Are you planning on going on a cruise soon? If so, you’ll need certain cruise travel essentials to make your vacation as enjoyable, comfortable, and smooth sailing as possible! In this article, I share my top 37 cruise travel essentials that you won’t want to leave home without.
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Looking for the ultimate cruise travel essentials list?
You’ve found it! My husband and I have been on many cruises over the years. We’ve taken our kids on cruises, and we’ve also gone without the kids, since we know how important it is to travel as a couple.
Each time we go, we learn something new, and figure out another solution to a little problem we encounter.
Our frequency of cruising has enabled me to write multiple articles chock full of important advice and tips for taking cruises. I even have an article to help you in narrowing down the hundreds of cruise options to pick the best cruise vacation for your own needs.
Most of the time these solutions are just ways to make our trip slightly more comfortable or convenient. For example, the first time we cruised we had no idea that the ships didn’t provide irons. We assumed we’d be able to iron out our clothes, so didn’t even think twice about doing it beforehand or minding how we packed.
Needless to say, we both had some very wrinkly outfits that first time! The next time we packed for a cruise, we not only packed carefully, but we also brought a new essential item – wrinkle release spray!
Are you heading to St. Lucia on your cruise? If so, be sure to book one of our absolute favorite cruise excursions in St. Lucia. You'll get to experience the best things on the island! Or perhaps you're heading to Cozumel? You don't want to miss these epic cruise excursions in Cozumel, then!
What Are Cruise Essentials?
In essence, cruise essentials are items that are vital to the success and enjoyment of your cruise. They are the necessary items that you should consider bringing on your trip to maximize comfort and convenience. “What do I need for a cruise?” is a very common question folks ask, and I’m here to provide that answer!
There are many products that you may not ever think about that will improve your cruise experience, and the list of those products will be slightly different for each person.
Below, I’ve listed many items that I consider to be cruise travel essentials. You may find that you don’t need all of these items, but I guarantee you want to bring most of them. An explanation of why I recommend these must-have cruise items is accompanied by a photo link to Amazon where you can purchase them.
Any of these cruise travel essentials would make a wonderful gift for someone who plans on going on a cruise. For more gift-giving inspiration, be sure to check out this list of travel gifts for Mom, this one of travel gifts for Dad, and this one of the best travel gifts for teens that they'll actually love!
Cruise Must-Haves For Your Cabin
First, we’re going to dive into the necessary items specifically for your cabin, or stateroom. These items are going to make your temporary home away from home much more comfortable, in various ways. Many of them are things you may already have purchased for past vacations, or they may be things you already have at home.
Wrinkle Release Spray
I briefly mentioned wrinkle release spray above as an essential cruise item. As my husband and I found out the hard way, cruise ships do not provide irons. In fact, irons and clothes steamers are on the extensive list of things you can’t bring on a cruise ship. So what do you do about wrinkly clothes?
First, before you pack you should iron out your clothes that are prone to wrinkling, and then pack them carefully in garment bags. This will help prevent wrinkles from happening in the first place. Second, you should unpack your luggage as soon as possible and hang everything up.
Some folks try to hang their clothes in the bathroom while they take a hot shower, and let the steam try to work out some of the wrinkles. But cruise ship bathrooms are very small, and this method isn’t always as effective as you want it to be.
Instead, once you’ve hung up your garments, use this Wrinkle Release Spray and gently tug and smooth the wrinkles out of your clothes.
Power Strip
Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small, and usually have very few outlets. To remedy this, bring along a Power Strip to give you the ability to plug in more of your electronics at once.
Be absolutely sure that your power strip does not have a surge protector. Surge protectors are not allowed on cruise ships and if you try to bring one it will be confiscated. You’ll typically get your confiscated items back at the end of your cruise but that doesn’t solve the problem that led you to bring a power strip in the first place.
This is the power strip that I purchased to bring on our cruises. It is exactly what you need for a cruise cabin.
Important note: Recently Royal Caribbean has modified their prohibited items list, and has now included multi-plug outlets. This power strip is NOT ALLOWED on Royal Caribbean. Instead, you need this multi-USB port.
Over The Door Organizer
Not only are cruise cabins small, but the bathrooms in your room are teeny! You have very little storage space in the bathroom, and what little counter space you do have you don’t want to be cluttering up with all your stuff.
The solution to this problem is an Over The Door Organizer like this one below. Hang it right on the inside of your bathroom door, and fill it with all your necessities. Shower products, deodorant, cologne and perfume, makeup, razor, sunscreen… everything that you need can be neatly stored in these pouches, plus it keeps everything within reach!
