Must Haves on a Cruise + 9 Things You Didn't Think to Pack
This guide will have you covered for the must haves on a cruise, so you can plan your packing accordingly and focus on the fun (and not on what you forgot!).
Since my first cruise when I was 11, I’ve been able to hone my cruise packing skills to an art, which I hope will come in handy as you begin to prepare for your own floating vacation.
There is a fine balance between packing light for a cruise so as not to weigh yourself down, and packing SO lightly that you end up with nothing essential, and no way to get it.
Below, you’ll find several sections that will help you determine your must haves for a cruise no matter your destination.
Start with the general packing tips for a cruise which cover items needed for any itinerary, then jump to the section with more suggestions on specific destinations.
This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through the following links, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Updated 5/2022 | Written 10/2015
Packing for a River Cruise vs. Ocean Cruise
While most of your essential must haves on a cruise will remain the same regardless of whether you’re going on a river cruise or an ocean cruise, it is important to consider a few things about your specific situation.
How big is my boat?
River cruises are much, much smaller than most ocean cruises, to the point that if you’ve been on an ocean cruise, your river cruise is going to feel tiny.
This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, but it does mean that your amenities on a river cruise will be much different (and more limited) than on an ocean cruise.
You’ll want to plan your packing accordingly: fewer amenities might mean you need more downtime activities like reading or sunbathing.
Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas Interior Balcony Room
What does my cabin look like?
Even if you spring for the most expensive cabin onboard, you’re not going to be dealing with a ton of space.
For anyone who’s opted for the budget friendly interior room like me, you’ll have just a few drawers, a small coat closet, and limited counter space for your items.
Carefully consider each item as you pack it, and see what you can do to minimize space in your suitcase and in the room.
We always put our clean socks inside of our shoes to save bulk in our suitcases and room drawers, for example.
What kind of experience am I hoping to have?
If you’re planning a Caribbean cruise and want to spend the next 7 days doing nothing but hanging out poolside with a fruity drink in your hand, your wardrobe is going to look very different than the person on that same cruise who wants to dress to the nines each day and night.
If you’re the former, don’t bother packing a bunch of extra clothes just in case you change your mind.
You won’t, and you’ll have spend a lot of effort hauling those items onboard for them to hang out in your closet.
Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas Oceanside Balcony Room
General Cruise Necessities
DAYS +1 Rule
While I’ve provided more specific ideas for what to wear on a cruise below, you’ll want to pack enough clothes for each day of your trip plus 1 complete extra outfit (the DAYS +1 rule).
This is a good rule of thumb because something always happens to at least one of my outfits: the kids spill juice on me at 11:00 AM, I spend too long lingering in the casino so I smell like smoke, or I accidentally sit on a soggy pool cushion.
No one wants to go around with stains, smells, or a wet butt because you only have the exact right about of clothes.
In the case of the wet, non stained clothes, you can swap out that extra set of bottoms while your original ones dry, which still ensures that you have 1 extra clean pair of shorts or pants.
For stained items, I’ve watched many a pair of shorts in the tiny cruise sinks, hung up to dry, and worn them later on in the cruise! You’re not underpacking, but you’re not overpacking, either.
So far, the DAYS +1 rule has seen me through many cruises without any issue, and I encourage you to use the same approach.
Tide pen
In the case of those aforementioned spills, you’ll have this to come to the rescue.
Tide pens really are magic!
Medication
The doctors on the cruises can provide some medicines, but those medications will generally be over the counter and will require you to visit the clinic.
Save yourself a visit for basic ailments and pack a small bag of the following:
general pain relief pills (i.e. ibuprofen, paracetamol),
cough medicine,
cough drops,
Dramamine,
Tums, and
Pepto-Bismol.
On our 12th anniversary cruise, I was hit with a terrible stomach bug and desperately needed some Pepto-Bismol, but there was none to be found in any of the onboard shops.
This is done on purpose so that the ship’s infirmary is aware of any major stomach bugs going around (and you will get quarantined as I did).
While you should definitely get checked out if your stomach issues are major, a couple rounds of Pepto-Bismol will help if you’re only temporarily suffering.
Also, grab those prescription meds and ensure that you’ll have enough for the duration of your cruise.
If you won’t, reach out to your doctor ASAP.
Seasickness pressure bracelet
Especially if it is your first cruise, do not leave home without one of these.
EVEN if you’ve been out on your Uncle Tommy’s boat deep sea fishing since you were 5 and have never gotten sick, you should still pack one of these.
