers before you decide how much you need to pack. If you’re unsure what your cruise line offers or don’t want to pay the fee, pack some travel laundry detergent packets and a travel clothes line to wash light items like undergarments and t-shirts in your cabin sink. 

How to Do Laundry on Vacation (No Landromat Required)

What Not to Pack for a Cruise

Like any form of travel, there are a few prohibited items. These include obvious candidates like firearms, fireworks, knives, and any illegal substances. But there are a few surprising items on the list as well. On Carnival Cruises , passengers are not allowed to bring along curtains or large radios and travel clothing steamers are banned from coming aboard any Royal Caribbean ship. Other common prohibited items include scissors, alcoholic beverages, meat, and fish. Make sure to check your specific cruise line’s list of restricted items.

It’s worth noting that cruise ships are governed under federal law, so all marijuana products, including medical marijuana, are generally prohibited onboard regardless of port of departure. Alcohol policies vary by ship (so do your research with your cruise line directly).

Cruise Packing Tips

Packing for any trip can be tricky, but packing for a vacation that is essentially three trips in one is a monumental task for even the most efficient traveler. Maximize your organization and luggage space with these cruise packing tips.

Bring Spare Clothes in Your Carry-On

Having a change of clothes and a few day-to-day necessities in your carry-on can also be a lifesaver in the case of lost or delayed luggage . If you find yourself with no idea where your bags are or waiting to have them shipped to your next port of call, you’ll be glad to have a few extra items on hand to hold you over. It’s also great for that stretch of time between boarding the ship and your luggage showing up in your cabin.

Get a Personal Item That Does Double Duty

Save packing space by bringing along a personal item for the flight that can double as a daypack for excursions. This Lite Daypack from Bellroy is minimalistic and functional while this option from Got Bag is even more compact and comes in four neutral colors.  A foldable wet bag is a great additional to any daypack—it can be used to organize small items on your pre-departure flight and to store your wet swimsuit on the way back to the ship after a day in port.

The Ten Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers

Take Advantage of Packing Cubes

Keep yourself extra organized by packing for your “sub-trips” in packing cubes. Designate one for your formal wear, one for your onboard resort wear, and one for anything you plan to wear in port. This keeps your wardrobe organized without having to unpack everything or dig through a upturned suitcase looking for that one shirt you just know you packed.

My most essential recommendation for what to bring on a cruise: Don’t get obsessive about it. Do your best and plan to cope with whatever problems you encounter along the way.

Where to Book a Cruise

When booking a cruise you have two options—booking directly with the cruise line on their site or hunting down the best deals through an online travel agency. Check out our round-up of the best site to book a cruise to find the best deals and easiest processes.

Download Our Cruise Packing List Before You Set Sail

Click on the below image to edit and download the SmarterTravel cruise packing list :

Book a Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

Need a place to stay the night before you set sail? Search SmarterTravel Hotels for great accommodations in your port of call.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016 by SmarterTravel’s Ed Perkins. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Free, Printable and Ultimate Cruise Packing Checklist

Cruise booked? Excited to sail but not sure what to bring? I got you! I just got back from a January 2023 sailing with Celebrity Cruises on the Beyond Cruise Ship. (Which I loved!) I am going to share with you everything I packed to bring on my Celebrity cruise (which includes my favorite cruise and travel items) and a FREE PRINTABLE cruise packing checklist. This cruise packing list will make easy work of packing for your cruise. Keep scrolling for the free and printable cruise checklist, what to pack in your carry on, my favorite cruise items and what not bring on a cruise.

At Pragmatic Travelers , we only recommend what we have actually experienced and the travel products we love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links of products that I trust and use when I travel. This means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Again, I only recommend products that I have used and trust.

Thinking of sailing with Celebrity Cruises? Check out our review of the Celebrity Beyond Review .

Table of Contents

Best Items I Brought on my Cruise

Samsonite freeform carry on.

I hate checking my bags. So I always bring a carry on/personal item. This Samsonite Freeform Carry On suitcase did just the trick. I was able to fit multiple outfits and shoes into this suitcase. It fit easily under the stateroom bed and was a breeze around airports. Practical and reliable! 

Lily & Drew Carry On Weekender/Shoulder Bag

Travel Space Saver Bags

Mangopop Long Sleeve Bodysuit

Soft White Sweater

Silky V-Neck Midi Slip Dress

What I packed: Cruise Packing List

Important items.

• Passport/photo ID
• Cruise materials and shore excursion materials (if necessary)
• Wallet with CASH. I can’t tell you how important that was. I brought cash with me and the cruise staff helped break down large bills.
• Printed luggage tags
• Cell phone with charger
• Portable charger
• Insurance Cards and COVID Vaccine Card

Clothing & Accessories

• Workout gear for exercise and walking to the beach
• Underwear/socks/bras
• Bathing Suits/coverup
• 3 bodysuits (easy to mix and match for the evening)
• 2 dresses and 2 skirts
• 2 pairs of linen shorts
• 2 tank tops
• Sneakers, sandals, nice pair of flats
• Small clutch that fit my phone and credit cards
• Collapsible tote bag with a zipper to bring to the beach
• Spare pair of glasses

Bathroom Gear

• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Daily moisturizer with SPF, concealer and eye liner
• Night cream and eye cream
• Shower gel (didn’t use it much. I just used what they provided.)
• Shampoo, conditioner, gel and a volume product
• Body lotion
• Portable diffuser for my curly hair
• Sunscreen and bus spray
• Powdered laundry detergent (Just in case)

Medical Gear

• Personal medications
• Pain Relief, Imodium, Stool Softners
• Masks and hand sanitizer

Miscellaneous

• Headphones and charger
• Kindle with charger
• Lip Balm with SPF
• Wrinkle Release Spray

What should be in your carry on bag?

• Passport, photo ID, wallet, cash
• Important cruise documents
• Personal medications and motion sickness medication (if needed)
• Change of clothes, bathing suit and sandals
• Jewelry and valuables
• Entertainment gear like your Kindle or games
• Sunscreen and sunglasses

Don’t bring these items on a cruise

• Irons and steamers
• Candles and incense
• Homemade snacks
• Liquor, beer, cider
• Weapons of any kind
• CBD products
• Large floats for the pool
• Beach towels
• Coffee makers, tea kettles, mug warmers

Free/Printable Cruise Packing Checklist

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How to Pack for Your Cruise Vacation

Everything You Need to Take on Your Cruise

TripSavvy / Melissa Ling 

Packing for a cruise is one of the worst parts of your vacation . The only thing most cruise travelers dread more is unpacking when they get home. To lessen this dread, a comprehensive packing list is essential. Anyone who has forgotten some important item and then had to purchase it at double the price on the cruise ship or in a port of call will know that such a list can be invaluable.

One important packing tip: If traveling with a companion or spouse, divide your checked items into two suitcases. That way, if one is lost, you will both have some clothing to wear. It would be terrible for your spouse to have all of his/her clothes and you to have nothing but your carry-on. Also, be sure to carry-on anything that you cannot live without for a couple of days (medicines, swimsuit, clean underwear), just in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Cruise Travel Essentials

Use this cruise packing list as a starter and modify it for your personal tastes. You may not need everything on this list, but all are items worth considering. 

Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork Packing List

• Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
• Cruise documents
• Passports and visas (if necessary) or other proof of citizenship 
• Vaccination certificate (if required)
• Driver's license and auto insurance card (in case you decide to rent a car when ashore)
• Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
• Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
• Another government-issued picture ID (e.g. driver's license)
• Credit cards (be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area)
• ATM card (be sure to call your bank to notify them you are traveling)
• Pre-paid phone card or SIM card for mobile phone (these can also be purchased at your destination)
• Cash (some in small bills for tipping or buying low priced souvenirs)
• Copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary: Pack one copy in your carry-on, one copy in your checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal.
• Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler's checks
• Emergency numbers at home
• Currency conversion chart or app downloaded

Reading Material and Necessities Packing List

• Glasses, contacts, contact cleaner
• Extra reading glasses
• Reading sunglasses
• Guidebooks and other port of call information
• Foreign language phrase book or dictionary
• Reading material (books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool; if you pack an electronic book, don't forget the charger)
• Journal or notebook and pen/pencil (for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences)
• Business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
• Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home (for sending postcards, emails, or gifts)
• Photo album (to share pictures of those adorable kids, grandkids, or pets with new friends)

Electronics and Camera Equipment Packing List

• Plug adapter and converter (most electronic items like cameras, computers, and e-books do not need a converter, but do need an adapter in hotels)
• Mobile phone and charger
• Tablet or e-book and charger
• Laptop computer
• Underwater camera (for snorkeling or beach days)
• Digital camera and manual
• Extra memory cards for digital camera
• Batteries for digital camera
• Battery charger
• Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
• iPod and headphones (for listening on the airplane, walking on deck or on a treadmill)
• Small travel alarm clock (battery operated)
• Lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
• Small flashlight

