Cruise Packing Guide: What to Bring & What Not to Bring

This guide is something I've shared with friends and family to help prepare for their upcoming cruises. I hope it helps you easily prepare too! Not everything on this list is essential but there are a few things that I pack that are unique to cruising. I've included links to some of my favorite items!

Important Items/Paperwork

• Boarding pass - Most cruise lines now do this digitally from their app so no need to print.

• Passport - Make sure it is valid until at least 6 months after sailing.

• Cash - You will only need this for while you are in port, as ships are generally cashless and everything will be charged to your room.

• Medical Cards

Clothing

It's easy to overpack clothes. Most days you will spend in your bathing suit/cover up during the day and get dressed for dinner each night. Depending on how you plan to cruise, if you are going to the Main Dining room or a Specialty restaurant for dinner, you'll want to change out of your bathing suit and into another outfit for dinner. This will mean you'll need to plan one outfit for dinner each night. Depending on the Cruise line, most no longer have "dress codes" for dinner. You can dress up or dress casual as much as you'd like. I suggest bringing items you can easily wear more than once. Skirts/pants/shorts you can wear with multiple tops. If you are a "go to the buffet for dinner" type of traveler, you can stay in your casual daytime clothes.

• Shorts

• T-shirts/polos

• Dressy pants/skirts/sundresses for ladies

• Khakis/dress pants/shirts for men

• Lightweight sweater or jacket - Sometimes the dining rooms are chilly.

• Bras

• Sports bras/workout clothes - If you plan on staying active while on board!

• Underwear

• Socks

• Pajamas

• Bathing suit/cover-up - I recommend bringing at least 2 so you always have a dry one!

• Sun shirt

Accessories

• Purse - Only if you want to accessorize your dinner outfit, otherwise not needed!

• Jewelry

• Sunglasses/cleaner

• Sun hat

Toiletries/Medications

Most cruise lines provide basic toiletries in the bathrooms. These typically include shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap. Some people prefer to bring their own. If you forget anything, there is a gift shop on board most ships where you can buy these items.

• Makeup

• Tylenol

• Hair brush

• Shampoo/conditioner

• Body wash

• Toothpaste/toothbrush

• Deodorant

• Hair ties

• Gel/hairspray

• Razor

• Tweezers

• Tampons

• Sunblock - I love this one!

• Perfume/cologne

Shoes

• Flip-flops

• Dress shoes

• Tennis shoes

• Water shoes

Electronics

• Portable speaker/charger - We love to play music while we are getting ready for dinner!

• Travel fan - If you like a breeze or the sound of a fan while you sleep. I have one like this.

• Phone chargers

• Portable charger - This one is my favorite that I've had.

• USB plug - Most cruise cabins have 2 plugs. In todays world, we have many devices to charge so we always bring along this charging cord.

• AirPods/headphones

Miscellaneous

• Lanyard for your card - Find one that shows your style. Here's an example.

• Sun hat

• Beach bag - I love this one that locks.

• Towel clips so your towel doesn't blow away!

• Cruise luggage tags - You will need to print luggage tags before you leave home. I love these luggage tags that make it easy to attach your cruise ship luggage tags to your bags.

• Luggage scale - Bringing home more than you took? Don't get caught paying overweight baggage fees at the airport!

• Magnetic hooks - The walls of a ship are metal! I use these around our cabin to hang our hats, wet bathing suits, daily itineraries, etc. I have these.

• Book

• Binoculars - Fun to see passing ships & islands.

• Reusable cup - Keep your drinks cold at the pool or take a cold drink with you off the ship.

• Ziploc bags - To wrap any souvenirs that may leak.

• Garbage bags - For dirty clothes.

If you need luggage tags, lanyards and a plug, here's a great option that has them all!

Suggestions

Pack anything you may need for your first day on board in a carry on you bring with you on board: swimsuit, change of clothes for the first night/dinner, medications, etc. Luggage is usually delivered to your stateroom by 3-4pm on embarkation day, however there could be delays and this will ensure you have everything you need for the first day!

At the end of your cruise, you'll also be able to pack your luggage and set it outside your room the night before disembarkation. You can use your carry-on bag to carry off essential items you'll need your last night.

P.S. Don't forget to keep an outfit to wear off the ship before they take your luggage! This will save you having to walk off in a borrowed robe!

After every cruise I walk by the "naughty table" where they have things laid out that someone tried to bring. These items are on the "No No List." By avoiding bringing these items, you'll avoid delays in your baggage being delivered to your room.

Most cruise lines do not allow anything with a heating element (besides a curling/straightening iron) as these things are fire hazards. So leave these things at home:

• Clothing Iron

• Steamer

• Hot Plate

• Coffee Makers

• Incense

• Toasters

• Weapons & ammunition are also not allowed on board.

• Drones are also not allowed to be used while sailing. Some cruise lines do not allow them at all, while others will allow them as long as you only use them while in port.