15 Essential Items Every Cruiser Should Bring

Few things in life are more thrilling than a cruise. With an upgraded cabin, a non-stop ocean view, and a host of on-board activities, you can sail from port to port with little more on your mind than whether or not you’d like a mimosa with your morning croissant. 

Sometimes, however, they can be tricky to pack for. Depending on your ports of call, you may feel like you need to pack everything but the kitchen sink. You may be passing through warm and cool climes on the same trip. And what if you get seasick?

Fear not! We’ve got you covered with 15 travel essentials that will jump-start your packing list and see you all the way through to the end.  

Checked Bag and Carry-On

We know… Obvious, right? But there’s a specific point we’d like to make here. On most cruise ships, a porter will be happy to take your luggage straight to your room for you. Fantastic, right? 

But, with hundreds – possibly thousands – of people coming on board with you, it will take the crew a little while to get that luggage to your room. In the meantime, this is a great opportunity to grab a bite to eat and hang by the pool. 

This is where your carry-on comes into play. If you plan well enough ahead, you can put a change of clothes in there, some toiletries, your bathing suit, your iPad, or anything else to keep you entertained on deck while you’re waiting for your luggage to arrive. 

Money Belt

Not just for cruise travel, but any travel, a money belt offers a wonderful sense of security. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose track of items along the way. The one thing we simply cannot afford to overlook is our passport, driver’s license, credit cards, and local currency. 

A money belt is a very thin pouch that ties around our waist and hides under our clothing. The only time we should ever be separated from our money belts is when we’re going through airport security. This makes it very difficult to lose track of things or be pickpocketed by a bad actor. 

AirTags

Between the flight crew and cruise crew shuttling your luggage around for you – and, thankfully so – you’ll want to know where everything is at all times. How did we ever even travel without the comfort and safety of an AirTag before? 

Be sure to pop one into every item of luggage – both your checked bags and carry-on. As for the checked bags, it’ll help you feel safe, knowing your luggage is making its way to you. As for the carry-on, well, in the worst-case scenario that you lose track of it, hopefully, you’ll still have your cellphone in hand to track its whereabouts.  

Magnetic Hooks

The TSA crew might wonder why you’re carrying magnetic hooks in your checked bag (if you have to fly to your port before boarding the ship). But cruise aficionados consistently stand by this pro tip. 

The walls in your cabin are bound to be metal. Because of this, you can pop a few hooks on the wall to hang your jackets, bathing suits, or other personal items that might not fit in the closet. 

Some people also use the hooks simply as magnets to post the daily newsletter that’s usually brought to your door each morning. Either way, if you’re a stickler for organization, these simple little tools may come in mighty handy.