Cruise Packing Guide
Cruises are a great way to see lots of places without having to repeatedly pack and unpack. I got my first taste of the Mediterranean from a cruise ship and it was a great way to see a lot of Australia without flying all over. You barely realize that you are in transit because you are enjoying the sunsets and entertainment. Cruises are also great for traveling with kids or multiple generations or even just a larger group. Everyone can explore ports together and then choose their own adventure for the evening when they get back onboard. And for parents I have two words for you: Kids Club. This has been our secret to taking a vacation with our kids that actually feels like a vacation.
This guide includes all of the items I love for when we go cruising. Everything from luggage to laundry. This guide does contain affiliate links which I may receive compensation from.
Luggage:
Tumi makes a great, high quality carry-on. If you’re in the market for a new one that looks nice as well, this is a good one. When flying to your destination you will want to pack at least a few sets of clothes to have on hand in case your larger bag doesn’t make it. Additionally you will likely have some time onboard before you can check into your room or before your luggage arrives. It’s nice to have a fresh set of clothes, maybe even your swimsuit to be able to start your vacation immediately upon arriving onboard.
Briggs and Riley is another amazing luggage brand and this bag in particular is perfect for cruises because it is collapsible. Many cruise lines will store your luggage for you onboard, but it might be easier to be able to stow it under the bed. B&R offers a lifetime warranty, which Inhave taken advantage of myself and it could not have been easier. Amazing product and company!
And for all your souvenirs it’s good to have a spare bag. This one folds into a surprisingly small package but can be used to carry a lot of stuff in a pinch.
To make sure your luggage gets to the right room I recommend getting strong luggage tags. These are also nice for when you fly to your cruise port or spend a few days in port before your cruise starts so you don’t have to find tape or a stapler at the hotel and you don’t run the risk of the tags being damaged by airport luggage handlers. You just print out your tags, fold them as instructed and tuck them into the pouch and attach.
Packing cubes not only make packing easier but also help keep your clothes organized, especially when you’re sharing such a small space with other people. We color code by person.
Pool:
You’ll likely be spending some time on the pool deck, which can be quite a windy place at times. Keep your towel in place and mark your chair with one of these towel bands. They can also be used on your balcony to keep your clothes from flying away.
A swimsuit cover up is great for going from your room to the pool. This one could even double as a dress.
Sun protection is a must to prevent skin cancer and premature aging. Sunscreen, sun shirt and a good sun hat are vital so you can enjoy the warm sun instead of being in pain because of it.
Cabin:
Many of the walls and doors will be magnetic due to the way they are constructed. This means that you can use magnets to keep yourself organized. This is perfect for keeping track of your daily newsletter, excursion tickets, etc.
These are great for highlighting shows, spa giveaways and other events on the schedule that you might be interested in.
Some people like to decorate their doors so that they can more easily find their room. The doors are typically magnetic, so this is an easy mess free way to do it.
When you’re onboard you will need very little for going out. Your phone, your cruise card and your appetite!
Bathroom:
I use this pill organizer as a little travel pharmacy. It’s perfect for keeping a handful of medications handy just in case. I usually keep Zyrtec, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Tums, and Imodium handy, as well as a couple blister packs of kids Tylenol and powdered cough medicine. There is a medical facility onboard and they often have free Tylenol or seasickness meds available but I like to have my own.
They have shower toiletries for you, but I usually like to bring my own leave in conditioner to keep my hair healthy after being in the pool or ocean. I like this one because it is reef safe and perfect for protecting my hair before or after diving.
Laundry:
The cruise will generally have laundry service and occasionally your status will get you a deal, but it is still prohibitively expensive. I prefer to hand wash a handful of clothes every few days. This also works best for me because I like to pack a capsule wardrobe and I do a lot of mixing and matching. Re-wearing clothes that aren’t too dirty yet and doing laundry regularly prevents it from piling up. Even if you are not planning to do laundry on the cruise having a good clothesline is great for drying swimsuits between pool sessions. This one uses sliding beads instead of bulky clothespins and the whole thing fits into a tiny little bag.
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