Cruise Survival Kit: 13 Things to Pack for Your Cruise

That’s the idea behind this list. These are 13 practical things I’d add to a cruise survival kit to help with some of those little problems and annoyances that come up onboard and in port.

And if you know someone getting ready to cruise, you could even put a few of these together into a cruise survival kit gift for their trip.

1. Bring Your Own Toiletries

I bring most of my own toiletries on a cruise and usually only use the hand soap provided in the cabin, even when we’re staying in a suite equivalent to The Haven. I know some of you can happily live with the shampoo/body wash combo in the shower, and if that works for you, great. My husband is one of those people. I am not.

I usually fill reusable travel containers with the products I use at home rather than bringing full-size bottles. It keeps everything smaller and easier to pack without having to switch to products I don’t normally use.

Conditioner is a big one for me, because you don’t always get it in a standard cruise cabin. My curly hair needs specific products, my skin is sensitive, and it’s just easier for me to bring the things I already know work. When you’re out at sea, that’s not when you want to realize you really miss something you left sitting in your bathroom at home.

2. Medications and OTC Basics

This is one area where I don’t like taking chances. I pack all of my prescription medications, especially my migraine medication. I couldn’t imagine being in the middle of a cruise and realizing I didn’t have what I normally take when one hits.

I also bring a small stash of the OTC basics we usually reach for at home, like pain relievers, allergy and cold medicine, antacids, stomach remedies, Band-Aids, and blister patches. Once you’re out at sea, you can’t count on finding the exact brand or medication you normally use onboard.

You may not need most of it, and hopefully you won’t. But when you’re not feeling well in the middle of a cruise, having the medication you already know and use can make a huge difference.

3. Seasickness Remedies

Even if you normally do fine on cruises, seas can change. One rough day is enough to make you wish you had packed something for motion sickness.

This is one I’d definitely pack, especially if you already know you’re prone to seasickness. Bring whatever works best for you, like Dramamine, Bonine, ginger chews, pressure-point bands, or a prescription patch from your doctor.

On a recent family cruise, my sister-in-law got seasick one night, and I was really glad I had a few remedies with me that helped her feel better. I’d rather have them sitting untouched in the cabin than need them.

4. USB Charging Hub + Charging Cables

You don’t want to get into your cabin and realize there aren’t enough places to charge everything you brought, or worse, that you forgot the cable for one of your devices. Newer cruise ships usually have more outlets and USB ports, but some older cabins can still be pretty limited.

I like bringing a USB charging hub with both USB-A and USB-C, plus the charging cables we need for our phones, watches, cameras, and other travel gear. I usually double-check all of that before we leave because replacing a forgotten cable once you’re already on the ship can be a pain.

Always check your cruise line’s current rules before packing electrical accessories since policies can vary.

5. Magnetic Hooks

I swear by magnetic hooks on a cruise. When you’re in a cabin with limited hanging space and storage, you’ll be very glad to have a few of these with you.

Since many cruise cabin walls are metal, I use them for hats, lanyards, lightweight bags, and other things that would otherwise end up on the desk or dresser. I’ve even used one in the shower for hanging wet items.

The key is to get heavy-duty magnetic hooks rated to hold 100 lbs or more. They take up almost no room in the suitcase, but they can make a small cabin much easier to keep organized.

6. Wrinkle Release Spray

No matter how carefully you pack, there’s always something that comes out of the suitcase looking like a wrinkled mess. And since you can’t just pull out your own iron in a cruise cabin, wrinkle release spray is one of those things I like having with me.

A few sprays, some smoothing, and a little time hanging up usually do the trick. I’ll sometimes hang it in the bathroom while the shower is running and let the steam help too. When dinner is coming up, and your outfit is still wrinkled, you’ll be glad you packed it.

7. Portable Charger

I bring a portable charger for port days, but I also use it on sea days when we’re out and about around the ship and barely spend any time in the cabin.

Between taking photos, using the cruise line app, checking maps or tickets in port, and just being on my phone throughout the day, the battery can drain pretty quickly. I’d rather have a charger in my bag than have to head back to the cabin just to plug in my phone.

8. Reusable Water Bottle or Tumbler

Even when I have a drink package that includes bottled water, I still bring my reusable water bottle. I like filling it with the filtered water at the buffet, drink package or not, and I’ll take it with me around the ship or into port.

And if we’re talking survival, this is one reason I like having my own bottle with me. Even if you run out of bottled water, the ship still has drinking water available, so you can fill it up when you need to.

Hubby will also bring an insulated tumbler for coffee or other drinks around the ship.

9. Noise-Canceling Earbuds or Earplugs

I don’t personally pack earplugs, but I do always have my noise-canceling earbuds with me. Most of the time, cabin noise isn’t an issue, but you never really know what you might hear once you’re onboard.

It could be hallway traffic, loud neighbors, doors closing, or entertainment coming from another deck. If I happen to end up somewhere noisier than expected, I can put my earbuds in and block some of it out. If you don’t travel with noise-canceling earbuds, a simple pair of earplugs takes up almost no room and is easy to have on hand just in case.

10. Your Own Tissues

Yes, there are tissues in the cabin. And yes, I still pack my own.

The ones provided onboard aren’t always the best, and if allergies hit or you end up with a runny nose, you’ll notice pretty quickly. A small pack or box of tissues doesn’t take up much room and can make a big difference when you actually need them.

11. Portable Fan

To the cruisers who won’t sail without a portable fan, I see you. I don’t personally pack one, but I know plenty of people who swear by having that extra airflow or fan noise at night.

If sleeping without a fan is going to make you miserable, pack the fan. This is definitely one of those things you’ll be glad you brought.

12. Disinfecting Spray and Sanitizing Wipes

Cruise ships get a bad rap when it comes to germs, and no, I don’t think you’re stepping onto a floating petri dish. It’s one of those cruise myths that keeps getting repeated. But you are sharing a ship with thousands of other people, so I like having a few things readily available when I want them.

I keep a small disinfecting spray for surfaces and use it on high-touch spots in the cabin, like the remote, door handles, or desk. I also carry hand-sanitizing wipes in my bag for travel days, around the ship, and in port. They serve different purposes, but both are easy to pack and nice to have within reach instead of having to go looking for a hand-sanitizer station.

13. Kindle or E-Reader

My Kindle is coming with me. I don’t go anywhere without it. I’ll read by the pool, on the balcony, before bed, or whenever I have some downtime around the ship. I download several books before the trip so I’m not relying on Wi-Fi to find something new.

If I’m going to be out in the middle of the ocean for a week, I want plenty to read. Thankfully, my Kindle means I don’t have to pack half a suitcase full of books.

Turn It Into a Cruise Survival Kit Gift

If you know someone getting ready for a cruise, you could put a few of these together as a fun DIY cruise survival kit. Pick a mix of things they’ll actually use, like a portable charger, seasickness remedies, magnetic hooks, wrinkle release spray, or a reusable water bottle.

You could even put everything inside a small hanging toiletry bag, which they can then use in their cruise cabin. For a group cruise, you could make individual kits for everyone and set them up as small cruise gift bags or cabin gifts.

It doesn’t need to include all 13 items. Just choose a few things they might actually reach for once they’re onboard.