Door Lock
Any time we travel anywhere, whether in the states or abroad, somewhere on an all-inclusive resort, or even on a cruise, I always bring a door lock for our room. It’s a simple device that adds a huge amount of peace of mind.
I don’t mean to imply that any particular place is inherently more dangerous than others, rather, I suggest always showing caution no matter where you stay, by adding an extra layer of security to your room at night.
These locks easily attach to your room door, providing extra security and privacy. It takes only seconds to attach, and when you place this lock, the door cannot be opened from the outside.
Magnetic Hooks
I mentioned earlier how space is limited in your cabin. What I didn’t mention is that the walls, ceiling, and door are all made of metal, which means they’re magnetic.
Easily hang wet bathing suits, lanyards, decorations and anything else you want on these magnetic hooks. You can stay organized and keep your room tidier by keeping things off the floor.
I keep one by the door, and all our room key lanyards go right on the hook when we enter our room so no one’s ever gets lost.
Portable Fan
Cruise ships generally have AC but the rooms can still get stuffy, especially if you chose an interior cabin. And if you have a balcony, a lot of the times the AC will automatically shut off if your balcony door is open.
To get air moving in your cabin, bring along a portable fan. You can even open your cabin door while the fan is on for maximum air flow. Plus, you can use it all around the ship to cool yourself off!
![EasyAcc Portable Desk Fan Desktop Fan, Battery Operated Fan 6-Inch Foldable Travel Fan [ Ultra-Quiet Step-less Speed Control ] 160°Tilt Standing Hanging Cooling Fan for Travel Office Home Outdoor](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Db2QtyvJL._SL500_.jpg)
Nightlight
Finding your way around your unfamiliar cruise ship in the middle of the night can be treacherous. You especially don’t want your kids trying to find their way to the bathroom in the dark in the middle of the night!
Stumbling around in the dark is never a good idea, plus once you turn on a light you’ll likely disturb the sleep of everyone else in your room. Instead, grab a motion activated nightlight like this one to help guide you around your cabin when it’s dark, without waking eveIone else up.
![Night Light Motion Sensor [Battery Powered] with Rotating Base for Indoor Use in Bathroom, Hallway, Cruise Cabin & More White](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/316OwWqsmhL._SL500_.jpg)
Travel Mirror
As I’ve mentioned, cruise ship cabins and bathrooms are very small. Yes there are mirrors, but they aren’t always where you need them. And if you are sharing a cabin with anyone else, you may not even have access to the mirror when you need it.
To remedy this, simply bring along a travel mirror with you. I love this one for its 3 different lighting shades and the ability to recharge it via USB. It’s compact, lightweight, and easily portable so it can go wherever you go.
Travel Alarm Clock
Your cabin may or may not have a clock already in it. And if it does, it may not be reliable enough to ensure you wake up in time for your scheduled activities. I recommend bringing a small alarm clock for your cabin so you know you won’t miss important events like excursions, or dinner!
I love this basic alarm clock, without all the bells and whistles. Don’t forget to also pick up some AAA batteries for it too!
Poo-Pourri
Poo-Pourri is a lifesaver on vacation. Bathrooms are smelly, we all know this. And cruise ship cabins being as small as they are provide very little by way of fresh air.
Therefore, I consider Poo-Pourri to be the ultimate cruise travel essential. You spray the toilet water before you do your business and somehow it creates a barrier that keeps the stink in the toilet and not the air.
Get it. Trust me on this one.
Laundry Bag
An ingenious way to stay organized in your small space is by bringing a laundry bag. All dirty clothes can go right in the bag, and when you’re ready to pack up at the end of your trip, the whole bag can just go right in your luggage.
It’s the perfect way to keep your cabin tidy, and to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones. It also makes the sad task of packing up at the end of vacation significantly easier.
Magnetic Dry Erase Board
As you wander around your cruise ship you’ll notice that lots of people have magnets all over their doors. Remember, the doors are made of metal! Some have pictures, some have decals, some have whole signs.
There are tons of options for cruise door decorations, and you’ll really feel like a veteran cruiser when you decorate your door. Plus, it makes finding your cabin easier!
My family loves having a magnetic dry erase board on our cabin doors when we cruise. Sometimes we decorate it with little drawings or notes for the day, and other times we jot a note down to the kids or friends letting them know where we are. It’s always a good idea to have one!
Necessary Cruise Travel Accessories
This next section lists all the accessories you want to bring with you on your cruise. These are important items that you don’t want to forget at home. Some of these you likely already have, like hats, sunglasses, and refillable water bottles. Others you may need to purchase if you’ve never been on a cruise before, like the luggage tags or towel clips.
