What to Bring on a Cruise

by NatalieTanner · March 15, 2018

What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation

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Cruising is a favorite type of vacation for many. You can explore the world at ports of call while unpacking your suitcase only once! Spend the night in the same comfortable spot and leave the details of dining and cleaning the cruise ship cabin to the experts. A cruise vacation is a great way to relax.

Cruise vacations are a great way to for families to have a vacation that large groups can enjoy. Cruise ships have so many activities for so many different ages and groups that everyone in your party is sure to find something they enjoy doing.

Planning for a vacation is a big part of the fun, too! Be sure to make your list and check it twice to make sure you have exactly what to bring on a cruise!

What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation – Travel Documents

Be sure to have all the travel documents for the entire family. You’ll need your passport and driver’s license. Are you traveling with the kids? Check to see if you’ll need a birth certificate, too. If you are traveling with kids that aren’t yours be sure to have a signed document showing the relationship to you and that you have permission to have them. It is best if this document is signed by both parents. If you aren’t up on the latest passport requirements take a look here:

CLICK HERE – Passport Requirements First Timers and Minors

CLICK HERE – Make Sure your Passport Photo is Correct – Don’t get turned down!

What to Bring on a Cruise Vacation – Office supplies!

What? Your entire trip will run smoother if you toss in a few office supplies to keep your organized during the cruise vacation of a lifetime. Sticky notes are great to leave on doors. Tell your traveling group where you are or tell them where and when to meet you. Highlighters are great to have as well! Take a look at the schedule for the day and highlight what you want to do. Before I started highlighting things I missed stuff! Boo hiss! Now I highlight to make sure that everyone’s activities are accounted for and that if any overlap I’m aware of it!

What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation – Chargers

The entire world seems to run off a a battery these days. We use the phone to keep in touch with one another with calls and texts and lots of people use the phone’s camera exclusively! Be sure to have your phone charged up and ready for the day’s fun. We like to bring a charger for everyone so there is no fighting or arguing over which phone needs it the most. Then, everyone starts the day at 100% charge. To be extra certain not to miss any photos or texts, bring a portable charger as well.

What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation – Sun Gear

You’ll spend a lot of time in the sun no matter the time of year. Be prepared! You’ll want sunscreen for sure. Hats are really hard on cruise ships because of the wind. I finally gave up trying to wear one on sailing day! It is the rare time I don’t wear one. Instead, opt for a great sunscreen to keep yourself from getting a sunburn.

Don’t forget stuff for your lips! Besides the sun, wind can make lips feel really dry. Toss in some great lip moisturizer into your bag.

Just in case, heaven forbid, you get too much sun, you’ll want to have your favorite cream to help your skin repair. Anything with aloe vera is a good choice.

What to Bring on a Cruise – BYOC – Bring Your Own Cup

You’ll find all the soda, lemonade and water you can drink but for some reason the cups are tiny and don’t have lids. I found this a major pain in the neck. How was I supposed to carry more than two? AND with those teeny tiny cups you would just be climbing all those stairs again soon to get more.

One of my favorite bring along times for a cruise is a cup with a lid! This way, I can go get coffee and tea in the morning and bring it back to the cabin. Sipping our caffeine while everyone gets ready is a nice way to start the day and with your own cup, you get more than a tiny sip. I don’t know about you, but I need more than a few tablespoons of caffeine in the morning!

What to Bring on a Cruise Ship Vacation – Separate Carryon for the First Day

While everyone boards the ship on day one, the luggage takes a while to arrive at your cabin. During this time, the pools and slides are all empty except for those people like you who have planned ahead! Have a small bag with everyone’s swim gear with you. Change into them in your cabin and have the pool areas all to yourself while everyone else waits for their bags to arrive.

What to Bring on a Cruise Ship – Boca Clip

This large mouth clip is great to keep towels from blowing off of lounge chairs. I like to use them to hang items to air out in the cabin, too. Hang damp clothes from the bed railing or towel bar in the bathroom.

What to Bring for your Cruise Vacation – Laundry Supplies

I like to bring my own laundry detergent whenever we travel because I am partial to the kind I use at home. I’m not big on perfumes so I like the no fragrance stuff. I pack it in a small tupperware container so I don’t worry about it getting lose in the suitcase. My favorite at the ones that have the little side clips because I can be SURE they are closed! Also, toss in some quarters to make your life easier.

You can always buy laundry detergent on the ship, but it is expensive for a small amount and also you take your chances with the type.

These little pens are great when you have a small wardrobe and can’t afford to have something out of commission because of a stain! They are even small and easy to pack.

What to Pack for a Cruise Holiday – First Aid Kit

ALWAYS take a small first aid kit when you travel. On cruises, germs can race around the ship in quick fashion so be sure you are ready if you aren’t feeling well. There is a dr on board, but having a little first aid kit will have you in your room resting instead of in line waiting for the onboard dr.

CLICK HERE – Must Have Packing List for a Travel First Aid Kit

Don’t forget things to help with sea sickness. Most have zero problems with this on a ship but better safe than sorry. Once we took an overnight ‘slow’ ferry in Greece and we all had a wonderful time. Two days later we took a ‘fast’ ferry during the day and turned green from the motion. It was completely unexpected. You just never know so plan ahead!

Dramamine is a must have!

A lot of people have luck with these motion sickness patches for behind the ears.

Sea bands are what I keep in my first aid kit for me and my daughter. They work great for us! What to Pack for a Cruise Holiday – Stuff for the Beach

If you are headed to the beach on a shore excursion you’ll want something to keep your valuables safe. I’ve heard some crazy stuff like hide your things in a ‘soiled’ diaper. Hmm….the way I see it, that only works if you also have a baby with you.

This water proof fanny pack will keep your things safe, dry, and within reach.
Here is a smaller version that you wear around your neck.
Be ready for the seashells! I love these personalized bags. Give each kid their own and see what treasures they find on the beach.