What to Bring on a Cruise Vacation: 6 Must-pack Items

One of the best things about taking a cruise? You only unpack once! That’s because your home away from home moves you anywhere, from Alaska to the Caribbean to Europe and Asia-Pacific.

On each of the 29-plus ships you have to choose from, there’s also a lineup of restaurants, bars and lounges, along with adventures ranging from skydiving to bumper cars and original entertainment to make it the vacation of a lifetime for everyone. With plenty in store, you’ll want to be prepared for it all.

If you’re wondering what to bring on a cruise, that’s where this cruise essentials list comes in handy. From long pants for ice skating on board (yes, ice skating) to a tote bag, here’s what to pack for your cruise.

Key Takeaways: What To Bring on a Cruise Vacation

● Day-one essentials: Pack a tote with a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses and essential travel documents to start enjoying activities immediately upon boarding.

● Clothing and shoes: Prepare thin layers for temperature fluctuations, active gear for sports and outfits ranging from casual to formal evening wear.

● Technology and connectivity: Bring a portable charger, camera or GoPro and necessary adapters to ensure connectivity so you can capture memories on board and ashore.

● Health and personal care: Pack toiletries, prescription medications, motion sickness aids, first-aid items and high-SPF sunscreen to maintain health throughout the trip.

● Optional comforts: Optional items like a book, games for children or wrinkle-release spray come in handy for relaxation and personal comfort during downtime.

● Essential documents: Research and pack crucial documentation like your passport or birth certificate, government ID, visas (if necessary) and cruise tickets.

● Explore cruises to your favorite destinations and use this guide as you start preparing your belongings.

1. Day-One Essentials

You’ll want to get in on the action as soon as you set foot on your ship. There are experiences and activities you can start enjoying right away — from waterslides to hanging 10 on the FlowRider®. Having a tote bag with a few essentials is one of the most important things to bring on your cruise, since it means you’ll be ready to dive in as soon as you board.

Here’s what to include in your day pack:

● Tote bag.

● Swimsuit.

● Sunscreen.

● Sunglasses.

● Flip-flops.

● Travel documents (passport, ID, cruise ticket and visas if needed).

● Phone and portable charger.

If you checked other luggage, it’ll be delivered to your stateroom that day, which will be ready for you soon after boarding.

Pro tip: The extra bag can also be useful to take essential items on a shore excursion or to bring home keepsakes.

2. Clothing for All Occasions

Daywear and Activity Gear

When packing for daytime, keep versatility top of mind. I’d recommend dressing in thin layers you can add or remove as needed when the weather changes — or the AC kicks in. These allow for flexibility and take up less room in your suitcase. This is good advice anywhere, especially in Alaska, where temperatures fluctuate regularly.

Likewise, if you’re planning to go ice skating on ships like Allure of the Seas®, Symphony of the Seas® and Wonder of the Seas® (and many more), you’ll want to wear long pants and socks — the latter are also handy if you want to hit up spots like the Rock Climbing Wall and the Zip Line on board.

Because some shore excursions — which can range from ziplining at Perfect Day CocoCay, the Royal Caribbean private island destination in The Bahamas, to whale watching in Alaska — can involve getting a little wet, consider bringing a change of clothes. This way, you’ll be dry and comfortable until you get back to your ship.

Consider packing the following items for daytime activities:

● Quick-dry tops and shorts.

● Day-time clothing, including bottoms, tops and sundresses.

● Lightweight or thicker layers, depending on your destination.

● Long pants and socks for ice skating.

● Light raincoat.

Evening Wear

Dressing on board is pretty much come-as-you-are — you’re on vacation, after all. For dinner, you can go casual (think jeans, T-shirts and sundresses), but you can also go for smart casual or even formal. Here are some packing ideas for evening events:

● Smart-casual dinner outfits (collared shirts and blazers or dresses and blouses).

● A formal night outfit (for special dinners or photos).

● Any accessories to elevate your outfit.

Shoes

You’ll want to pack some sneakers into your bag if you’re interested in doing things on board, like playing laser tag, jumping on the Zip Line or hitting the sports court. Anti-slip, closed-toe water shoes are also good to have for active shore excursions, like snorkeling in Bermuda or exploring cenote swimming holes in Mexico. There are really only four pairs of shoes you need, including:

● Flip-flops or sandals for exploring the ship.