Luggage Tags
When taking a cruise, you need to attach a tag to your luggage indicating your name and cabin number. However, without a holder, these paper tags are prone to getting torn off, becoming wet, or otherwise becoming illegible. This could lead to quite a regrettable situation where the ship attendants are unable to deliver your luggage to your room.
To prevent this, it’s highly recommended to use a holder to secure the luggage tag. These luggage tags are ideal for attaching to your luggage and ensuring the tag remains visible and readable throughout your trip.
Lanyards
When you take a cruise you are given a sailing card. This serves as your ID, your door key, and your credit card. Therefore, you need to keep it with you at all times.
Instead of keeping it in a pocket where it can fall out, or a wallet where you have to keep retrieving it, use a badge holder on a lanyard. This is especially crucial for kids, to ensure they don’t lose their cards.
Towel Clips/Bands
Another helpful item to pack on a Caribbean cruise is a set of towel clips or towel bands. These are helpful for both keeping your towel on the chair the way you placed it, and also for helping you to distinguish your chair from the sea of identical looking ones on the deck. The wind can really pick up on cruise ships and you’ll be grateful you packed them.
Waterproof Pouch
No matter where you go on your cruise, whether on the ship or off, you’re going to have your phone, money, and key card. You may also want to carry your ID or passport, or other valuables. Although, I do recommend leaving these particular items in your safe.
If you’re participating in any sort of water activity, even if you’re just swimming in the pools on deck, get a waterproof pouch to hold these items so you can keep them with you. I know I personally do not like leaving my phone or cash laying around on a chair or towel while I’m in the water.
These pouches have 3 separate closures on them and a velcro strap to hold it all down. They are fully submergible and have kept my phone and money perfectly dry in both the ocean and in pools. Just make sure you close them well, and try not to reach into them with wet hands or you kind of defeat the purpose!
Refillable Water Bottle
Even though you can get whatever drinks your heart desires while on the ship, it’s always a good idea to have a refillable water bottle with you. I keep mine with me all the time, since I drink a lot of water throughout the day.
You definitely want to have one with you when you leave the ship to visit the ports or go on excursions, at the very least, like any of these Cozumel excursions. Fill it up before you leave the ship and you’re good to go!
Beach Hat and Sunglasses
The tropical sun on a Caribbean cruise means you should definitely bring some sort of hat. You can pick any type of hat you want – a baseball cap, a bucket hat, or my personal favorite, a floppy straw beach hat.
Now, remember that when the ship is sailing, it can be quite windy, so you’re typically not going to be wearing a floppy hat on sea days. But you definitely want to bring one for the ports, excursions, or beach breaks!
Make sure you bring sunglasses too. I actually recommend bringing an extra pair of sunglasses in case you lose or break your first one.
Cover Up
Much of the time you spend on a cruise ship is in your bathing suit. You need a cover up to wander around the ship or go into the buffet, so grab yourself a nice one like this.
You also can purchase coverups on the ship. Usually at the end of the cruise there are many items that go on sale and you can wind up getting some really great deals.
Reusable Straws
Most places nowadays are trying to be more conscious of their environmental impact. One particular way in which we see companies manifest this is by using paper straws, or by the removal of straws altogether.
I hate paper straws, I’ll be honest here, but I very much appreciate the concern for our ocean life. So, bring a set of reusable straws like these with you for your beverages.
Walkie-Talkies
Cell phones don’t work in the middle of the ocean, and the WiFi on ships is notoriously unreliable. Some cruise lines have a chat feature in their app that allows you to text with other members in your party, but even that is hit or miss.
To keep in touch with other members in your group, get a set of walkie-talkies. It’s a fun way to keep in contact with kids or other people you’re cruising with, and definitely beats wandering around the ship looking for each other.
Must-Have Personal Care Cruise Items
Most of these items are things you probably already have at home. This section details cruise essentials such as sunscreens and medications. Make sure you bring all items that you may need, as some of these can be very expensive to purchase on a cruise ship if you forget them at home or run out.
Sunscreen
Don’t overlook the importance of sunscreen when visiting tropical destinations. The sun’s rays can be intense, and regardless of your skin tone, you are highly susceptible to getting sunburnt without proper protection.
It’s better to pack twice the amount of sunscreen you think you’ll need to ensure that you’re well-protected throughout your trip.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Not only should you bring sunscreen on your cruise, but it’s crucial to bring reef safe sunscreen if you plan on swimming in the ocean. Many tours and excursions will verify that your sunscreen is reef-safe before allowing you to take a dip. If it isn’t, you may need to buy some from them or skip the swim altogether.
