What to Bring, What to Leave Home & What Should Stay in Your Carry-On
Packing for a cruise is a little different from packing for an ordinary vacation. You'll need clothes for days at sea, time in port, dinners and activities—and somehow it all has to fit in a suitcase!
The good news? You probably need less than you think.
Here's a practical guide to help you pack without bringing your entire closet along for the ride.
Start With the Basics
Your exact wardrobe will depend on your destination and cruise line, but these basics work for many warm-weather cruises:
- Comfortable daytime outfits
- Casual evening outfits
- Swimsuits
- Swimsuit cover-up
- Underwear and socks
- Pajamas
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Light sweater or jacket
- Hat or visor
- Sunglasses
- Exercise clothes, if you'll use them
- Outfit for formal or dressier evenings, if applicable
🏝️ Going Ashore
Think about what you'll be doing in each port rather than packing random "vacation clothes."
For beach days, you'll probably want a swimsuit, cover-up, sandals and a beach bag. For sightseeing, comfortable shoes may be much more important than dressing up.
Depending on your itinerary and excursions, consider:
- Small backpack or tote
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Portable phone charger
- Small amount of cash
- Credit card
- Appropriate identification
- Rain poncho or compact umbrella
- Water shoes, if needed
- Insect repellent, depending on destination
🚢 Your Embarkation-Day Carry-On
This bag deserves special attention.
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you'll usually hand your larger luggage over to a porter. You may not see it again for several hours.
Anything you absolutely need should stay with you.
Keep these in your carry-on:
- Passport and/or required identification
- Cruise documents
- Wallet and credit cards
- Prescription medications
- Phone
- Chargers
- Eyeglasses/contact lenses
- Valuables and jewelry
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Any essential toiletries
- A change of clothes, if desired
That includes medication!
💊 Medications & Health Items
Bring enough prescription medication for the entire trip, preferably with a little extra in case your return is unexpectedly delayed.
Keep prescription medications in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
You may also want a small supply of familiar over-the-counter items such as:
- Pain reliever
- Antacid
- Motion-sickness remedy
- Bandages
- Cold/allergy medication
- Any other products you regularly use
Ships have medical facilities, but having your usual basics handy can save an unnecessary trip to the onboard shop or medical center.
🔌 Electronics
Cruise cabins never seem to have an outlet exactly where you want one!
Consider packing:
- Phone and charger
- Smartwatch charger
- Tablet/e-reader
- Camera
- Portable power bank
- Charging cables
- Cruise-approved USB charging hub, if needed
Be careful with power strips and extension cords. Cruise lines have specific safety rules, and many prohibit surge-protected power strips and certain extension cords.
Check your cruise line's current prohibited-items list before packing.
🧲 A Few Cruise Favorites
Cruise cabins aren't enormous, so a little organization can go a long way.
Some cruisers like to bring:
- Magnetic hooks
- Small collapsible hamper
- Packing cubes
- Luggage tags
- Zip-top bags
- Refillable water bottle
- Lanyard for cruise card, if your cruise line uses one
- Wrinkle-release spray
Why magnetic hooks? Many cabin walls are metal, so magnetic hooks can create handy places for hats, lanyards, lightweight bags and other small items.
👗 How Much Clothing Do You Really Need?
Probably not as much as you think.
Pieces that can be mixed and matched are your friend. A pair of pants or shorts doesn't necessarily need to be worn only once, and a sweater or light jacket can work with several outfits.
For longer cruises, check whether your ship offers self-service laundry or a laundry service.
And remember: nobody aboard is keeping track of whether you wore that shirt twice.
❌ Things You May Need to Leave at Home
Cruise lines maintain lists of prohibited items, and rules vary by company.
Commonly restricted or prohibited items can include irons, steamers, candles, heating appliances, certain power strips, weapons and other items considered fire or safety hazards.
Alcohol and beverage policies also vary significantly by cruise line.
Always check your cruise line's current prohibited-items policy rather than relying on an old packing list you found online.
Don't Forget About Liquids
One nice thing about cruising is that the TSA 3.4-ounce liquid rule doesn't generally apply to luggage you're bringing directly aboard a cruise ship.
However, if you're flying to your cruise, airline security rules still apply to anything packed in your flight carry-on.
Keep both parts of your journey in mind when packing.
🏷️ Before You Leave Home
A few final checks:
- Attach cruise luggage tags as instructed
- Make sure identification/passports are packed
- Verify medications are in your carry-on
- Charge electronics and power banks
- Check the weather forecast
- Review your cruise line's prohibited-items list
- Check airline baggage limits if you're flying
- Leave some room for souvenirs!
❤️ My Packing Rule
Pack for the trip you're actually taking—not every possible situation that could occur.
You don't need an outfit for every conceivable occasion.
You do need your identification, medication, comfortable shoes and a sense of adventure.
Most other things can be figured out along the way.
Ready to Pack?
Download my Packing List to check things off as they go into your suitcase.
Print it out, put it next to your luggage and enjoy the satisfaction of checking off that last box.
Then there's only one thing left to do…
Go on vacation!