What you bring on a cruise ship is so important because you don't have access to stores or online shopping to pickup something you need later.
We have our ultimate cruise packing list that has every basic you'll need, but what about the things that go beyond the obvious. What are the sort of things you could bring on a cruise that would be useful and a neat idea too?
I'm a sucker for finding new trends in cruise packing. Often, I'll walk down the Royal Promenade and notice another guest holding something I've never seen before and it piques my interest.
After all, who doesn't want to make their cruise easier or better?
Over the last few cruises I've taken, I started looking for the best new ideas for cool gadgets you could bring on a cruise too.
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Magnetic ceiling fan
Bringing a rechargeable fan on a cruise isn't a new idea, but having it mounted on the ceiling is a new twist.
The reason to bring a fan is to not only cool yourself off while in bed, but also to provide white noise. A lot of people are used to sleeping with a fan on at home, and cruise ship cabins don't have fans of any kind.
It's not practical to bring a standard fan, but a battery operated fan isn't a fire hazard. Plus, this one can magnetically stick to the wall or ceiling of your cruise ship cabin.
The advantage of this kind of a fan is you position it exactly where you need it so that it cools you down in bed without taking up valuable counter top or nightstand space. And this one won't fall over because it's attached to the wall or ceiling.
It provides air flow, which can be very useful if you're staying in an inside cabin that has no windows.
Drink cup sling
If you bought a Royal Caribbean drink package, you get a souvenir cup. But how about a better way to haul it around?
I spotted a few people with a Drink Cup Sling and thought that's actually a smart idea.
The souvenir cup can be used at the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines onboard or brought to any bar or restaurant to be refilled. They're not cumbersome, but you'll need to hold it as you go around.
The smart idea about having a sling is it frees up your hands, which could be very helpful for parents who already have their hands full. It's also useful to free your hands if you're taking the cup off the ship with you, like to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Plus, there's a pocket to stick your SeaPass card in it. They added a carabiner for attaching your key or other tiny must-haves.
Bluetooth speaker for the shower
While a Bluetooth speaker isn't a new idea for something to bring on a cruise, I think the JBL Go 4 Eco is a revelation.
This speaker is small, waterproof, and hangable. This means you can not only bring it on the ship to use at the beach or on your balcony, but also in your shower (and always at a reasonable volume).
It's ultra-portable and advertises up to 7 hours of playtime.
Because this it's waterproof, this would be a good speaker to have so you can have tunes while you get ready in the morning, take a shower, or enjoy a bath in suite bathtub.
To be clear, you should always keep the volume at a low level so it doesn't disturb anyone else. It's a great idea for a convenient way to enjoy a cruise podcast!
Travel clothesline
Whether you're looking to reuse clothing or just dry out bathing suits, having a clothesline helps a lot.
While there is a clothesline in your bathroom shower, that can be an issue if someone wants to use the shower or if you think the clothes would dry quicker elsewhere.
The Flexo-Line Travel Clothesline offers a simple way to set up a clothesline almost anywhere you need it. Heck, you could bring it on a shore excursion if you needed to.
Neck fan
This is a no judgement zone, and I'll do just about anything to cool off on a hot summer day.
The Gulaki Neck Fan claims to be quieter than most models, even at higher speeds. It comes in four colors and has a battery life of just over five hours.
Neck fans may look strange, but they really do work. They have multiple speeds to help keep the air around you moving, and they come in different colors so they can be somewhat fashionable.
Plus, I'm always a fan of gadgets that are useful both on a cruise ship and at home.
For reviving a dying phone while traveling light
I thought a smart idea for those that prefer to travel light without a giant power brick is the TravelCard Plus.
It's a super lightweight and small portable charger that fits in your front jeans pocket. It could even fit into a wallet.
There are two built-in charging cords that work with both iPhone and Android devices and has a 3000 mAh battery.
It might be the perfect solution to being on a shore excursion and your phone running dangerously low on power.