The chemicals present in regular sunscreen can cause significant harm to the fragile marine life, which is why it’s imperative to use products that are safe for tropical waters.
Look for sunscreens that do not contain harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, octocrylene, or octinoxate. Just because it says “reef safe” on the label does not actually mean that it is reef safe.
Seasickness Medication
Some people experience seasickness on board a cruise ship, especially those who are already susceptible to motion sickness. Most modern cruise lines have technology to minimize the feeling of motion on board but I strongly recommend bringing sea sickness medication with you.
Dramamine is a well-known and popular medicine for helping with seasickness. It also comes in kids formulas. Bonine is another popular choice for seasickness medication. Scopolamine is a transdermal patch that is used for motion sickness as well, and requires a prescription.
Sea Bands
Sea Bands utilize acupressure points on the wrist to prevent and alleviate seasickness. Even if you don’t anticipate experiencing seasickness, I highly recommend packing Sea Bands for your cruise.
The ocean can be unpredictable, and you may encounter rough waters unexpectedly. Having Sea Bands readily available in such situations can be a lifesaver, and you’ll be grateful for having them on hand.
Both my daughter and my husband experience motion sickness, and these Sea Bands are a lifesaver. I even keep a pair in my car at all times, just in case. They wear them for the entire length of our cruises and as long as they keep them on, they do not get seasick.
After Sun Care
No matter how much sunscreen you bring on a cruise, there’s still a chance that you’re going to wind up with a sunburn at some point. It’s an almost unavoidable fact of being in the Caribbean sun.
With that said, do yourself a favor and get a bottle of this after sun care. It’s like magic in a bottle and will soothe your burned skin immediately upon application. It’s a miracle gel that isn’t sticky and works wonders, and you’ll be happy you brought it with you.
First Aid Kit
Any time you go on a vacation it’s important to bring your medications, and a cruise is no exception to this. You absolutely want to bring any prescriptions you might have. Don’t forget glasses and/or contacts if you wear them!
It’s also a very good idea to bring various medications such as those for pain relief, fever, nausea, allergies, etc as these items may not be available onboard, or if they are they may be very expensive.
You may want to bring various first aid items with you as well. Bandaids in varying sizes always come in handy. I always bring an ace bandage in case of a rolled ankle, as well. I am extremely prone to sprained ankles, so I am always prepared for another one.
A First Aid Kit such as this one provides lots of various items you may need.
Electrolyte Packs
Depending on your own habits and the type of cruise you’re on, you may find yourself in a situation where you, ahem, got a little carried away with indulging in delicious adult beverages. Or perhaps you simply haven’t been drinking enough water to keep up with the amount of sweat the sun is stealing from you.
Either way, it’s always a good idea to have a few electrolyte packs with you. Liquid IV is well-known for its ability to rehydrate you fast. You just mix a packet in your water and drink. This is definitely another “trust me on this one” essential cruise item to bring with you.
Hand Sanitizer
Cruise ships are notorious for spreading certain viruses around. Arm yourself against the nasty little bugs lurking on doorhandles and such by bringing some hand santizer with you.
Many folks nowadays always keep some with them anyway, and generally cruise ships do have dispensers throughout the ship. But I always think it’s a good idea to have your own stash just in case.
Toiletries
Cruise ships typically provide hair dryers in your cabin, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you are very specific about the type you like. Bring any other hair care appliance you may need, such as straighteners or curling wands.
Cruise ship toiletries leave much to be desired. If you are ok with a 2-in-1 or even a 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash, then by all means, leave your products at home. If you’re anything like me, however, you prefer your own hair and body products. Grab small toiletries bottles like these ones and fill them with your own favorite products from home.
Ladies: Don’t forget menstrual products! Even if you’re not anticipating needing them, you may want to bring some just in case. We’ve all been caught off guard at one point, and menstrual items on board a cruise ship can be very expensive, and with limited options.
Cruise Travel Gear
Now we come to the essential gear you need for your cruise. Many of these items you likely already have if you’ve gone on vacation before, luggage for example, but some you may not have ever used, such as packing cubes.
Beach Bag
You definitely want to have some sort of bag to tote around your stuff, both while you’re on the cruise ship and while you’re in the ports. Whether you choose a beach bag or a backpack is up to you, but you will have stuff to carry, so make your life easier by bringing a bag.
Luggage
This doesn’t need much of an explanation. You need a good piece of luggage, or a good luggage set like this one, to get all your stuff from home to the cruise ship and back.
I personally prefer hardsided luggage myself. It feels like it protects the contents of my luggage better, since we all know how much the bags get thrown around. Samsonite is a well known and trusted brand of quality luggage.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are an incredibly convenient way to pack for any trip, and a cruise is no exception to this. The packing cubes keep all your belongings sorted and organized so you can easily find exactly what you’re looking for.
