Must-Haves for a Cruise Vacation
If you’ve ever gone on a cruise, there are some must-have items that you don’t want to forget to bring with you. Staterooms are small, and storage is at a premium. Even if you’re going on a short trip, organization is key! Here are some things that I’ve picked up from Amazon that have made my trips much more enjoyable. I’ve included only the items that I have found personally beneficial and have the best value and reviews. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any feedback on any of these items, or if I’ve missed an item that you’ve found indispensable.
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Luggage Tags
Typically, a few weeks prior to boarding the ship, you’re able to create and print out tags to place on your luggage. Instead of carting around all of your belongings until your cabin is ready, it’s best to drop off your bags with a porter at the pier and they’ll make sure that they arrive at your room. These luggage tags are durable, re-useable, and provide piece-of-mind knowing that they won’t fall off (which means your luggage could be misplaced). I think these are the best around, and they’re cruise line specific:
- Carnival Luggage Tag Holders
- Norwegian Cruise Lines Luggage Tag Holders
- Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders
- Princess Cruises Luggage Tag Holders
- Celebrity Luggage Tag Holders
- Holland America Luggage Tag Holders
- MSC Luggage Tag Holders
Chair Bands and Clips
Many stateroom bathrooms have a clothesline, but they’re small, and they don’t really dry things very well due to the lack of ventilation. If you’ve got a balcony and want to dry things like bathing suits or towels and don’t want them to get lost at sea, these are perfect for securing items that may otherwise blow away.
Magnetic Hooks and Clips
Another great organizational tool is magnetic hooks. Stateroom walls are made of metal, and these work great to secure heavy loads like purses, umbrellas, jackets, sweatshirts, or whatever else you may want to keep handy. Or, if you don’t have a balcony and would like to dry towels or swimwear, these are perfect. Many people have sworn by the stronger, 100lb magnets, as sometimes the weaker ones will slide down a smooth wall with less than 27lbs. …just beware, they can be tough to separate!
Magnetic clips are great for keeping papers and documents handy, like the daily schedules of events that are distributed on each day of a cruise.
Magnetic Dry Erase Board with Markers
This small magnetic dry erase board measures just 12″x8″ and comes with markers. It’s perfect for hanging on a wall or door to leave notes to keep in touch with your fellow travelers. It’s the perfect size to pack! It’s one of those items that also comes in handy at home, too. Magnetic Dry Erase Board with Markers
Here’s another item that can be used for more than just shoes. My wife didn’t really see the need for this, but we were glad that we brought it with us. Door Organizer
Another organizational necessity. Toiletry Bag
Folks swear by these Packing Cubes, they save space and keep your stuff organized.
Lanyards
You’d be surprised how often you’ll need to use your room key card! Whether you’re grabbing drinks from the bar, meals, tracking your play at the casino, or fumbling around trying to get into your room, these keep your key card handy. Heading to the pool or hot tub and don’t have any pockets? These are perfect, and they come in like a million different colors and designs. Lanyards
Travel First Aid Kit
Even the most basic medical care on a cruise ship or in port can be extremely expensive. It’s always a good idea to be prepared. Make sure you bring the basics, because you never know what can happen. This is an affordable, very well-stocked kit that can be kept in the trunk or glovebox of your car after your trip.
Don’t forget to bring along some Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and antacid just in case! Travel First Aid Kit
Motion Sickness Medication
Rough seas can certainly ruin the otherwise perfect trip. Everyone else will be stuck in bed being sick, while you’ll have the ship to yourself.