● Sneakers for the gym, sports or excursions.

● Waterproof, anti-slip shoes for beach days.

● Comfortable, but dressy shoes.

Pro tip: Cruises can take you from the beach to the ballroom. Plan your outfits around this versatility to lighten your packing load and make transitions smoother. The same goes for shoes: If you’re traveling on a quick weekend escape, you might get away with dress-casual sandals for formal night and wandering around the ship.

3. Technology and Connectivity

If staying connected is important, you can use the onboard Wi-Fi on board 24/7. Make sure to bring a portable charger (AKA a power bank — not a multi-outlet power bar, which is prohibited), This goes for by the pool uploading your bragworthy pics from surfing on the FlowRider or to taking photos from 300 feet above the ocean on the North Star®, where the all-glass observation capsule offers the best views in the house. A few more tech considerations to pack are:

● Portable charger.

● Adapters if needed.

● Earphones or earbuds.

● Camera or GoPro.

4. Health and Personal Care

From racing down the waterslides to kicking back at the many pools and whirlpools on board, to grabbing a drink at poolside bars like The Lime & Coconut® and exploring the world’s beautiful natural sights and cities, you can spend a lot of time outside while on vacation.

Beyond standard toiletries, pack sunscreen ands well as aloe vera or after-sun lotion, just in case. Ensure you put these in your checked bag if you’re flying to the city where your cruise starts. In terms of healthcare and personal items, you’ll likely need: 

● Hairbrush, deodorant and toothbrush.

● Sunscreen (reef-safe and high SPF).

● Aloe vera or after-sun lotion.

● Motion sickness tablets or bands.

● First aid basics (plasters, pain relief, etc).

● Prescription medications.

● Hand sanitizer and wipes.

5. Optional Comforts

As you’re packing, consider that there are washing, pressing and dry-cleaning services on board. You can also take matters into your own hands by packing wrinkle-release spray for a quick and easy way to make your clothes look picture-perfect right out of your suitcase (you won’t find irons in your stateroom — safety first!). It can also help to bring personal items for downtime and relaxation — especially if you’re traveling with the kids. Here are some extra items to take on a cruise:

● Small laundry detergent pack.

● Wrinkle-release spray.

● Book or e-reader.

● Sleep mask and earplugs for travel.

● Water bottle.

● Snorkel and mask, or other relevant activity-related gear.

6. Travel Documents

Where your cruise sails from and where you’re headed determines what you’ll need to bring in terms of identification and even visas. A passport is usually a must. If you don’t have one, you may be able to bring your original birth certificate along with a government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or an identity card. Research in advance to see which documentation you’ll need to bring with you. Here are some general ideas:

● Passport or birth certificate (check requirements).

● Visas, if required.

● Government-issued photo ID.

● Cruise documents and shore excursion tickets.

● Credit card and a small amount of local currency.

● Travel insurance papers.

What To Pack On A Family Cruise

Cruising with kids adds a new layer of adventure to your vacation. With the right packing list, you'll be ready for every moment, from splash pads and mini-golf to late-night movies under the stars. 

Royal Caribbean ships are packed with family-friendly thrills, so consider what the little ones will need to keep them comfortable, entertained and sun-safe. Here are a few essentials to add to your family vacation packing list:

● Reef-safe, high-SPF sunscreen for kids.

● Swim diapers and rash guards.

● A change of clothes (or two)  for the kids in your carry-on.

● Favorite small toys, books or travel games.

● A portable sound machine for naptime.

● Compact baby carrier or compact stroller.

● Snacks from home for picky eaters.

● A waterproof bag to keep everything dry by the pool.

If you’re traveling with teens, it’s easy to stay in touch with them via the Royal App — just make sure they have a portable charger during the daytime. For family trips, it can also help to spread out everyone’s clothing across a few suitcases in case anything goes missing during your travels to the cruise port. Using color-coded packing cubes for each family member will make it easy to unpack items once you’re on board.

Pack Smart for Your Cruise Vacation