After about a decade of working on cruise ships, I’ve helped a lot of passengers navigate tricky situations at sea and in ports.
I’ve also learned that many people, especially first-time cruisers, don’t know how or what to pack for this unique traveling experience.
Fortunately, I’ve become quite efficient at packing for trips at sea.
Whether you’re bringing a 50-pound suitcase or just one backpack, here are a few things you should and shouldn’t bring on your cruise.
Protect yourself from the sun with headgear and lots of sunscreen
Bringing UV protection may seem obvious, but the sun in most cruise-friendly places can be very harsh and may have you burning in no time.
At sea, the sun can also feel a lot stronger than what you may be used to — especially on Caribbean trips.
I’ve seen the tops of many heads get red an hour into a tour or pool day. So, make a conscious decision to protect your head with hats or scarves throughout your trip.
Pack lots of sunscreen, too. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy it on board or in a port, where it’ll likely be a lot more expensive.
Motion-sickness pills can come in handy
Even if you don’t think you’ll get seasick, it doesn’t hurt to prepare.
Cruises usually have motion-sickness or anti-nausea medications on board, but after too much partying and some swaying seas at 2 a.m., you’ll be happy to have your own stash in your stateroom.
Make sure you pack appropriate attire if you want to participate in your ship’s formal night
Always check your cruise itinerary for themed events and formal nights — most sailings have at least one of the latter.
Participating is often optional, but I’ve seen so many disappointed and underprepared cruisers who didn’t realize a fancy event was happening until they were at sea.
If you plan to attend a formal night, be sure to pack a lovely gown or suit and the proper dress shoes and accessories to go with it.
Lanyards with a cardholder can make it easy to keep track of your key
When you step onto the ship, your room key becomes an important companion. It’s typically how you pay for everything on board, open your door, and sign on and off the boat in ports.
They’re small and easy to lose, so make your life easier by bringing a lanyard with a key holder. Even if you don’t wear it, this lanyard can help you quickly find your card in a big purse or beach bag.
Walking shoes are important on land and at sea
When people imagine cruise footwear, they usually picture sandals. However, some ships nowadays are massive, and walking back and forth can add up to a good number of steps.
So, make sure you pack at least one comfortable pair of sneakers. (Some more adventurous shore excursions even require them.)
If you pack wine, don’t forget to bring a corkscrew
On most cruise ships, you can bring a limited amount of wine on board, though the number of bottles varies by cruise line.
However, once it’s on board, you’ll typically be charged a corkage fee to open it. Save yourself the money by bringing a corkscrew to do it yourself.
On the other hand, super-high heels aren’t worth the risk
I’m not saying don’t bring heels — I want you to look fabulous on vacation — but excessively high shoes on a swaying ship can lead to injury. I speak from personal experience.
If you’re packing heels, go for a chunkier style that’s easier to balance on and less likely to get stuck between deck slats.
Don’t bother trying to pack alcohol in shampoo bottles
It’s a common ruse for cruisers to attempt to sneak alcohol onto a ship in inconspicuous containers, like empty shampoo or mouthwash bottles.
Besides the soapy taste the booze takes on, security is trained to look out for these tricks and will confiscate the liquor.
Skip the irons and steamers, too
While heated hair appliances are OK, clothing irons and handheld streamers are forbidden on most cruises since they can be a fire hazard.
If you pack one of these, your bag can be flagged and items confiscated by security until you depart from the cruise.
Fortunately, hair irons can help get out small wrinkles in clothes in a pinch. Anti-wrinkle spray can also come in handy (and it’s often sold in travel-sized bottles), and some ships also offer professional pressing services.
Use the beach towels provided to you instead of lugging your own on board
Save space in your luggage by leaving out towels, which can be bulky and difficult to clean at sea.
Fortunately, you’ll be just fine getting them on board. Every ship I’ve been on has had multiple stations where guests can grab fresh towels for a pool or beach day. Oftentimes, they’re replenished throughout the day.
It’s probably not worth bringing a drone, either
Many cruise lines allow travelers to pack drones. However, there can be a lot of strict guidelines around using them.
For one, it’s very likely you won’t be allowed to fly your drone on the ship, so that million-dollar shot of the vessel at sea isn’t happening.
You can potentially use your drone when you get off the ship, but keep in mind that many ports don’t allow people to fly them without special authorization or permits, either.
So, unless you plan to do a lot of prep and paperwork, you may want to save space in your suitcase and leave it at home.
This story was originally published in 2022 and most recently updated on March 31, 2026.
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