How to pack for a cruise
A cruise is a strange mix of resort, hotel and road trip. You unpack once, which is wonderful, but you also live in a cabin with very little storage, change clothes more often than at home, and switch between swimsuits, excursion gear and evening wear in a single day. A little planning around those quirks goes a long way.
Treat embarkation day as its own trip
On most ships you hand your large bags to porters at the terminal, and they show up at your cabin sometime later. That could be early afternoon or close to dinner. Everything you need until then rides with you in a day bag: documents, medications, valuables, chargers, a swimsuit, sunscreen and a change for the evening. Lunch, the pool and the muster drill all happen before the suitcases arrive.
Check the prohibited list before you shop
Most cruise lines ban clothing irons and surge-protected power strips, and many also restrict garment steamers, extension cords and some other appliances. Policies differ between lines and change over time, so read your line's current list rather than relying on a friend's advice from a different ship. If an item is confiscated at security, it is usually returned at the end of the cruise, which does not help you on day two.
Solve the outlet problem
Cabins often have only a couple of outlets, sometimes not near the bed. A compact charging cube with several USB ports, or a power strip without surge protection where your line allows it, keeps phones, watches and cameras topped up. A long cable helps if the nightstand is far from the outlet.
Make the walls do the work
Many cabin walls are metal, which is why magnetic hooks show up on so many cruise lists. They hold hats, lanyards, bags and wet swimsuits. An over-the-door shoe organizer adds storage for sunscreen, chargers and small items. A small collapsible laundry bag keeps dirty clothes out of the way.
Plan formal night without packing a wardrobe
Count the dressy nights on your itinerary, then build one or two looks that can be changed with accessories. A dark suit with two shirts, or one dress with a wrap and different jewelry, covers several evenings. Hang everything the moment you board so wrinkles drop out, and pack a wrinkle-release spray since irons are off the table.
What to bring for port days
Each stop has its own needs, so look at your excursions before packing. A good shore bag holds a lot in a small space:
- Your ship key card and a photo ID, since you need both to get back on board.
- Some local currency or small bills, plus a card that works abroad.
- Reef-safe sunscreen where it is required, a hat and sunglasses.
- A refillable water bottle and a light snack.
- Water shoes for rocky beaches, snorkel stops or tender boats.
- A dry bag for phones on boat trips and beach days.
- A light layer or cover-up for churches, temples or air-conditioned tour buses.
- The ship's agent phone number and the all-aboard time, written down.
If your itinerary leaves the country, your passport or required travel documents come first. Our international travel packing list covers documents, adapters and money in more detail, and the beach packing list is handy for Caribbean and Mediterranean stops.
What you can leave at home
Beach towels are usually provided on board for pool and shore use. So are basic toiletries in most cabins, along with a hair dryer. Large amounts of cash are rarely needed since onboard purchases go on your cruise account. A big suitcase full of outfits you will not wear simply eats cabin floor space. If you want the long version with cabin hacks and sea-day ideas, read our post on things to bring on a cruise.