Medicine Kit Packing List

• Prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry-on bag
• Earplugs or "ear planes"
• Small first aid kit (band-aids, Q-tips, vaseline, Dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrhea medication, cortisone cream, aspirin/Tylenol/Advil)
• Germicidal hand cleaner
• Handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
• Hand lotion
• Rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
• Bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes and "nonos" ashore)
• Sunscreen/sunblock and lip sunblock

Other "Necessities" Packing List

• Extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for the return trip (better than locks, but one-time use only)
• Extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
• Ziploc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
• Corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
• Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
• Small umbrella
• Collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
• Playing cards
• Sports gear (e.g., snorkeling gear)
• Shoehorn (for getting those shoes back on your swollen feet)
• Sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage)
• Travel-sized detergent
• Clothespins
• Empty folding tote bag (for souvenirs or the beach)
• Hats/caps/visors
• Insulated large coffee mugs
• Insulated reusable water bottle

Women's Cruise Clothing Packing List

• Compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
• Exercise/walking socks
• Trouser socks or pantyhose
• Camisole/slip
• Purses (day and evening)
• Gloves and warm hat (if expect cold weather)
• Walking shoes
• Walking sandals
• Rubber sandals for reef walking and beach
• Evening shoes
• Costume jewelry and extra watch
• Swimsuit cover-up/pareo/sarong
• Thongs/flip-flop shoes
• Work out clothes and jog bra
• Dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
• Dress/outfit for formal nights on ship
• Dress/outfit for casual nights on ship
• Tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
• Capri pants
• Windbreaker jacket
• Evening sweater
• Raincoat with hood

Women's Sundries and Miscellaneous

• Blow dryer (most cruise ships provide, so this is optional)
• Curling iron or curlers
• Hairspray (non-aerosol)
• Conditioner
• Bar soap in plastic container
• Dental floss
• Make-up mirror
• Make-up and make-up bag
• Make-up remover
• Moisturizer and freshener
• Nail polish and remover
• Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
• Razor and shaving cream (pack in checked luggage)

Men's Cruise Clothing Packing List

• Underwear (briefs or boxer shorts)
• Undershirts
• Pajamas and robe
• Compression socks (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
• Black dress socks
• Gloves and warm hat (if you expect cold weather)
• Rubber sandals/shoes for reef walking and beach
• Evening or dress shoes
• "Docksider" casual shoes
• Tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit)
• Tuxedo tie, suspenders, and cummerbund
• Tuxedo cufflinks/studs
• Sport jacket
• Regular ties
• Tuxedo shirt
• Dress shirts
• Swimsuit cover-up
• Work out clothes/T-shirts
• Casual shirts
• Slacks (casual and dress)

Men's Sundries and Miscellaneous

• Shampoo and hair products
• Razor and shaving cream (or electric razor and supplies)

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I’ve Been on 50+ Cruises, and These Are the 15 Things I Never Sail Without

Add these game-changing products to your packing list ASAP.

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Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

For most people, a cruise is a long-awaited vacation on the high seas. But for me, it’s a lifestyle — in fact, it’s my profession. My love of cruising began years ago when I studied abroad on a world cruise through the Semester at Sea abroad program in college, and it’s safe to say I’ve been infatuated with the idea of sailing ever since. There's just something about being out on the ocean and waking up to a different destination every day that creates such a perfect dichotomy of traveling by land and sea. 

I’ve now been reporting on the cruise industry professionally for more than a decade and have embarked on my fair share of cruises (at least 50 so far!), each one with its own unique packing list. I’ve sailed on the planet’s largest cruise ships , as well as some of the smallest on rivers, lakes, and oceans, even crossing the equator. I’ve packed for an Alaska sailing on a cruise line that required formal dress every night and, last summer, I survived with just a carry-on bag for a three-week, back-to-back trip that began in Milwaukee and ended in Stockholm. 

While every cruise is different, and every itinerary has its own packing requirements, there are a few items that I find myself always tossing in my bag regardless of where I’m headed. From versatile travel bags and waterproof apparel to game-changing gadgets and toiletries, these are the 15 must-have things you'll always find on this avid traveler's cruise packing list . 

Sorel Out N About III Waterproof Sneakers

Sure, warm-weather cruising is a haven for flip-flops and sandals, but I've found that sneakers are a must-pack item for almost any cruise. Whether you’re considering taking a hiking or biking excursion, or you’re thinking about trying out the onboard rock-climbing wall, go-kart track, or ropes course, closed-toed shoes are required for all the above. I really like my Vessi Everyday Classic sneakers for cruising because they are wildly comfy and supportive. They're also lightweight if I need to pack them and totally waterproof. 

Another solid — and slightly cheaper — option are Sorel’s Out N About III Waterproof Sneakers . They’re super stylish and come in four neutral colors, offering ankle support, removable insoles, and sleek leather trims to make them more stylish and comfortable than your average athletic kicks. In addition to being waterproof, which is useful if you’re caught out in one of Florida’s famous sun showers, these shoes are also certified for sustainability. 

Supergoop Play Sunscreen

In the wise words of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mary Schmich, “Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.” I must heartily agree. It doesn’t matter if your cruise is in Alaska or Antigua, Hawaii or Holland — the sun shines everywhere. For this reason, a reliable sunscreen is a vital item for any trip, and especially a cruise. Between long days spent exploring in port and sea days out on deck soaking up the rays, the last thing you want to worry about on your vacation is a nasty sunburn. 

Sunscreen has had somewhat of a glow-up in recent years, offering high SPF protection in reef safe and more skin-friendly formulas. These are just a few of the qualities that keep me reaching for Supergoop’s Play Sunscreen , which offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 for the body and face in a non-greasy lotion. Not only is it water- and sweat-resistant, but I can snorkel and swim confidently with a recipe free of oxybenzone and other chemicals known to harm reefs (some ports of call, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, have gone as far as to ban any sunscreen that’s not deemed reef safe).

Supergoop carries a naturally pleasant scent from sunflower and rosemary extracts that doesn’t scream “I’m wearing sunscreen!” from across the beach. I also like that there are a variety of sizes, so I can grab my little 2.4-ounce. bottle if I decide to go carry-on only for my next cruise. 

LifeStraw Go Filtered Water Bottle

If you do one thing for the planet this year, please buy a reusable water bottle and leave the plastic ones behind for good. Cruise lines have been doing a pretty solid job of reducing single-use plastics across their fleets in recent years. Many river cruise lines have long provided filtered water in each cabin, along with a keepsake reusable water bottle to refill around the ship and to bring with you in port. However, this varies from ship to ship. When traveling from home to your next cruise, it’s best to have your own reusable water bottle on hand. After all, staying hydrated is key to surviving long travel days and jet lag.

LifeStraw has been providing advanced filtration technology for about 25 years, originally developing its filtered “straw” as a humanitarian effort to remove contaminants from water in Guinea. This system has evolved from gear for hikers into a range of everyday products, from pitchers to personal bottles. I have an ungodly amount of water bottles in my possession, but I keep coming back to my LifeStraw because of its built-in filter. Though the chances I will be stranded by the Amazon River are slim to none, this water bottle ensures that I can safely fill up anywhere with peace of mind.  And, rather than shell out money for an overpriced plastic bottle while at sea, my LifeStraw Water Bottle makes me feel more comfortable drinking from the tap. 

Travel + Leisure / Brittany Chrusciel

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag Set

This item is for cruisers that love taking advantage of the water activities. If you’re planning to book a snorkeling, diving, or kayaking excursion during your next voyage, you might want to consider packing some dry bags. These Sea to Summit waterproof bags essentially seal any items that you want to keep safe and dry, whether it’s on a catamaran in the Caribbean or a kayak trip for up-close whale watching in Mexico. Having dry bags handy puts my mind particularly at ease on expedition cruises that require “wet landings” from the ship to the shore via inflatable water crafts. I’m always going to be tempted to bring a “real” camera (not just my iPhone) on wildlife-rich sailings such as the Galapagos or the Arctic, and keeping that equipment dry and intact makes me feel much better about lugging it to the ends of the Earth. 

Having a set of different dry bags is helpful so you only grab the size you need for the afternoon; the Sea to Summit bags come in 3-, 5- and 8-liter options, and in a trio of bright, easy-to-spot colors. These lightweight, nylon bags also come with a lifetime guarantee, but you also want to make sure to add a waterproof phone case to your order just to be safe. Similar to the idea of protecting my pricey DSLR camera, I also don’t want to accidentally drop my smartphone into the Sea of Cortez. Waterproof cases like these are also a game-changer because they keep out moisture but still allow you to use the touchscreen and camera through the plastic. Having it hanging around my neck won't make me look like the coolest cat, but if I’m being splashed and bounced around and still getting the shot, I'll feel like a smart cookie. 

