A Small, Portable Cabin Fan - We love bringing along a fan to keep us company in the cabin. Not only does it help to have some air circulating in the room, but we also have to have white noise to drown out any sounds while we sleep.
Outlet Adapter - Have an iPhone? What about a tablet or a laptop? A small fan? A nightlight, curling iron or straightener? You can see that outlet space can be at a premium in a small cruise cabin. That’s why we recommend packing an adapter or two that will expand the number of plugs.
Wheel Spinner Suitcase - You likely already have a suitcase or a duffel bag to pack your clothes in, but it’s a good idea to switch over to a 4-wheel spinner suitcase. The walkway from the cruise terminal to your cabin can be pretty long.
Wine and Corkscrew - Nothing beats sitting out on the balcony of the ship, watching the stars and sipping a glass of your favorite vino. Be sure to pack a corkscrew with your wine, We’ve all done the dance when we want to open a bottle of wine and search frantically for a corkscrew.
Cabin Nightlight - The cabins on a ship can get dark — especially if you’ve booked an interior room that doesn’t have windows. So what happens if you get up to go to the bathroom while trying to navigate a small, unfamiliar cabin with furniture? Your shins pay the price.
Poo-Pourri - It’s been said that the key to a happy marriage is a bathroom fan. Unfortunately cruise ships don’t offer fan vents and the cabin is pretty small. If you have a balcony then you have a source of fresh air. Otherwise, you might want some Poo-Pourri to help mask bathroom odors.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer (NOT for Shoes) - You shouldn’t bring enough shoes to fill up an entire shoe organizer. However, they serve more than one purpose. Hang it over the bathroom door and you have a perfect place to put small items like deodorant, shampoo bottles, sunscreen bottles, and anything else.
Beach Blanket - If you want to spend any time on the beach, then you have to get a beach blanket.
Phone Charger - Just a friendly reminder. You should go ahead and put the charger in your suitcase now. It’s too easy to forget.
Sticky Notes - Sticky notes? On a cruise? Don’t laugh. They are awesome for leaving little notes in the cabin for your family to let them know where you are. You can also use them to write notes to the cabin steward should something need attention while cleaning the room.
Ziploc Bags - Bringing resealable Ziploc bags is one of the smartest things you can do. From keeping your phone/wallet dry while your swim to keeping wet clothes separate from your dry luggage, Ziplocs are worth their weight in gold.
Slip-Resistant Flip Flops - Ok, most people know to pack a pair of flip-flops on their trip, but Reef sandals with the quilted top, They are the most comfortable flip-flops ever and the textured bottoms are perfect for walking around on slippery poolside decks.
Mask and Snorkel - Want to get a look under the water? We don’t blame you. It’s a completely different world under there and the beauty of snorkeling in tropical waters shouldn’t be missed.
Phone/Passport Dry Pouch - If you are planning to go to the beach, you’ll want somewhere to keep your passport, credit cards, room key, and cash dry.
Wide-Brimmed Hat - There is no better way to avoid sunburn than to keep the sun off you to begin with. Big hats are always in fashion on a cruise because they protect your face, shoulders and neck from getting sunburned.
Walking Shoes - Everyone knows to bring some sandals if you’re headed to the beach, but if you’re going on a cruise then you should also bring some comfy walking shoes. Excursions (or just exploring the port) involves a lot of walking.
Binoculars - Land ho! Or is it? Believe it or not, there’s a lot to see when you’re out at sea. We love having a pair of binoculars to people watch from afar or simply look at other ships out on the open ocean.
Jacket or a Hoodie - Think it’s all sun and warm weather if you’re sailing to the Caribbean? Think again. With the ship moving, the wind onboard can be chilly, especially at night.
Netflix - How do you pack Netflix? To be sure, cruise lines don’t like you streaming video services and Internet is expensive on the ships. But Netflix allows you to download many episodes to your computer or tablet beforehand so you can watch without having to have Internet connection. Having a few episodes to binge on a cruise is one of our guilty pleasures.
