How to Pack for Your Cruise Vacation

Everything You Need to Take on Your Cruise

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Updated on 05/02/20

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Illustration detailing 9 important items to bring on your cruise — TripSavvy / Melissa Ling

Packing for a cruise is one of the worst parts of your vacation. The only thing most cruise travelers dread more is unpacking when they get home. To lessen this dread, a comprehensive packing list is essential. Anyone who has forgotten some important item and then had to purchase it at double the price on the cruise ship or in a port of call will know that such a list can be invaluable.

One important packing tip: If traveling with a companion or spouse, divide your checked items into two suitcases. That way, if one is lost, you will both have some clothing to wear. It would be terrible for your spouse to have all of his/her clothes and you to have nothing but your carry-on. Also, be sure to carry-on anything that you cannot live without for a couple of days (medicines, swimsuit, clean underwear), just in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Cruise Travel Essentials

Use this cruise packing list as a starter and modify it for your personal tastes. You may not need everything on this list, but all are items worth considering.

Travel Documents, Wallet Items, and Paperwork Packing List

Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
Cruise documents
Passports and visas (if necessary) or other proof of citizenship
Vaccination certificate (if required)
Driver's license and auto insurance card (in case you decide to rent a car when ashore)
Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
Another government-issued picture ID (e.g. driver's license)
Credit cards (be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area)

ATM card (be sure to call your bank to notify them you are traveling)
Pre-paid phone card or SIM card for mobile phone (these can also be purchased at your destination)
Cash (some in small bills for tipping or buying low priced souvenirs)
Copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary: Pack one copy in your carry-on, one copy in your checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal.

Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler's checks
Emergency numbers at home
Currency conversion chart or app downloaded
Wallet
Watch

Reading Material and Necessities Packing List

Glasses, contacts, contact cleaner
Extra reading glasses
Sunglasses
Reading sunglasses
Guidebooks and other port of call information
Foreign language phrase book or dictionary
Maps
Reading material (books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool; if you pack an electronic book, don't forget the charger)
Journal or notebook and pen/pencil (for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences)
Business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends
Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home (for sending postcards, emails, or gifts)
Photo album (to share pictures of those adorable kids, grandkids, or pets with new friends)

Electronics and Camera Equipment Packing List

Plug adapter and converter (most electronic items like cameras, computers, and e-books do not need a converter, but do need an adapter in hotels)
Mobile phone and charger
Tablet or e-book and charger
Laptop computer
Binoculars
Underwater camera (for snorkeling or beach days)
Digital camera and manual
Extra memory cards for digital camera
Batteries for digital camera
Battery charger
Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
iPod and headphones (for listening on the airplane, walking on deck or on a treadmill)
Small travel alarm clock (battery operated)
Lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
Small flashlight
Nightlight

Medicine Kit Packing List

Prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry-on bag
Earplugs or "ear planes"
Small first aid kit (band-aids, Q-tips, vaseline, Dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, anti-diarrhea medication, cortisone cream, aspirin/Tylenol/Advil)
Germicidal hand cleaner
Handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
Hand lotion
Rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
Bug spray (not for your cabin on the ship, but for those pesky mosquitoes and "nonos" ashore)
Sunscreen/sunblock and lip sunblock

Other "Necessities" Packing List

Extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for the return trip (better than locks, but one-time use only)
Extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
Ziploc bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
Corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage)
Small umbrella
Collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights
Crazy glue
Playing cards
Sports gear (e.g., snorkeling gear)