Clothing & Accessories
Toiletries & Medications
Most cruise cabins provide basic toiletries, but bringing your own ensures you have everything you need. I’ve also grown to really enjoy the products I use, rather than the random products provided by the cruise ship. So I always bring my own!
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Shampoo & conditioner. Travel-size or solid bars to save space, and if each of your family members uses different shampoos, I just bring mine, and we share for the week. This is helpful with saving space as well!
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Body wash or soap
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Toothbrush & toothpaste
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Deodorant
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Sunscreen. Make sure it’s reef-safe sunscreen is important for tropical cruises.
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Aloe vera gel. Great for sunburns!
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Razor & shaving cream
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Moisturizer & lip balm. It can be really dry on ships in the cabins. I love this one!
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Makeup & remover wipes or makeup cloth
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Hairbrush, hair ties and hair clips
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Medications & first aid kit. A few musts for us are pain relievers, motion sickness remedies, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, allergy medicine, and prescription meds.
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Bug spray. This is essential for tropical cruises.
Miscellaneous Must-Haves
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Day bag or backpack. I like having a bag I can use for both shore excursions and if I am spending a day lounging on the pool deck.
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Reusable water bottle. This is a must for me! For both on and off the ship.
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Laundry bag. For separating dirty clothes or carrying to the laundry room if there is one on the ship!
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Magnetic hooks. If you don’t know this about most cruise ships, your cruise cabin likely has metal walls! Using magnetic hooks can help to maximize cabin space by hanging items on the walls and doors.
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Ziplock bags or dry bags. For wet swimsuits, snacks, or organizing small items.
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Lanyards for cruise cards. You will need this to put your cruise card on. I don't like the pouch type since you will using it all the time. I bought one that has a lobster clasp on it. The ships will have them for sale if you are not sure.
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Lightweight beach towels. Some cruise lines provide them, but they’re useful for port days.
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Deck of cards or travel games. You are likely to find a library or café with some games on board, but we always bring travel-sized options, which are great for entertainment on sea days when you want to stay in the cabin.