Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I have personally used and loved, and I only use affiliate links for products that I believe will be helpful to my readers!
Packing for a cruise can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following a few simple tips, you can ensure that you have everything you need for a fun and relaxing vacation.
Here are some of the most important things to pack for your cruise:
Motion Sickness Treatments/Medicine
The first thing I pack when I’m planning on going on a cruise is my motion sickness treatments and medicine. If you’re like me and are prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to bring as much medicine as you think you might need (the more the merrier.) I personally get motion sickness in a car or train, so I bring things like ginger chews, Dramamine, TUMS, essential oils, etc. Being overprepared is always my motto!
Tote bag
This might seem like a simple item to bring, but this is different than a backpack or purse. A tote is easy to throw on your shoulder and carry things like a towel, a book, your water bottle, sunscreen, etc., when you’re going back and forth from your stateroom to the pool.
SPF
Bringing sunscreen and other forms of SPF are very important when you’re voyaging on a cruise. Most of the time (if it isn’t during the rainy season) the sun is always out which means you’re almost always exposed to UV rays if you go outside. Protecting your skin from the harmful rays even on cloudy days, can prevent sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Make sure to bring SPF you can reapply every few hours. Here are some of my favorites.
Sandals/Flip flops
The type of sandals I’m talking about here aren’t the nice ones you’d wear out to dinner or to the mall. These sandals should be similar to slides or plain old flip flops so you can throw them on when you’re walking around the ship. It’ll be wet a lot of the times if you’re near the pool, and bringing a pair of sandals you don’t care to ruin will be very convenient on your trip.
Water bottle
There are some cruise ships that provide water bottles, but I always recommend bringing an insulated water bottle to keep your water cold. It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re on vacation, so a water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated on the go. You can fill up your water bottle with the disposable ones they provide on the ship, or some ships provide refillable water stations you can use as well.
Portable charger
You’d be surprised how little you’ll go back to your room when you’re on a cruise ship. Because of that, a portable charger is a great way to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. Having a small one in your bag will come in handy when you don’t have the chance to go back to your room and stay there to charge your phone.
Swimsuit cover-up
This is a must bring, because when you’re out by the pool but you want to go inside to get an ice cream cone or a quick bite to eat, you can throw your cover-up on over your swimsuit and easily take it off when it’s time to go back into the water.
Fanny pack
A fanny pack is small and lightweight enough to carry around when you’re walking around the ship or you dock at one of your destination ports. I don’t recommend bringing anything too large or bulky as it can easily be lost, so having a fanny pack to throw on so it’s stuck on you is an easy way to carry your important belongings.
Workout clothes
If you are planning on working out while you are on vacation, it is a good idea to pack workout clothes. This will allow you to stay active and fit while you are on vacation. Workout clothes come in a variety of styles, so you can find one that suits your needs.
Books/Kindle/E-reader
A book, Kindle, or E-reader is a great way to relax and unwind while you are on vacation. You can bring along a book that you have been wanting to read, or you can download books to your Kindle or E-reader. This will allow you to have a variety of books to choose from, so you can always find something to read.
Whether this is your first cruise or your 100th, you can never go wrong with bringing the items on this list!
Unsure if cruising is right for you? Check out our blog post on the 7 Things You Need to Know for Your First Cruise,
