What to Pack for Your Cruise Vacation

You’ve booked your tickets, marked your calendar and now you’re getting excited to go on a cruise! There’s nothing better than knowing you have a hard-earned vacation coming up, but sometimes the stress of planning it can take the fun out of anticipating your trip.

Especially if you’re going on a cruise with lots of different outings and activities, you might not be sure what you need to pack to be comfortable on the trip. That’s why we put together this guide to packing for your cruise!

#1 Clothing

Whether you’ve planned your cruise far in advance or you’re looking at last minute cruises for a much-needed getaway, packing the right clothes is crucial to feeling comfortable on your vacation. The type of clothing you’ll need will depend mostly on where your cruise is going.

If you’re going on a tropical or Mediterranean cruise, consider items like:

• a swimsuit
• a sunhat or cap
• beach cover-up
• shorts
• tank tops or cool T-shirts

The goal in this situation will be to stay cool while you enjoy outdoor activities or swimming in the pool or ocean.

For less traditional cruises that explore the northern regions of the globe, such as an Alaskan or Norwegian cruise, you’ll need to take a different tack with your attire. Pack items such as:

• cozy pajamas
• jackets and hats
• comfortable pants

Depending on what time of year you go, you might need more outerwear to combat temperatures. Be sure to check the forecast before you set sail to ensure you pack according to the weather.

#2 Toiletries

Although you might worry about what toiletries to bring on your cruise, this category is much like any other type of travel. You’ll want to cover your bases with items like:

• shampoo and conditioner
• soap
• toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• deodorant
• and anything else you use in your daily routine

A helpful hack is to treat your cruise as if you’re flying on an airplane. Pack all travel-size toiletries to leave room in your luggage for more important items like clothes and souvenirs that you’d like to take home.

Additionally, many cruise ships include a small market for passengers. So if you forget something or run out, you can always purchase a replacement when you’re on board or at your next port city.

#3 For the Cabin

If you’ve been on a cruise before, then you know how tight most cabins on when you’re on a cruise. They’re designed to be a place to sleep and rest, but you’re meant to spend most of your time out on deck or on excursions. This limited space means you need to be smart when packing so that you don’t take up all your breathing room with household items.

One of the best things to bring on a cruise is an over-the-door organizer. This is where you can stick things like shoes, hair dryers, hats and even some toiletries to keep the floors and countertops clear. It frees up space in your bedroom and bathroom, giving you more room to relax.

It’s also helpful to try to pack a smaller suitcase when embarking on your adventure. Although there aren’t limits on the size of luggage for a cruise, big suitcases will take up space in your cabin and might be difficult to maneuver around.

#4 Self-Care

Especially if you’re on an extended cruise, you might want to spend some time to yourself while on vacation. That’s why it’s wise to bring a few self-care or comfort items that you like to have when you’re resting and recharging, such as:

• Your favorite book
• A notebook
• Your music player
• Pencils and a sketchbook

Whatever hobbies you like to use to unwind, you can pack a downsized version to enjoy on the boat if you know you’re someone who likes a little me-time.

You should also consider if you’ll agree with the sea-life. If you’re nervous about getting motion sick, be sure to bring some medicine or a Sea Band to keep yourself from feeling ill the whole trip. You can also purchase these on board many cruise lines.

All you have to do is follow these tips and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the perfect cruise!