They allow you to pack more efficiently, fitting more items in smaller spaces. They also help prevent clothes from wrinkling, which is a huge plus when going on a cruise, as you now know that you can’t bring an iron or steamer with you.
Garment Bag
A good garment bag is essential for protecting your formalwear for your cruise. Garment bags help prevent wrinkles and creases in transport, and also will help keep your dressier clothes separate from everything else in your luggage. If something accidentally leaks or spills in your bag you know that your formalwear items will be spared.
Carry On Bag
When you board your cruise, you need to have some sort of carry on bag. You may not have access to your luggage for a few hours, so you want certain things with you when you board.
In this carry on bag you should have a pair of sandals, a swimsuit and coverup, a change of clothes for dinner in case you don’t get your luggage in time, and all necessary documents. You also always should keep any valuables, money, ID or passport, and medications in your carry on bag.
Personally, I tend to use my beach bag above as a carry on, but some folks prefer a traditional carry on bag like this one.
Camera
Photographs are my favorite vacation souvenir. More often than not, I simply take photos with my phone. Most modern phones come equipped with quite powerful cameras nowadays. However, occasionally I prefer to use an actual camera to take pictures.
You may be perfectly content with simply using your phone to take pictures, but if you’d rather more professional looking photos I suggest bringing a camera with you like this one.
Snorkel Gear
The Caribbean is renowned for snorkeling, and rightly so! Its warm waters are teeming with a diverse array of marine creatures, and the pristine clarity of the water provides unparalleled visibility. While snorkel gear is typically available to rent at most destinations, I highly recommend bringing your own to avoid using equipment that has been used by numerous others.
My daughter prefers the classic snorkel set, but personally I prefer the full faced style of snorkel mask. I find it much easier to breathe, plus it doesn’t fog up on me like the classic masks tend to. It also gives me a wider view, so I can enjoy more of what I’m seeing!
Complete List Of Cruise Travel Essentials
Below I’ve consolidated this list of 37 necessary cruise items so you can see them all in one place. Remember, you may not need everything on this list.
For example, if you booked a balcony room or a suite, you may not need to bring a portable fan, as your room will get plenty of air flow. Or if you are not the type to snorkel, or maybe you’re taking a cruise to Alaska, then snorkel masks are not essential cruise items for you.
Pack according to your own specific needs, but as long as you use our list as a guide, you will be able to avoid any unexpected hiccups on your trip.
- Wrinkle Release Spray
- Power Strip
- Over The Door Organizer
- Door Lock
- Magnetic Hooks
- Portable Fan
- Nightlight
- Travel Mirror
- Travel Alarm Clock
- Poo-Pourri
- Laundry Bag
- Dry Erase Board
- Luggage Tags
- Lanyards
- Towel Clips/Towel Bands
- Waterproof Pouch
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Beach Hat
- Cover Up
- Reusable Straws
- Walkie-Talkies
- Sunscreen
- Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Seasickness Medication
- Sea Bands
- After Sun Care
- First Aid Kit
- Electrolyte Packs
- Hand Santizer
- Toiletries
- Beach Bag
- Luggage
- Packing Cubes
- Garment Bag
- Carry On Bag
- Camera
- Snorkel Gear
Other Helpful Caribbean Information and Resources
My husband and I absolutely LOVE the Caribbean. It’s our go-to vacation location, whether with or without the kids. We visit via cruise ship, we stay in all-inclusive resorts, and go back time and time again. Here are some of our other articles about various Caribbean locations that you may find helpful and informative.
- The Ultimate All Inclusive Packing List + FREE Printable Checklist
- The Best Stingray City Grand Cayman Tours
- 10 Best Cruise Excursions In Grand Cayman
- Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica – What You Need To Know
- The Ultimate Caribbean Cruise Packing List
- What NOT To Pack For A Caribbean Cruise
- Expert Advice and Tips For First Time Cruisers
- How To Pick A Cruise – Everything You Need To Know
- The Complete Review of Finest Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort
- The Complete Review of Coconut Bay Resort In St. Lucia
- Why You Need To Visit Diamond Falls St. Lucia
- Sulphur Springs St. Lucia – How To Visit The World’s Only Drive In Volcano
- The 10 Best St. Lucia Piton Tours
- The Best St. Lucia Cruise Excursions
- Top 10 Best Cruise Excursions In Cozumel
- The Best 10 Costa Maya Cruise Excursions
- Why You Need To Visit Nelson’s Dockyard Antigua