A Copy of Your Passport - Bring a copy of the front page of your passport as well. Then, when you head into port you can lock your passport in your cabin safe and keep the copy with you. You’ll have identification without risking your passport being stolen or lost while in port.
Lanyard - Lanyards come in handy for putting your room key/ship’s car at easy reach.
Sunscreen (lots of it) - You may not realize how powerful the Caribbean sun is until it’s too late. That’s why you should pack plenty of sunscreen.
Aloe Gel - Everyone knows it’s a good to bring sunscreen (unless you like looking like a lobster), but many people never think to bring aloe in case you get burned anyway.
Wristwatch - These days, almost all of us check our phones for the time. But when you are on the ship or in port, it’s often easier just to keep your phone in the cabin safe and carry a cheap wristwatch.
Swimsuit Cover Up - Even at the beach, you don’t want to walk indoors flaunting what your mother gave you in a swimsuit. Be sure to bring along a cover up that you can slip over your outfit to add a little modesty.
Waterproof Drybag - There’s always a conundrum when you head out in the water. What do you do with your valuables? That’s why we suggest having a drybag. Put your items in the bag, seal, and roll it up and you have a splash-proof container that you can take into the water with you.
Insect Repellent - you should definitely take the precaution to bring mosquito repellent. You won’t need it while the ship is sailing (there aren’t mosquitoes in the middle of the ocean), but when you are in port, be sure to apply it as often as sunscreen to keep from getting bitten.
Dramamine - Most cruises will have some seasickness medication our for passengers to take when the waves get rough. You will still likely want to bring your own.
Sunglasses - Like a cellphone charger, you know to bring your shades on a cruise. The only problem is that it’s so easy to forget them at home or in the car. With the reflection of the sun off the ship and the water, having sunglasses is a must.
Lightweight Backpack - If you want something to carry a change of clothes and some towels — without the bulk of a regular backpack — a lightweight bag is your best friend.
Waterproof Valuables Case - Whether you are hanging by the pool or don’t want to leave your valuables on the beach while taking a dip, a waterproof case is a must-have. Use it to keep your phone, wallet, keys, and anything else dry as a bone so you don’t have to worry just because you want to go swimming.
Towel Clips - One of our pastimes on the ship is to watch people struggle with laying their towel on their beach chair. With the ship constantly in motion, there is always a breeze on deck. Bringing a few clips like these can help keep your towel secure to your lounge chair and save you some stress.
Cabin Alarm Clock - Most cabins don’t have clocks. And while most people want to leave the alarm clock at home, we suggest bringing one. Not only will it make sure you don’t miss any onboard activities, but it can also help you pack in the most into your days in port.
Wrinkle-Release Spray - If you’re worried about wrinkles when you unpack your clothes, then this spray is just the thing. Now you don’t have to worry about getting out the iron on your vacation. Simply spray the wrinkled item, hang it in the closet and let the spray do the work.
Money Belt - Want the convenience of a fanny pack without the bulk? This stylish belt comes in a ton of colors and sits flat against your body. Put in your passport, cash, cell phone and more, so they are always at an arm’s reach, but safe from pickpockets.
Cash Money - We don’t usually carry cash with us on a day-to-day basis. Credit cards are accepted everywhere here at home. However, on a cruise we make sure to pack enough cash to get us through the trip. using cash is more secure than using your credit card in questionable stores, plus credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere like they are back home.
Refillable Bottle - Whether you are hanging out around the ship or heading into a port of call, it’s always nice to have a refillable bottle with you. This way you can always have some water nearby instead of having to find a restaurant to get a drink.
TSA-Compliant Luggage Locks - No, luggage locks won’t keep your things safe if a thief really wants into your bag. But they do make it tougher to get in, taking away crimes of opportunity. For just a few bucks you can keep your bag locked closed with these locks and keep any fast hands from getting your valuables.
