Packing Tips for Your First Cruise Vacation: What You Really Need

Start with Packing Documents and Other Must-Haves

One of the top cruise tips I repeat throughout my site is always to have your documents printed and saved, ready to go. While I’m all for taking screenshots, saving images and PDFs to your phone and Google Drive, and using TripIt to keep my itinerary organized, I still go old school and print everything necessary. If you ever encounter an issue where they need to see the confirmation and might need to take it to resolve a problem, it’s better if they don’t walk away with your phone.

Essentials to Have in Your Embarkation Day Bag

It would be best to have a few things ready in the bag you plan to carry onto the ship on embarkation day. You will check in your luggage with a porter before boarding and won’t see your bags until later. Sometimes, you may get lucky, and they’ll be delivered to your cabin early, but other times, it might be late, even long after you sail away. By having these items handy, you won’t feel like you’re missing out:

• Travel Documents and Valuables: Always keep your passport, cruise tickets, wallet, and any valuable items, like electronics, in your carry-on for easy access and security.
• Medications and Essentials: Bring prescription medications, basic toiletries (sunscreen, toothbrush), and a phone charger.
• Swimwear: Pack a swimsuit if you want to hit the pool or spa as soon as you board.
• Light Change of Clothes: A change of clothes can be helpful if you want to play it safe.

Clothing Tips: What to Pack for Days and Nights

When packing clothes for a cruise, keep in mind the time of day, destination, the cruise line’s dress code, and any theme or chic/formal nights you might want to join. Generally, you can rely on resort wear for daytime activities and smart casual attire for sit-down dinners in the evening.

• Warmer Destinations:
  • Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, summer dresses, and sandals
  • Light, breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat
• Colder Destinations:
  • Long pants, long-sleeve shirts, a sweater, t-shirts, rain jacket and maybe a heavier jacket (layers are key)
  • Closed-toe shoes like sneakers or boots
  • Accessories like gloves, hats, and scarves

Casual wear is perfect for lounging around the ship during the day, but you might want to dress up a bit for dinner in the Main Dining Room (MDR). You don’t want to show up looking like you’re heading for a day at the beach. Specialty dining restaurants may have their own dress codes, so checking in advance is a good idea.

Not every cruise line or itinerary includes a chic/formal night, but consider packing something a little dressier if yours does. Some cruises also have theme nights—like a white party night—so check ahead and pack accordingly to join the fun.

• Footwear:
  • Flip-flops for the pool
  • Casual sandals
  • A good pair of walking shoes for exploring ports
• Activewear:
  • Comfortable clothing if you plan to use the gym or participate in active excursions.

Many ships offer laundry services or self-service facilities, so you can pack lighter if you’re okay with doing a bit of washing mid-cruise. We always find it worth it.

While it’s tempting to pack a different outfit for every occasion, cruise cabins have limited storage. Avoid bringing bulky items and too many pairs of shoes.

Read more: What to Leave Out of Your Cruise Wardrobe

Handy Items to Bring on Your Cruise

Standard cruise cabins are usually not as spacious as most hotel rooms in the U.S., and the most affordable cabins often don’t have windows. Don’t let the smaller space intimidate you—there are plenty of ways to organize and make your cruise cabin more comfortable.

Toiletries and Personal Care Not to Forget

You’ll board a cruise ship that will leave port and sail into the middle of the ocean. The next time you can buy anything you forgot will be at the next cruise port destination. Cruise ships carry some toiletries and medications for sale, but they are limited and usually cost much more than you would pay at home. Essential soap and shampoo will be provided in the cruise ship cabin, but you’ll need to decide if that’s good enough for the time you’ll be cruising.

Electronics and Accessories You’ll Need on a Cruise

We don’t leave our house without a few things, and you probably shouldn’t cruise without them either. One or two may surprise you, especially if this is your first cruise. As a first-time cruiser, I remember not bringing a power strip; we could have used it. Here are the most essential items that should be top of mind:

• Mobile Phone: Don’t leave this at home. In addition to keeping you connected, your phone can take photos, use cruise line apps, access boarding passes, and more.
• Charging Cable for Your Phone: This is obvious but worth double-checking. Ensure you have the right cable for your phone and any other devices you bring.
• Power Strip: Cruise cabins typically have limited outlets, and most don’t allow surge-protected power strips, so bring a non-surge-protected power strip to create more outlets.
• Multi-Port USB Charger: A great alternative for charging multiple devices that use USB connections. It’s compact, efficient, and helps you avoid fighting over outlets. Modern cruise cabins now have USB ports beside the beds to charge your phones.
• Portable Charger: A lifesaver for those long days exploring ports or when you’re away from your cabin.
• Camera: (optional) While your phone might cover your photo needs, another dedicated camera can offer higher-quality photos, or you may want to bring a waterproof camera for your days at the beach.

Packing for Shore Excursions or a Day at Port

When packing for your cruise, don’t forget to consider what you’ll need for shore excursions or days spent at port. The essentials will vary depending on your planned shore excursions, so it’s best to tailor your packing to fit your specific excursions. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Pack for the Activity: Think about what your day will involve. Pack essentials like a swimsuit, towel (the cruise line will provide it), flip-flops, sunscreen, a hat, and a beach bag for a beach day. For more active excursions like hiking or exploring, prioritize comfortable walking shoes, activewear, and plenty of sunscreen.
• Bring a Day Bag: A lightweight backpack or tote bag is perfect for carrying your essentials while off the ship. Make sure it’s big enough to hold items like water, snacks, chargers, and any purchases you might make.
• Keep Essentials Handy: Always bring important items like your cruise card, a copy of your ID, some cash, and a credit card for unexpected purchases or tips. A waterproof pouch can help keep these safe, especially if you’re near water.
• Stay Hydrated and Protected: Pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day, and don’t forget sun protection. Even if you’re not headed to the beach, items like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are still important for outdoor activities.
• Don’t Overpack: While bringing a lot is tempting, keep it simple and only pack what you need for the day. A heavy bag can weigh you down, especially during active excursions.

Tips for Packing Light and Efficiently

It has taken a lot of trial and error on our part, but I’ve learned to pack light, so I only need a carry-on-sized suitcase and a backpack. While one of the reasons we love to cruise is that we’re not dragging luggage from destination to destination, it’s still much easier to navigate the cruise terminal and your cabin with less baggage. Here are the top 5 tips to help you pack light and efficiently:

• Pack a Capsule Wardrobe: Choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Stick to a color scheme to maximize your clothing options.
• Plan Outfits Ahead: Plan your daily outfits, including any special events. This helps avoid overpacking and helps having exactly what you need without the extras.
• Limit Shoes: Stick to two or three pairs—comfortable walking shoes, casual sandals, and one dressy option. Shoes can take up space and add weight, so keep it simple.
• Use Packing Cubes: These help compress clothing, keep things organized, and maximize your suitcase space. Plus, they make unpacking in your cabin a breeze.
• Rewear and Layer: Bring items that can be re-worn and layered, like a light sweater or versatile dress. This minimizes the number of items you need while keeping your outfits fresh.

Read more:
Women’s Cruise Wear: Packing Light
Men’s Cruise Outfits: What to Pack

Quick Check: Last-Minute Packing Checklist

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Don’t Pack These Items on Your Cruise
• Caribbean Cruise Items to Pack
• Packing for Alaska Cruise: What to Pack
• Cruise Outfits for Men: What to Wear
• Cruise Outfits for Women: What to Wear