Poo-Pourri
Staterooms can be small, and the bathrooms sometimes lack the necessary ventilation. There’s no sense in making the people you’re travelling with suffer. This stuff works GREAT! Poo-Pourri
Nobody wants to head out to a nice dinner a wrinkled mess. No matter how careful you pack, you’re bound to get wrinkles on those nice clothes. Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Insulated Water Bottles
I’m a big fan of my 26oz Yeti Rambler. It does a fantastic job of keeping hot drinks hot, or cold drinks cold for a long, long time. I personally prefer water bottles that do not have handles, since they can be easily slid into the side drink holders of most backpacks. This one is the perfect size. Great for around the pool or bringing it off the ship with you on excursions. Hydration is key! Some people also swear by Stanley, so I’ve included that one as well.
Glasses Maintenance
I wear prescription glasses and I am always terrified that something is going to happen to them while I’m on vacation, so I make sure that not only do I bring a second pair, but I have all of the tools and hardware that I’ll need for any quick fix that may be needed. I did lose a pair of glasses once in the ocean at Assateague Island, and having to get a new pair at the LensCrafters that was an hour away wasn’t very fun. This kit is very complete. The plastic case isn’t incredibly durable, and I highly recommend placing this kit inside a 1-quart ziplock bag. The last thing you’d want is to drop this kit and have a million little screws scatter all over your cabin floor.
Compact Travel Binoculars
Heading on an Alaskan cruise, or plan on viewing wildlife while you’re away? I’m of the opinion that everyone should own a decent pair of binoculars. That being said, they can be large, heavy, and very expensive. Because of this, they may not be something that you’d want to take with you traveling. … That’s where these lightweight, inexpensive, waterproof, compact travel binoculars come in. I’ve listed my Nikon that I absolutely love. I’ve also included another, more reasonable pair depending on your budget.
Power Management
Cruise-Approved Power Strip
There never seems to be enough outlets in a cabin, and any additional outlets that you bring with must be approved. Typically, that means that they CANNOT have any surge protection. This one is perfect, and it also includes some 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C outlets. Some cruise lines don’t allow corded power strips, and that’s why I like this one. Nobody likes getting their stuff confiscated. Cruise-Approved Power Strip
Most ships have both European outlets as well as the type we’re familiar with. These cheap adapters ensure that you have all of the outlets you need. …especially in the bathroom! Euro Outlet Adapters
USB Tower
This one is great, it’s 40w, and has 6 ports total. I find that it’s great to put by the bed to charge your phone, earbuds, smart watch, and anything else you may need. USB Charging Tower
USB Fan
It’s always good to have a little extra ventilation. I find that having a little extra air movement helps me get a good night’s sleep. Also, the white noise that it creates is an added bonus. USB Powered Fan
Portable Speaker
I’m a big fan of my JBL Charge 5. It’s got 20 hours of play time, it’s waterproof, and can keep my phone at 100% while I’m away from an outlet. It’s definitely small enough to toss in a backpack, yet it packs a punch with great sound. An added benefit of bringing one on your cruise is it can double as a white noise machine for a great night’s sleep! JBL Charge 5
Snorkeling Gear
If you’re heading to warm, clear waters and would like to spend any amount of time checking out the underwater scenery, having snorkeling gear is essential. Some beaches or excursions will rent this, but why not have your own? …Especially post-Covid, who knows how well they’re disinfected after each use? There’s no way I’d trust putting my face into a rental mask that wasn’t properly sanitized. These are very reasonable, and they come with a mesh travel bag. The fins are small enough that they can fit easily into a backpack. There were three of us on our trip, and I purchased different colors for each of us so we could keep better track of them. Snorkeling Mask/Fins
Water Shoes
These are indispensable if you plan on doing any walking around through rocky shores. When we were in Bermuda, we decided to go cliff-jumping at Admiralty Park (which I highly recommend)! The rocks in Bermuda can be razor-sharp, and these offer a very affordable level of protection. They’re unisex and available in tons of colors and sizes. Water Shoes
Small, lightweight, and portable.
