The ultimate cruise packing list is every traveler’s best friend when deciding what to pack for a cruise, whether it is your first voyage or one of many. To make the experience effortless, we have gathered more than 50 cruise essentials designed to help you maximize cabin space, stay organized, and feel prepared for every destination on your itinerary.
I’ve divided this list up into categories so you can be even more organized and decide what’s best for you to bring. I’ve included important tips next to certain items to explain why you may or may not need them for your cruise.
ULTIMATE CRUISE PACKING AMAZON SHOPPING LIST
Basic Travel Packing List Essentials
Let’s start with the basics, which are items every traveler should bring with them, even if they aren’t taking a cruise.
- Real ID & Passport: If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, you should also consider ordering a passport card to bring with you off the ship so your passport can stay in your room safe.
- Toiletries: Cruise ships have shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so it is up to you if you want to pack these. If you plan to use Port Valet, ensure you have TSA-approved sizes for the essentials you need to get ready in the morning before your flight home (excluding skincare and haircare products exceeding 3 ounces). This is because your checked-in suitcase will be checked the night before your disembarkation.
- TSA Approved Clear Bag: These are the TSA-approved clear bags I use, and they are amazing, as they are incredibly spacious. These are highly recommended if you plan on using only a carry-on to maximize space. I also use these for a medicine bag.
- Bathing Suit: For pools, hot tubs, and sauna’s
- Collapsible Water Bottle: This is great to have for on and off the ship, especially in Alaska, where you might have the opportunity to bring back some glacier water!
- Coffee Thermos: If you like to take your time when drinking your morning coffee, latte, or tea, I highly recomend a self-heating coffee mug. I bring this with me everywhere.
- Medicine Bag: See list below
- Compression Packing Cubes
- Electronics Cord Organizer
- Silicone Bottle Toppers: These will ensure none of your products spill or leak
- Cell Phone Wrist Strap: If you plan on taking many photos and videos of your cruise on your phone, having a wrist strap lanyard is a MUST! Trust me when I tell you that one slip and your phone will go flying over your balcony or on one of the numerous excursions you’ll be on. If you lose your phone on a cruise, you will not be able to get another. It is a nightmare scenario, get a wrist strap!
- Disinfectant Wipes with Bleach: When I cruise, I always bring disinfectant wipes with bleach. Bleach or soap is the only way to kill the norovirus.
- Hand Sanitizer: On a cruise ship, your first line of defense for getting sick is washing your hands often with soap and water, but it is also helpful to sanitize your hands throughout the day.
Medicine Bag
This is a MUST-HAVE if you are cruising and important enough to have its own category. You don’t want to be stuck paying for these on a cruise. I create a travel medicine bag that is always ready to go. Please bring all your medications, including prescription ones, so you don’t have to pay exorbitant fees to visit the cruise ship’s medical bay. Here is a list of all medications I bring.
- Dramamine or Bonine: I prefer less drowsy so it doesn’t put you to sleep during your cruise. I take one each morning, even if I feel fine. Some people also take it for a few days before and a few days after their cruise.
- Imodium, Pepto Bismal, Anti-Acid
- Anti-fungal like flucanizol
- UTI Medication
- Amoxicillin
- Anti-Anxiety Medication
- IBuprofen, Tylenol
- Dayquil/Nightquil
- Decongestant: I have had to use this on almost every cruise, and it’s essential to have on hand for flights if you are feeling congested.
- Daily Prescription Medications
- Neosporin, Band-Aids, Liquid Bandage
- Multi-Vitamins, Emergen-C (I love the new crystals), Vitamin D3 with K2
- Anti-Nausea
- Allergy Medication
- Probiotics with Senna or Mag07 pills if you have constipation when you travel
- Pedialyte
- Cough Drops
Should You Pack a Professional Camera on a Cruise?
If you take professional photography, want good pictures of wildlife, or want to capture incredible pictures that could be blown up on a canvas for your home, then yes. I would not have been able to capture any of the incredible photos I’ve taken in places like Alaska without a professional camera; however, I highly recommend a Bridge Camera.
A Bridge Camera has a huge built-in zoom that can quickly go from 24 mm to 500 mm, so you can capture both landscape and wildlife photos without switching lenses or carrying around a ton of weight. I have a separate bridge camera specifically for travel, and keep my larger Nikon DSLR at home.
The Best Bridge Cameras for Travel Photography: Nikon COOLPIX P950 (both the Sony & Cannon Bridge cameras have been discontinued and would need to be purchased refurbished)
ULTIMATE CRUISE PACKING AMAZON SHOPPING LIST
Cruise Packing List For Your Cabin
Cabin space can start to get a little cramped, especially if you have more than two people staying in one cabin. Here are some popular items cruisers love to bring to maximize their space. Most cruise ships have magnetic walls which is while you will find many magnetic storage accessories.
- Magnetic Clips: You can use the clips to hang important papers on the walls, such as the Daily Patter/Itineraries, so you can keep the desk area clear of clutter.