Lohas LED Dimmable Night Light

This one might have you scratching your head, but trust me on this. Cruise cabins can get very dark at night with all the curtains drawn — not to mention that there are some with no windows at all. While plenty of cruise ships employ something like a night light, typically in the bathroom, I’ve found this is the exception and not the rule. Be prepared by adding this dimmable night light to your carry-on. Take my word for it, your un-stubbed toes and un-bumped legs will thank you since you won't have to stumble around an unfamiliar room at night.

Not to mention that the standard lights in cabin bathrooms are bright and unforgiving, which can lead to disrupting your sleep or waking up your entire party. For less than $10, these small, plug-in LED night lights will guide the way to the toilet without the feeling of staring into the sun. A sensor in the light automatically turns it on or off, depending on the brightness of the room, so you don’t have to remember to flip a switch. You can even adjust the level of brightness emanating from the nightlight with two settings. 

A word of advice: Check the status of the outlets on your ship; most have U.S.-style outlets, but you might need to bring an adapter. 

Yalikop Beach Towel Chair Clips

By now, I’ve been on dozens of cruises, and I admit that I once cringed at the idea of using a towel clip. Whose idea was it to bring oversized plastic clips on their vacation that look like they should be keeping a bag of potato chips fresh? As it turns out, tons of frequent cruisers swear by them, and they are definitely on to something. These towel clips, ubiquitous with the pool decks of mega-ships, serve in form and function. Clipping your towel to your lounger prevents it from blowing away while you’re taking a dip in the pool or the dreaded slippage as you’re reading or napping the day away. 

Another thing that I will admit is that chair clips have gotten increasingly cuter in recent years — like this adorable tropical-themed set from Yalikop . They’re also small enough to toss in a tote and bring with you for a beach day in port. And, if you’re sailing on a large ship, especially on a day when everyone is onboard, there might be more rows of deck chairs than your frozen cocktail will allow you to keep track of. So, a cheeky cactus, or watermelon, or flamingo sticking up from your seat in a sea of identical towel-clad loungers might help you better locate your place in the sun.

Stur Electrolyte Powder Packets

Included beverage options on cruise ships can be limited, unless you book a drink package or sail on an all-inclusive or luxury cruise line. And, if you’re sailing with the kids on a major cruise line, you might only have watered-down lemonade or juice available in terms of cold, complimentary drinks. Luckily, powder drink mix packets are not only a breeze to pack, but also pump up your water with sustaining vitamins and dehydration-fighting electrolytes. 

My sister-in-law brought these Stur drink packets on a trip to LegoLand for my nephew’s birthday — in July — and we avoided paying theme-park prices for drinks by tossing these in our water bottles. Despite having zero sugar, I didn’t notice an aftertaste from the artificial sweetener, and I really liked the fruit punch flavor. I also love the Stur mixes because they keep me hydrated walking around Barcelona or the Bahamas and cost about half the price of the leading electrolyte packets. Even if you do opt for a drink package, you’ll still be reaching for these babies the morning after a bit of alcoholic overindulgence. 

Bonine Motion Sickness Tablets

I don’t want to scare anyone off cruising by including a seasickness remedy on the list, but the truth is motion is an undeniable byproduct of the ocean. Most of the time, you will barely notice that you’re at sea at all, especially on large cruise ships. But even as an avid cruiser, I’m not immune to a little motion sickness, especially if I’m sailing a transatlantic voyage during the winter or in an area known for rough seas like the Cape of Good Hope around South Africa. 

There are all sorts of remedies for seasickness, from weighted wristbands to acupuncture patches, and even noshing on green apples and ginger candies. But, I prefer Bonine Chewable Motion Sickness Tablets because they make me way less drowsy than other popular medicines like Dramamine, and are also less intense than prescription patches that can cause vivid nightmares when combined with alcohol consumption. And, when you're off your cruise ship, boat rides to go snorkeling or fishing trips in Alaska can easily get a bit choppy. So, it’s better to chew a raspberry Bonine tablet before embarking on one of these excursions (or even before setting sail on your cruise ship), rather than suffer through a wave of seasickness.

Cheap and effective, this small bottle of 16 tablets should be enough for almost any cruise. Just remember that the best time to take a pill is before you even feel sick. 

G4Free Foldable Lightweight Daypack

A daypack should be separate from your hand luggage or your travel backpack. This bag’s sole purpose is to carry all of your essentials for each destination, and maybe haul a few souvenirs back from port. It should be able to fit a water bottle, extra jacket, towel, and other useful items, but also light enough that it doesn’t weigh you down during a day of sightseeing. 

Create your easy-to-pack bag for all your cruising port visits with the G4Free daypack that costs less than $20 and comes in plenty of eye-catching colors and patterns. These bags are especially useful because they fold down into a 5-inch by 6-inch pouch that takes up about the same space as a wallet, so you can pack it to your luggage without adding extra bulk. It's also made with water- and tear-resistant polyester fabric, which means that this backpack is durable enough to withstand a Dunn’s Falls climb in Jamaica.

Epielle Korean Face Sheet Masks

I could recommend obvious items like a hat or sunglasses, but the truth is I’d rather convince you to try these adorable animal-face Korean masks on your next cruise. Hear me out: Shipboard spa treatments like facials can be expensive, so why not have your own pamper party in your stateroom? (Is it really vacation if you don’t pack at least one impractical thing?) Soothe your skin after a busy day of roaming around Rome with Epielle's nourishing and rejuvenating formulas, which feature ingredients like papaya and citrus or cranberry and witch hazel. In addition to a glowing complexion, you'll also get plenty of laughs from the animal faces on the sheet masks. 

I’ve surprised friends — male and female — with these masks during voyages, and the reactions have always been positive. Your skin really does glow immediately after using them — though you may have also gained a few laugh lines in the process. What's more, these individually wrapped masks are super easy to pack and are not considered liquids, so they can also go in your carry-on. 

Bounce Wrinkle Release Spray

Fire is the most serious hazard at sea, so anything with a heating element, including irons, is banned from passenger cabins. Most cruise ships offer laundry pressing and dry cleaning services, or even self-serve launderettes with an ironing board. But, I am lazy and prefer to spritz out my wrinkles with this handy Bounce spray , using the steam from my shower as a de-wrinkling catalyst. 

The game-changing spray has a three-in-one formula that simultaneously removes wrinkles, lifts stains, and infuses your clothes with a fresh, clean-smelling scent. I like that this anti-wrinkle spray comes in a TSA-approved sized bottle, making it perfect for on the go usage. You’ll look put together for the captain’s Champagne reception in no time.  

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan

I don’t step foot on a plane, train, or cruise ship without a cozy sweater like this super-soft cardigan from Barefoot Dreams. Even if you’re sailing around the tropics, ships can be heavily air-conditioned, and you never know when you’ll want to snuggle up in something comfy. This long, loungy open-front cardigan not only looks incredibly luxe, but it's also machine washable — unlike cashmere or other high-end fabric blends — and comes in five neutral shades.

Men can opt for a zip-front version of the same cardigan to get their cozy on while at sea. It’s still buttery soft, but fits more like a jacket without the draping of the women’s design.  

Anker Portable Power Bank

Your smartphone is working overtime on a cruise, staying in touch with messaging apps and social media over the ship’s Wi-Fi (if you paid for it), and taking hundreds of the same sunset photo or helping find your way around in each new place using Google Maps. You’ll find that even if you left the ship in the morning on a full charge, your phone might need some extra juice while you’re out in port. 

This Anker Portable Power Bank is an incredible value for money, with reliable batteries at a wallet-friendly price tag. My husband is in IT, and he swears by these portable chargers, claiming that Anker also offers superb customer service if something goes wrong with your device. The battery pack listed here is compliant with Apple and Android devices, and it provides about five full charges for the average smartphone and half that amount for iPads and tablets. 

Sockwell Compression Socks

It might sound weird, but compression socks are currently having a bit of a moment. They’re no longer considered a stocking for the elderly, instead gaining momentum as wellness wardrobe essentials for all ages. I’m in my thirties, and let’s just say I can’t stand on my feet all day like I used to. Thankfully, there are these snug, supportive Sockwell compression socks that relieve pressure on hard-working feet, whether you're on a long-haul flight or know you'll be doing lots of laps around the ship.

