Convenience is king on any cruise, and bringing a lanyard is something I'll always bring on my cruise to make my life onboard easier.

There are plenty of things you could pack to bring on a cruise, but a vastly underrated one is a lanyard because I doubt I've ever considered having one on any land vacation I've taken.

I first noticed other cruisers wearing them when I started cruising, and I never thought I needed one until I gave it a try.  It was one of those "don't knock it 'till you try it" situations.

Here's why you might might want to try it too.

Easy to use and store

Your key, literally and figuratively, to everything onboard a Royal Caribbean ship is your SeaPass card.

Ships are cashless and you use your SeaPass card to get into your cabin and make purchases, so you need to keep it with you. Some folks use pockets, some have a stick-on wallet on their phone, some put them in a wallet or a purse and others opt for lanyards. 

One of the top reasons a lanyard is helpful is because it stores your SeaPass card in an easy to access spot.  This is especially true if you don't have pockets, such as women wearing a dress or anyone in a bathing suit.

They're also really good for anyone prone to losing cards, as I've found is a not-so-useful talent of mine.

Having a lanyard makes it easier than digging in your pocket or searching for the SeaPass card in a bag.

It's easy to put the SeaPass card down and walk away from it, but the lanyard is a good reminder since it's around your neck.

One advantage of lanyards over using your pockets in pants is how often you may change pants during the day.  

You start off with shorts, switch to a bathing suit, and then formal wear in the evening.  The amount of times I've had to go back and dig through the dirty laundry pile to find my cash or SeaPass card in a pocket seems to be my own personal unwanted cruise tradition.

Lanyards aren't necessary, but they are so darn convenient.

Lanyards are so helpful for kids

Stop me if you've heard this before: kids misplace everything.

To that point, a lanyard makes it more difficult for them to misplace their lanyard it if it's around their neck!

I also keep some cash in them

I'll sometimes keep cash in the lanyard too, because tipping a little bit extra at bars is common on sea days.

I usually tip a waiter or bartender $1-$2 per drink I order, so it's easy to store a few of those dollars in my lanyard.

I keep my casino gambling money in my pocket, but I prefer not to pull out a big wad of money if I don't have to.  I'm not so much worried someone is going to steal my money as I am concerned I'll fumble through it and drop some.

A waterproof lanyard is really helpful at the beach

I've also purchased a waterproof lanyard to have with me when I'm at the beach, and this is even more useful.

At Perfect Day at CocoCay, I'll want to maximize my time in the pool, but leaving valuables back at the chairs can be unnerving. 

Having a waterproof lanyard allows you to keep your identification with you, along with cash.

I'll leave the lanyard behind during one part of the cruise

I love my lanyard on the ship or at a private destination, but I'll leave it behind on a port day.

No one will really question or think twice about you wearing a lanyard on the ship, but if I'm on a shore excursion or exploring a city, I wont wear my lanyard because I think it makes me stick out too much as a tourist.

To be fair, I'm sure I'll stick out as a tourist anyway, but I think it's important to do what you can to not make yourself an easy mark. Meaning, don't be so blatantly obvious to become a target.

Instead, I'll keep my valuables in a cross body bag that is great for preventing pickpockets.

My favorite lanyards to buy

There are so many different lanyards you can buy, including ones Royal Caribbean sells in the cruise terminal and onboard its ship.

Here are a few options for men and women:

• Retractable, detachable lanyard
• Leather lanyard
• Cruise On Lanyard Essentials (2-Pack)
• Vera Bradley Women's Cotton Zip ID Case and Lanyard Combo

All of these links are affiliate links, which means I get a few bucks if you buy something, but it costs you nothing extra.

No matter how many times you go on a cruise, it's not easy to pack for this kind of a vacation.

I think having been on as many cruises as I've taken contributed to making the mistake of assuming the weather and not checking the forecast.

I thought since I was taking a short Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship, Utopia of the Seas, that I'd just need shorts, t-shirts, and a bathing suit as my core clothes to bring.

As it turned out, a winter cold front penetrated into The Bahamas and our day at Perfect Day at CocoCay was lovely, but on the chilly side.  One of those days where it's comfortable to be outside, but you'd want a hoodie or even a pair of jeans.

And then on disembarkation day back in Port Canaveral, I walked off the ship in shorts on a breezy and cold (well, cold for Florida) morning.

This experience served as a good reminder of the top cruise ship packing mistakes to avoid before your next sailing.

Forgetting to pack travel documents

You can make every other mistake on this list and be okay, but your cruise will end before it begins if you forget to pack the right travel documents.

You cannot board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship without the proper identification.  A passport works in every situation, but Americans sailing on a closed-loop sailing are able to alternatively sail with a birth certificate and state issued identification.  My advice is to bring a passport.

