21 Best Things to Bring on a Cruise

Here are some of the most helpful and best things to take on a cruise that you may not have thought of. Check out these cruise must-haves.

This article started out to be the 16 best things to bring on a cruise, however after trying out a few other cruise items, I had to include those as I bring them on each and every cruise.

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21 best things to bring on a cruise

1. Cruise Card Lanyard

If your cruise line uses the cruise card (like Carnival) as your boarding pass, room key, and a way to charge your purchases rather than the wrist band then you may want to consider a lanyard (sponsored) as a way of carrying your cruise card.

For other ways to carry your cruise card check this post out.

I like that these cruise card lanyards (sponsored) can detach your card if needed without having to take it off your neck. I personally wouldn’t use the pouch, I just find that a pain to have to take your card in and out.

2. Beach Bag

Even if you don’t plan on doing any shore excursions to the beach, you will want to bring a beach bag for going back and forth to the ship’s pool. It’s handy for carrying things like a towel, sunscreen, water bottle and a good book.

This is the bag I have and love.

3. Power strip

Most cruise staterooms have limited outlets and with so many things to charge these days power bank is a great way to increase the number of plug ins you have.

Please note not any power strip will do. It must be cruise ship approved and have NON-SURGE protection.

The one pictured below is the one I have and bring on every single cruise.

Sponsored

4. Zip Loc Bags

Cruise packing tip – bring a few large zip loc bags. There are so many uses for them.

From keeping that pastry you ordered from room service but haven’t eaten yet fresh, to packing your wet bathing suit, to keeping shampoo from leaking in your suitcase, to keeping your phone and important documents dry on a shore excursion.

5. Smaller Backpack

Use it as your travel carry on, then you can use again for taking on shore excursions. I like to use a small backpack instead of my beach tote when I’m going to be walking around exploring a port. It just makes it easier to carry and hands free. It’s great if you are going to be shopping in a cruise port.

This one comes in 11 different colors and is available on Amazon.

These 9 Fun Vacation Shirts (for women) might be something you want to take on your next cruise.

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6. Smaller Bills

Take several bills in smaller denominations for tips (gratuities). These will be for tipping the porter at the pier who takes your luggage at the cruise terminal, room service, tour bus drivers, and shore excursion tour escorts in port.

These smaller bills won’t be used for your main cruise ship service gratuities. See this post on how tipping works on a cruise ship.

7. A Good Quality Water Bottle

A good quality water bottle will both save you money and keep your water cooler longer.

You can usually find water and ice machines in the buffet restaurant.

I would suggest a water bottle with a wider mouth to easily fit ice cubes.

The Yeti water bottles come in 26oz, 36oz, and 46oz. They open up fully so you can fit ice in.

8. Waterproof Cell Phone Lanyard Case

This is especially important to have if you are planning on doing any sort of water activities like snorkeling or climbing Dunn’s River Falls.

These are great for even just hanging out at the beach. You can keep your phone and ID with you when you go into the water to cool off. These phone pouches protect your phone from the water and help protect from theft since it is on your body and not left on the beach.

This is the brand we have (the whole family has one). We do have to remove our phones from their cases for them to fit, but we don’t find that to be an issue. Always test your phone pouch with a piece of paper or tissue.

9. Sea Bands

If you are worried about sea sickness, pack a pair of Sea Bands for your cruise. They are worn around the wrists and use acupressure to help alleviate motion sickness.

For other non-medicated ways to help with sea sickness check out this article.

10. Sweater or Cardigan

Even if you are cruising to the warm Caribbean, you will want to pack a sweater or cardigan. The air conditioning in the public rooms can be feel quite chilly.

11. Biodegradable Sunscreen

Biodegradable sunscreen is especially important if you are going to be doing any sort of water or beach excursions. Do your part to help protect the precious marine life.

12. Travel Coffee Mug

The coffee mugs on the cruise ships can be on the small side.

I have the seafoam green Yeti and love it! I take it everywhere. I purchased a handle for mine.

13. Band-Aids

Throw a few Band-Aids into your cruise toiletry bag, these will help with not only cuts and scrapes but I bring them along incase I get blisters.

14. Small Travel Umbrella

Pack a small foldable travel umbrella in your shore excursion bag. I bring it along more for shade than for protection from rain.

This compact folding travel umbrella can be found on Amazon here.

15. Portable Charger

Don’t let your phone, which is likely your camera, die. You don’t want to miss out on capturing your cruise vacation memories because your phone is in your room charging.

When packing for your cruise add a portable charger also known as a power bank so that you can charge your devices anywhere – poolside, in port, or on your flight or car ride to start your cruise vacation.

16. Beach Chair Towel Clips

Towel clips are especially nice on a cruise as there is always a slight breeze. These clips which come in some really cute styles help keep your towel from blowing off or constantly blowing onto your shoulder.

Aren’t these beach towel holders so cute? There are so many different styles and colors available.

17. Magnetic hooks

If you are looking for a great stateroom organization hack bring a long some magnetic hooks. Most cruise ship walls and if not the walls then usually the doors are magnetic.

Use them to hang your cruise lanyard, dresses, hats and more.

18. Downy Wrinkle Release Spray

A travel sized bottle of wrinkle release spray is something I now bring on every cruise.

It is a great way to get wrinkles out of a clothing when cruising.

19. Cruise Luggage Tag Holders

You can read more about cruise luggage tags here, but these plastic luggage tag holders are the best way to attach your printed cruise luggage tags to your suitcases.

There are different sized holders for different cruise lines. Find your cruise line’s luggage tag holders here.

20. Travel sized medications

This is one that really should have made the initial top 16. You should bring travel sized medications whenever you travel.

Think through different scenarios and pack for that. If you had a headache or sore throat or upset stomach, what would you take.

Our list of toiletries to pack for a cruise can help make sure you have everything you need.

21. Hanging toiletry bag

The bathrooms on most cruise ships are tiny. A hanging toiletry bag is a great cruise organization hack. You can hang it on the back of bathroom door and keep the small counter top clear.

There are different styles and sizes of hanging toiletry bags to choose from.

My teenage daughter owns the one on the left. Hers does hang better than mine (on the right), but what I like better about mine is that it sits better on the counter. Hers you have to lay it down. You can see different styles here and decide what you think will work best for you.

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