12 Essential Items for Your Cruise
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Now, let me start by saying that I am not a professional cruiser. I have only been on two cruises, but considering those cruises have involved traveling with a 3-4 year old, a 7-8 year old, and a 30 year old man who is just as messy and unprepared as the kids… I think I’ve earned the right to share some tips on what you really need to pack. Trust me, these suggestions come from hard-earned experience.
1. Poo-Pourri
Let me just say, this is the first on the list for a reason. It’s an absolute must-have. You will be stuck in a tiny steel box with your family or friends, and the last think anyone wants is for someone to unleash a smell that lingers like a bad memory. Trust me, it WILL fill the room. Spare everyone the misery (and save yourself from passive-aggressive glares). Just make sure that everyone knows how to use it correctly — You spray it on the water before the deed is done. Don’t be like me and make the rookie mistake of assuming everyone knows how to use it.
2. Lanyards
If you’re looking for convenience and piece of mind, lanyards are a total game-changer. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is. It made life SO much easier for me and my family. I got personalized ones for everyone (especially the kids, so they’d actually want to wear them). For both cruises, we used lanyards that held our cruise cards. Just pop it around your neck and boom, you’re set.
This was my sons, this was my daughters, this was a simple one that we used, and this was for water excursions.
3. Walkie-Talkies
If you want to stay connected without having to purchase the expensive internet package (seriously, it’s about $100 a day, and that adds up quickly with all the other charges they sneak in on you), I recommend getting some good walkie-talkies. On our first cruise, we skipped the walkie-talkies — and it was an utter disaster. We had to resort to leaving notes in the cabin and hoping for the best. (We bought ours from an estate sale, but THESE are what we used).
4. Ponchos
Let’s face it, if your on vacation, it’s going to rain. I’m pretty sure it’s been scientifically proven. Hopefully, it’s just a quick drizzle, but either way, you’ll want ponchos. Even cheap disposable ones will do the trick, but hear me out — invest in good, reusable ones. Why? Because cruising is addictive. Once you go on one, you’ll want another, and then another. It’s like tattoos, or chickens. One is never enough.
Beach day? Snorkeling? Swimming with turtles? You’re going to want a towel. Yeah, you could take the cruise towel, but those are bulky and (I luckily don’t know from experience) I’m sure they’re pretty pricey if you lose them. It’s better just to take your own. Enter, the travel towels: compact, lightweight, and game-changing. I got the larger ones for our family, but they do come in different sizes, plus they dry pretty fast (thank you, microfiber). Ours even has carabiners to clip onto your bag. No soggy mess, no extra baggage.
6. A Fancy Outfit
It’s not necessarily essential, but definitely something I wish we’d thought of for our first cruise. You don’t need to go full red carpet, but having at least one nice outfit for the family makes the formal nights extra special. Depending on the cruise length, there could be one or two evenings where everyone goes all out for dinner. While I didn’t feel totally out of place in my shorts and t-shirt, it would’ve been fun to dress up. Bonus? Many cruise lines offer childcare, some will even pick the children up from the dinner. That way, you and your partner can enjoy a quiet, fancy meal alone. (We didn’t do this on our first cruise, but absolutely took advantage of it for the second. The crazy thing is, our kids were literally begging us to let them go to daycare).
7. Multi Wall Plug (without a surge protector)
For some reason (cruise ship rules, I guess?), surge protectors are a no-go. But outlet space is extremely limited, and I mean one-per-cabin limited. Bring one or two of these bad boys, because you are going to need it unless you’re okay with fighting over who gets to charge their phone, watch, Airpods, etc.
Tiny steel box = minimal space. But guess what? Steel walls = opportunity! Magnetic hooks and clips are organizational life savers. Use them to hang towels, hats, clothes, or even those lanyards you’ve (hopefully) bought. Clips are perfect for keeping excursion tickets or other important items organized. If your family is as chaotic as mine, you need these.
9. Laundry Bags
Don’t settle for the flimsy trash bags they provide on the ship. Invest in some durable, reusable laundry bags. Not only will they last longer, but they’ll keep our clothes organized and your cabin less cluttered. Plus, they’re perfect for future trips — because we all know those “vacation laundry days” come whether we’re ready or not! At least have nice, pretty bag that can sit on your laundry chair for a while.
(The ones that are linked are HUGE)
10. Sunscreen
This one is non-negotiable. Always pack sunscreen. Always wear sunscreen. You’ll be outside a lot on a cruise, whether it’s on the ship or out on excursions. Sunburns can sneak up on you (yes, even when it’s cloudy outside), and you do NOT want a sunburn on vacation (or maybe you do, weirdo). Here’s the catch: Some excursions, especially those near coral reefs, may ask you to avoid certain kinds of sunscreen. So, before you buy, double-check the excursion requirements and make sure you’ve got the right formula to keep both your skin and the environment safe.
If you’ve never been on a cruise, you might not realize how much the ship can rock until you’re in your room. While in larger public spaces may feel fine, the smaller cabins can make every wave feel magnified. And no, heading to the bathroom won’t help; in fact, smaller spaces make it worse. If you’re someone who’s prone to motion sickness, these patches are a lifesaver. Stick one behind your ear before setting sail, and it’ll keep that queasy feeling at bay while you enjoy the ride.
12. Pill Case
Let’s be real; medication on a cruise ship can be outrageously expensive. You don’t necessarily need a fancy pill case, but it’s a good idea to bring your own stash of essentials. Whether it’s headache relief, heartburn medication, or something you need for motion sickness, packing your own meds will save you a lot of money. Plus, you’ll have them on hand when you need them the most, without having to hunt down the ships pharmacy or deal with overpriced options. It’s a small, easy win for your cruise experience. And then when the cruise is over, keep in your purse or car for easy access any other time.
And that’s it! It might seem like a lot at first, but in the grand scheme of things, it really isn’t. I’m sure there are other things that could make your cruise even easier, but this list covers the basics that made our trips much smoother. Keep in mind, all of the cruises I’ve been on have been to warm destinations, so I’m more of a pro when it comes to those sun-soaked trips. I’ve never done anything like an Antarctic cruise or polar expedition (at least not yet, but I’d love to). For now, I hope these essentials help you get ready for your next warm-weather getaway!
Honorable mentions: Bug Spray, Water Shoes, Water Bottles. If you look at the excursions you have planned, most will give you an idea of what all you need to bring.