Sockwell's compression technology maximizes circulation and reduces swelling in your tootsies, but incorporates merino wool and rayon from bamboo for a soft and moisture-wicking blend. The brand offers men’s and women’s compression socks in a selection of grades (light, medium and firm), as well as tons of colors and patterns. If your mood is saying, “lotus flowers with a touch of burnt sienna,” there is a pair for that. Socks that climb to your knees aren’t exactly suited for beachy shorts and coverups, but I usually wear them on travel days for flights or during hikes or long walking tours. 

Open Edit Strappy Midi Dress

The LBD, also known as the “little black dress,” has long been fundamental to any closet, and it should also come with you on your cruise. A hallmark of traditional cruise vacations is the formal night, which is one or two nights of your voyage where the entire ship is asked to dress their best and parade through the promenade in their finery. These nights are *chef’s kiss* for people-watching and bringing out a sense of occasion across the ship, usually complemented by a special menu in the main dining room and plenty of opportunities for portraits. 

While dress codes have relaxed across the cruise industry in recent years, it’s still a good idea to pack something a bit nicer to wear to a specialty restaurant or for a night out. I always prefer to be overdressed than underdressed, so this assignment is never lost on me. But if you’re the type of person who wants your suitcase full of clothes to work hard for you, I highly recommend this midi  dress from Open Edit .

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Travel Eat Blog

Ultimate Cruise Packing List: What to Pack For a Cruise

Cruising is the best kind of vacation: unlimited food, exotic destinations, and great service! I love going on a cruise, I love meeting new people from all of the world, and seeing new places on the way. Did you just book your cruise vacation? Now you need to pack everything from your cruise packing list to be prepared for all the pleasant surprises that await you!

Packing for a cruise can seem overwhelming: days at the beach, formal nights, snorkeling excursions and museum walks – How can you pack for all of it without packing your whole house in with you? What are you forgetting? On my previous cruise , all of these tips and the cruise packing list really helped me prepare myself for everything, hope it will help you as well!

If you forget something important you will probably have to buy it at a double price on the ship or the port of call, so you should make sure you take all of the essentials! 

Things You Should Buy Before You Go on a Cruise

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Vacation Lanyard

It’s a lot easier to keep up with your key if you have a lanyard with you. They are a lot more expensive on the ship, so you can grab them from Amazon * for your whole family or look for an old one at home.

A Bag to Go on Land

A New Beach Hat

Ok, this one isn’t a must, but it will save you from the sun you will look stunning on the beach. One of my favorites – this cute hat * – and, once again, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it!

Take Wine (or Sodas)

Each line has its own rules, but generally, you will have to pay for drinks on-board unless you purchased a drink package. It would be a lot cheaper to bring a bottle of wine or a few cans of soda with you on-board than buying it there. Make sure to check with the cruise company how much alcohol you can bring on-board. 

Cruising doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s hard to budget for your first cruise as you don’t know what to expect! In this article , I cover most paid services you will find on the cruise so that you can pick and choose what you want to budget for!

Sunscreen or Spray

Pack a Laundry Bag With You

Throw your dirty clothes in a separate bag while on the cruise. Isn’t this one so adorable? I love that it’s travel-related!

Grab a Good Camera 

Isn’t that what cruising is about? You want to remember all of the beautiful moments when you are on-board or on an exotic island. Don’t forget to grab your camera with you on your next cruise vacation. Y ou can get a cheaper model  that will last you many more vacations to come. 

Another great option is getting an action camera like a GoPro  if you are planning to go zip-lining or snorkeling in one of the islands. You can get some really great underwater shots with it. I was really surprised when I found out that some other action cameras like this one  have such high customer ratings for a low price. 

Everything above will be a lot more expensive on the cruise ship if you forget to pack it with you! Get a Free SMART, EDITABLE, and PRINTABLE checklist below:

Get a Cruise Packing Checklist in Your Inbox – I will send you a FREE copy of the printable packing list plus travel tips, discounts, and giveaways from Travel Eat Blog!

Cruise Travel Packing Checklist

Now that you have all of the essentials, it is time to start packing! Use this cruise packing list as a starter and modify it for your personal tastes. You may not need everything on this list, but you should consider all of them! 

Travel Documents and Paperwork Packing List

• Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
• Cruise documents – itineraries, luggage tags, and excursion tickets
• Passports and visas or other proof of citizenship
• Vaccination certificate (if required)
• Driver’s license and auto insurance card – in case you decide to rent a car when ashore
• Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
• Credit cards (call credit card companies to alert them you are traveling)
• Cash (some in small bills for tipping and buying low-priced souvenirs)

Clothing Cruise Packing List – What To Wear

Cruising is a fun time for fashion, but you do not need to pack your entire wardrobe for a cruise. Whatever your activity, make sure you have comfortable walking shoes. You will need casual clothing for breakfast (something like what I wore on the picture) and it might be a good idea to check for details with your cruising company to see if there will be any theme night during your cruise.

All cruises are different but you can definitely plan for one elegant evening. Most cruise lines will have at least one, no matter the length of the cruise. The cruise formal wear doesn’t have to be anything outrageous. I have seen people on cruises wearing tuxedos and super fancy dresses and some in jeans and a polo shirt. Wear whatever you want, just feel confident and enjoy yourself! And if you are wanting some inspiration, see my cruise clothing guide to get advice on cruise outfits and answers to all of your clothing-related questions!

Cruise Clothing and Shoes

• Shorts/ skirts
• Casual dresses
• Evening wear/ formal
• Cardigan/jacket
• Long-Sleeved shirts
• Jeans/casual pants
• Dressy tops
• Workout gear
• Swimsuits – I pack two pairs
• Underwear and bras – pack enough so you don’t have to worry about washing.
• Socks – 1-2 pairs should be fine, depending on your activities.
• Hiking shoes – exercise shoes
• Evening wear shoes

Accessories / Miscellaneous for Cruising

• Evening purses
• Empty Water Bottle
• Wine or sodas (Check with the cruise company how much alcohol you can bring on-board)

What to pack in your travel medical kit

• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen or spray
• Medications
• Thermometer – the one item I recommend you don’t forget to pack when traveling with kids.
• Seasickness prevention
• Probiotics – the number one best thing you can do for your health, especially when you travel! 

Toiletries Cruise Packing List

As with any resort or hotel, you will be given basic toiletries to use, but my hair feels terrible if I use them so I always bring my own shampoo and conditioner. Keep them in a zip-lock bag.

• Conditioner
• Makeup Remover
• Hair accessories
• Hair straightener/curling iron – may come in handy for the elegant night, if you want to go all out!

Pin it for later!

Packing accessories for cruise travel.

• Laundry bag 
• Toiletry bag – I prefer something cute and compact like this one .

Entertainment and Electronics Packing List

Minimize your electronics as much as you can. Cruising is a great way to unplug, especially since wi-fi prices are so expensive!

• A book (or 2)
• Selfie sticks
• Powerboard or power strip
• Water-resistant camera case – when swimming with stingrays, we found that having a waterproof camera case helps take some amazing shots!
• Waterproof phone pouch – also a must take with you for taking pictures near the water and on the beach.
• Power adapter – essential if you are traveling internationally. Also, cruise ships usually have a limited amount of outlets in a cabin. But they have both, European and American outlets. If you bring a power adapter you can use to charge your electronics onboard. 
• Laptop – we travel with ours as work and travel are rarely separate.

Cruising Tips Before You Start Packing

1. divide up your stuff with your partner.

If you are traveling with a companion, divide your checked items into two suitcases. If one is lost, you will both have some clothes to wear. Also, be sure to carry-on anything that you cannot live without for a couple of days (medicine, swimsuit, clean underwear), just in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

2. Check the weather before you start packing

Does it look like it might be chilly? Take a warmer jacket just in case it’s colder in the evenings. Does the weather look hot and humid? Grab a rain jacket and a lot of sunscreen. On our last vacation, it was raining a lot and I am very glad I had a waterproof jacket with me. 

3. Think about the length of your cruise

Planning your outfits before you leave can save you a lot of space in your suitcases. Plan a couple of outfits for each day – one for the morning and afternoon (activewear and swimsuits) and one for the evening (casual or more elegant). And you can mix and match when you are on the ship!

4. Take an empty refillable water bottle

This one is huge. With a refillable water bottle, you will be able to bring water to your stateroom and have water with you anywhere on the ship. You will have to throw away your water at customs, but you can come on board with an empty bottle. Then you can refill it at one of the water stations on the ship. Otherwise, you are stuck with $4 bottles in your stateroom or carrying a cup of water down 5 floors.

The one I found best comes in a variety of sizes and vibrant colors, it’s inexpensive and has really good customer reviews. It’s BPA free and has a vacuum seal. This one will serve you for many cruise adventures to come!

5. Get an editable packing checklist from Travel Eat Blog!

I made this smart printable cruise packing list below. Print it out and cross out to make your packing so much easier!

