Pack these items before you board

A successful cruise starts with the right things in your cabin and carry-on bag. Most first-time cruisers overpack clothes and forget the items that solve real problems at sea—a power strip for charging multiple devices, seasickness medication if you're prone to motion sickness, and copies of your travel documents separate from the originals. The ship provides towels and basic toiletries, so you can skip those and use the space for things the cabin doesn't have.

Your cruise line will send you a packing list before departure, but it often misses practical items that make the difference between a comfortable week and a frustrating one. Bring what solves the specific problems of living in a small room with hundreds of other people, not what you'd pack for a hotel on land.

Key Takeaways

  • Pack a power strip with USB ports so you can charge your phone, camera, and other devices at the same time without unplugging things constantly.
  • Bring motion sickness medication, ginger candies, or acupressure wristbands if you're sensitive to movement, because the ship's medical center charges for treatment.
  • Include a small first-aid kit with blister treatment, antacids, and pain relievers—the ship's pharmacy sells these at cruise prices, not drugstore prices.
  • Pack one nicer outfit for formal or semi-formal dining nights, but most dinners are casual and don't require a jacket or dress shoes.
  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light cover-up for the pool deck, since sunburn on a ship means you're stuck in your cabin or in pain for days.

Electronics and charging solutions

Your cabin has one or two outlets, usually positioned inconveniently behind the bed or desk. A power strip with at least three outlets and USB ports solves this when ready. You'll charge your phone, camera, tablet, and possibly a laptop, and a power strip lets you do this without choosing which device goes without power. Most cruise lines allow power strips as long as they don't have surge protection built in—check your line's rules before packing.

Bring the charging cables you actually use: your phone charger, a USB-C cable if your devices use it, and a camera charger if you're bringing a camera. The ship's gift shop sells replacement cables at three times the drugstore price. A portable battery pack (sometimes called a power bank) is useful if you plan to spend long days on deck or in port without returning to your cabin to charge.

Medications and first-aid supplies

Pack a small first-aid kit with items the ship doesn't provide free: blister treatment, pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), antacids, antihistamines for allergies, and any prescription medications you take. The ship's medical center is staffed and available 24 hours, but a visit costs money and a prescription refill costs more. Seasickness medication is especially important to bring yourself—Dramamine, Bonine, or ginger candies work for many people, and you want options before you're already queasy.

If you have a condition that requires specific medications, bring more than you think you'll need. Cruise lines can sometimes arrange emergency refills through the ship's pharmacy, but this takes time and costs extra. Pack medications in their original labeled bottles so there's no question at security or if you need to show the ship's doctor what you're taking.

Clothing for different settings

Pack one outfit for formal or semi-formal dining nights—these happen once or twice per week depending on your cruise length, and the dress code is printed in your documents. For formal night, men typically wear a jacket and dress pants; women wear a dress or dressy pants and top. Semi-formal means no jacket required but still neat and put-together. Most other dinners are casual: shorts and a t-shirt are fine, and you'll see people in jeans and sneakers.

Bring comfortable walking shoes broken in before the cruise, because you'll walk the ship's corridors and explore ports on foot. Pack one pair of dressier shoes for formal night and one pair of sandals or slip-ons for the pool deck and casual dining. Bring lightweight, quick-dry clothing because humidity is high and laundry service is expensive. A light sweater or fleece is useful—dining rooms and theaters are heavily air-conditioned, and upper decks can be cool at night even in warm climates.

Sun and water protection

Reef-safe sunscreen is essential and often hard to find in ports, so bring a full bottle from home. Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs, and many cruise destinations prohibit it. Sunburn on a ship is particularly miserable because you're stuck in a small cabin or in pain while trying to enjoy your vacation. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming, even on cloudy days—the sun reflects off the water and intensifies.

Pack a lightweight cover-up or rash guard for the pool deck. You'll spend hours in the sun, and a thin layer of fabric prevents the worst of the burn while still letting you enjoy the pool. Bring a pair of water shoes or sandals with grip—pool decks are slippery when wet, and you don't want to slip in front of hundreds of people.

Documents and money

Bring your passport or passport card (depending on your cruise destination), a printed copy of your cruise documents, and a second copy of your ID stored separately from your wallet. The cruise line issues you a cabin key card that also functions as your onboard charge card, but you'll need your ID for security, port excursions, and if you lose the key card. Keep originals in your cabin safe and carry copies when you're in ports.

Bring some cash in the local currency of your first port stop—you'll need it for tips, small purchases, and situations where cards aren't accepted. Credit cards work in most ports, but having cash prevents the problem of finding an ATM when you need it. The ship's onboard currency is usually US dollars (or euros on some European cruises), and you can charge everything to your cabin account and settle at the end.

Items to leave behind

Don't pack a hair dryer—your cabin has one, usually mounted on the bathroom wall. Don't bring full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner; the cabin provides these, and if you prefer your own brand, bring a small travel size. Don't pack a full suitcase of shoes; you'll wear the same five pairs repeatedly, and extra shoes take up valuable cabin space.

Leave behind anything you can't afford to lose or replace. Cabins have safes, but theft does happen, and the ship's lost and found is chaotic. Don't bring expensive jewelry, your best watch, or anything irreplaceable. The ship's gift shop sells inexpensive souvenirs and sundries if you forget something small, but prices are high—it's better to pack it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pack formal wear if I'm not going to formal dinners?

No. If your cruise line offers formal or semi-formal nights and you don't plan to attend, you can skip that outfit entirely. Many cruisers eat at casual venues or in their cabins on formal nights. Check your cruise documents to see how many formal nights are scheduled, then decide whether you want to attend.

Can I bring my own snacks and drinks on the cruise?

Most cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in your carry-on bag. Check your specific cruise line's policy before packing—some restrict quantities or types of food. Alcohol is usually prohibited in carry-on bags, though you can purchase it onboard.

What should I pack if I get seasick easily?

Bring motion sickness medication (Dramamine or Bonine), ginger candies or ginger supplements, and acupressure wristbands designed for seasickness. Request a cabin midship on a lower deck when you book—these locations have less movement. Eat light meals, stay hydrated, and spend time on deck where you can see the horizon, which helps your body adjust to the motion.

Is a power strip really necessary, or can I just use the cabin outlets?

A power strip isn't strictly necessary, but it solves a real problem. Most cabins have only one or two outlets in inconvenient locations, and you'll have multiple devices to charge. Without a power strip, you'll spend your vacation unplugging and replugging things. They're inexpensive and take up almost no space.

Should I pack a bathrobe or towel for the pool?

The ship provides bath towels in your cabin and pool towels at the pool deck towel station. You don't need to pack towels. A lightweight cover-up or rash guard is more useful than a bathrobe because you'll wear it over your swimsuit on deck and in casual dining areas.