Cruise Essentials: 55 Must-Have Items {All on Amazon!}

Whether you are a first time cruiser or a seasoned cruiser looking for the latest cruise gadgets to make you cruise vacation more enjoyable and organized, this cruise essentials Amazon list is for you.

Read through the list and see what you can use to complete your cruise packing list. And while it’s true you don’t NEED everything on this list many frequent cruisers, including myself find them useful and in some cases just fun.

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Amazon has must-have cruise items ranging from practical travel gadgets, to absolute cruise essentials, to things that are just nice to have.

Best Cruise Essentials Available on Amazon

Read through the whole list as there a few things I bet you didn’t even realize you needed. An conveniently Amazon has tons of cruise accessories to complete you packing list.

1. Power strip

Cruise ship staterooms often have limited plug ins. This makes a power strip or power bar a cruise essential. Not any power bar will do. It must have NON-SURGE protection.

I have this cruise approved power strip, (sponsored) I like that it has USB ports in addition to the regular plug-ins.

2. Cruise luggage tag holders

Most cruise lines now have you print out your cruise luggage tags at home. A much better way than attaching a strip of paper to your suitcase is to get yourself a set of cruise luggage tag holders.

You can read more about cruise luggage tags here. Each cruise line has slightly different sized luggage tags. The great thing about these holders is that you can reuse them over and over again.

3. Waterproof cell phone pouch

For me a waterproof pouch is an absolute must, for both convenience and to keep your valuables with you while at the beach.

This clear pouch keeps your phone protected while playing in and near the water on a shore excursion and allows you to get great underwater photos using your phone.

But I think the reason I love this phone pouch best is that it allows me to keep my phone, cruise key card, credit card and a little bit of cash with me at all times. I don’t have to worry about leaving it unattended on the beach chairs. My whole family has one.

4. Magnetic hooks

A great cruise cabin organization hack is to bring magnetic hooks. Most cruise ship cabins have metal walls, making magnetic hooks the perfect way to create more space.

We use magnetic hooks to hang things like cruise lanyards, sunglasses, and sun hats. I also use several to hang up damp cover ups or dresses I’ve worn over a wet swimsuit.

The bathrooms do have a clothes line in the shower but I have found that things take a while to dry on a ship and spreading them out where I don’t have to keep moving when I want to shower is nice.

If you don’t have some lying around at home, you can find this cruise essential on Amazon.

5. Towel clips

Towel clips are something I started packing on my last few cruises and love them. Not only do I think they are really cute, they help keep the towel from blowing onto your shoulder. On a ship there is almost always a breeze.

Towel clips or towel bands also help identify your pool chair. Most people are using the exact same cruise ship towel and it can be hard to see which chair is yours after you have stepped away. Beach towel clips help solve this problem.

6. Hanging toiletry bag

Unless you have a large suite, a cruise cabin bathroom is a small space. A hanging toiletry bag is a great way to create extra space and keep your cruise toiletries organized.

If that leads you to wonder what cruise toiletries you need to bring on a cruise, this article will help.

7. Beach bag

This is the beach bag I have and love. I use it as my embarkation day carry-on, as my shore excursion bag when in a cruise port, and my pool or hot tub bag.

You can read what I pack in my shore excursion bag in this article.

8. Wrinkle release spray

This is one cruise essential you can find on Amazon that people often don’t think of. On a cruise ship, you are NOT allowed to bring an iron or a steamer.

When traveling clothes can get wrinkled, and while there are tips on how to stay wrinkle free on a cruise, there are times a wrinkle release spray will help.

9. Cruise ducks

This is definitely not a necessity but it definitely is fun, especially if you are cruising with kids. Hiding and finding rubber ducks has become a popular cruise activity. We both hid and found other ducks on our last Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises.

Most people attach a cruise duck tag with their name and sail date. It’s a great way to add a little extra fun to your cruise.

10. Packing cubes

I’m loving my compression packing cubes.

I did a test to see just how much space compression packing cubes save. You can check it out here, you might be surprised.

Packing cubes are great for a cruise for several reasons that you can read about here.

Looking for a way to get organized through the planning and preparing for a cruise? Check out our printable cruise planner.

11. Cruise lanyard

One of the more popular and easy ways to carry your cruise card is a lanyard. A lanyard gives you easy access to your key card.

