The Best Cruise Packing List – Not your average packing list. Important things to Remember to Bring on Your Cruise!

Cruising is so much fun – for my family it is one of THE best family vacations. The preparation for a cruise can be somewhat overwhelming. We have been fortunate to have gone on a number of cruises and have learned some good cruise packing tricks. We are going to share out best cruise packing tips with you today!

Cruise Vacation Packing Tip - Not your average cruise packing list
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We absolutely love to cruise. We find that cruising makes a very easy vacation for everyone involved.

We have cruised with and without our kids. True, they are very different vacations, but either way, they have been some of our favorite trips of all time.

We have recently been on Princess Cruise Lines and traveled to Alaska and the Mediterranean. We have some great tips for packing for an Alaska cruise, as well as some other great tips for cruising to Alaska. We also have some good information if you are planning a Mediterranean cruise – be sure to check all of these articles out as well as our Mediterranean Cruise Packing List.

10 thing you cannot live without on your cruise and a great Mediterranean cruise packing list

One of our favorite family-friendly cruise lines is Disney Cruise Lines. A Disney Cruise is great because it offers something for everyone in our group – ages 1 to 70-something! Disney knows how to do family vacations.

They bend over backward to make sure you and your family are having the time of their lives! There is something for everyone! Not sure which Disney Cruise Ship to book – this article may help on Choosing the Right Disney Ship – Disney Fantasy vs. Disney Magic.

I get asked all the time “what types of things should I pack for my cruise?” This cruise packing list is going to be your new best friend!

There are “standard” packing lists all over the web. This one isn’t going to have your usual shirts, shoes, dresses, bathing suits, etc. This cruise packing list has the “extras”…. some are space-saving and some are just those items that make your life easier on board.

Cruise Packing Tips - Not your average cruise packing list

Cruise Packing – Space Saving Items

Like I mentioned before, cruises have something for everyone. However, there is one thing that is lacking on a cruise – space!

Not space around the ship – these mega-ships are enormous and amazing! There have been ships that I have been on for a week that I haven’t seen the whole ship! What I am referring to are the staterooms.

The cruise industry has tried everything to maximize the space in the staterooms – some do it better than others (Princess and Disney do a pretty darn good job!)  – but however you slice it, there just isn’t a lot of room.

  • Shoe bag for bathroom – hang it on the back of the door and put your smaller toiletries in the pockets i.e. toothbrushes, toothpaste, razor, hairbrush, hairspray, mousse, etc.
  • Sweater bag for closet – this is great for the kids clothes, t-shirts, shorts, underwear, etc.
  • Soft sided luggage – pack in duffles or things that you can slide under the bed after you unpack.
  • Tip: ask your cabin steward for extra hangers – you can hang a ton of stuff up, but there isn’t a lot of room in the drawers – hang your bulkier items and use the drawers for your smaller items.

Cruise Packing – SO Smart Items

Not one of the items below are “essential” by any means. They will just make your life easier on board!

  • Plug power strip – there are usually on a few outlets – this will give you plenty of extra outlets to charge all of those important devices. Some people say that certain cruise lines will not allow them, however, I have never run into any issues.
  • Clock – I have no clue why, but many of the ships do not have a clock in the room
  • Landyard with a card plastic holder – this is great to carry your room key (you can buy them here on AMAZON before you go for WAY cheaper than if you get them on the ship!)
  • Magnetic door sign – all of the doors look alike…. this will help you remember which is yours (I kinda love these magnetic white board sheets that you can leave messages for each other i.e. “Meet at breakfast at 10a.m.”
  • Pillow case and fabric markers (Disney Cruise only – give this to the guest services desk when you get there and they will have all of the characters sign it and give it back to you the last day)
  • Motion Sickness Bands – JIC (just in case). Also, I prefer Bonine over Dramamine – it makes me less drowsy
  • Shampoo and conditioner – believe it or not, many do not provide these
  • Nightlight – the room gets REALLY dark at night – put a nightlight in the bathroom
  • Ziplock bags – we like our snacks! We will grab some stuff off the morning buffet and bring them off the ship when we are walking around. On Disney you can order PB&J sandwiches from room service and they will send you Uncrustables – these are GREAT to bring off the ship for a cheap and easy lunch. Also, we put our remote in a ziplock bag (I am a germaphobe)
  • Soft-sided coolor – also to bring snacks off the ship – like I said, I like snacks
  • Highlighter and Sharpie – don’t ask why, but we always use it
  • Old hotel room key card – many of the cruises make you put your room key in a slot by the door to turn on the lights and the air conditioning. They are standard hotel room key size – if you have an extra you can just keep that on in there and then the room will still be cool when you come back from the hot sun!
  • Ducktape – just like the highlighter, for some reason, we always use it
  • Pack of sticky notes – great for leaving notes on the door or on the mirror to tell your family where you are (or maybe you prefer for them not to know!!)
  • Clips – i.e. towel clips or clothes hangers – it gets really windy on the pool deck… these will keep your towel from flying away!
  • Insulated cup with straw – I looooooveee these mugs!! They keep the ice from melting fast in the sun.
  • Lysol Wipes – because I am a little clean crazy and like to do an extra wipe down cleaning.
  • Hairdryer – this is a personal thing – I find the hairdryers in hotel rooms and cruise ships to be on the weaker side! If you are picky, bring your own!
  • Poo-Pourri – trust me…your roommate will thank you!
  • BUG SPRAY – the bugs on these beaches can be brutal!
  • Travel Steamer – who wants to iron??
  • Scout Beach Bag (I love the Pocket Rocket style) – Loooove this bag so much! They sand doesn’t stick to it. It has great pockets for everything you need. AND it zips shut!! It is our GO TO and best beach bag ever!!
  • Inexpensive Inflatable Raft – you will find they are expensive to rent on the islands. Grab an inexpensive raft or two and leave them when you are done!
  • Anti Chafing Gel or Baby Powder – if it is really hot out, you will thank me.
  • Stain remover or Stain Wipes