This packing mistake is as critical as it gets. You can buy clothes, throw away what you don't need, and show up in a bikini on formal night, but not having the right documentation will result in being denied boarding.

I'll quadruple check I have my passports with me when leaving the house, and probably double check again at the first red light I encounter.

Piggybacking on this mistake is be sure to keep your travel documents with you and do not put them in your checked luggage.

A very common mistake is people pack them in the suitcases they give to the cruise terminal porters, and that creates a real problem to track it all down later.

Bring your passport with you and keep it with you during the entire check-in process.

Not checking the weather forecast

As I mentioned earlier, not checking the weather in the days before your cruise begins is important so you're prepared.

In my situation on Utopia, I would have kept what I originally packed, but thrown a pair of jeans and my favorite zip up hooded sweatshirt so I was prepared if the forecast was indeed correct.

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in rain forecasts, especially in the Caribbean.  Rain is usually short lived in the tropics and it happens sporadically and it's very difficult to know if it will actually rain on you or somewhere else.

I'd check the weather 2-3 days before you're set to leave your home. You're primarily looking for a cold or warm front that might significantly impact what you can expect in port.

Don't waste your time with weather forecasts for the ocean.

Not packing critical things in your carry-on

In addition to keeping your passport in your carry-on bag, you should also make sure you have other really important things with you and not in your packed luggage.

Things like medication, valuable jewelry, electronics, and baby/kid supplies.

You may not see your packed bags delivered to your cabin for a few hours, so I would pack your carry-on bag with anything you'd need between getting to the cruise terminal and dinner that evening.

Some experts recommend packing a change of clothes for dinner, but I don't think that's totally necessary. There's an unsaid understanding dress codes on the first day are quit relaxed because of how luggage can be delayed in being delivered.

I'd focus on things you'd need during the day.

Not knowing you can bring certain food and drink on the ship

Some people are surprised they are allowed to bring some beverages and food onto the ship.

While you cannot bring beer or liquor, you are allowed to bring a bottle of wine per adult, as well as cans of soda or non-alcoholic beverage.

We always pack some pre-packaged snacks for the kids to have in the room, like chips or crackers. These are great for a quick bite to eat while getting ready in the room.  While the ship has plenty of snacks, parents understand kids prefer a certain brand or variety of snacks.

Bringing these items could save you some money, or it just might add a convenience factor.

Bringing a banned item

I'm amazed how many people pack things Royal Caribbean prohibits you from bringing.

The cruise line has a strict policy on not allowing certain appliances, accessories, weapons, sporting equipment and more. If you do pack it, they'll confiscated it and give it back to you at the end of the cruise.

But packing something you can't bring on the ship means space in your luggage taken up for no reason. Plus, I think it's a little embarrassing having your bags opened up for these things to be removed.

If you try packing them in your checked luggage, your bags will be held back from delivery and you'll have to go down to security to claim it.

Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's list of prohibited items before you start packing.

Not checking dress codes

While dress codes on Royal Caribbean really aren't enforced at all, I think a lot of cruisers want to know about themed nights so they can match.

While the amount of people dressing up for formal night seems to have gone down over the years, interest in themed nights has never been more popular.

Themed nights include 70s night, white night, or Caribbean night, and the idea is everyone dresses up to match the specific motif.

I see a lot of families getting into the fun so they can take fun photos together.

You can find out which theme nights and dress codes exist on your sailing with a little research pre-cruise.

Leaving nothing to wear on the final morning

You might scoff at this, but every so often there's a cruise passenger who forgets to leave out an outfit for the final morning.

A lot of people pack everything up the night before the cruise ends and then put their luggage out in the hallway so it can be delivered to the terminal the next day.

This is a great idea, but you need to leave clothes to wear on the next morning.

I've seen passengers in pajamas walking off the ship because they didn't do that.  

My parents are 64 years old, and they’ve been cruising together for over 30 years. One of their first cruises was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas — they’ve been hooked ever since!

Furthermore, my parents didn’t slow down their cruising after having kids. My sister and I were just toddlers on our first family cruise. I was three years old, and she was only 18 months old when we sailed on the now-retired Big Red Boat.

As a family, we’ve cruised together around the world over the last three decades. Even as adults, my sister and I still prioritize cruising with our parents. Their love of cruising has transcended generations, as I love to cruise with my husband and friends!

Now in their retired years, my parents are cruising more than ever. In fact, I’ve been encouraging them to cruise even more while they’re young and able! Their most recent sailing was a culturally immersive, repositioning itinerary from Singapore to Tokyo on Anthem of the Seas. In the last few years, they have cruised to Australia, Indonesia, the Panama Canal, Colombia, Greece, Italy, and across the Caribbean.

Although my parents would hesitate to call themselves expert packers, they do have a list of must-pack items for every cruise. If anything, my mom is an over-packer who stresses about strategically packing to make sure she doesn’t forget anything.