These cruise lanyards will allow you to use the plastic sleeve if you choose or attach the hook directly to your card. If there isn’t already a hole punched in your card, you can request it be done at guest services. The plastic sleeve does help protect it but you have to keep taking it in and out.

12. Reusable straws

This might seem like an odd suggestion, but some cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruises, have gone to edible straws only. While I love this decision for the environment, I found that the straws can feel a bit slimy after not too long.

I would recommend a reusable straw like this, as it has a case and the all important cleaning brush.

13. Portable charger

A portable phone charger is another cruise essential on Amazon. We have used a portable phone charger a few different ways on a cruise vacation.

Bring your fully charged power bank on shore excursions. Especially longer ones and ones that you expect to be using your phone often for photos and videos. You don’t want a dead phone battery when you trying to capture your priceless memories.

On our last cruise (Carnival Vista), there weren’t any plug ins near the bed. I like my phone close by as I use it as an alarm clock. I used my power bank nightly to charge my phone.

15. Collapsible laundry hamper

A pop-up laundry hamper is a great option for storing your dirty clothes. It folds up and doesn’t take up too much space in your suitcase. At the end of your cruise, dump your dirty laundry into your suitcase and fold your hamper back up.

The mesh material allows air to get at your clothes and help to dry anything that might be damp.

An alternative to a hamper is to throw your dirty clothes into your empty suitcase.

16. Magnetic clips

In addition to the magnetic hooks I mentioned earlier, using magnetic clips is another stateroom organization hack.

Use magnetic clips to keep all your daily cruise schedules together and off the counter tops. You can also use magnetic clips to create a message center in your stateroom. Clip a few pieces of paper together, throw a pen on top and voila, you have a message center.

More cruise essentials on Amazon

17. Water bottle

Packing your own reusable water bottles for your next cruise is a good idea. A water bottle is a great item to have in your shore excursion bag. Fill it with ice water from the buffet restaurant before heading out.

18. Travel mug

If you are a big coffee drinker, I’d suggest you bring your own travel mug. The coffee cups in the buffet restaurant are often on the smaller side.

19. Shampoo and conditioner bars

This is one of my favorite cruise packing hacks – bring shampoo and conditioner bars. Not all cruise lines provide shampoo and conditioner.

Royal Caribbean had only a 2-in-1 body wash/shampoo and Carnival had shampoo but no conditioner on our last cruises.

Shampoo bars take up less space and have no risk of spillage. I take a new shampoo and conditioner bar, and cut each in half and then put a half of each in a soap travel dish.

20. Motion sickness bands

I pack Sea Bands each and every cruise even though I have only worn them once. They are small, take up hardly any space and I like to have them just incase.

Sea bands are acupressure wristbands that can help with nausea and motion sickness. A great sea sickness prevention option. You can find other cruise ship motion sickness remedies here as well as my experience.

21. Poo-pourri

Poo-pourri is a before-you-go toilet spray made with essential oils and it works surprisingly well. We have the lavender mint.

It isn’t like other bathroom sprays, most others just make the smell worse.

I have poo-pourri on the cruise essentials Amazon list because cruise cabins are often smaller than hotel rooms and cabins without a balcony (inside and ocean view staterooms) don’t have any fresh air coming in. Poo-pourri is a courtesy to your travel companions.

More of the best cruise essentials available on Amazon

22. Apple airtags

Apple Airtags are a smart travel accessory. It’s nice having that added bit of piece of mind knowing you can track you luggage.

And yes, Amazon does sell Apple AirTags and Airtag holders.

23. Cardigan

A cardigan or a sweater is a must on any cruise. While it might be warm outside, the air-conditioning inside can be chilly.

I like to bring a cardigan what will go with pretty much anything. One that can be dressed up or dressed down.

Mine is similar to this one.

24. Cover-up

There is a good chance that part of your sea days will be spent lounging by the pool. Bathing suit cover ups are a cruise must-have.

A swimsuit coverup is far easier to slip on than shorts and a t-shirt to run for a snack. There are several cute styles available. If you like the airy look, check out these 29 cute crochet swimsuit coverups.

For bathing suit coverups on Amazon click here.

25. Travel umbrella

A small foldable travel umbrella is a smart travel accessory. Not only for rainy port days but also for sunny ones. An umbrella provides instant portable shade. At times you might find you are waiting in the sun for a shore excursion to start or for a tender (water taxi) back to the ship in certain ports.

