2021 is going to see the cruising industry come back from its hiatus on sailings. Cruises are some of the best vacations that I have taken. I sailed on my first cruise in 2011. After that trip, I was hooked. Over the years, I have learned what I need to pack for a cruise and have created the ultimate cruise packing list that I use every time I pack.
Packing Without OverPacking
There is a delicate balance between packing enough and over-packing. My problem is that I want to travel the world but take all the comforts of home. After years of cruising, I have learned to pack what I need without over-packing. I always fear that I will forget something important, which is why I have created my packing list.
Travel Documentation
Anytime you travel, you have to have the required documentation. When going on a cruise, you need international documentation. Each cruise line and each sailing require specific documentation. Some cruises visit ports of call that are part of US territories or have an agreement with the United States. Check with your cruise line to see what documentation is required. I always like to be over-prepared with documentation. If I am underprepared, I risk the chance of not being able to board.
- Passport or Passport Card (where accepted)
- Government Issued Id (drivers’ license) Enhanced Drivers License is preferred (gold star on the corner)
- Birth Certificate
- Military Issued ID Card For Active Military
- DD214 For Retired Military
- Printed Travel Documents From The Cruise Line
- Tickets
- Cash
- $1 bills and quarters for tolls
- Credit/Debit Cards
- Insurance Cards
Hygiene
When it comes to packing my everyday toiletries, I try not to stress. Most items can be purchased, although expensive, at the gift shop onboard. Most cruise lines provide basic shampoo conditioner and body wash in your stateroom. I am fortunate to have hair and skin that I can wash with just about anything. My daughter, however, is allergic to coconut, and we have to bring her hair and body wash products to avoid having an allergic reaction. Preventative care like sunscreen and chafing powder, if used beforehand, will save you misery in the long run. When I pack our daily medicines, I pack enough for the length of the trip plus two more days in case of a change of plans. I save empty medicine bottles and use them for travel so they are labeled correctly and quickly identified. I have most of the items listed in a travel bag ready to grab and go to avoid having to pack every time.
- Oral Hygiene Toothpaste
- Toothbrush, Mouthwash
- Floss
- Cup To Hold Toothbrushes (so they don’t lie on the counter)
- Deodorant
- Body spray or full-body deodorant spray is also helpful if you sweat in places that aren’t meant to sweat,
- Chafing powder
- Haircare products, gels, hair spray, shampoo, conditioner
- Comb or brush.
- Hair ties, headbands, or hats.
- Q-tips
- Soap or body wash
- ChapStick
- Individually Packaged Hand wipes, Hand Sanitizer
- Sunscreen, Aloe (afterburn)
- Bug Spray
- Daily Medicine (in original containers)
- First Aid supplies include Ban-Aids, Tylenol, and Allergy Medicine
- Razors and Shave Cream
- Feminine Hygiene
- Motion Sickness medicine and treatments
Electronics
Electronics are pretty simple. How many electronic devices you bring on board is up to you. Cruises are the one vacation that we leave our computers at home, and our phones are our cameras. Once you board the ship, you will not have internet or data (unless you plan to purchase the internet package), so you should only need your phone, smartwatch, and chargers.
- Phones
- Smart Watch (Don’t forget its charger!)
- Chargers
- Camera and Battery Packs/chargers
- Converters for international travelers
- Laptops and chargers
- Medical Equipment such as CPAP machine and its accessories
Clothing
Packing clothes for a cruise is probably the most fun and stressful part of packing. You get to plan your attire for the length of the trip, but you have to know what to wear and when. During the day, you want comfortable clothing, but at night, everyone dresses it up a little for dinner if you choose to go to the dining room. Usually, one night during your cruise, you dress up formally and dine. So you will have casual day clothes, beach or pool attire, and evening wear. For excursions, it depends on what you choose to do. If you are doing something adventurous, you will want clothes that are good for hiking, ziplining, kayaking, and off-roading adventures. Be sure to bring a pair of closed-toed non-slip shoes because excursions and even some ship activities require closed-toed shoes. If traveling to warmer climates, you will want to bring extra changes of undergarments because you will get sweaty.
- Day clothes such as shorts and t-shirts, sundresses, polos, jeans, activewear
- Beach clothes, water shoes, and cover-ups
- Dinner clothes such as slacks, dresses, button-up shirts with a collar, pantsuits, dinner jackets, and blazers
- Formal dinner (on some ship itineraries) suits, cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and tuxedos
- Extra Underclothes
- Pajamas
- Belt and accessories
- Pancho
- Active, dress, and casual shoes
Extras
Over the years, I have realized that some things would be handy and a lot cheaper if I brought them instead of buying them. I laughed at my husband when he purchased all of us a fanny pack, but that turned out to be the best thing ever. They are small, hold your stuff, and stays with you where ever you go. A clear, see-through backpack helps you get through bag checks quickly. It is also a good bag to have packed when you board the ship to carry any essentials you need to keep with you before you have access to your room. And, of course, you want to have a beach bag for your swim gear. Ziplock bags are good for putting your phone in to keep it dry, and also, when you are leaving and packing up, you can keep wet things separate until you get home. I also store all of our documents in a ziplock back to keep dry if anything spills in the suitcase.
Most ships allow you to take a towel from your room on beach excursions, but you are responsible for them and charged if it is not returned. Towels are available in the pool areas while on the ship. I opt to skip packing towels. I might feel differently if I had small children with character towels.
Onboard the ship, tea, juice, and water are available. If you want a soda or specialty coffee, you have to purchase it separately or choose a drink package. It is so important to keep hydrated, and the best way to do that is to bring a refillable water bottle. Lanyards are handy to keep your room key on, so you don’t risk losing your key. Some cruises, such as Disney Cruise Line, allow you to decorate your doors with magnets and fun art. If you are sailing on a ship that allows this, you can choose to decorate your door.
- Beach Bag
- Towels (optional)
- See Through Backpack
- ZipLock Bags
- Sharpie
- Sunglasses
- Dirty Clothes Bag
- Small Bags Or Fannie Packs
- Waterproof pouch
- Refillable Water Bottles
- Lanyards for your room key
- Decorations for your room door (if permitted)
What not to bring on the cruise
Guest safety on every cruise is paramount, so don’t bring the following items on your cruise. Some things are common sense, and some are for fire prevention.
- Weapons
- Illegal drugs
- Flammable liquids
- Lighters
- Fireworks
- Anything that can produce an open flame
- Items that generate heat such as irons, curling iron, straightening iron, blow dryers,
- Club-like items such as baseball bats, hockey sticks, etc.
As a guideline, always check with your cruise line before packing to ensure you don’t bring anything you are not supposed to. They check all luggage and will confiscate items. You don’t want to lose an expensive hair tool because it isn’t allowed on the ship.
Check out our latest cruising adventure Cruising Is Back: What To Expect. If you have any questions about cruising or are ready to book a cruise for yourself, please get in touch with me, I am an authorized Travel Agent, and I’d love to help plan your trip. eclay@enchantedmem.com
Don’t forget to follow me on social media!
