The Ultimate Cruise Packing List I Wish I Had Before My Trip

IG: ms.mackenzie_

If you have a cruise coming up, first of all, I am so jealous. But second of all, you need to listen to me very carefully. Packing for a floating city is completely different than packing for a regular beach vacation.

I learned this the very hard way. Let me tell you a quick story about my first cruise a couple of years ago. I had zero clue what I was doing. I literally brought a suitcase so massive and heavy that the airline put a bright orange “Heavy” sticker on it. I packed five pairs of high wedges. Five! Do you know how hard it is to walk on a moving boat in wedges? I looked like a baby giraffe trying to walk on ice. It was embarrassing, honestly.

But the absolute worst part was my boarding day mistake. When you get on the ship, the porters take your big luggage and you do not see it again until way after dinner. Guess where I packed my swimsuit? Yep, right at the bottom of my giant checked bag. So there I was, sitting by the gorgeous pool on the top deck in a full sweatpants outfit, sweating out of my mind, watching everyone else drink piña coladas in the water. I was so mad at myself! I spent the first six hours of my vacation completely miserable. I swore right then and there that I would figure out the exact science of cruise packing.

1. The “Day 1” Survival Carry-On

Like I mentioned, your big bags are gone for the first day. You absolutely need a solid carry-on tote or a small backpack with all your essentials for those first few hours on the ship. This is non-negotiable.

First, put your swimsuit, a lightweight cover-up, and some flip-flops in there. The pools and hot tubs are the least crowded on boarding day because everyone else is lost trying to find their rooms. You want to get straight in that water! You also need to pack all your important travel documents, your passport, and any medications you take. Do not ever put your meds in your checked bag, because sometimes luggage gets delayed.

I also highly recommend throwing in a small bottle of reef-safe sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses. You will probably be doing a lot of walking around the outdoor decks trying to get your bearings, and the sun reflecting off the ocean is no joke. Having this survival bag means your vacation starts the literal second you step onto the ship, instead of waiting around in your cabin for your suitcase to show up.

2. Cabin Hacks You Actually Need to Buy

Cruise ship cabins are tiny. Even if you book a balcony room, space is incredibly tight, and counter space in the bathroom is basically non-existent. But there is a secret trick that changes everything. Fun fact: almost all the walls and ceilings in a cruise cabin are made of metal!

You need to go online right now and buy a pack of heavy-duty magnetic hooks. I am so serious about this. You just stick them right to the ceiling or the walls. I use them to hang up my wet swimsuits, my lanyard with my room key, my beach hat, and my lightweight jackets. It gets all that clutter off the tiny little couch and the bed. It makes the room feel twice as big.

Another absolute lifesaver is a non-surge power strip. Cruise cabins usually only have one or two outlets for the entire room. If you are trying to charge your phone, your camera, and use a curling iron, you are going to be fighting for outlet space. But listen closely – you cannot bring a regular power strip with a surge protector. They are a fire hazard on ships and security will confiscate it. You have to buy a specific “cruise approved” power strip without a surge protector. It is a tiny detail, but it will save you so much frustration.

3. The “Mix & Match” Capsule Wardrobe

Okay, let’s talk about the clothes. You do not need as many clothes as you think you do. During the day, you are literally just going to be in swimsuits, shorts, and cover-ups. That is it. You want fabrics that dry fast and breathe well.

For the evenings, most ships have a “smart casual” dress code, with maybe one or two formal nights depending on how long your trip is. Instead of bringing a totally different outfit for every single night, pack a capsule wardrobe. Bring basic bottoms – like a great pair of white linen pants and a flowy midi skirt – and just mix up the tops.

My secret weapon for dressing up on a cruise without packing heavy gowns is jewelry. Whenever I travel, I always bring a few of my Auntie’s handmade silver and turquoise pieces. I can wear a super simple, plain black slip dress that rolls up tiny in my suitcase, but the second I put on that heavy squash blossom necklace and some silver cuffs, I look incredibly elegant and put-together. It elevates the whole look instantly. Plus, wearing my heritage pieces makes me feel connected to my roots even when I am out in the middle of the ocean. Find your own version of this! Pack lightweight basics and let your accessories do the heavy lifting.

4. The “Just In Case” Pharmacy Kit

You guys, the stores on a cruise ship are so expensive. If you get a headache or a sunburn, a tiny bottle of basic medicine will cost you an arm and a leg. You need to build your own little pharmacy bag before you leave home.

Here is what you need: pain relievers, allergy pills, antacids for all that amazing buffet food, and aloe vera gel for when you inevitably miss a spot with your sunscreen. But the most important thing is seasickness medication. Even if you think you don’t get motion sickness, the ocean is unpredictable.

My cousin came with us on a trip to the Bahamas a while back. She swore up and down she had an iron stomach. Well, day two, we hit some really rough water and the boat was rocking hard. She spent the entire formal night looking completely green, lying flat on her back in the cabin while the rest of us ate lobster. It was so sad! Now, I always pack those little behind-the-ear patches and some ginger candies. Put the patch on before you even feel sick, just as a preventative measure. You do not want a choppy sea to ruin your vacation.

5. Port Day Essentials

When the ship docks and you get off to explore the islands or the coastal towns, you need the right gear. A regular purse is just going to get in the way and get ruined by sand and salt water.

Invest in a good quality, lightweight dry bag. They are these rubbery backpacks that you fold down at the top, and they are completely waterproof. If you go on a snorkeling excursion or a boat ride, your phone, your wallet, and your dry clothes are totally safe. I also highly recommend a waterproof phone pouch that goes around your neck. You can take underwater videos of the fish without risking your very expensive phone.

And please, bring comfortable walking shoes for port days. Flip-flops are great for the pool deck, but if you are walking through cobblestone streets in a port town or hiking to a waterfall, you will get terrible blisters. A good pair of supportive, water-resistant sandals will save your feet.

What NOT to Bring (Save Your Space!)

Just as important as what to pack is knowing what to leave at home. Cruise lines have really strict rules about what you can bring on board. If you pack these, they will get taken away at security and you will feel super awkward.

• Clothes steamers or irons: Any appliance that generates heat like that is banned. If your clothes are wrinkled, just hang them in the bathroom while you take a hot, steamy shower. The wrinkles will fall right out.
• Beach towels: The ship provides endless beach towels for the pool and for you to take off the ship on port days. Do not waste half your suitcase space on bulky towels!
• Full-size shampoo bottles: Unless you have incredibly specific hair needs, just use travel sizes. The cabins have body wash and shampoo in the showers already.