Is this your first cruise? Check out these cruising hacks and tips to save money and have the best experience ever!

Is someone you know going on a cruise? Share this cruise packing list with them to help save them time while they are packing! Have more ideas and tips for packing? Leave them in the comments below!

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17 Comments

Great post, Ive never been on a cruise but I plan on going soon. Thank you for sharing.

Great list! I’m a chronic cruise overpacker. 🙂 – Stephanie | http://www.theborrowedbabes.com

I haven’t been on a cruise in such a long time, but this packing guide was so helpful!

Extensive list! My pale self always needs to bring 3x the amount of sunscreen I think I would need. It is so expensive on the cruise ship or in port.

Such a creative article! Very informative.

Excellent List!! I glad after reading your post, and there I found the best list of what to pack for a cruise. It’s a helpful list for us. Thanks for sharing your great information.

Great checklist! I’ve been on 3 cruises and going on another this September and I still have to write out everything I am packing! I will definitely use your checklist when I’m getting ready to pack!!

I have only been on one cruise, disney, when I was like 9. I would like to experience one again as an adult. Thanks for this list! Will come in handy.

I’ve never been on a cruise and so I never considered that indeed if you forget something it will be very expensive to get there. Probably seems obvious to a seasoned cruise traveler, but I’m glad you mentioned it.

I have never been on any cruise but I would love to. The ships in the pictures are so huge that they resemble cities on the water. Awesome! Very nice packing list, good job!

Great list!!! I love cruising so much but we don’t do it that often. I would only add poo-pourri! Since the bathrooms are small in the rooms, it’s nice to have something to prevent the #2 smell 😉 Game changer!!!

That’s a great one to add to the list! I will make sure to update! Thanks for the tips!

This is a practical and detailed guide on a list of things needed when on a cruise. I haven’t been on a cruise but this is certainly a good list to have in mind for when I do.

This would have been so helpful when I went on a cruise a few years ago!

This is a little bit of a surprise for me because this is how I pack on normal holidays. I always thought that you need fewer things, cause the cruise ships to look to me like a floating cities 🙂

My mom LOVES to cruise. I finally went on one with her around the Hawaiian Islands and we had a great time. She didn’t check the rules for bringing wine on board for this cruise line and had to pay quite a bit. Great tip to bring a power strip and empty water bottles. Mom also brought a picture from an old calendar and taped it to the door so it would be easy to find our room. I laughed about this at first but it actually was handy

I’ve never been on a cruise before but this was so informative. So much to consider when packing, loved this list you compiled!

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Printable Cruise Packing List + What to Pack for a Cruise

15 cruise packing tips and a free cruise packing list to help ensure you’re ready to set sail! Print your free checklist and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime!

This cruise packing list post is in partnership with Princess Cruises. All opinions are 100% my own. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re sailing to Cancun , Roatan, Honduras , or Freeport, Bahamas ; this checklist will cover everything you’ll need so you can sit by the pool and enjoy a refreshing Dirty Monkey knowing you didn’t leave anything at home!

What to Pack For A Cruise

My husband and I recently returned from the best Caribbean cruise! We spent a week onboard the beautiful Caribbean Princess, celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday. A Princess cruise is a great way to celebrate a special occasion, and I already want to go back!

You’d be surprised at how little you need to pack for a cruise. Most people spend the week in the same pair of shorts, swapping out a few favorite t-shirts. You definitely don’t need an outfit for every day, nor do you usually wear more than just flip-flops around the ship. But there are some things you need to plan for and some helpful items that seasoned cruisers all consider a must!

Today I’ll show you my personal list of what to pack for a cruise. Even though we went on a  Caribbean cruise, these items are perfect no matter where you’re sailing. Take a look –

Things to Pack for a Cruise

10 items you might not have thought of that can save you some headache and offer a ton of convenience! 

1. Ziploc Bags

I learned how handy Ziploc bags can be on a cruise ship years ago, and this is always the first piece of advice I offer to first-time cruisers. Not only can use them on board to save food, snacks, and leftover room service in your cabin refrigerator, but you can take them on excursions to keep your phone, camera, and ID away from sand and water. Bigger plastic bags can also be used to store wet bathing suits and water shoes so your other clothes don’t get wet and dirty on your way home.

2. Backpack

Leave the designer handbag on board and bring a backpack to all your excursions. Not only are they safe and less likely to be set down and forgotten, but they also come in handy if you plan to purchase souvenirs. Things to pack in your backpack include – your driver’s license (leave your passport in your cabin), your wallet, a bottle of water, sunscreen, and perhaps a towel.

3. Portable Charger

Even though your phone will most likely stay in airplane mode for the duration of your cruise, you’ll still drain your battery using your phone for an alarm clock, a camera, and to check the ship’s app throughout the day. It is also a good measure for safety in your various ports of call. Having a portable charger allows you to charge your phone or tablet back to full battery life – no outlet needed.

• Here is a portable charger on Amazon with great reviews for less than $10.

4. Waterproof Cell Case

Another cell phone accessory I found to be extremely helpful on our last cruise was a waterproof cell phone case on a lanyard. They are cheap (less than $10 at Walmart) and they not only protect your phone, they are a great way to carry cash or a credit card too! We did a few water excursions on our Princess cruise, and I used my cell phone as my camera at each port, so I was constantly using it.

The plastic case allows you to still access your touch screen, and it was so handy to have it around my neck and know that it wasn’t being lost or stolen. Also, when we were in the Cayman Islands it rained on us – hard! Thanks to my waterproof case, I never had to worry about my phone getting wet, or sandy. I even took it on our Zip Lining Excursion and felt secure enough to use my camera while soaring over the jungle!

• Here are a few waterproof cell phone cases , similar to the one I bought at Walmart. They also start at around $6.

5. Power Strip for more outlets.

Most staterooms on a cruise ship don’t have very many outlets. If you are traveling with your family or have multiple people in one room, it could be a fight over who gets to charge their cell phones or tablets each night. A power strip takes up very little space in your luggage and they are affordable too!

• This power strip has USB outlets and is nice and compact
• This universal adapter will allow you to use any European outlet(s) in your cabin.

6. Over the Door Shoe Rack

There isn’t a lot of extra space or storage in your cruise cabin, so hanging a shoe rack with pockets is a great way to organize smaller items. Toiletries, chargers, kid’s toys, cameras… they fit perfectly in a pocket where they are off the floor, spotted at a glance, and are easily accessible.

7. Nightlight

If you have an inside cabin, a small nightlight can help a child who might be afraid of the dark. It also comes in handy to light the way to the bathroom for an adult who likes to see where they are going! (It gets DARK in those rooms!)

8. Sunscreen + Extra Sunscreen

Make sure you bring more sunscreen than you think you’ll need. Years ago my husband got a pretty nasty sunburn on day 3 or 4 of our cruise and it nearly ruined the rest of his cruise experience – he was miserable!!! If you do run out of sunscreen, the ship will sell some to you, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for it!

9. Bug spray

A lot of excursions suggest bringing bug spray, and it’s for a good reason! On one cruise we did years ago, we decided at the last minute to do an excursion to some ruins. The experience was completely unforgettable, but we were definitely not equipped for the bugs and mosquitos all along the trail. Now, bug spray is one of the very first things I put in my toiletries bag… just in case!

10. First Aid Kit + Medicine Bag

Just as it is unlikely that you’ll ever get bored on a cruise, it is also unlikely to become seasick too! All cruise ships have a medical office where you can get treated for small injuries and illnesses, so if you forget to pack bandaids or Tylenol, no worries. For peace of mind, I try to remember a travel first aid kit and some simple medicines – especially if I am traveling with kids. Here is what I like to include –

• Tylenol / Motrin / Ibuprofen for headaches or fevers
• cough medicine (nothing worse than being in tight quarters with a kid coughing all night long!
• Benadryl – this helped with my husband’s sunburn. (Knocked him out so he was able to sleep!)
• aloe vera lotion – to soothe any sunburns
• Dramamine (for adults and kids) I’ve never had to use this, but on the off chance that someone in your party starts to feel queasy, it’s better to be prepared.

Cruise Packing Tips

5 helpful cruise packing tips to remember.

• passport / ID
• wallet with money and credit cards
• cruise documents
• medications
• bathing suit
• items for kids/babies (bottles, favorite toys, blankets, etc.)
• Leave the hair dryer at home. Most cruise cabins provide a hard dryer, so you can save some serious space in your luggage.
• When we go to the beach, I bring a disposable diaper to wrap my cell phone, keys, and wallet in. (A clean one, obviously!) Not only is a big white blob harder to lose in the sand, but it also keeps potential thieves from stealing my things. (Just make sure your entire party knows what you’re doing so no one tries to be helpful and tosses it in the trash. 🙂 
• On our last Princess cruise, I saw several passengers use colorful spring clamps on the top of their deck lounge chairs to keep their towels in place – genius!! This idea also helps you identify your spot after a dip in the pool. Those bright-colored clamps stand out in a sea of striped towels! 
• Bring half of what you initially packed. Lay out everything you think you need, then set aside half of it. This guarantees you only bring the essentials. (If you do run out of things to wear, Princess Cruises has a laundry facility available too!)

