Not Just Another Cruise Packing List: These 10 Cruise Items Are Worth It
After over 20 years of cruising, I’ve packed it all… and left plenty behind. If someone recommended it from their cruise packing list, I probably gave it a try. But not everything earns a permanent spot in my suitcase. The items that make it easier, more comfortable, or save me a headache on board and money in the long run.
What I bring sometimes depends on the cruise line and the ship. Some cabins have more storage, more outlets, or better layouts than others. But across the board, these are the cruise items I actually think are worth buying and packing. I won’t cruise without them.
1. Magnetic Hooks
Cruise cabin walls are metal, which makes magnetic hooks surprisingly useful. I use them to hang lanyards, hats, lightweight bags, and other items that would otherwise clutter my desk or dresser.
Go for heavy-duty ones that can hold 100 lbs or more. I’ve even stuck one to the ceiling of the shower to hang wet items. They’re simple, versatile, and help keep the cabin a little more organized.
2. Hanging Toiletry Bag (or Over-the-Door Organizer)
Cruise bathrooms have limited counter space, so a hanging toiletry bag helps keep things tidy and accessible. I use the large BAGSMART toiletry bag, and it fits everything I need. It folds up easily, zips securely, and hangs right from a hook in the bathroom without taking up space.
Some cruisers prefer an over-the-door organizer, especially when sharing a cabin with more than two people. Either option helps avoid clutter and keeps everyone’s stuff in one spot.
3. Electrical / USB Power Outlet
Cruise cabins, especially on older ships, often lack sufficient outlets. That’s why I always pack a cruise-approved power strip or USB charging station. Just make sure whatever you bring is non-surge protected, or it’ll be confiscated at embarkation.
I prefer a compact USB hub that supports both USB-A and USB-C, which covers everything from phones to camera gear. On newer ships, I’ve sometimes gotten away with just the USB charging station since the cabins now include more outlets and USB ports. But not all do, so it’s still worth checking what’s available on your ship.
Another trick is to bring a universal travel adapter, allowing you to use the European outlet in the cabin as an extra US-style plug.
Important: Royal Caribbean now bans multi-plug outlets. If you’re sailing with them, a USB charging hub or universal adapter is a safer bet.
4. Towel Bands or Clips
It gets windy on the pool deck and at the beach in port, and nothing’s more annoying than your towel flying off your chair every five minutes. That’s why we always bring something to keep it in place.
I prefer towel bands. They’re simple, pack flat, and do the job. Towel clips are another option, cruisers love if you want something a little sturdier or more fun. Either one works well on the ship and at the beach, helping to avoid constant readjustment.
5. Foldable Daypack or Tote
I always bring a foldable daypack for shore excursions. It’s lightweight, water-resistant, and easy to pack my luggage, making it great for holding essentials like sunscreen, a camera, and water bottles.
For beach days, we also usually bring a foldable tote. Since there are two of us, one carries the daypack and the other carries the tote. It gives us extra space for towels, snorkel, and anything else we might need at the beach.
6. Reusable Coffee Mug and Water Bottle
We always bring our own insulated reusable coffee mug and water bottle on cruises. The cups at the buffet are small, and it’s easier to fill a larger mug with coffee or a water bottle with filtered water, thereby avoiding constant trips back and forth.
Bottled water isn’t included with your cruise fare unless you have a drink package, but filtered water is available at the buffet. We use our tumblers throughout the day, and then we can take the water bottle off the ship on port days as well.
If you’re sailing with Virgin Voyages, this is a must. They don’t sell bottled water and encourage guests to bring their own reusable water bottles.
7. Wrinkle Release Spray
Since irons aren’t allowed in cruise cabins, I always pack a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release Spray. Just spray it on, smooth out your clothes, and hang them up. The wrinkles usually relax within a few minutes, and the steam from the bathroom helps too.
Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, Princess, or Disney, may offer self-serve laundry rooms with irons, but availability depends on the specific ship. If you’re planning to dress up, you can also send items out for pressing on the day of embarkation.
8. Laundry Bag
This laundry bag has been coming with us for over 10 years, whether we’re cruising or traveling on land. Even though our Away suitcases came with their own, we still pack this one. It just works better for us.
It folds up small, takes no space in the suitcase, and keeps our dirty clothes separate throughout the trip. When it’s time to repack, we toss the whole bag into the luggage. It keeps everything contained and makes packing and unpacking later so much easier at the end of the trip.
9. Packing Cubes
I’m team packing cubes all the way. They keep everything organized, help you fit more into your suitcase, and make unpacking on the cruise ship super easy. I just move the cubes straight into the drawers or shelves when we get to the cabin.
It saves time, cuts down on clutter, and makes settling into the cabin way easier.
10. Small First Aid Kit
We always travel with two essentials for minor health needs — a small first aid kit and a pill organizer.
The first aid kit should cover the basics, including bandages, blister patches, Neosporin, hydrocortisone cream, and any other necessary items for cuts, scrapes, or skin irritation. You can buy a premade one and add a few extras, or build your own with travel-sized supplies.
The pill organizer is filled with over-the-counter medications we’ve learned to keep on hand, such as allergy medications, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, cold medications, anti-diarrheal tablets, and Dramamine. We pack what we’ve needed in the past and label each section so we can grab it quickly if something comes up.
We also carry hand sanitizer and a small pack of disinfecting wipes. It’s not foolproof, but it helps us stay ahead of potential issues during the trip.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
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- Cruise Packing Guide for First-Time Cruisers
- Packing List for a Caribbean Cruise Vacation
- Avoid Packing These 20 Things for Your Cruise
- Cruise Luggage Tag Holders for the Top Cruise Lines
Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.