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Packing for any type of vacation can be stressful, but packing for a cruise, where you likely won’t be able to pop into a Target or schedule an Amazon delivery to replace a missing item mid-trip, only adds to the anxiety. Frequent travelers are likely to have a cruise packing list that outlines what outfits to wear in each port, swimsuits to sport at the pool, and comfortable shoes to wear around the ship, all waiting to be marked off as you place them into your suitcase.
I do this too, but I also have a less expected list of the items that are going to make my cruise easier, more organized, and in the end, more fun. After sailing on over 50 cruises on lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, all of these items have become must-haves, whether I’m embarking on a three-night sailing to the Bahamas or a week-long jaunt around the Mediterranean. Keep reading to find out what my cruise ship packing essentials are, and consider packing them yourself to make any future cruises smoother.
Over-the-door hanging shoe organizer
The number one thing I always make sure I pack in my suitcase is an over-the-door hanging shoe organizer—but I don’t use it for my sandals. I put this to work keeping small things like hair brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and Band-Aids off of the bathroom counters and in a set spot in the room. If I’m cruising with other people, everyone gets a row or two to use for their things. I always make sure that I bring strong magnetic hooks to hang this up with too, because most cruise lines will not let you put tape on the walls or use the hooks that come with the organizer since it could damage the door frame and paint.
Collapsible mesh laundry hamper
I hate seeing dirty laundry around my room, but I also don’t want to pull my suitcase out every night to load in clothes that I’m done wearing for the cruise. That’s why I always pack a collapsible mesh laundry hamper. After I unpack my suitcase and hang all of my clothes up in the closet or place things into drawers, I find a spot in the closet where the hamper can sit without being in the way of the doors closing. Each night I toss my worn clothes into the basket; after a few days, when the basket is full, I take a few minutes to fold and place dirty clothes back into my suitcase. The best part about this hamper is that it folds flat and is super lightweight so it doesn’t add any bulk to my suitcase while in transit.
Fridge magnets
The key to not feeling overwhelmed by stuff every time you walk into your room? Staying organized. One way that I like to keep things off of the desk or floor is with clip-style fridge magnets. These are great for larger items that you will use almost every day, like hats and swimsuit coverups. I also like to use these to keep important papers like excursion tickets, daily schedules, or debarkation instructions in one spot so I’m not ruffling through a cluttered desk looking for the sheets that I need.
Beach towel clips
Cruise ships provide towels for guests to use at the pool or take off of the ship for excursions—and while this is convenient, the downside is they all look alike. One easy way to make sure you know where you’re sitting is with beach towel clips, which come in a wide range of colors and designs, from neutral hues to these fun flamingo and margarita–shaped ones that would fit right in on a tropical cruise. Not only are these clips a good visual indicator of where you’re sitting, they're also great for keeping your towel on your chair should it get a little windy.
A power strip
There are never enough places to plug in devices in a stateroom, especially on older ships that don’t have USB outlets anywhere in sight. That’s why I always bring a power strip that has traditional outlets and USB outlets. Just be sure that the cord you buy is cruise ship approved (you can usually find info on this in a cruise line’s FAQ or prohibited items section), and does not have a surge protector built into the strip. I tend to plug the power strip into the outlet closest to the desk so everyone in my travel party can use it to charge their phones and smart watches all in one spot.
Thank you notes
I recently started packing thank you cards to write notes to the crew onboard who went above and beyond to make my vacation even better. I always buy blank stationery that just has a border around the card so I have plenty of room to write down how much they meant to me or something that they did to make me feel special. I hand out the cards at the end of the cruise on the last day. (If you forget to bring a pen with you onboard and there’s not one in your room, the guest services desk usually has a few extras to hand out.)
Door decorations
Door decorations are a fun way to add a little pizzazz to your stateroom door without much effort. In fact, on many of the big cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line, door decorations are a big deal with passengers packing custom magnets, lights, and banners to hang around their section of the hallway. I always try to bring something for the door, not only because it looks cute, but because it’s a good way to easily spot my room after a long day in port. Just be sure you’re getting decorations that adhere to each cruise line’s decorating policy, which can often be found in an FAQ area of the cruise’s website.
