14 Cruise Packing Essentials, According to Crew

Over 21 million Americans are expected to go on ocean cruises this year, according to AAA projections. That’s a million-person increase over 2025 passenger estimates.

As a former cruise ship entertainer, it doesn’t surprise me that more people are growing curious about cruising. For travelers who find planning fatiguing, overwhelming, or simply don’t have time to research hotels, restaurants, and activities, cruising offers an easy solution. If you want a hands-off travel experience—arrive, unpack once, and let someone else handle the itinerary—cruising fits the bill.

Still, you can’t completely shut off your brain once you’re onboard. To have a great sail and make the most of your days ashore, you’ll need to arrive with the right expectations and pack with purpose. Here are the travel essentials I recommend prioritizing for your cruise packing list—and what to include in your day bag for smooth, stress-free days in port.

My Must-pack Cruise Essentials

Non-slip Sandals

Cruise ship decks can be slippery. Deck stewards regularly spray down the decks to keep them clean and prevent salt corrosion. Plus, drink spills happen, especially at open-air bars. On top of that, ship movement from waves adds to the risk, so you’ll want all the traction you can get. Pack non-slip shoes with good grip on the bottom, like this pair of Lavau flip-flops. Always walk through public areas safely within easy reach of a chair or handrail in case you unexpectedly run into a spill or wet floors. 

A Versatile Cover-up

On a cruise, you’ll go from the pool to the spa, to lunch, and back to the pool again. To avoid making countless trips back to your cabin to change, you need something easy and elegant to slip over your bathing suit. This is where caftans or maxi-style cover-ups really shine. They’re loose and flowy, yet look like a nice dress—and for some luxury cruise lines, a resortwear onboard dress code is strongly encouraged. This flowy style has a deeply-dipped neckline, drapey dolman sleeves, and a chic keyhole design for an elevated look that can easily go from day to night.

A Waterproof Day Bag

Whether you’re docking at a Caribbean beach or stepping off the gangway into a rainy Nordic port, you’ll want a waterproof bag to protect your most important belongings, like your phone. Waterproof bags are also great for shielding electronics from sand. Look for bags that say waterproof, not just water-resistant. Waterproof bags have sealed zippers so water won’t enter the bag even when submerged or caught in a heavy rain. 

A Portable Fan

As a native Floridian, I thought I was heat-tolerant. Then I went on a cruise in Greece in August and fell victim to my first heat stroke. The experience was sobering and a reminder that no matter your age, shape, or comfort level with heat, anyone can get overheated. This portable handheld fan would have been nice to have and could have prevented a lot of health stress. With over 58,000 five-star ratings at Amazon, the Jisulife fan also operates as a portable phone charger and flashlight. Plus, with up to 19 hours of battery life from a single charge, it can last your entire trip.

Boat Shoes

Just like non-slip sandals, your other cruise ship shoes should have some traction on them as well. These boat shoes have a complex rubber sole with a lot of surface area with grip—essential when walking a sometimes-slippery gangway. A clean, neutral-hued slip-on shoe like this will go with a variety of outfits and can double as your daily walking shoe by adding an insole for extra support.

A Lightweight Jacket or Blazer

Even if you’re sailing in the tropics, you’d be surprised how the top deck can have a bit of chill once the sun goes down and the ship picks up speed. Plus, some areas inside can be quite chilly, like the theatre and dining room. So pack a lightweight layer you can wear on cooler evenings. I like this jacket from Quince because it has nautical, Captain-style suiting details like gold buttons and a double-breasted design. You could even wear this over a gown on formal nights. Trust me, it will look better than wrapping a pool towel around your shoulders.

Magnetic Hooks

Most cruise ship walls are metal and magnetic. This is super useful when you need extra storage space. These sturdy hooks can help reduce cabin clutter by getting everyday items like totes, umbrellas, and lanyards off of surfaces. Make sure you travel with these heavy-duty magnets away from your electronics, though!

A Portable Power Bank

Never disembark the ship without a backup battery and charging cord for your phone. Our phones are our best tool for helping us in the event of an emergency, and it’s important to keep them charged in the event you need them to call the ship for help. This Belkin charger may appear pricey compared to cheaper models, but it’s been tested so as not to overheat and has built in safety mechanism for different voltages. It can charge three different devices and has a built-in kickstand that doubles as a tripod for photo-taking.

A Foldable Tote Bag

If you have a collection of tote bags at home, then pack one in your suitcase for your cruise. You’ll be shocked at how handy it will be. I always have a foldable tote bag in my day pack when going ashore. I used it to store soggy beach towels, souvenirs, or market finds. If you’re cruising through Europe, know that single-use plastic bags are banned in most stores, and shopkeepers expect everyone to bring their own bag. So tuck this compact tote in your jacket pocket, purse, or fanny pack so you never leave the ship without it.

A Phone Lanyard

Pickpocketing is all too easy when your phone is peeking out of a back pocket. Keep it close—and securely attached to you—with a sleek phone lanyard. This Satechi crossbody doubles as a charging cable, so you won’t have to worry about packing (or remembering) the right cord when you head ashore.

Electrolyte Drink Mix

Even more important than a portable fan is staying hydrated. Always drink plenty of water before your morning coffee, and over-hydrate if you’ve been drinking the night before. To combat the salt you’ll lose from sweating and drinking, add a daily electrolyte drink to your meal rotation. The ship will have electrolyte mix in its infirmary, but if you can’t stomach certain sports drink flavors, it’s wise to bring your own. This mix has added boosts of ginger and turmeric, which are good for upset stomachs and might even ease seasickness symptoms.

Zicam

Travel can be stressful, and when my body is combating too much stress, my immune system is the first to remind me to slow down. I always have Zicam in my toiletry bag and take it before getting on a plane or being in crowded places, just to give my immune system an added boost of Zinc. With over 21,000 positive reviews at Amazon, I’m not the only one who finds Zicam effective.

Hand Sanitizer

The biggest threat to a ship is fire. But after that, I’d argue, it’s bad hygiene. An outbreak of Norovirus, which is caused by not washing your hands thoroughly, can ruin a cruise within 24 hours. Norovirus outbreaks lead to mass quarantining and can halt all activities, shows, entertainment, and congregating in communal areas. All ships will have sanitizer stations positioned throughout, especially in front of dining areas—and I suggest you always use them! But keep your own sanitizer handy, too. Investing in this three-pack of travel sanitizers and popping one inside everyone’s bag is a small price to pay to avoid the discomfort of the stomach flu.

Wrinkle-release Spray

Cruise ships have strict rules about bringing heating elements onboard, and that includes irons and steamers. These devices present fire hazards and are strictly forbidden. You can usually have your clothes steamed or pressed by the staff. Or sometimes, your cabin floor may have a room designated for you to do your own pressing. If all that sounds like a headache, pack a wrinkle-release spray for fabrics that easily wrinkle, and simply hang it in the bathroom while you shower.

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