Cruise Packing List: What You NEED to Bring on Your Cruise

Going on a cruise and looking for a cruise packing list? Whether it’s your very first voyage or you’ve cruised before, packing can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.

I recently went on my first cruise. And as someone who loves to travel light, here is everything I packed for my cruise that made my trip so much smoother.

Cruise Packing List

Passport and IDs

Before diving into all the fun cruise packing details, the most important thing to bring is your passport. Along with any other travel documents required to board the ship on embarkation day. 

Motion Sickness Medicine

Since it was my first time cruising, I packed motion sickness medicine. And I’m so glad that I did! One of the sea days was super windy and stormy, and a lot of people on the ship, including me, definitely felt the turbulent movement. Even my friend, who’s an experienced cruiser, ended up taking some medicine too. So all in all, I highly recommend bringing motion sickness medicine, just in case.

Any Other Medicine

Don’t forget to bring any personal medications and vitamins that you might need during your trip. For example, I packed some DayQuil cold and flu syrup and a few allergy meds, just in case. It’s always better to be prepared, especially since getting medicine on the ship can be expensive or limited.

Toiletries

Don’t forget the basics like toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. You can also bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, although the cabins typically provide these for you. 

Deodorant / Perfume

Along with your basic toiletries, don’t forget to pack your deodorant and favorite perfume. 

Sunscreen

Don’t forget your sunscreen! Seriously… don’t forget it. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun on the deck, or exploring your port destination, sunscreen is a must. It protects your skin from UV rays and helps minimize painful sunburns. 

Lip Balm with SPF

Speaking of sunscreen, don’t forget to pack a lip balm with SPF. We often think about protecting our face and body, but your lips are just as vulnerable to sunburn since the skin there is so thin. I forgot to bring one on my cruise and totally regretted it. I ended up with a painful, stinging sunburn on my lips. So take it from me: keep your whole body protected, and don’t skip the SPF lip balm!

Clothes

One of the main things you’re probably wondering about when creating your cruise packing list is “what clothes to bring?”. My biggest tip is to think about where your cruise is headed and let that guide your wardrobe choices.

If you’re going somewhere tropical and warm, pack light, breathable clothes like sundresses, shorts, and flowy tops. But if you’re headed somewhere cooler, like an Alaskan cruise; be sure to bring jackets, sweaters, and layers to keep warm.

Here are some basic clothing essentials to pack:

• Undergarments

• Shirts or blouses

• Pants

• Sandals

• Daytime and nighttime dresses

• Jewelry

• Pajamas

• Gym or exercise clothes

• Sneakers

If you would like some cute outfit inspiration, check out the article linked below for cruise outfit ideas!

CHECK OUT: What to Wear on a Cruise: Cruise Outfits for a Cute & Comfy Look

Packing List for Cruise

Hat

Whether it’s a baseball cap, beach hat, or visor, bringing a hat is a stylish addition to your cruise packing list. It not only helps complete your outfit but also protects your face from the sun while you’re lounging on deck or exploring your destination.

A Pair of Sunglasses

A pair of sunglasses is another thing that you can pack. 

Electronics (Phone, Tablet, Laptop, etc.)

Don’t forget to pack your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other electronics you might need during your cruise. 

Phone Charger

To go hand-in-hand with your electronics, don’t forget to pack your chargers. You definitely don’t want to end up buying a new charger on board, it can be pricey!

Cash

In addition to bringing your debit or credit card, don’t forget to pack some cash for your cruise. I found it super helpful to have on hand for tipping the housekeeping staff when checking out and for small purchases at the ports we visited. 

Book

If you’ve been meaning to start a book or just love reading, a cruise is the perfect time to bring one along. Whether you want a break from screens; some entertainment poolside; or a relaxing read on deck; packing a book ensures you’ll have something enjoyable to do during downtime.

Waterproof Phone Protector

A waterproof phone protector can be a lifesaver, especially if you plan on spending time at the beach or by the pool. I used one on my cruise when we went to the beach, it allowed us to take beach photos without worrying about getting our phones wet.

What to Pack for a Cruise

So when it comes to what to pack for a cruise, focus on bringing the essentials that will keep you comfortable, prepared, and stylish without overpacking. Here’s a comprehensive guide based on my own cruise experience:

Travel Documents

Passport & travel documents: These are the most important items, you can’t board without them!

Health & Medicine

Motion sickness medicine: Even if it’s your first cruise, it’s better to be prepared for rough seas.

Any other personal medicine: Pack anything you might need, like allergy meds, pain medicine, multi-vitamins.

Toiletries & Personal Care

Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash: provided in cabins, but bring your favorites if you want.

Deodorant & perfume: Help you stay fresh all day.

Sunscreen & SPF lip balm: Protect your skin and lips from harmful UV rays.

Hat & sunglasses: Stay stylish while keeping your face and eyes protected.

Clothing Essentials

• Undergarments, shirts/blouses, pants

• Daytime & nighttime dresses

• Sandals & sneakers

• Gym/exercise clothes

• Jewelry & pajamas

Tip: Let your cruise destination guide your clothing choices. Tropical cruises call for light, airy clothes, while colder destinations like Alaska require jackets and layers.

Electronics & Accessories

• Phone, tablet, laptop

• Chargers for all devices

• Waterproof phone protector for beach or pool photos

Extras

Cash: Helpful for tipping housekeeping or making small purchases at ports.

Book: Perfect for relaxing by the pool, on deck, or taking a break from screens.