You never know how your stomach is going to react to that slow, almost imperceptible, and continual rocking until you’re about 8 hours into your cruise and you are hideously nauseous.
Saline drops
Thanks to the recycled and filtered air in the cruise ships, the atmosphere is much drier than what you’re probably used to.
Your eyes will get dry, and doubly so if you wear contacts.
Electrolyte packets
We’ve all been there: you wake up after just a little too much fun at the midnight dance party and can’t bear the thought of walking 6 floors to the Lido deck for breakfast.
These electrolyte packets might not cure everything that ails you, but they are a great way to start moving that hangover along.
[For a real life pro tip: Drink one of these mixed up packets in water after every drink or two, and you’ll have little or no hangover!]
Sunscreen
It doesn’t matter where you’re going on your cruise.
You will need sunscreen. Yes, even if it is cold and even if it is cloudy.
Always wear the sunscreen.
Reading material/offline work
We’ve gotten so used to being continually connected to the world that it can feel strange to lose that tether.
While cruise ships are offering wifi packages, they are often quite expensive for what you get, and the wifi speed can be less than desirable.
Plan ahead and download some ebooks for you to read on your tablet, bring a journal, or pack a few books.
NOTE: cruise ships generally have a library on board, but the contents and size vary greatly, so I wouldn’t wholly rely on that as my entertainment source.
Formal wear
No matter the cruise, you’re going to have at least one night where the dinner attire will be classed as “formal” or “elegant.”
Now, this is up to your interpretation as I’ve seen people dress in everything from full black tie to something that Macklemore wore in the “Goodwill” music video, but I tend to lean towards the most conservative interpretation.
For men, bring a dark suit, white shirt, and coordinating tie, while women can choose from a cocktail dress or full-length evening gown.
As a general rule, more people dressed up to the nines on the Royal Caribbean and Disney cruises we’ve been on than the Carnival cruises.
Loungewear/athleisure
Even if you have no plans at all to hit the gym, you’ll still want to be comfortable.
Packing some leggings, bike shorts, exercise shorts, or sweatpants is a great way to relax while watching a movie on the pool deck.
Your passport
Even if you’re doing a quick cruise to the Bahamas, you’ll need your passport.
It’s also important that you keep a driver’s license with you as a secondary form of identification as you can’t ever have too many ways to prove your identity should a situation arise.
[Caveat: we were able to go on a Charleston to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises with only my Real ID + birth certificate.]
Check with your cruise provider on specific documents you’ll need to board the ship and reboard at each port. There are NO exceptions to these rules.
Bathing suit
Yes, this made it onto the general list because most–if not all–cruises have at least a hot tub, and you want to be prepared.
Even some of the river boat cruises now have petite sized swimming pools in addition to a whirlpool, and it can be a refreshing activity on a sunny day in Europe.
It’s also fun to meet some new friends as you hang around in a hot tub on an Alaskan cruise, too!
Alaska Cruise Packing List Essentials
Sling Backpack
You’re likely going to be doing some shopping or taking a walking tour of some sort, so you’ll want an easy, lightweight backpack that will carry essentials without being bulky.
These sling Kavu bags check all of those boxes, and they come in fun colors to coordinate with the rest of your cruise wardrobe.
Clothing layers
This packing item will mean different things to different people depending on their overall warmth levels, but you’ll need to consider the flux of temperatures inside and out of the boat while in Alaska.
I like to start with easy base layers like a Cuddl-duds camisole and long underwear and then add on jeans, long sleeved shirts, and sweaters until I’m comfortable.
Remember, you can always add more thin layers if you’re cold, but it’s hard to strip down if all you’re wearing are huge, bulky pieces of clothing.
3 in 1 coat
We bought one of these for everyone in our family when we went to Europe, and it was a game changer.
Me wearing my beloved Columbia 3-in-1 coat in Connemara, Ireland
The Columbia 3-in-1 jacket allows you to wear the waterproof outer shell as a wind breaker, the interior fleece when it’s chilly, or both together when it’s both rainy and chilly.
Even during the summer, the weather in Alaska can be a bit unpredictable, so you’ll be glad of the options.
In Ketchikan, for example, the temperatures in July tend to peak around 65 F, which would mean I’d want that fleece at night.
While most cruisers visit in the summer, which is the drier part of the year, you should still be ready for an errant shower (which is where the outer shell comes in handy!).
Sturdy shoes with traction
Alaska is the land of adventure, so you’ll want to get out there to experience it fully!
