Whether you’re preparing for your first-ever cruise or you’ve sailed every ocean, packing for a cruise can be a daunting task. Over the years, sailing with multiple cruise lines and staying up to date on all the latest cruise news stories, I’ve honed my list of “must-haves” when it comes to packing for a cruise.
I’m also a die-hard minimalist packer. No matter how long the cruise is or where it goes, I will fit everything into a carry-on bag. (Fitting everything into a carry-on for a 10-day Alaska cruise is my biggest travel accomplishment to date.) That said, you can believe me when I say these items are absolutely worth the space in your luggage.
So before you zip up that luggage, run through this toolkit and see which of these unsung heroes you can fit in.
9 A Highlighter
At the risk of exposing my next-level nerdiness, I must confess that a highlighter is one of the first things I throw in my travel backpack.
When I'm on a cruise, I don't want to miss a thing. That's why I always look forward to my cabin steward leaving the daily planner in my room each night. This paper guide lists all the onboard events for the next day, from comedy shows and trivia competitions to dance classes and karaoke sessions.
It can be easy to miss your favorite activities in the fine print, so I'm always prepared with my trusty highlighter. I scour the activities and highlight the ones I don’t want to forget about. Granted, many cruise lines also have mobile apps to track events. Call me old school, but I prefer this low-tech solution for keeping my activities organized.
8 Magnetic Clips And Hooks
Your cruise cabin might be your sanctuary at sea. However, unless you’ve booked a sprawling suite, space will be extremely limited. Because of this, you must often get a little creative with storage solutions.
When I discovered that the cruise stateroom walls were metal, I could almost hear the faint sound of an angel chorus. Why? Because metal walls and magnets are the perfect pair. I use magnetic clips to corral the incessant amount of papers I accumulate during the sailing. The daily planners, cruise documents, and excursion tickets neatly line the cabin walls, leaving the desk and vanity area clear of clutter.
Magnetic hooks are another real lifesaver. Use them to hang your hats, wet bathing suits, your cruise card lanyard, and other items.
7 Binder Clips
These little guys are the real MVP for a couple of reasons.
First, they can be shower savers. A lot of cruise ships—especially the older ones or certain ship classes—still use shower curtains instead of doors in their standard staterooms. This might not seem like a big deal until you actually take a shower. Imagine yourself in the tiniest of spaces, and the cold, plastic curtain keeps blowing in and attaching itself to your wet skin. For the longest time, it was my biggest cruise ship pet peeve—until I added binder clips to my packing list.
Simply clip a couple of larger binder clips to the bottom of your shower curtain. The weight of the clips keeps the curtain from blowing in and sticking to you a hundred times during your shower.
Binder clips can also help you get a little more sleep. Snap a couple of these babies where your window or balcony curtains meet. This will seal your curtain gap completely, creating the ideal darkness needed to sleep as late as you want.
6 Wrinkle-Release Spray
Cruise lines take fire safety very seriously—so much so that most cruises have irons on their banned items list in cruise-ship staterooms. So when you pull out your dinner outfit and find it looks more “crumpled laundry day” than “formal elegance,” you’ll thank yourself for bringing a wrinkle-release spray. Just a few spritzes, a good shake, and your clothes are cruise-ready.
5 Sound Machine or White Noise App
Cruises are fun—but not always quiet. Whether it’s neighbors chatting in the hallway, the subtle (or not-so-subtle) hum of the engines, or the occasional late-night partier in the cabin next door to you, peaceful sleep can be elusive.
A sound machine can come in clutch during your cruise, drowning out pretty much any noise that could interrupt your slumber. While I use a standard-sized sound machine at home, I downloaded a sound machine app to use when I travel.
If you prefer a traditional sound machine, you’ll find loads of travel-sized versions that won’t take up much space in your luggage. Both versions can help you create your own perfect little sleep oasis.
4 Refillable Water Bottle and Travel Coffee Mug
Cruise ships are like floating resorts, but you won’t find complimentary bottled water everywhere (unless you splurged on a drink package that includes it). And if you’re an avid water drinker like me, those tiny plastic cups at the beverage stations just won’t cut it.
Pack a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated while saving plastic (and money). Just make sure when you fill it up, you don’t stick your bottle directly under the water dispenser—it’s unsanitary. Use a cup to transfer the water to your bottle.
Another must for me is a travel mug for my morning coffee. I don’t trust myself strolling around the ship with a ceramic cup filled with a hot beverage (or tepid, depending on how long it takes me to drink it). My travel coffee mug keeps my brew hot while I enjoy a slow morning on my balcony and keeps the liquid from spilling when I wander the ship.
3 Non-Surge Protector Travel Adapter or Power Strip
One of the smartest things you can pack for a cruise is a non-surge protector travel adapter. Why? Many cruise ship cabins, especially on older ships, often only have one outlet. This can be a real headache when you need to charge your phone, camera, laptop, and all your other devices.
As a travel editor, I often cruise with loads of devices—my laptop, cameras, a GoPro, etc. A travel adapter gives me more plug options, so I can charge several things at the same time. This means no more waiting for one device to finish charging before I can plug in the next one.
A note of caution: Make sure your power strip is a non-surge protector version, as most cruise lines don't allow surge protectors due to safety concerns.
2 Mini First-Aid Kit
Here’s something that might surprise you: a bandage on a cruise ship can feel like it costs its weight in gold. Basic items such as ibuprofen, heartburn medication, and nausea remedies might be available in the ship’s stores or at ports of call, but you’ll likely pay through the nose for them. That’s why I cruise prepared with a small first-aid kit stocked with all my necessities.
In addition to my medications and supplements, I always include the basics in my mini-first-aid kit: pain relievers, antacids, allergy pills, melatonin gummies, and a few bandages. Luckily, I don’t suffer from seasickness, but if that’s an issue for you, make sure to include that in your kit.
1 Thank You Cards
Cruise ship crew members are the real heroes of a cruise vacation. They ensure your stateroom is in tip-top shape, they remember your favorite cocktail, and they cater to your "I'm on vacation!" dining preferences (which can sometimes include serving you both desserts when you can’t decide between the two).
Pack a few small thank-you cards and leave a personalized note for your cabin steward, dining staff, or anyone who made your cruise vacation memorable. Mention their name, share your appreciation, and see how a small gesture can make a big impact.
While gratuities are included in the cruise fare, I always tuck an extra cash tip into a thank-you card for my room steward. Your cabin steward is usually the crew member you’ll see the most during your cruise—and the one who delivers the most consistent, personal service. On nearly every sailing I’ve taken, across different cruise lines, our stewards have been warm, efficient, and incredibly helpful. They’re working long hours and spending months away from home, so showing a little extra gratitude can mean a great deal.
You don’t need to pack your entire house to cruise like a pro—just a few smart, veteran-approved items. Each of these little extras solves an annoying problem and can seriously elevate your trip.
So, before you zip up that suitcase, give this list a quick review. You’ll be amazed at how much smoother your cruise feels when you're not wrestling with clingy shower curtains or hunting for an outlet.