Red Suricata Sand-Free Beach Mat
I love the beach, but have never been a fan of the way that sand gets absolutely EVERYWHERE. I’ve seen these for years and have always been skeptical of how they work, and I now swear by them. It can be laid on without sand getting all over the place, and it also packs up sand-free. This one is pricey, but we’ve had it for almost 5 years at this point. We’ve got it in the car from late-Spring through fall for those impromptu beach-trips. They come in two different sizes. We’ve got the Large and it’s fantastic. It packs up really small and can easily be tossed into a beach bag. Also, there’s a shade that can be purchased separately. When cruising, it’s saved us a small fortune in chair rentals at many of the beaches we’ve visited. Red Suricata Sand-Free Beach Mat
Cell Phone Gimbal, Tripod, and Selfie Stick
You don’t need to be a successful social media influencer to appreciate the need for proper stabilization when taking photos or video. This Gimbal does a fantastic job, it’s light and highly portable, and its battery life is outstanding. I honestly don’t know what I did before I had this. DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphones
Don’t forget the travel case.
Waterproof Phone Case
If you’d like to take photos or video of your adventures on the beach or in the water, you can either spend a small fortune on an underwater camera, or you can use the phone that you already own using a waterproof case. There are several choices here. These may be a little more expensive than most of the others available, but these are made by Pelican, a brand that I trust. They’ve got a rating of IP68, so I had no worries about them failing. Phones are expensive, and I didn’t want to risk ruining my phone while on vacation. They float, are touch-screen compatible (although it was a little tricky), and the lanyards are highly visible. They’re a great investment. Waterproof Phone Case
Dry Bag
Another good investment is a decent-sized dry bag. If you want to keep valuables dry while on an excursion, or at the beach, they’re great. I’ve got two different ones listed.
GoPro Hero 12
Another great option for taking pictures and video while on vacation is investing in a GoPro. They’re waterproof, and there is almost an infinite list of attachments that you can purchase, from gimbals to selfie sticks to underwater scuba cases (and underwater filters). Plus, once you own one you’ll find that you’ll use it more than you think, even when not on vacation. I’m including two choices here. One is the newest one on the market, for those who want the best. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly one, I’m also including the GoPro Hero 9, which is a little older but still has many of the bells and whistles to take great photos and video. If you’re looking to purchase waterproof cases and filters for additional water protection and better underwater pictures, I highly recommend investing in official GoPro branded accessories and not the cheaper, generic ones. Based upon reviews of the generic filters in particular, proper fitment may be an issue.
Tracking Gadgets
If you’ve ever lost your luggage, keys, or other important items, you’ll know how valuable tracking technology is. Whether you’re an Apple or Android person, we’ve got you covered!
Travel Luggage Scale
A small, reliable luggage scale is cheap insurance that you won’t get hit with extra fees if you’re flying into your port. Especially if you have trouble packing light, like I do. Luggage Scale
TSA Approved Luggage Locks
Remember that old commercial where the luggage was getting beat up by a Gorilla at the airport? These will definitely prevent theft and damage, and they’re TSA Approved! Luggage Locks
Rolling Luggage
If you’re a seasoned traveler with warn-out luggage, or just starting out, Amazon has a great deal on affordable luggage sets. These have great reviews and are a great value. They’re available in 8 different colors. Rolling, Hardcase Luggage Set.
