1. Keep your documents and belongings on your person
- Bring a lanyard holder to hang your room key, a small amount of cash, and bank cards around your neck, eliminating the need to rummage through your bag every time.
- Luggage tag protectors help securely attach your printed baggage tags, allowing you to confidently proceed to the boarding hall after handing them to port staff, without worrying about them being lost or damaged in the rain.
2. Make your cabin and deck more functional
- The top sun deck can be windy; a towel clip or two will ensure your towels stay in place, and you won’t have to constantly watch your chair.
- Most cruise ship cabin walls are metal; attaching small magnetic hooks creates an extra row of “temporary coat racks” for hanging wet swimsuits, hats, bags, and lanyards, instantly keeping your cabin tidy.
3. Taking Care of the “People” in the Details
- A lip balm can brighten your entire trip, especially on cruises to Alaska or Northern Europe where temperatures are lower.
- Seasickness medication, painkillers, and small bandages—these three small items in a first-aid kit mean you won’t have to rush to the medical room in the middle of the night or spend a fortune at the ship’s pharmacy for emergency treatments like seasickness, headaches, or blisters.
4. Keeping Luggage Organized
- A foldable laundry basket or a large garbage bag allows you to keep dirty clothes organized, preventing your cabin from being littered with used clothing later in the trip.
- A set of travel-sized containers allows you to pack shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and other daily necessities in smaller sizes, saving weight in your checked baggage and providing peace of mind compared to disposable hotel toiletries.
5. Prepare in Advance for Water, Sun, and Seawater
- A reusable water bottle, filled with water during the day and carried with you, can be refilled before bed and placed by your bedside. This is much more convenient than repeatedly running to the buffet for small cups of water.
- If planning snorkeling, an affordable mask and snorkel will quickly recoup your investment: compared to renting individually at each port, you save money, find it convenient and hygienic, and can take it on your next vacation.
- If you haven’t applied enough sunscreen, a bottle of aloe vera gel will be invaluable on the night after sunburn, relieving the burning sensation and allowing you to continue on deck the next day instead of being confined to your cabin to recover.
6. Invisible Helpers for Dealing with Unexpected Embarrassing Moments
- A quick-acting wrinkle-reducing spray can help “rescue” wrinkled shirts or dresses on cruise ships where steam irons are prohibited, so you don’t have to give up a nice outfit because of a few creases.
- Stain remover pens are invaluable the moment you accidentally spill sauce or alcohol on your clothes, giving a garment that would otherwise be ruined until the end of the trip a chance to be salvaged and worn again.
7. Ensuring Just the Right Light and Visibility
- Inside cabins have no windows; turning off the lights feels like being in a box. A battery-powered nightlight allows you to find the restroom in complete darkness without having to turn on the main light and wake your fellow passengers.
- An inexpensive pair of sunglasses is a good thing for your eyes: under the Caribbean sun or the glare of Alaskan glaciers, they protect your vision without the heartache of losing an expensive pair of sunglasses.
8. Those Seemingly Ordinary Yet Always Useful “Miscellaneous Items”
- A few resealable bags can be used to store wet swimsuits, prevent sand and water from getting into electronic devices, or neatly organize loose change and cards. They are one of the cheapest and most versatile items.
- A small travel-sized pack of toiletries, medicine, and bandages can be kept in your carry-on bag for a long time. Take it with you when disembarking from the cruise ship or participating in shore excursions, so you can address any discomfort immediately.
9. Truly smart packing is about leaving room for your future self
Looking at these small items, they are all inexpensive, and many are useful in daily life. However, on a cruise ship, they can save you a trip to the medical room, a worn-out piece of clothing, a towel blown away by the wind, or even a sleepless night on a very specific occasion.
Packing for a cruise ship isn’t about stuffing everything you might need, but about using your limited budget and space to select those small items that will truly help you in the “critical five minutes”—and these often cost no more than $10.
