29 Cruise Essentials on Amazon - 2023 Cruise Must Haves List

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. Attach to any purse, bag, or belt loop for easy access. PRO TIP: this product is sold in combination with our favorite cruise lanyards for even more protection!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We like to call this product, the

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

“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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Like it or hate it, cruise lines are now requiring proof of stabbing. This vaccination card holder provides easy access to your immunization record. It also assures that oh-so-valuable proof of vax is not lost at sea or port. Keep this document (and other items) close by and waterproof at all times with this must have cruise accessory.

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.

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.

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.

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!