On the days that you’re doing a shore excursion, you’ll want to skip the flats and go for something sturdy like these Keens hiking boots.
(Everyone in my family has these and I can’t recommend them enough.)
They’re flexible enough to walk around in when you’re in town shopping, but hardy enough to keep you hiking to see a glacier.
The added grip is also good for slick surfaces like boat decks when you’re whale watching.
Gloves or Mittens
Again, Alaska isn’t particularly warm even in the summer, so if you’re cold natured like me–or if you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time outdoors on a shore excursion–you’ll want to pack some gloves.
My favorites are ones that are convertible between gloves and mittens, but pick up a pair that best fits your anticipated activities.
Caribbean Cruise Packing List Essentials
Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas docked in Labadee, Haiti
Beach Bag
No matter which Caribbean cruise you head out on, there will be at least one amazing beach to visit.
Pack a small net bag to easily carry your beach day essentials on and off the cruise.
You don’t want to be the people Ive seen who’ve headed to the beach carrying everything from towles to water bottles to beach tous in their hands.No fun!
Foldable hat
I got one of these foldable beach hats last year, and it has quickly become a staple for all of our beach trips.
Best of all, it really is foldable, which makes it perfect to roll up, throw in a suitcase, and then pop out whenever you’ve reached your destination.
Plus, you can throw your hair in a messy bun, plop the hat on, and look put together!
Flip flops or water shoes
Don’t attempt to visit any sandy destinations with your tennis shoes or (even worse) barefoot.
You’ll either end up taking home half of the beach in your shoes or you’ll burn the bottom of your feet terribly.
Any pair of inexpensive flip flops will do, though I swear by my Eliza B sandals, which are currently going strong after 10 years of hard use.
[Size up a full size for the best fit.]
Turkish towels
We bought a few of these for our camper to try them out, and I now take them on every beach trip ever.
Turkish towels are super lightweight and they dry incredibly quick, yet they’re also really absorbent.
While the cruise will provide towels, they’re bulky, heavy, and much better suited for the deck pool than for hauling to the local beach.
River Cruise Packing List Essentials
Deck of Viking River Cruise Heimdal | source
Easy to carry sightseeing bag
Since you’re likely cruising through a swoon-worthy place like the Lorelei Valley in Germany, you’re going to be spending a lot of time off of the boat exploring (much more so than most Alaskan or Caribbean cruises).
Pack a bag that is lightweight but still sleek enough for those only-in-Europe photos you’re going to take!
I love a small leather backpack when traveling abroad, but a medium tote or small crossbody would also work.
Highly comfortable shoes
When I went with my family to Germany and Luxembourg, my mom wore these thin boots on those cobblestoned streets and was in SO much pain.
Learn from her mistakes, and go with thick soled flats, boots or sneakers.
European sidewalks are uneven, and there will be bricked roads, cobblestoned streets, and all sorts of other non-smooth surfaces you’ll need to trek across in your sightseeing.
Don’t let your footwear slow you down.
Lightweight scarf
The weather in Europe is notoriously fickle.
It can by rainy and cold one moment and be sunny and 10 degrees warmer in the next.
A pretty patterned lightweight scarf can help you bundle up on chillier days, or add a pop of casual elegance on a warmer day.
In a sudden downpour, it also works as a makeshift rain hat!
Umbrella
Speaking of rain, a compact umbrella should always be at the bottom of your sightseeing bag.
No one wants to get soaked while touring a castle, nor do you want to spend your precious sightseeing time huddled in a doorway until the rain passes.
Keep that umbrella at your fingertips and keep going!
Lightweight coat
Stay ahead of that weather with this essential travel piece.
I like a good camel colored trench for its versatility, but you could easily use any waterproof jacket or rain coat to top your daily sightseeing outfit.
Easy, neutral separates
When we’re visiting Europe, I’m all about a capsule wardrobe.
Not only does this make packing so much easier, getting ready is a breeze since it all matches.
Layer basic white or black t-shirts with neutral cardigans, and pair with dark denim for sightseeing style that can literally go anywhere.
Fun Things to Bring on a Cruise that You DIDN'T Think Of!
Walkie talkies
I first saw so many families using these on our Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas cruise, and I loved the idea.
No one wants to rack up super expensive roaming charges on their cell phones, so bring a few walkie talkies along instead.
You can still keep up with the kids, your other family members, or friends, and your cell phone bill next month will thank you.
We’ve taken a pair on every cruise since then, and they’ve been invaluable!
An insulated tumbler
While there are cruise staff members to attend to all of your drink needs, the cups that said drinks come in are not insulated at all.
