These 29 Cruise Essentials have been deemed "absolute must have accessories" from our amazing community. We've added Amazon links to each of these cruise accessories to make it as easy as possible.
Cruises are weird. You'll be floating in the middle of the ocean with 2,500 strangers. Your cabin is small. The dining situation is unusual. Port visits last half a day.
After dozens of cruise, you learn the cruise packing hacks to make the most of your time at sea. At first, we had no idea what items to pack for a cruise. We rolled up like it was a normal vacation. Hats, sandals, lotion... the basics.
Our Cruise Essentials list below is NOT a complete checklist. Click through here if you're looking for a full cruise packing list with PDF. Otherwise, continue for the most clever cruising essentials to make your travels even more enjoyable. This is a curated list from hundreds of cruise passengers and thousands of must have cruise essentials submitted for consideration.
Below, find the 29 cruise essentials with links to easily purchase from Amazon. Most of these "must have cruise accessories" we've actually tested and fully endorse ourselves.
Before you dive in, check out our quick video showing these cruise essentials in action on our last sailing!
Here are the must have cruise items for your next sailing.
CRUISE ESSENTIALS
29 Must Have Cruise Items
#29 - Travel Sanitizer
Travel Sanitizer Bottles are an essential packing item in this strange new world of ours. The worst thing that can happen on your cruise is an illness. We’ve seen friends and family plan their cruise vacation for years, only to catch “the bug” early in the week. It’s devastating. This little cruise hack will improve your chances of a safe, healthy cruise. Turn that "norovirus" into a "nonovirus." Attach to any purse, bag, or belt loop for easy access. PRO TIP: the view is much better from the Lido Deck than the commode.
#28 - Poo Pourri
We consider this one of our better cruise hacks. When deciding what to pack for a cruise, have some consideration for your cabin mate. If you’re not familiar with the product, here’s how it works. You spray into the toilet then go about your “duties.” The natural oils trap in the odor. Given the size of your cruise cabin, this is a must have accessory to stay on good terms throughout the week.
#27 - Waterproof Pouch
Remember that sea turtle you swam with in Cozumel? Of course you do. And you have the pictures to prove it! Thanks to your waterproof phone case. Not only will you have amazing photos and videos, you’ll protect your device and other goodies while at port. There will be no soggy dollars and broken iPhones on this trip.
#26 - Cruise Tote Bag
This cruise accessory is brilliant. It’s perfect for lugging your stuff up to the Lido Deck or to carry back all your souvenirs from port. When not in use, it fits into your back pocket. We’ve lost count of the times other cruisers have asked where we got this collapsible tote bag.
#25 - Mini Bedside Fan
Your mini travel fan serves two functions. First, it keeps you cool. We can’t sleep unless it’s cold and often staterooms are too warm. Second, it provides “white noise.” The late night buffet parade will get drowned out with a gentle “whirring.” It also helps at night if you decided not to go with the poo pourri seen above.
#24 - Travel Shampoo Bottles
With this travel bottle set, there's no need to leave your creature comforts at home. We all have our favorite soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, etc. It's not easy being this beautiful. It takes a few inputs. The cruise line will provide some options. But, you'll find similar products in your local hostile. No thanks. We need our Aveda and nobody is washing baby with anything but The Honest Company soap.
#23 - Funny Cruise Shirt
Do you like to make new friends while on a cruise? Of course you do. We all do. The easiest way to make shipmates is by providing an easy opener. This funny cruise shirt does exactly that. You're guaranteed to get loads of smiles and a few comments. The shirt's seller guarantees two new drinking buddies or your money back.
#22 - Motion Activated Night Light
This is one the best cruise accessories ever invented. If you’ve cruised, you can relate… it’s 2am and you have to pee. You get up to find the restroom and it’s pitch black. You step on the conch shell souvenir you picked up in Nassau. With tears in your eyes, you turn on the light. Your spouse wakes and yells obscenities. Neither of you can go back to sleep. Problem solved. This motion sensor night light gives a soft light when you get up. And it magnetically attaches to your cruise wall to point in any direction you’d like.
#21 - Sarong Wrap
Sa-rong it’s right. We love cruise accessories that add convenience. That’s why this cover up is a must have for your cruise. Slip it on or off with ease. It’ll make your transition from pool to buffet that much quicker.
#20 - Travel Jewelry Case
Ladies, don't forget to pack that bling. You'll want to look your best (and shiniest) for nights out on the ship. To avoid a bird's nest of gold and jewels, this cruise essential item is a must have. Each piece of shiny has its own little home. It'll be ready and eagerly waiting its time to shine.
#19 - Porthole Sticker
We call this product, "the poor man's upgrade." When your wife asks, "you booked an Oceanview stateroom, correct?" You can reply with a tentative, "kind of" once you've purchased this cruise essential. For those susceptible to motion sickness, this is also helpful... at least in theory.
#18 - Wrinkle Release Spray
We often hear cruisers talking about irons. But here’s another cruise hack to stick in your hamper. Wrinkle Release Spray! Yes, it’s a thing and it actually works well. You can’t stop your dresses from getting wrinkled during before the cruise. You can fix the problem, though! Unpack your stuff. Spray your wrinkled cruise wear. Hang up. In a few hours, you’ll be ready for Formal Night.
#17 - Portable Charger
Whether we like it or not, technology dominates our lives. Phones, cameras, video games, iPads, e-readers, e-cigs, blah, blah. Everything runs on power. It’s tough to keep everything charged while poolside or at port. That’s why we always mention a Portable Charger when asked what to pack for a cruise.
#16 - Packing Cubes
This cruise accessory is like “organization porn” for the tidy. There’s a feeling you get when unpacking your cubes and sliding them into your closet. It’s a satisfaction reserved for the Type A out there. If the list were “how to pack for a cruise” instead of “what to pack for a cruise,” it would be #1 on the list.
