Looking forward to enjoying a cruise vacation, but don’t know what to pack for it? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. From sunscreen to toiletries and snorkeling gear. In this article, we have put together a list of 21 useful things to bring on a cruise to make your vacation much more enjoyable.
Activity Appropriate Clothing and Shoes
Pack your stuff according to your itinerary. Take note of the activities you’ll be a part of during your cruise trip. It will help you in packing appropriate clothing and footwear. You may need formal attire if fine dining is a part of your cruise vacation or a bathing suit if you have plans to sit by the pool or on the beach.
Sunscreen
You should keep sunscreen and after-sun lotion with you. This way you would be able to make the most of your sunbathing experience by the beach or poolside without the fear of damaging your skin. Sunlight in regions like the Caribbean, which usually has a hot tropical climate, can easily burn your skin if you go out without applying any sunscreen or sunblock lotion. Sunscreen is also one of the most essential items you need to pack for your trip to Miami.
Bring Your Own Toiletries
There may be toiletries available on a cruise ship but they may not be the products you normally use. This is why it is important for you to bring your own toiletries like your shampoo, toothpaste, soap, razor, beard trimmer, shaving cream, and different types of hair care products. A travel-sized air freshener would also come in handy. And of course, don’t forget to carry a hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
Underwater Camera
You may have plans to swim, go snorkeling or visit a water park near the beach. To make the most of your trip, you may want to capture and take home all those memorable and fun-filled moments with you. This is when an underwater camera comes in handy. It will allow you to capture photos and videos wherever and whenever you want to.
Cash for Tipping
It would always be a gesture of thankfulness to tip someone who is helping you out with your tour. In fact, tipping your bus driver or tour guide is widely considered customary. It is better to bring some cash with you on your cruise trip, so you may easily be able to tip someone when required.
Outlet Adapter
Electrical outlets may vary from region to region, so a universal outlet adapter is one of the most useful things to bring on a cruise. It would help you to charge your phone and laptop easily without any hassle. You should also keep a power bank for your cellphone and a portable battery charger for your laptop to be on the safe side.
Cabin Night Light
A cabin night light is also one of the essentials for your cruise trip. It will help you to keep the place where you are staying comfortably lit at night without disturbing the relaxing environment of your room. Creating enough visibility to help you figure out and avoid obstacles, a cabin night light may be very useful for those late-night bathroom trips.
Beach Blanket
You can’t say no to taking a trip to the beach when you are on a cruise vacation because it is usually one of the most exciting parts of your travel itinerary. This is why it is important to bring a beach blanket with you, so wherever you find an ideal spot on the beach you can just lie down or sit by the beach. Pick a beach blanket that is sand resistant, especially the one made with nylon.
Slip Resistant Flip Flops
To make yourself well prepared for a beach adventure, you may not only need a beach blanket but also sand-resistant flip-flops. This would make your trip to the beach more fun, exciting and comfortable. Sand-resistant flip flops are among the things you always need to pack for beach trips.
Snorkel Gear
Whether your itinerary includes snorkeling or scuba diving, you’ll be needing your snorkeling gear. This is why we have included it in the list of the most useful things to bring on a cruise. Your snorkel gear may include a snorkel mask, dry snorkel, clothing that is UV protected, snorkeling fins, and ocean-safe sunscreen.
Waterproof Phone Case
Don’t have an underwater camera? No problem! You can easily capture photos and shoot videos underwater with the help of your smartphone. To do so, the only thing you need is a waterproof phone case, which is very cheap and easily available these days. Whenever you are on the beach or by the poolside, make sure to put your phone in a waterproof case to be on the safe side.
Light Jacket or Hoodie
Wear protective clothing when you are standing or sitting in the open air on a cruise ship. It may protect you from catching a cold and falling sick, which could ruin your trip. If you think you are in a region with a tropical climate, you can always go for the options that are more appropriate for the weather conditions around you. It would be a good idea for you to add a light jacket or hoodie to the list of useful things to bring on a cruise.
Towel Clips
Let people struggle with their towels, which they usually dry on their beach chairs sitting uncomfortably. You can make the most of the breeze on the ship’s deck. Wondering how? Let the towel clips do the magic. By using them, you can securely hang your towel on one of the lounge chairs and let it be there until it completely dries.
Motion Sickness Patches
These are patches that need to be stuck on the hairless part of your head, right behind your ears. It would significantly reduce the effects of motion and sea sicknesses, which often result in nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Apply motion sickness patches a few hours before they are actually needed for the best results.
Slip-on Water Shoes
Water shoes are really helpful as they allow you to maintain your grip on the floor in wet areas. These types of footwear keep your feet safe and make you feel comfortable. This is why we have included slip-on water shoes in the list of useful things to bring on a cruise ship. Preventing you from slipping, they’ll help you to be more focused on the fun and excitement you’re experiencing by the poolside.
Hanging Toiletries Bag
Along with bringing your own toiletries on a cruise ship, you also need to keep them organized, so you can easily find them whenever they are needed. Make sure they are always within easy reach. For this, you will need a hanging toiletries bag. So, don’t forget to add it to the list of essentials you need to pack for your cruise vacation.
Rain Poncho
You never know when it would start raining on a cruise ship because the weather in the middle of the sea could be so unpredictable. Keep yourself prepared for every situation and pack a waterproof or rain poncho. It is a type of gear that would not only keep you dry during the rainy spell but also protect you from the cold wind.
Rashguard
A rashguard is a type of athletic wear that protects your skin from getting rashes due to the harmful UV rays of the sun. It is often used by surfers and individuals who are involved in different kinds of water sports and other similar activities. Made from nylon or polyester to provide maximum protection, a rashguard is one of the most useful things to bring on a cruise ship.
Ziplock Bags
Don’t forget to bring resealable ziplock bags that come in many different sizes these days. They can be used to protect many different items from moisture during wet conditions. You can put your clothes, documents, smartphones, and other related accessories in them to make sure no traces of moisture can get to them.
Money Belt
You’ll be constantly moving around, going here and there when you are on a cruise vacation. This makes it often hard for people to carry their wallets, clutches, and purses all the time. In such a scenario, money belts would be ideal. You should also pack them for your next cruise trip. You can keep your cash, debit/credit cards, identity documents and even your phone in a money belt, depending on its size.
Laundry Bag
There are laundry services available on a cruise, but you need to gather all your dirty clothes and keep them in one place. This is how you won’t be mixing up your clean clothes with the dirty ones. If possible, bring your own laundry bag. It would be easier for you to sort and arrange the clothing items that need to be washed, ironed, or dry cleaned.
This was the ultimate packing list for your upcoming cruise vacation. Make a checklist and go through it several times to be sure you are not missing out on anything important.
Have a safe trip!
