Top 15 Must-Haves Before Your Next Cruise

15 Must-Haves For Your Cruise Packing Checklist

We’ve done the hard work for you and found the best products to make your cruise experience stress-free and enjoyable. These essentials are practical, space-saving, and designed to help you cruise like a pro.

Affiliate Note: Most of the links in this article are affiliate links that will take you to Amazon. If you click on the link and then buy on Amazon, we'll get a small percent, but it will not increase your cost at all.

1. Waterproof Phone Case

You definitely need some sort of Waterproof phone case. Because let’s face it—your phone is basically your lifeline. Protect it from splashes, sand, and accidental dunking during those Instagram-worthy shore excursions. Bonus: Many of them are perfect for underwater selfies!

Our favorite right now is the CaseMate 2-pack, which you can buy using our Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4kOdPyV

2. Cruise-Approved Power Strip

Cabins are cozy, which is a polite way of saying “tiny.” And they usually come with, like, one outlet. You need a power strip that is cruise-approved (no surge protectors allowed) and ensures all your gadgets stay charged. Also note that Royal Caribbean does not allow power strips with cords - so get the kind that plugs into the wall so it's more versatile.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3TjuSwJ

3. Magnetic Hooks

If you haven’t cruised before, here’s a pro tip: the walls are metal. These hooks let you hang everything from hats to towels, turning your cabin into an organized oasis.

Amazon Affiliate Link for the hooks: https://amzn.to/4ea2dn5

Fun tip: You can also bring magnetic stickers, plaques, and anything else you want to spruce up your cabin. Of course, you don’t really need the magnets, but who can resist these on Amazon: https://amzn.to/461loxq

4. Lanyards with Waterproof ID Holders

Your keycard is your golden ticket to everything on the ship. A lanyard keeps it (and other essentials like IDs and credit cards) safe and within reach. No more fumbling in your pockets or bag! Pro tip: Get a lanyard with a retractable badge reel – trust us, it makes things a lot easier than always trying to fumble around with the lanyard.

Here’s one we like on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4658GOf

5. Foldable Snorkel Set

Why rent snorkel gear when you can bring your own? There are a lot of foldable sets out there - heck, anything cheap can be folded. :) But you can find some really high quality sets that are designed to fold. Our favorite is this set - we have 4 of them.

Warning. They are not cheap but it has everything we could ever want, and we’ve gotten our money's worth. It holds a GoPro, and it has a patented electric breathing system, which we find helps with our kids who are afraid to breath into a regular snorkel. And the set is compact and easy to pack. Plus, no one wants to share a snorkel mouthpiece. Just saying.

Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4658GOf

6. Compact Beach Towels

We must admit -We love bulky towels. But on a cruise, just for those port days? No thanks. Ain’t nobody got room for that. This lightweight, quick-drying towel is perfect for beach days.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4jVtcnC

7. Reef-Safe Sunscreens

Protect your skin and the ocean with eco-friendly sunscreen. Because nothing ruins a vacation faster than a sunburn. We like the spray bottles, but lotions work fine too.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4075opN

8. Travel Binoculars

From spotting dolphins to admiring far-off islands, these binoculars bring the views up close and personal. Trust us, they’ll come in handy. If you are going to Alaska or cruising the Mediterranean they are a must have. But we even bring ours on Caribbean cruises - we like to use them to see what people are doing on passing ships.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4laCWLM

9. Cruise Cabin Organizers

The biggest drawback on cruises, in our view, is the limited cabin space. What can we say? We are Americans who like our space. But with limited cabin space, staying organized is key. This over-the-door organizer keeps everything neat and accessible, so you can spend less time searching and more time relaxing. Pro tip: Remember that cruise ship walls and doors are metal, which means you can use magnetic organizers.

Here’s one we like, but there are many: https://amzn.to/3G1Umvp

10. Reusable Water Bottles

Let’s face it - no one likes to buy water on a cruise. Of course, you can get it in other places, but we find that bringing a Stanley or an Owala bottle onboard is essential. Pro tip: Fill it up before you leave the ship on Port Days. This may seem obvious, but many people forget and have to buy water ashore.

11. Packing Cubes

Make packing (and unpacking) a breeze with these handy cubes. They maximize suitcase space and keep your clothes organized, so you can spend less time digging through your bag and more time enjoying your trip.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4kPGtzC

12. Dry Bags

We have to admit - we love dry bags. We do so many water activities on shore excursions that they are a must have for us. The dry bag keeps your valuables safe and dry whether you’re kayaking, snorkeling, or just lounging near the water. If you get one big enough to put clothes or cover-ups in, then you can change into something dry without having to go back to your room.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4ne3YE8

13. Anti-Nausea Meds

Because seasickness is not the vibe. These bands or patches are lifesavers for anyone prone to motion sickness. We usually bring them even if we think that no one will get seasickness. Better safe than sorry - or worse, buying it onboard. 🙁 Pro tip: Get the non-drowsy kind so you don’t sleep away the trip. (We sometimes bring both, but we make extra sure we check which one we’re taking as the regular kind tends to knock us out.)

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4e6PyBn

14. Travel Journal

Alright, this one is not essential to some travelers. But we love using our travel journal to document things - especially on cruises while sitting on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Put simply, a travel journal is the perfect way to capture memories while they’re fresh.

Amazon Affiliate Link:https://amzn.to/4e6PyBn

15. Portable Fan

We saved the most important for last. If you like staying cool onboard, bring a portable fan. Especially on tropical cruises, the cabins can get stuffy. This compact fan has been a game-changer for us.

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3SUGw0N

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