Cruise Packing Checklist

Now that I’ve shared some helpful tips, let’s look at a list of evvvvvvverything you need while packing for a cruise!

Essentials –

• Passport + Drivers License / Personal ID
• Wallet with credit card + cash

Clothing –

• Formal Night clothes + shoes – You will see attire all across the fancy spectrum, from tuxedos and ballgowns to nice slacks and cute sundresses.
• daily clothes – shorts, shirts, tank tops, 1 pair of pants/ jeans
• sandals/ flip flops
• closed-toe shoes (some shore excursions require it)
• water shoes (some excursions recommend it)
• nicer clothes + shoes for dinner in the dining room
• swimsuit cover-up
• exercise clothes + shoes (if hitting the gym is your thing)
• sweatshirt/jacket (evenings on the deck can be windy and cold)
• rain jacket or poncho (our last cruise rained EVERY DAY!)
• jewelry, belts, accessories

Electronics –

• power strip to charge all your devices
• cell phone + charger
• portable cell phone charger
• camera + charger / batteries
• iPad/Kindle/ Laptop + all chargers
• selfie stick
• watch (for time changes)
• straightener / curling iron

Toiletries –

• hairspray + hair products
• toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash + floss
• conditioner (save room by using the cruise-provided soap and shampoo)
• meds – dramamine, Benadryl, Tylenol, motrin etc.
• bug repellant
• nail clippers + emery board + nail polish
• razor + shaving cream
• first aid kit

Misc. / Optional

• backpack/day pack
• waterproof cell phone case
• over-the-door shoe rack
• ziplock bags
• books + magazines
• water bottle
• snorkel gear (excursions will usually provide you with some)
• playing cards

More Great Cruise Tips

• Making The Most Of Your Days At Sea
• 10 Best Cruise Tips
• The Best Things To See & Do In Nassau
• How To Give Someone A Surprise Vacation

You’ve read all our tips on how to pack for a cruise. It’s time to download a copy of our Cruise Packing List and fill it in with everything you think you’ll need! Enter your name and email address below for immediate access –

Now that you know how to pack for a cruise, tell me – is there anything I forgot to add to our list?

Leave me a comment in the section below!

This post is in partnership with Princess Cruises. Thanks for supporting our sponsors so we can continue to provide family-friendly travel content to our readers. We appreciate it!

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Cruises allow checked baggage as well as carry-ons. To be on the safe side, you should split up what you pack and bring the most essential items in your carry-on. They will be – State ID Birth Certificate or Passport Vaccination records (This is a new day, ports will want you vaxxed) Spending cash, wallet, credit cards Swimsuit Prescription meds Sunblock Bug spray for port days 1 Change of clothes Cell phone Charger Toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant

These go in the carry-on because in case your checked baggage is lost, you will be able to get by and enjoy your cruise anyway until you get to port, where you can purchase some more clothing.

I do not recommend any kind of heat element, like a hair straightener, as those are often confiscated by the cruise lines as fire hazards. Just let your hair go, you’re on vacation anyway!

Such great recommendations!

We just went on a cruise last year, and I would add Pepto Bismol or some type of upset tummy medicine. One of my kids ate something that didn’t agree with him and the onboard shop didn’t have anything to help.

Such a great idea, thanks!

glow sticks works really well in bathroom. If you get up in middle of night you don’t have bright light.

That’s such a great idea!

I have found it’s a time saver to take a simple bow, etc with sticky back to place on cabin door. Easy to find your cabin.

Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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Announcing the Hot List Winners of 2024

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List , our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants , and cruise ships , a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.

Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2024 .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

North Island Okavango

Angama Amboseli

Jannah Lamu

Farasha Farmhouse , Marrakech

Kozo Kigali

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island — Seychelles

SOUTH AFRICA

Nikkei Cape Town

Molori Mashuma , Mana Pools National Park

Pemako Punakha

Regent Hong Kong

Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur

Naar , Darwa

Papa's , Mumbai

Cap Karoso , Sumba

Further , Bali

Locavore NXT Bali

Le Pristine Tokyo

The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza

Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park , Tokyo

Shinta Mani Mustang - A Bensley Collection , Jomsom

SOUTH KOREA

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

Pot Au Phở , Ho Chi Minh

Le Foote , Sydney

Southern Ocean Lodge , Kangaroo Island

Sun Ranch , Byron Bay

MIDDLE EAST

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

SAUDI ARABIA

Six Senses Southern Dunes , Umluj

The St. Regis Riyadh

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Guild , Dubai

SIRO One Za'abeel, Dubai

Soul Kitchen , Dubai

The Lana, Dorchester Collection , Dubai

Koan , Copenhagen

Hotel Maria , Helsinki

1 Place Vendôme , Paris

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel , Cannes

Datil , Paris

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin , Paris

La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin , Cognac

Rosewood Munich

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Monument , Athens

One&Only Aesthesis , Athens

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Bulgari Hotel Roma , Rome

Trattoria del Ciumbia , Milan

Hotel La Palma , Capri

La Roqqa , Porto Ercole

Nolinski Venezia , Venice

Palazzo Roma , Rome

Saporium , Florence

Hotel Violino d’Oro , Venice

Mamula Island

NETHERLANDS

De Durgerdam , Amsterdam

Canalha , Lisbon

Andreu Genestra , Mallorca

Barro , Ávila

César Lanzarote , Lanzarote

Hotel Corazón , Mallorca

Grand Hotel Son Net , Mallorca

Palacio Arriluce , Getxo

Son Vell Menorca , Menorca

The Peninsula Istanbul

UNITED KINGDOM

Broadwick Soho , London

Chishuru , London

The Devonshire , London

Chelsea Townhouse, London

Estelle Manor , Cotswolds

Fish Shop , Ballater

Raffles London at The OWO

Colima 71 , Mexico City

Maizajo Mexico City

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel , Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya EDITION

The St. Regis Kanai Resort , Riviera Maya

SOUTH AMERICA

Casa Lucía , Buenos Aires

Trescha , Buenos Aires

Oseille , Rio de Janiero

99 Restaurante, Santiago

Our Habitas Atacama , San Pedro de Atacama

Puqio , Arequipa

THE CARIBBEAN

Silversands Beach House

UNITED STATES

The Celestine , New Orleans

Dawn Ranch , Sonoma, California

The Fifth Avenue Hotel , New York

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The Georgian , Santa Monica, California

The Global Ambassador , Phoenix

Hotel Bardo, Savannah

Ilis , New York

Kiln , San Francisco

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort , Kona, Hawaii

Maty's , Miami

Warren Street Hotel , New York

Yess , Los Angeles

World Voyager, Atlas Ocean Voyages

CRUISE SHIPS

Silver Nova , Silversea

Norwegian Viva

Seven Seas Grandeur , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Oceania Vista

World Voyager , Atlas Ocean Voyages

Scenic Eclipse II

Emerald Sakara

Celebrity Ascent

Seabourn Pursuit

Icon of the Seas , Royal Caribbean

MSC Euribia

Viking Aton

Resilient Lady , Virgin Voyages

This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List issue. Never miss an issue when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler.

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The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• Beach Packing List
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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The Best New Cruises in the World: 2024 Hot List

Posted: April 24, 2024 | Last updated: April 24, 2024

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List , our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech , or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List cruise winners for 2024.

Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2024 .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler 's Hot List issue. Never miss out when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler .

Sign up to receive the latest news, expert tips, and inspiration on all things travel

Celebrity Ascent — Celebrity Cruises

Emerald Sakara — Emerald Cruises

Explora I — Explora Journeys

Icon of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International

MSC Euribia — MSC Cruises

Norwegian Viva — Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Vista — Oceania Cruises

Scenic Eclipse II — Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Seabourn Pursuit — Seabourn Cruise Line

Seven Seas Grandeur — Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Silver Nova — Silversea Cruises

Viking Aton — Viking River Cruises

Resilient Lady — Virgin Voyages

World Voyager — Atlas Ocean Voyages

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Viking Vilhjalm Review: Festive Christmas Cruise on the Danube

Mimi Slawoff

Shortly after checking in at reception on the elegant Viking Viljhalm longship docked in Budapest, my daughter Christina and I were escorted to our stateroom. Our luggage arrived a few minutes later. Christina and I were excited to experience our first Viking river cruise as well as our first European Christmas markets.