I asked both of my parents to provide a list of essential cruise items, and some of their top picks were surprising. Here’s their tried-and-true packing list of 10 things they bring on every cruise.

Note: Royal Caribbean Blog receives a small commission if you purchase any products from the links below. This costs you nothing extra, but it does help support the website. Thank you!

1. Games: Cribbage Board, Five Crowns, and Deck of Cards

Cruises have plenty to do for activities, but sometimes you just want to play your go-to card games. For this reason, my parents never cruise without their favorite games to play together. 

Their classic sea day activity is a competitive game of cribbage in the Solarium. They used to bring their full-size cribbage board, but my sister recently gifted them this travel-sized cribbage board for Christmas. They love how small and compact it is when they’re tight on luggage space.

My parents also make sure to pack a regular deck of cards and our favorite family game, Five Crowns. Although you might find a standard deck of cards on the ship, it’s a good idea to bring any games that require a special deck, like Five Crowns. Thankfully, card games take up very little space in your luggage or cabin.

2. Over-the-Counter Medication

Most cruisers will tell you to pack an assortment of over-the-counter medications, and my parents definitely agree. One of their top cruise essentials is a small pharmacy kit with a variety of medications and first-aid items. You never know when you’re going to get sick, and you don’t want to be stuck paying outrageously high costs on the ship.

My parents pack cold and flu medicine in their pharmacy, along with cough drops, zinc supplements, sleep aid, pain relief, and allergy relief. 

This was particularly handy during our last cruise when my dad had a long-lasting cough that turned into an infection. He was thankful for all the medication we had on hand, as he didn’t need to visit the local pharmacies in places like Vietnam or Taiwan. In addition, my mom randomly packed a small, reusable ice pack for this cruise, but it ended up being a lifesaver for my dad's bruised rib muscles. 

Like my parents, I have a designated pouch for my small travel pharmacy where I keep all of my must-bring medication. In the same way, make sure you bring extra prescription medication in case of flight delays or unforeseen circumstances.

3. Soap and Sanitizer

Staying healthy is a top priority for my parents when they travel. Nothing dampens a vacation like a nasty cold or stomach bug!

It might seem like a niche item, but my parents pack a small bottle of liquid hand soap to keep in their cabin. My mom usually grabs a bottle from the dollar store before each cruise and either leaves it behind for the cabin steward or throws it away at the end of the trip.

While some cruise ships provide liquid hand soap in the cabin bathroom, Royal Caribbean only provides a measly bar of soap for cabins. Obviously, this will get the job done. However, my parents prefer having a liquid hand soap for cleaning their hands, as it’s vitally important on a cruise to keep your hands clean!

In addition, my parents bring plenty of hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes to use during their vacation. Hand sanitizer is in my mom’s purse at all times, and she’s constantly using this to keep her hands clean.

However, my mom never leaves her cabin without her travel-sized pack of sanitizing wipes. Whether she’s on an excursion or heading to the pool deck, she prefers to use her disinfectant wipes when hand washing isn’t available.

4. Variety of bags

My mom considers herself the “bag lady” — and she’s become infamous for her wide selection of bags she brings on a vacation. For every cruise, my mom makes sure to have a variety of bags to use throughout her trip.

One of her must-have bags is either a fanny pack or crossbody to hold her belongings during days ashore. Depending on the excursion and destination, she prefers to use her crossbody because it can hold more of her daily necessities. However, having a fanny pack is more convenient and comfortable.

My mom also packs a cute handbag to use on the ship in the evenings. Sometimes, she doesn’t want to haul around her crossbody on the ship, especially when she only needs a few essentials. Her SeaPass card, phone, and disinfectant wipes fit perfectly in her evening purse.

If she’s planning to spend busy days ashore, my mom also likes to pack foldable drawstring bags. While not super comfortable, drawstring bags take up minimal space in her luggage. They’re also very versatile to use, either during her time exploring ports of call or around the ship.

For longer trips, my parents will even pack an empty bag that they can use as checked luggage. My mom loves to shop during her cruises, often coming home with much more than she left with. Having a small bag that can hold a little extra weight can help mitigate overweight bag costs or the need to purchase an additional suitcase.

Finally, my mom always brings a small stash of sandwich baggies, which she considers a cruise essential. She uses them for all sorts of things, like packing a snack for an excursion or keeping cash dry by the pool.

5. Cash and Small Bills

The need for cash while traveling is becoming less important these days, with most destinations accepting credit cards or Apple Pay. Of course, while you’re onboard during your cruise, your SeaPass card will act as your credit card. Even so, my parents always make sure to have cash with them when they cruise.