An umbrella provides great sun protection. It is an extra great idea if you are cruising with seniors or small children.

26. Portable fan

A foldable portable fan is a good cruise accessory for two reasons. It provides some air movement (especially helpful in inside cabins as there is no fresh air) and some white noise for those who sleep better with it.

27. RFID Passport holder

A passport wallet with RFID blocking technology is a smart travel accessory for any type of travel. I like that this one has an elastic to help keep it closed.

28. Credit card case

An aluminum credit card holder is something I’d recommend you use everyday and not just when you are travelling. Help keep your credit card and personal information safe. These aluminum credit card wallets help block RFID.

These come in so many different colors and designs, you will definitely be able to find one that catches your eye.

29. First aid kit

A first-aid kit is another one of those cruise essentials on Amazon. Band-aids are important to have, not just for a cut but to help protect a blister should one develop. I also suggest bringing antiseptic or antibacterial spray, wipes, or cream with you on shore excursions incase of any scrapes.

You can create your own first aid kit or purchase a small travel one from Amazon.

More best cruise essentials on Amazon

30. Backpack

Instead of a beach tote like I use as my shore excursion and cruise day bag, you may decide a backpack is better for you.

When we travel, I bring my beach bag and my husband brings a backpack. This way we have both on hand to use on a port day. Depending on the excursion, a backpack is sometimes handier.

31. Electronics organizer

A cable or electronic accessories organizer case is a great cruise accessory. With so many electronic devices having a different charging cables, earphones, and extra camera batteries or SD cards, things can get messy and tangled fast.

An inexpensive electronic organizer is the perfect solution. It keeps everything in one place.

32. Jewelry organizer

If you are one who likes to cruise with several pieces of jewelry, consider getting yourself a small travel jewelry organizer. I have made the mistake of thinking a couple different necklaces and earrings would be fine in a pouch. Turns out untangling necklaces is never fun.

This popular jewelry organizer has a spot for everything, yet won’t take up much room in your suitcase.

33. Over the door clear pocket organizer

Many experienced cruises won’t travel without an over-the-door clear pocket shoe organizer. They will put their sunscreen and other toiletries in the clear pockets for easy access and visibility. This would be hung on the bathroom door.

I admit I don’t use this and don’t intend to since I find my hanging toiletry bag does the job. I did include it here as it is a very popular option for storing cruise toiletries.

34. Cruise magnets – door decorations

On many cruise lines you are allowed to decorate your stateroom door with magnets. We seen many on our last Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises. There are lots of styles to choose from and some that can even be personalized. They are an easy way to add a little extra fun to your vacation.

Personalized cruise magnets can be found on Etsy. Click here to check them out.

35. Water shoes

Water shoes are a great item to add to your cruise packing list if you plan on doing some beach excursions. They protect your feet both from sharp objects in the ocean (coral, rocks, glass) as well as from the hot sand. A definite must if you are cruising with kids.

Water shoes are needed if you plan on doing a shore excursion to Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica.

36. Sand-free lightweight towel

Cruise ships do have pool towels that you can use on board and can take ashore for port days which is great. But the last few cruises I have started bringing a Turkish beach towel for beach shore excursions for a few reasons.

• It takes up way less room in your beach bag than the cruise provided towels
• Lightweight. The Turkish beach towels are quick drying and don’t hold water like the regular towels do. This is especially helpful when you are packing wet towels for a family of 4.
• Sand free. These towels don’t hold sand like regular towels resulting in a lot less sand at the bottom of your beach bag.

If you are cruising with other adults and only have to pack your own pool towel, you may or may not decide buying and packing a quick dry towel is worth it, but if you are cruising with kids and have to pack several towels to and from the beach, I’d definitely recommend getting yourself a set of these towels.

37. Travel alarm clock

For many cruise passengers, a travel alarm clock is a cruise essential. Most (if not all) staterooms don’t have a clock.

I personally just use my cell phone. I know that there are lots of people who like to lock there phones away in the safe. If this is you, you may want to pack a basic travel alarm clock so you don’t miss an early morning shore excursion.

38. Night light

This is another cruise item that many will say they don’t need and just as many will say that it is essential.

The cruise staterooms are really dark at night (I actually love this about them) especially interior staterooms. If you are up frequently in the middle of the night or are cruising with young children, you may want to consider bringing a small night light.

Glowsticks work great for this too.