The Viking Viljhalm sails along the Danube from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany, with port stops in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Vienna, Linz and Krems in Austria. For our Viking Danube Christmas Delights cruise, the Viljhalm was festively decorated for the holidays with garland, ornaments and a Christmas tree.

Since all fees are paid upfront (and we booked our shore excursions in advance), we enjoyed a relaxing and exciting week onboard Viking Viljhalm. The staff was friendly and the service was impeccable.

Viking’s all-inclusive fares cover one complimentary shore excursion, free beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, free wifi, port taxes and fees. Ground transfers are included with the purchase of Viking Air. Additional shore excursions, and pre- and post-cruise stays are available for purchase.

Read More: A Merry Viking River Cruise from Budapest

Viking Longships

The elegant Viking Viljhalm is among the river cruise company’s longships that sail in Europe. The 433-foot Viljhalm launched in 2016 and has the same design as the first longships that debuted in 2012. Reflecting Viking’s Norwegian heritage, these streamlined ships easily navigate the Danube and numerous locks – an exciting feature of a river cruise. The Viljhalm longship comfortably accommodates 190 guests and 53 crew members.

Like the other longships, the Viljhalm has four decks. The Main Deck (staterooms without balconies), Middle Deck (staterooms with balconies/verandas, restaurant, guest services and a shop), Upper Deck (staterooms with balconies, verandas, lounge, bar, Aquavit Terrace and library), and Sun Deck. There’s an elevator that travels from the Middle to Upper Deck.

The ship’s spacious public spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows and doors create a bright and airy environment for a scenic sailing experience. And a smooth and quiet sailing thanks to the ecologically friendly hybrid engines that produce less vibration.

Types of Staterooms

The Viljhalm’s 95 staterooms have private balconies and/or verandas and range in size from 135 square feet for a standard room to 445 square feet for an Explorer Suite.

We stayed in a Veranda Stateroom, which measures 205 square feet including the balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows. The beds in the staterooms feature plush king beds but can be configured for two twins, which is what we requested.

After we unpacked, utilizing ample dresser drawers and closets, we stowed our luggage under our beds to free up floor space. There was plenty of space for each of us to have our own side of the room to dress and primp for dinner.

Room amenities include a mini fridge, a flat-screen TV with an infotainment system featuring live TV channels, complimentary Movies on Demand and in-ship programming. Bottled water is replenished daily. While the bathroom was somewhat compact, it had premium bath amenities.

We enjoyed our balcony although our December sailing made it chilly to stay outside for long. However the floor-to-ceiling windows made it easy to watch the passing scenery from inside our room.

Read More: Corinthia Hotel Review: Luxury Stay Pre-Cruise in Budapest

Elegant Atrium

Located on the Main Deck, the spacious atrium has a reception desk, guest services and a small shop. It’s also where you check in and out for shore excursions.

Aquavit Terrace

Located at the bow, the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace is a lovely space for a casual breakfast or lunch. Whether you sit indoors, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, or outdoors on the terrace for al fresco dining, you’ll get great views of the passing scenery.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The Aquavit Terrace is one of the best places to watch the ship pass through locks.

Adjacent to the Aquavit Terrace is the Lounge, a spacious, inviting area with comfortable seating areas, a bar and a dance floor. During the day, people hang out reading a book or chatting with friends. It becomes more lively later in the evening when people gather for cocktails, port talks and after-dinner entertainment. Evening shows feature regional performers, sing-a-longs, trivia games, and music by Viljhalm’s onboard musician.

Main Restaurant

Meals are served in the main restaurant. Christina and I agreed the ship’s food was superb and exceeded our expectations. The menu features regional cuisine and chef specialties. For example, while in Austria, the chef’s tasting platter included pumpkin seed-crusted chicken thigh, braised beef, cheese-filled sausage, potato salad, dumplings, red cabbage and sauerkraut.

Throughout the week, there was a buffet and omelet station or you could order eggs, pancakes, French toast and other items from the menu. Lunch and dinner entrees included daily classic items (salads, cheeseburgers (including vegan), hot dogs, steak, etc) and regional dishes (goulash, soups, pasta, sausages, chicken paprikash, etc).

Complimentary beverages including beer and wine are served with meals. We upgraded to the Silver Spirits drink package ($25 per person, per day), which offers premium wine, champagne, cocktails and aperitifs.

On the ship’s Upper Deck, there’s a cozy library (with books and games) and two computers.

Although our Viking Veranda stateroom had a delightful private balcony, we often went up to the sun deck for spectacular 360-degree views. While cruising through Austria’s enchanting Wachau Valley, the ship’s program director pointed out castle ruins, vineyards, and charming towns.

The top deck has a walking track and lounge chairs.

Where does Viking Villhalm sail?

The ship sails from Budapest, Hungary to Passau, Germany, and from Passau to Budapest.

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Six must-do experiences to include on your next Alaskan cruise!

TRAVEL TRENDS , ALASKA Updated : Apr 26, 2024, 16:35 IST

There are several reasons why an Alaskan cruise is on the bucket list of world wanderers. After all, where else will you see glaciers shimmering in the sun that you can touch and feel or, spend a day observing wildlife go about their business?

A cruise through Alaska will open your eyes to some of the most majestic, unforgettable sights and never-before-seen experiences that will stay with you long after your cruise vacation is over. So, make sure you’ve included these six experiences in your Alaskan cruise itinerary that are among the global travellers’ most recommended to-dos!

Kayak like a local

An Alaskan cruise is incomplete if you haven't connected with the tranquility and peace of nature on a Kayak! Your cruise ship should be able to arrange a boat for you, so you can Kayak through secluded coves that are home to some of Alaska’s most amazing wildlife. See amusing sea otters lazing in their kelp beds, or watch how a sulky harbour seal keeps an eye over fish prey. Kayaking along the banks of a glacier can be among the most meditative and rejuvenating experiences, so don’t miss out on it.

Hike through Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

A hike through the Alaskan wilderness is the stuff dreams are made of! In Ketchikan, a four-hour Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast in America’s largest national forest —Tongass National Forest, will show you sights you’ve never imagined in Alaska! Enjoy the snow-capped peaks and thunderous waterfalls teeming with feasting bears at a leisurely pace through this abundant and vibrant rain forest, breathing in fresh mountain air and unwinding in scenic campsites at regular intervals to allow you to catch your breath.

Touch and feel Alaskan glaciers

To see images of glaciers on paper or on TV is one thing, but to feel the icy chill that glaciers emit when you come in close proximity to them is an altogether different ball-game. The raw power and beauty of Hubbard Glacier, a colossal river of ice that is North America’s largest tidewater glacier, will leave you breathless and forever changed! You can view the sheer face of this glacier that rises hundreds of feet above the waterline, from the comfort of a heated cabin on an expedition-style boat with panoramic windows. Sail to the mouth of Disenchantment Bay with an accompanying naturalist telling you everything you want to know. Enroute, North America’s ten tallest peaks will surely humble you!

Wildlife Sightings

Alaska is home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna, so don’t miss the chance to observe otters and seals flapping about in the waters around the ship, or to catch a humpback whale breaching just off the bow of your ship with a soaring bald eagle scouting for his next meal! A pair of binoculars will give you glimpses of bears, moose, caribou and gray wolves preying or frolicking on the glacier rocks or shoreline. Cruise itineraries take you past otherwise inaccessible tidewater glaciers and through deep fjords, that are home to local wildlife. Expert naturalists on board and smaller vessels allowing for closer encounters, make this cruise all the more memorable.

Get an adventure overdrive at Icy Strait Point

If you think that on this cruise, adventure activities would be asking too much, you are mistaken! Aboard NCL’s ships that offer seven-to-16-day itineraries in Alaska, you can enjoy multiple activities and attractions at Icy Strait Point that will give you an adrenaline high you never imagined! On this destination cruise you will experience the Mountain Top Gondola, backcountry jeep and ATV excursions, high-speed ocean raft tours and even have the chance to ride the world’s largest and longest zipline, the ZipRider! If you’re lucky, you’ll even spot some brown bears, whales and eagles from the new Wilderness Landing Pier.

Chase the lights

Every year, the mystery and magic of the emerald greens, fluorescent yellows and violet swirls of the Aurora Borealis flashing across a crystal-clear night sky draw hordes of travellers to Alaska. Imagine watching this celestial spectacle aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship that sails to Fairbanks just so you have front and centre view of nature’s most special dance! A September cruise will offer you the best opportunity to get lucky with the lights. Set the stage for the viewing in your cabin balcony with champagne and some midnight snacks and catch the magic unfurl between 12:30 AM and 4:30 AM.

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There are several reasons why an Alaskan cruise is on the bucket list of world wanderers. After all, where else will you see glaciers shimmering in the sun that you can touch and feel or, spend a day ...