- Magnetic Hooks (heavy): heavy magnetic hooks are often used to hang things like hats, gloves, bathing suits and bags.
- Over the Door Organizer: Some people use a shoe organizer, but I have this Over the Door Organizer, which can be used over the door hooks, or magnets and it works much better.
- Travel Fan: If you need extra circulation in your room
- Compact Travel Hangers: If you’ll just have two people in your cabin, you can ask for extra hangers, however if 3 or more people will all be in the same cabin, then you may want to bring extra hangers.
- Motion Activated Light
- Magnetic Toothbrush Holder
- Apple AirTag bracelets for Princess Cruise Line Medallions or a Lanyard Necklace/ Clip for your room key.
- Cruise Compatible Power Strip: Power strips on cruise lines must be non-surge.
- Power Bank: The outlets in cruise cabins charge devices very slowly, so it’s a good idea to have an extra battery source.
- 3 in 1 USB: This chord is a lifesaver if your devices tend to have different types of plugs.
- European Outlet Converter: All cruise cabins have a European outlet, and having a converter is great for extra charging.
- Wrinkle Spray: You cannot bring steamers or irons onto cruise ships and have to pay for clothes to be pressed so most cruisers bring wrinkle release spray with them.
- Blue Tape: Some cruises have light sensors that are incredibly bright and many people prefer to block the sensors with tape and bring their own night lights.
- Ear Plugs and/or Eye Mask: If you are a light sleeper
- Ziplock Bags: There are several reasons I’ve found having extra ziplock bags useful. One is for storing any papers you might want to bring home. The main reason I bring ziplocks, however, is to bring down snacks from the buffet that I can keep in the cabin fridge for later snacking.
- Extra Snacks in Original Packaging: You are technically not supposed to bring food off the ship, but if you’re following the rules, bring along some packaged snacks like granola bars to have for excursions. Some are long and do not include lunch. I found this out the hard way, and luckily, one of the staff members was so kind as to give me her own granola bar on my excursion. If you’re not following the rules, pack some nonperishable snacks into a ziplock bag; they don’t check bags on the way out, only the way in.
Alaska Cruise Packing List
Cruising to Alaska is one of the most amazing experiences. Here are additional essentials to pack for an Alaskan cruise. Here is a full list of Alaska Cruise Outfit Ideas.
- Binoculars: so you can view all of the wildlife and whales straight from your balcony. They also make Smart Phone Binoculars you can hook up to your phone to take pictures.
- Umbrella: It rains often in Alaska
- Hat & Gloves: Most Alaska excursions are in the morning, on boats, and even on glaciers. You will be happy to have a winter hat and gloves which I used numerous times throughout my cruise.
- Layered Clothing: For clothing in Alaska, you want to have layers and some waterproof items, including 2-3 tank tops or t-shirts, 2 long-sleeve tops, a water-resistant puffer jacket (these can compress easily to take up less space), leggings or jeans, sneakers, and waterproof shoes. You can also bring an optional raincoat if you see rain in the forecast for your trip. I also recommend a cardigan or light jacket for wearing around the ship.
- Dressy Outfits: There are two Gala Nights on a 7-day cruise. You do not need to a dress in a gown, but most people dress nicely as if they were going to a fine dining restaurant. This could be a nice dress, skirt or slacks and a blouce, and dress pants with a collared shirt for men.
- Raincoat: If there is rain in the forecast, you should also consider bringing a rain jacket or a poncho.
- Waterproof Bag: I did not find that I needed this, however if any of your excursions include an activity like kyaking, definitely bring a waterproof bag for essentials.
Caribbean Cruise Packing List
If you’re headed on a Caribbean cruise or anywhere tropical, here are additional essentials you should pack.
- Reef Safe Sunscreen: Many cruises and tropical destinations require your sunscreen to be reef safe.
- Bug Spray
- Beach Towels: For visiting beaches off the cruise ship
- Beach Bag: Typically, Suite cabins and higher will get a beach bag from the cruise line, but the majority of cruisers will want to bring their own.
- Waterproof bag: You absolutely want a waterproof bag for the beach and any water activities.
- Water Shoes: The sand can get very hot, and you never know what’s lurking under the water. I always bring water shoes to the Caribbean, especially when we visit the cruise line’s private island.
- Waterproof Cellphone Pouch: Do not risk damaging or losing your phone, make sure your pouch also has a wrist strap.
Fun Cruise Items to Pack
Here are some optional fun items that are unique to cruising you may want to bring along.
- Cruise Ducks: It is a bit of a cruise tradition to hide cute little rubber ducks around the ship for other cruisers to find. It always makes everyone’s day when they happen to find one.
- Cruise Door Magnets: These are magnetic decorations for the outside of your cabin door. It’s not only fun, but it can also be a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. It also makes it easier to find your door when you are walking through the long cruise ship hallways to find your cabin.
Cruise Packing Checklist
To help you pack for your cruise, I’ve summarized this cruise packing list into an easy-to-print checklist. I hope you’ve found this article helpful and have the most amazing voyage!
Sondra Barker