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I personally just grab my phone from the bedside table and use the light from that if needed.

39. Tide stick

A Tide stick stain remover is something I bring with me every cruise. It just seems inevitable that I spill something on myself.

40. Tide sink packet

A Tide travel sink packet is something that just stays in my cruise toiletry bag. Many cruise ships don’t have self serve laundry rooms so I carry a travel sink packet just incase I need to wash something. You can then use the clothesline in the bathroom shower to then hang your clothes.

Still more cruise essentials on Amazon

41. Ziploc bags

Bringing a few large Ziploc bags is such a great cruise packing hack. They have so many great uses.

Brought more cookies back to your cabin than you can eat at once? Put them in a Ziploc. Bringing a book to the beach? Put it in a Ziploc. Worried your sunscreen might leak? Put it in a Ziploc.

42. Lip balm

This is an absolute must, at least for me. I’d recommend a lip balm with SPF protection.

43. Sunscreen

You don’t want to forget your sunscreen and pay onboard prices. Many ocean and beach shore excursions request that you wear a reef proof sunscreen to help protect the coral and sea life. My go to is SunBum.

44. After sun

On a cruise ship, a sun burn can often sneak up on you. With the constant breeze of moving on the open ocean, you may not realize how much sun you are actually getting. Bringing after sun lotion with you can be a life saver.

45. Silicone travel bottles

These little refillable bottles can be a real space saver and something you can use for any sort of travel or even camping. Use them for lotions, body wash, and shampoo and conditioner (if you don’t like my shampoo bar idea).

46. Sunhat

You will want a sunhat for those hot Caribbean port days. Amazon has an incredible selection of sunhats. From straw hats, to bucket hats, to ball caps, to foldable ponytail sunhats.

47. Cruise shirts

Shirts with cruise sayings have become very popular on cruise ships. There are so many to choose from. From fun cruise shirts, to matching couples cruise shirts, to group cruise shirts. 59 Awesome Cruise Shirt Ideas has them all.

48. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a definite must for a cruise vacation. You can find almost any brand style of sunglasses here.

49. Travel sized pain meds

Don’t forget to pack an assortment of travel sized pain meds. Shops onboard will have some but they are only open certain hours and they can be expensive.

I like to think through every situation and pack a medication for that. If you have a headache what would you take? What about a sore throat? Upset stomach?

50. Cruise staff thank-you cards

If you are heading out on your first cruise vacation, you will quickly realize how amazing and hardworking the crew members are.

Leaving personalized thank you cards maybe even with a little extra gratuity included is such a great way to show your appreciation. They really do make your cruise vacation seem extra special.

51. Pants

Okay, this might seem like an odd one, but I’ve seen so many people take a Caribbean cruise and pack only shorts or dresses. Certain cruise activities will require long pants such as Royal Caribbean’s sky pad and ice skating. Some shore excursions such as horseback riding or an ATV ride may require pants as well.

There is a really good chance you have a perfectly good pair of pants already in your closet that you can bring, but since it is a cruise essential and it is available on Amazon, it made the list.

52. Rain jacket

I admit that I don’t usually bring one for a Mexico or Caribbean cruise, but for an Alaska cruise it is a must. Amazon has a huge selection of rain jackets.

53. European travel adapter

If you have a European travel adapter, bring it. It is another way to make use of another electrical outlet in your cabin. The staterooms will have one European outlet. Throw an adapter in there and you now have a usable outlet.

54. Shower steamers

This is definitely not a cruise essential, but aromatherapy shower steamer tabs are a great way to feel a little more pampered on a cruise. Create your own spa oasis with these tabs made with essential oils.

These would add a little something special to a birthday cruise or a honeymoon cruise.

55. Audible membership

Have you tried audio books yet? A vacation is the perfect time to try out an Audible Membership, especially if you have time to kill in an airport. Download what interests you and have someone read it to you. It doesn’t take up the space books do, making it the perfect travel companion.

I hope that this cruise essentials Amazon list has helped you complete your cruise packing list. Don’t worry if you can’t afford to get all these things on your first cruise, you will still have an amazing time I’m sure. Bring the items you think you will use most.

These items make great travel gifts for those planning an upcoming cruise.

Looking for cruise outfit ideas? Check out these 21 stylish all white cruise outfits.

If you are looking for a great excuse to book your first cruise or another cruise, consider a family reunion cruise.