More From Forbes

9 bucket list luxury cruising destinations for 2024.

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Hilltop houses and Greek Orthodox church dwarfed by cruise ship anchored offshore, Gialos (aka ... [+] Yialos), Symi (aka Simi), Rhodes, Dodecanese Islands, South Aegean, Greece, Europe.

Cruise vacations are a wonderful way to visit multiple destinations in one trip and unpack only once. And while cruises may not give people multiple days in each destination, it acts as a sampler for people to discover new places that they may possibly want to return to later.

Top Luxury Cruise Destinations

Knowing when to visit and what to explore can help people make the right decision for which to cruise take. The Caribbean and Mexico are the most common cruise destinations that people may think of, there are plenty of other bucket list destinations worth exploring. Here are some of the most popular among them and some of the latest news in the cruise industry .

1. Mediterranean

Villefranche-sur-mer on the French Riviera in summer

From Spain to Turkey and everywhere in between, these are highly popular sailings that can book up quickly. The best time to travel is during the summer months when the most ships are sailing in the Mediterranean, but prepare for hot weather. Many cruise lines move their ships to the Caribbean during the winter months.

The Spanish coastline, French Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Greek islands and Turkish ports are some of the highlight destinations on these routes. Among the busiest departure ports for these cruises are Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona, and some travelers like to extend their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise stay in these cities. Taking a cruise here is a great way to visit many countries in one trip.

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Evrima is sailing its inaugural season.

Among the new ships in the region for this year is Silversea’s Silver Ray, the second in the Nova class for the line. The new Sun Princess from Princess Cruises started sailing the Med this year. The second yacht in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is Evrima, which will start sailing in the Mediterranean later this year. Also new for the season is the National Geographic Day Tours sailings from Holland America that give travelers the change to sail with a National Geographic trained guide and explore ports with an expert.

MSC World Europa is the first Liquified Natural Gas-fueled ship in the company's fleet. The company ... [+] has a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions for its entire fleet.

MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa are two of the most popular ships to sail in the region. The Italian-born company is especially appealing for travelers because its ships board new passengers every day unlike other cruises that start and end on a particular date. This schedule flexibility means travelers can choose which ports where they want to embark. Its ships have numerous specialty restaurants, engaging theater shows and family-friendly pool areas.

Another cruise line, SeaDream, operates differently than other companies by arriving in busy ports in the afternoon when most other cruise passengers are reboarding their ships. SeaDream then stays until midnight, or sometimes overnight, to give travelers the chance to explore without “people pollution.”

2. Australia and New Zealand

The famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

These cruises showcase some of the top destinations down under. The best time to take a cruise is between December and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather can be quite warm, but it is an ideal time to see major cities like Sydney and Auckland, explore the Great Barrier Reef or the Kimberley region on the Australian west coast. For those that want to extend their trip, they can visit major tourist sights like Ayers Rock in the center of the country and wine country regions in both countries.

The Kimberley region in Australia is a new destination for Seabourn.

New for the season is Seabourn Pursuit, which will sail the Kimberley region, the first time Seabourn visits the region. To honor the new itinerary, the cruise line named the Western Kimberley traditional land owners, the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit . Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, part of the Abercrombie & Kent brand, will sail around both countries this spring.

Oceania Cruises is known for its overnight stays in cities in the South Pacific including Melbourne and Bali in Indonesia .

Snow melts slowly from the mountains as spring approaches at the end of May in south-central Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier are top sights on an Alaska cruise sailing, which is best during the spring and summer months when the temperatures are not frigid. Sailings typically take place between April and October. Holland America is a leader in this part of the world, but many cruise lines send their ships here for the dramatic scenery. This is one of those ideal trips for a multi-generational trip.

Edge is one of the newest ships in the cruise line's fleet.

New for the season is Celebrity Edge, a dramatic ship with a cantilevered bar and restaurant known as the Magic Carpet and attached to the side of the ships and can be lowered closer to sea level for an up-close look at stunning glaciers. Among the top news for Alaska’s cruise ports is a new cruise terminal in the state capital, Juneau, and a new 28-day sailing from Holland America. Don’t miss the new seasonal drink “Killer Whale Pale Ale,” which Holland America is launching this year on its Alaska sailings.

4. Antarctica

Cruises sail through the Lemaire Channel

Cruises are the most common way to visit Antarctica, and there are all kinds of ships of varying sizes and price points. These are typically not cheap trips, but it is one of the most bucket list trips you can take. The cruise season in Antarctica is between November and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Don’t be fooled though, it will still be cold.

These sailings give passengers the chance to set foot on this remote continent amid massive glaciers and snow-covered mountains. Bird spotting and thousands of penguins are just some of the animal life people will see. Many travelers like to take the Arctic plunge when they jump into the frigid water for a brief second.

Scenic Eclipse II has its own helicopter.

Atlas Ocean just christened two Polar ships that will sail from Patagonia to Antarctica. Seabourn Venture is an expedition ship that was christened in Antarctica and is a great way to enjoy nature without giving up luxury. Don’t miss Scenic Eclipse II, which is an elegant yacht that comes equipped with a helicopter for birds eye views and a submarine for fisheye photo opps.

5. Panama Canal

The Panama Canal has cruise and cargo ships passing through.

Going through the locks of the Panama Canal gives travelers an up-close experience of this architectural marvel. Between November and April, taking a cruise around Central America and passing through the canal is ideal since temperatures are not as hot and humid as the summer. Some cruise lines move their ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans when they change destinations for the season. A popular itinerary is Viking’s Classic Panama Canal Passage, which sails from Fort Lauderdale through the canal and visits Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

A pair of Star Clippers ships

If you’ve done the Panama Canal cruise, consider a Suez Canal sailing, which explores the Greek Islands before crossing the canal to visit ports in Egypt. Guests can take an excursion to visit the Pyramids, which is a highlight of this itinerary. Star Clippers takes its majestic sailing ships with tall white masts on these trips. If you want a true sailing experience, Star Clippers is a great option.

An aerial view of the fishing boats in Zanzibar

Taking a cruise to ports along Africa’s coastline is a great way to visit multiple places without worrying about getting difficult visas for each country or finding a comfortable place to say. There are many different itineraries including around the southern tip to ports of South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Others visit remote islands like Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Azamara Quest visits the west coast of Africa.

The best time to visit is in the spring and fall as this means temperatures are not as hot as summer and also when cruise lines make these itineraries as they move ships to different regions. One of the most exciting (and quick to sell out) sailings is along parts of the west coast of the continent visiting places like the Bissagos Island chain, Sao Tome and Principe, Benin, Senegal and Gambia. Many travelers like to tack on a safari before or after their sailing.

Azamara Quest and Norwegian Sky are two of the most popular cruise ships that make these sailings. Azamara is known for its itineraries that remain in ports until late in the evening or even overnight giving travelers more time in each destination. For the 2025-2026 cruise season, Oceania Cruises will add new overnight stays in Mauritius, too.

Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam

Spotting the Northern Lights or sailing through panoramic fjords is often best experienced by ship. Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam sails through the Nordic countries during the summer months, the best time to visit the region since temperatures are not as cold. The newly launched Queen Anne from Cunard, which takes its first sailing in May, will sail around the British Islands and make its way to Norway to explore the fjords.

Hurtigruten Expeditions, a Norwegian company, operates its own series of sailings all along the coastline. The cruise line got its start here operating ferry ships bringing mail, supplies and other goods to remote parts of the country. Many of them also carry passengers that want to experience a smaller ship that visits different towns while also sailing through the fjords.

A Viking cruise ship sailing through the Norwegian fjords.

Another Nordic brand famous for its river and cruise ships is Viking, which operates its luxury ships carrying just under 1,000 passengers on signature itineraries like “Viking Homeland.” Viking Vela is one of the ships to make this journey, and Viking sailings are all-inclusive with drinks, all meals at specialty restaurants and excursions making it a great way to visit this region.

8. The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) are sunbathing in the last sunlight at the beach of ... [+] Espanola island, Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This species of sea lion is endemic at the Galapagos islands; In the background one of the typical tourist yachts is visible. Wildlife shot.

Sailing between these Ecuadorian islands is beautiful for the bird watching and animal spotting from the region’s famous tortoises, iguanas and penguins. Cruise ships in this region are limited in size by regulations to preserve the marine environment. Hurtigruten Santa Cruz II is one of the larger ships that operates several itineraries in the archipelago.

Celebrity Flora is based in the Galapagos Islands.

Among the most luxurious ships sailing the islands is Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built ship for the Galapagos with cabanas on its top deck, a marine biology exploration center and beautiful cabins with electronically controlled windows that allow cabins to feel larger.

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