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!
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.
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 – 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!
One thing we took was walkie talkies, it may not work on all the ship. but its great if you have kids, or out at ports shopping.. It makes it easier to not lose your party.
I know a lot of people said plug ins and and night lights. But those use up plug space. I would highly recommend a small can of Ozium. This is an air freshener. One tiny spritz will hide the smell of someone who has just used the bathroom. It’s the same stuff that the airlines/buses/trains use to cover the smells of people who suffer motion sickness. It’s an evergreen smell and literally one tiny spritz completely hides everything. And you don’t waste a plug, and it lasts. You can get it at AutoZone, and it is tiny, so takes virtually no space.
Also, we don’t use night lights. We bring glow sticks. Each night, the kids can break one open. We put one in the bedroom and one in the bathroom. It’s more fun for the kids, and the light is softer, so doesn’t interrupt sleep.
We use both the bracelets and the thicker ones that can hang from the strings like a necklace. The kids can use them on deck at night (which lots of other kids always want to know where they get them), and then at night, they go in the bedroom and bathroom.
After a few cruises, we found a few things to add to the list:
A list of medications for each person….one in carry on…..one in your wallet
Your own snorkel and mask
I’m into coloring in coloring books for adults…..so a coloring book and different mediums……ie….crayons, markers, colored pencils, eraser, sharpener.
I bring an orange pillow case……it covers over theirs and smells like home…..orange??? So I can find mine in all the whites.
A first aid kit with….band aids….Tums….Motrin….hand sanitizer……triple antibiotic cream…..eye drops…mosquito repellent bracelet…..sunscreen….sunscreen chap stick….aloe lotion…..motion sickness needs
Several underwater cameras
We use a trash bags for dirty clothing……but a couple we met on one trip told us they go to Good Will, before the cruise, and buy their clothing for the trip. As they travel, they leave their dirty clothing in the trash when they go out on excursions. That way, they have room for souvineers in place of the clothing. To each, their own!
I pre-address labels to stick on post cards…and if traveling within US….postage stamps.
My personal choice is to keep a journal of the trip, in the back, I get names and addresses of travel mates.
I’m sure I haven’t listed everything…..but enough for now.
Here’s to happy cruising!
Peggie
Use over-the-door shoe hangers to hold cameras, itineraries, postcards to write & mail and 82 other things that tend to clutter up valuable counter space, not to mention shoes in the lower pockets.
We also used an over-the-door shoe hanger for all the stuff that
that tends to end up on the counter, which is very limited, like cameras, daily itineraries, postcards to write and mail, and 82 other things. Eliminates counter clutter.
Didn’t read all the way down but I am surprised no one said to bring Aloe. I carry it with us all the time and it is ALWAYS used as someone gets a little sunburn at some point!
I usually take along a small jar of Noxema. I find this is better for sunburn, it takes the burn out with one or two applications, and it is wonderful to remove makeup and just as a face cleanser.
Great idea!
I don’t know if this was mentioned in the comments or not. Hairdryer this was said to be in the room on the ship, but; wasn’t. Was going to pack but didn’t. Wish I had?
Instead of the bathroom plugins, bring some Poo Pouri. You just spritz 3 times in the toilet and everything smells great. Makes sharing a small cabin much nicer!
Grab a pack of diapers from a dollar tree…Why? When you are on the beaches put your important things like money cards or phone in it and wrap it like it’s a dirty diaper. Place it in a plastic or diaper trash bag. We did this and no one touched it!
Also bring a twin sheet and place 4 big objects in each corner of the twin or bigger sheet to create a play pin for a small infant.. My little guy never are sand…lol.
If your doing disney cruise go to the dollar tree near you and pick up any thing disney. Add your own personal touch to your room and your trip for your kids without breaking the bank. We bought puzzles coloring pages toys and stuff animals there. We arranged them on the desk for when the kids got back they thought Mickey stopped by! Also bring your Mickey mouse stuffy and drop it off at the front desk and at the end of your cruise it will be delivered to your room with a Mickey signature .
Buy your pirate dress up stuff at home and bring it with you for the pirate party!
Hope this helps anyone going on a DCL!
Not sure when this article was written, but at least two things are no longer correct on this list. I say at least two because I stopped reading after the second incorrect piece of advice I found.
1. Disney no longer allows the use of power strips.
2. You can no longer leave pillow cases at the customer service desk to be signed.
It says at the top 2013.