UPDATED: I had some amazing suggestions from some of my readers that I am adding (thanks for all of the great ideas!)

  • If you have a little one bring an inflatable tub – many of the ships don’t have bathtubs
  • Pack a swim suit in your carry on – you may not get your bags until after dinner
  • Plastic clothes pins – put them on the bottom of the shower curtain to keep it from blowing out
  • Keep copies of all important information in your safe (passport, credit cards, etc.)
  • Downy Wrinkle Release – many cruises don’t allow irons in the cabin and sending it out can be very expensive
  • Plug Ins – to keep the room smelling fresh!
  • Binoculars – to watch for dolphins!
  • Collapsable hamper for your dirty clothes
  • A case of water
  • Wine! Many cruise lines will allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine per person. We brought screw top and would order appetizers and have happy hour on our balcony!
  • Waterproof camera
  • Inexpensive snorkel kit – you will probably pay less than renting it and you don’t have to worry about where it has been…..ewwww.
  • Take a suction cup hook or two. You can hang you hat or cruise card etc near the door so you don’t forget to take them with you when you leave the cabin.

Are there other items that you have found to make your cruising experience better? I am always looking for new ideas!

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Comments

  1. We didn’t bring a watch and when our cell phones were put in a drawer when we left the USA, we had to have my daughter win a watch from the claw machine in the game room(we didn’t want to spend a ton of money). We needed a watch for our excursions and making the times for the bus, etc..

  2. A bandana or two and a ball cap or other hat with a brim. Sunburned face sucks.
    Sea sick patch is easier than wrist band if you can get from your Dr.
    The bandana (like duck tape) has many uses
    Wipe sweat, wash a face, dip in water to cool a neck, bandage an injury, flag someone down or just accent an outfit.
    Small pr of scissors and a sewing kit
    Tissues

  3. If you are going on a Disney cruise I have been on three of them. I always take formal wear for each night since they have photographers at least three stations every night. We always had a different outfit and bought the package for the photos and have all different kinds and different outfits. Also it is fun dressing up every night.

  4. Many, if not all, do not allow power strips or over the door hangers. It’s important to check with your cruise line.

  5. We are heading on our first Disney cruise and have done a lot of research. I think they no longer do the pillowcase thing! 🙁

    1. Bring a new stuff disney character and they will sign them. Also get a captain’s hat from your DCL and the captain will sign it for u and I can take a picture with him. My son loved this. Great memories for you and your little ones!

  6. Holy cow! I’ve never stumbled across another blogger so close to home! I’m in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Small world! Anways- this is a great list. I cruised to Alaska a few years ago (my first cruise ever) and this list would have definitely come in handy! Great post!

  7. Rum runners! You can fill them with booze and they are undetectable. Saved us literally a thousand dollars!

  8. Just a reference point, most lines (I said MOST) will confiscate power bars and you won’t get them back until disembarkation. If even then. TV’s will usually have a USB, laptops with multiple ports are fine and honestly, get a travel battery. One thing people forget is you can switch off. If you’re going to the pool alone, leave the phone to charge while the stateroom is empty. Go back for it in an hour or 2. Power bars though are the worst suggestion. I get probably 40-50 a cruise in my box of confiscated items and they never find their way home.