#15 - Laundry Bag
In addition to the question, “what to pack for a cruise,” we’re commonly asked “can I do laundry on the ship.” And our answer is, “forget all that noise.” Your on vacation. Laundry is not a vacation chore. We say stuff it in a sack and leave it for home. That’s why the travel laundry bag makes our list of cruise essentials. Shove that stink-pile into a corner and go back to the piano bar.
#14 - Cruise Door Decorations
This is a super fun way to meet shipmates and to easily find your cabin after a long day at the Rum Bar. We'll print five or six designs before the cruise and swap them out with each passing day. Some show where we're from and what we're celebrating. Others show interesting port info or fun facts about our ship. We like to mix it up and keep passerbys interested. We've met a ton of friends this way!
#13 - Full Face Snorkel
Remember the last time you snorkeled and you had to chew on that piece of jagged plastic while breathing spit-foam? Well there’s good news. Snorkeling has upped it’s game. The snorkel 2.0 has entered the arena. You’ll be more comfortable down there than Ariel. You may even decide to just swim home.
#12 - Full Face Snorkel
“Travel safe” sounds like something your neighbor yells as you leave for your cruise. But, that’s not we’re talking about there. We’re talking about an actual safe. A portable safe that will make sure you come home with all of your passports, wallets, credit cards and iPhones. This essential cruise item locks onto any fixed object to secure your most precious goods. It also doubles as a great room safe since the one that’s provided is as secure as your mother’s AOL account.
#11 - Beach Sand Mat
Here’s another cruise hack that we recommend when asked what to pack for a cruise. It’s more of a strategic investment. How, you ask? When you get to the beach, vendors will charge $20 per lawn chair per person. That’s $40 per day for just one port! You could buy a few of these for that price. And, with this cruise accessory, you’re not limited to how far you can drag a beach chair. You’ll have the freedom to escape the crowds and lounge where you please.
#10 - Thank You Staff Card
This is one of our favorite cruise packing list items. Most importantly, it makes a sincere impact on the hard working cruise staff. A secondary benefit is the immediate improvement in customer service received. Each staff member is responsible for dozens (sometime hundreds) of passengers. After gifting one of these (with some green inside), we feel like the most important people on the ship.
#9 - Key Card Phone Wallet
This brilliant solution replaces the need for a cruise lanyard. Your Key Card Phone Wallet is lightweight and attaches to your iPhone or Android to assure that you'll never lose your Cruise ID. Because face it... you'll NEVER let your iphone out of your sight. With your cruise key card piggybacking your phone all cruise, you'll have the least chance of losing that!
#8 - Towel Bands
What’s that? Another cruise hack you say? Don’t share this one with too many friends and family or you’ll spoil the trick. Towel bands are great for… well, banding your towel to your deck chair. But, they have a hidden talent. They also secure your deck chair so nobody else grabs it. While we don’t condone chair-hogging, this is what we’d use if we were of that variety.
#7 - Motion Sickness Pills
Some people take a little while to get their sea-legs. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’re a land-based people. The rocking back and forth is unnatural. If you get a little wishy washy with motion, then you’ll want to get ahead of full blown sea sickness. At that point, you’re done. You may as well walk the plank. If Dramanine isn’t your drug of choice, check out these 33 sea-sickness options to choose from.
#6 - Magnet Door Hooks
Here’s another trick we’ll file in the “cruise hacks” bin. Most people aren’t aware that their cruise cabin walls are metal. That means they’re magnetic! These hooks will stick right to the walls wherever you choose. You can then hang your cruise lanyard, bathing suit, handbag, or whatever else you fancy.
#5 - Travel Coffee Mug
If you’re not a coffee fan then you can skip this cruise tip. If you ARE a normal human, however, then this is absolutely essential. This might just be the most important item you’ll add to your cruise packing checklist. The coffee mugs provided are a joke. It would take 14 trips to the coffee machine with those things to get my daily fix. Nope. Not this time. I come equipped with my own coffee mug. Some staff members may frown on this cruise hack, but momma needs her coffee.
#4 - Cabin Hanging Organizer
Whenever asked what to pack for a cruise, we proudly include this item to the list. We also consider it among our super secret “cruise hacks.” It lets cruisers take advantage of “vertical” storage space as opposed to horizontal. Most cruisers have piles of stuff stacked on the small counter-space provided. Go clutter free by neatly organizing those items in hanging pockets.
#3 - Cruise Lanyards
On your last cruise, you probably noticed 50% of the passengers wearing cruise lanyards. Those are the veterans. When the bartender asks, “can I have your card please?” These are the few at the ready. They’re half-way done with their mai tais while you’re digging through your tote bag trying to find your key card. Add this to your cruise packing checklist and you’ll be slinging keycards like no other.
#2 - Cruise Luggage Tags
Your cruise luggage tags will have you looking like you’ve done this before. Not only will your luggage turn heads, it’ll also show up to your room. Unlike the sucker that stapled his e-tags, you’ll be swimming in luggage. While you’re on your third wardrobe change, he’ll be arguing with Gustav at the “Passenger Services” office below decks. Make sure they're fitted for your cruise line! Click through for our favorite cruise luggage tags. Using the link below, you'll find custom cruise tags for each specific line. Click below then choose Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, or Holland America.
#1 - Cruise Power Strip
This is the most purchased cruise accessory out there. Why? Because we are addicted to our devices. Does this make us an “enabler?” Let’s not point fingers here. Facts are, you need your smartphones, cameras, laptops, iPads, video games, e-cigs, C-PAP machines, electric tooth brush, e-readers, e-massagers… umm, I mean. Well, cruise cabins have 2 outlets. This is the only cruise-approved power strip out there. Get that power!
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