At least on the cruises I've experienced, the cups are either plain glass or those plastic ones you find in school cafeterias.
Both will reduce that $12 piña colada to a soupy, lukewarm mess if you don't gulp it down in 5 minutes.
I bought Landon and I some cheap insulated mason jar-style mugs before our 2015 cruise to the Caribbean and we used those things constantly.
We'd get extra lemonade or ice water to take with us by the pool, and our drinks actually stayed cold.
They were well worth the $6 investment.
Since then, we’ve upgraded to Yeti bottles, which are even better at keeping the drinks cold!
Drink flavorings
Before we go any further, let's get one thing straight. I'm cheap. Super cheap. Especially when it comes to paying extra for soft drinks and the like.
I'll drink water for a week in order to save enough money to go on a shore excursion instead.
Therefore, it probably comes as no surprise that I never buy the drink package. This varies by company, but most cruises will give anyone tea, coffee, and water, as well as some sort of flavored water.
While some of the flavored waters are decent, I quickly tire of most of them, as they're often watered down.
The easy solution to this is to bring your own Crystal Light (or similar) packets and/or those water drops that come in a million flavors.
That way, you can make the lemonade, fruit punch, or other flavor as strong or weak as you'd like.
Lightweight blanket/ throw
If you're considering a Caribbean cruise, this might seem to be a strange choice.
No matter where you're sailing, the boats can be chilly.
They love to pump the A/C no matter the temperature outside, and I would've happily taken a light travel blanket while sleeping at night or while watching a movie in the movie theatre.
Sweater
In combination with the aforementioned throw, a sweater would've been an awesome addition to my cruise wardrobe.
It's frowned upon to bring a blanket with you into the main dining room (as it really clashes with everyone's formal wear), but a sweater or cardigan would've done wonders for me.
I don't care if I'm in the middle of the Bahamas--I get cold when the A/C is blasting!
Tablet with Downloaded Movies
PIN ME!
The television selection on all of the cruises on which I've sailed has been severely lacking.
On the last cruise, Landon and I caught portions of Lethal Weapon 3, an episode of Friends in Spanish, and LOL (a movie starring Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore that was so bad we didn't even last until the next commercial break).
While there's plenty to do on a cruise, sometimes you just want a few minutes of downtime in your room between activities or before dinner.
There were several times that I would've happily welcomed a movie of my own choice.
When my kids are with us, it is awesome to quickly cue up Frozen or Toy Story instead of watching whatever was on the tv.
Just make sure to download before you board the cruise so you’re not relying on the hideously expensive—and slow—onboard wifi.
Snacks
You're probably thinking, "This woman is crazy. I'm going on a cruise for all of the free food. Why in the world would I want to take more food with me?"
There is a lot of food on a cruise.
You could pretty much eat morning, noon, and night if you really put your mind to it. (If you take that path, as I did on my honeymoon cruise 5 years ago, you will come back stunned at the scale. You've been warned.)
However, you'll sometimes find yourself wanting something other than the snacks that are available to you.
I love pizza, finger sandwiches, and brownies, but I would've loved some chips or Skittles on the cruise.
You might be able to find these in the ship store, but be prepared to pay about double what you would on shore for a Snickers.
An Extra Pair of Cheap Sunglasses
There's a time to be stylish and wear the heck out of your Ray-Bans.
You'll definitely find that time on the cruise: hanging out by the pool, going on a historic walk at the ports, or leisurely strolling through a town.
However, there will be times when you're on the cruise, and you'll want to look over the railing to the water below.
You'll watch those beautiful, expensive glasses fall ten stories into the depths of the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, doomed to only be worn by the most fashion-forward of sea life.
Avoid that heartbreak by packing a pair or two of cheap sunglasses, and save the snazzy, fancy ones for activities where your head isn't hanging over the ocean.
Camping hammock
Here's something for you in the completely-unnecessary-but-still-useful category.
When Landon, my husband, and I were in Labadee, Haiti, we saw a family that had brought along their own Eno hammocks.
Landon, who is in love with his Eno hammock, immediately regretted not bringing his--even though it was the last thing we would've considered packing before seeing these people.
Still, I have to say that watching them set up their lightweight hammocks between sets of palm trees did have me a little jealous!
No one else in the compound had seating that was as cool, comfortable, and came with as great of a view.
The Eno hammocks are tiny when they’re folded in their attached bags and are quick to put up and break down.
What are your must haves on a cruise? Share in the comments below!