Cheap Basic Watch
On my last cruise, I destroyed my expensive Samsung Watch that was, of course, just out of warrantee. It was “waterproof,” and I took it off every time I went in the ocean. I did wear it in the ship’s pool, which uses salt water instead of chlorine. The next day, it was toast. I’ve since purchased this much more affordable Casio watch, which also frees up a spot on my USB Charging Tower. This thing is bulletproof! And, if it gets ruined, who cares? Casio Men’s Black Resin Dive Watch
Duct Tape
Just like the Boy Scouts, it’s always best to “Be Prepared.” Duct Tape can be very useful in emergencies. I personally like these because they’re blacklight reactive in neon colors. You can multi-task here. If you’d like to decorate a shirt or something for your ship’s White or Glow Party, you can! And, if you want your luggage to stand out from all the rest when disembarking, these are great to mark your bags! Typically, luggage is collected on your last night in your room, and when you get off the ship, you’ve got to search for your bags among all the other passenger’s stuff. These definitely make it easier to spot your bags from a distance. …and if you need to repair something on the fly, you’re good to go too! Fluorescent Duct Tape
Glow Necklaces
If you want to attend your ship’s White/Glow Party, these are great! There’s 100 in a pack, so they’re sharable. A great way to make friends! Glow Necklaces
3-Ring Binder
These are useful to store ALL of your cruise documentation in one handy place, from booking confirmations, dinner/showtime reservations, itineraries, schedules, excursions, transfers, rental agreements, travel insurance policies, etc. I like to be organized, and during check-in it was wonderful to not have to sift through a bunch of paperwork. Everything was all in one place, at my fingertips when I needed it. You can even take it with you when you venture off of the ship if the backpack you’re carrying has a laptop pouch. 3-Ring Binder w/Pockets
Nothing gets me excited to travel someplace warm like donning a tropical Hawiian shirt on the morning that I depart. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know. These shirts by Hardaddy are light, breathable, wick moisture very well, and come in an endless variety of colors and patterns. I even bought one that has lobsters on it. Hawiian Shirt
Grabbing these made packing super-easy. They’re casual enough to lounge around in, yet they’ve got a collar, so you don’t have to worry about looking like the most under-dressed person in the room. Mix-and-match with any shorts, and you’ve got infinite possibilities. Plus, they go up to size 3XL! Multi-Pack of Solid Colored Polo Shirts
If your ship has a formal night, or you’re going to a nice dinner and want to stay festive, this tie is for you. It’s only like $10, so you don’t have to worry about spilling food on it and ruining it. It doesn’t matter. Whenever I wear a tie, I always seem to dump something greasy on it. This one doesn’t break the bank. There are a few different styles. Even one with pineapples, if that’s your thing…. Tropical Necktie
And if you do stain your clothes while on vacation, there’s a good chance that stain isn’t coming out since you may not be able to wash it right away. Always a good idea to bring along some Shout Wipes.
And speaking of wipes, these are pretty sweet. My wife turned me on to these. They’re great in a pinch, especially if you’ve been walking around all day in the hot sun and getting kinda funky. Please be careful, though, as these aren’t a good idea to flush on a cruise ship. Dude Wipes
Sunscreen
Perfect travel size, and safe to wear in warmer waters. The reefs have enough to worry about. I know the last thing I’d want to do is contribute to their demise. Reef-Friendly Sunscreen
Aloe
When you head south, it’s very easy to underestimate the power of the Sun. Just in case you get fried. Aloe Vera Gel
Travel Nightlight
Unfamiliar surroundings like staterooms can be tough to navigate in the dark, and these can solve the problem. Have an inside cabin? They can be pitch-black with no lights on. Toss one of these in a bathroom outlet and it’ll provide the perfect amount of light. Many stateroom bathrooms have a tall threshold that’s easy to trip over in poor light. Travel LED Night Light
Collapsible Laundry Basket
These pack flat, so they take up virtually no room and are super-easy to toss in a suitcase. I set it up in the closet. Mesh Laundry Basket
Cruising Ducks
Many people love hiding or searching for rubber cruising ducks. It’s a great activity for kids, but even as an adult I had fun with this. These ducks are definitely unique and have personality! Rubber Ducks
Lightweight Raincoats
In a perfect world, it would never rain while we are on vacation. However, it definitely does happen, so it’s necessary to pack at the very least a lightweight raincoat. No need to let a little rain ruin a great day.
I’m sure there’s more out there, and I will be updating this list as I come across more must-have cruise essentials. If I missed something that you have found useful, please let me know!
If you found this list helpful and informative, please feel free to share! Happy Voyages!
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