First, they’ll provide cash tips to the cruise porters after arriving at the terminal on embarkation day. In addition, my parents always have cash on hand while exploring ports of call. This is good practice, as you never know when you might need cash. My parents rarely exchange for local currency, as US dollars are widely accepted in many ports. In this way, small bills are especially useful for quick purchases at shops that don’t take cards or for tipping tour guides who go above and beyond.

More importantly, my parents use cash for onboard tips. Throughout the cruise, they’ll use cash tips for bartenders who provide excellent service. While my parents pay their automatic gratuities too, they also prefer to provide cash tips at the end of the cruise. Normally, they provide cash tips to their waiters in the dining room and stateroom attendant.

6. Magnetic Hooks

Many cruisers swear by magnetic hooks, but my parents didn’t hop on this bandwagon until recently. Now, they never cruise without their magnetic hooks!

Because cabin walls are typically magnetic, these hooks can be used around the stateroom for a variety of purposes. Cruise cabins are notoriously small, and hooks can help keep the cabin organized and reduce clutter.

My parents mainly use their hooks to hang hats, bags, and light jackets around the cabin. On longer cruises when they’ve packed more, the extra storage becomes even more useful. Plus, the hooks are compact and easy to travel with.

7. Duct Tape

While slightly unconventional as a must-have, my parents both agree that packing duct tape is an essential for cruising. This can be a lifesaver in many different scenarios, and it’s proven useful multiple times during their travels.

On our last cruise, for example, my mom’s suitcase had a ripped front pouch. My dad used duct tape to patch it up for the flight home, preventing it from getting worse in transit.

According to my parents, duct tape is great for fixing loose straps, broken zippers, or even securing last-minute baggage tags before heading to the port. You never know when you might need some sturdy tape! You can even bring one of these travel-sized packs of duct tape to save on space. 

8. Chip Clips

Another must-have item for my dad is a small assortment of chip clips. Sometimes he brings a few clothespins or refrigerator clips from home, but he especially likes magnetic clips that stick to the cabin walls. He uses magnetic clips to keep excursion tickets, cruise planners, and immigration forms organized and easy to find.

These clips also come in handy for doing laundry in the cabin, as you can use the bathroom clothesline to hang up wet items. Of course, clips are great for resealing open snacks or bags of cough drops, too. During our most recent cruise, my parents actually used their chip clips to secure the blinds shut at night. If the ship was rocking slightly, this ensured their curtains kept any light from entering the room.

Some might prefer to bring bigger towel clips, which can be used on the pool deck or beach to prevent your towel from blowing in the wind. These are versatile to bring on a cruise too. For instance, my sister and I used her large towel clips to keep our blinds closed while sleeping on our recent cruise. It worked perfectly!

9. Pillow

While certainly not necessary for everyone, my dad never cruises without his own pillow from home. Instead of relying on the pillows provided by the cruise line in his cabin, my dad packs his favorite pillow in his checked luggage.

Of course, bringing a pillow from home takes up a bit of extra space in his suitcase. But, since his packing style is pretty minimalist (especially compared to my mom’s overflowing suitcase), he has the room to spare in his luggage.

My dad says nothing compares to your own pillow, and he sleeps much better with this comfort from home. To ensure his pillow doesn’t get mixed up with the cruise line’s selection, he makes sure to use a differently-colored pillowcase to help the cabin steward differentiate.

10. Layers

Even when sailing through the warm, sunny Caribbean, my mom always packs a few extra layers. She never boards a cruise without at least one or two lightweight sweaters to wear around the ship.

She says the air conditioning can feel especially cold in places like the main dining room and the theater. Since she hates feeling chilly, she always brings a sweater with her in the evenings, just in case.

Packing layers is important for most cruises, as the weather can be unpredictable and change frequently. This is especially important if you’re cruising to destinations like Alaska, Norway, Iceland, or even Northern Europe. Weather in these regions can shift quickly, and you don’t want to be without a rain jacket or pair of pants when temperatures drop.

Every travel expert seems to have advice on how to travel with just a carry-on bag, but I'll overpack every time for my cruises.

I understand why many recommend packing light as a general tip for how to travel smartly, but I really think that advice is rooted in air travel and saving money on checked luggage.

Like many aspects, cruise ships are very different from air travel or staying at a hotel.  

While packing light has its advantages, I still think you're better off overpacking for a cruise.

You can't as easily buy something you need

If you forget something you need on a cruise, it's more difficult to get it compared to on land.

When packing light for land travel, you can always stop at a store to pick up clothes, toiletries, or almost anything else you might need.  Heck, I'll just order it on Uber Eats and have it delivered to my hotel.

That's not really an option on a cruise.

Sure, you could go to a store in a port you're visiting, but that might conflict with your shore excursion plans. And it might be a day or two before your first port stop.

The shops onboard a Royal Caribbean ship stock some basics, but it's limited and you're going to pay full retail price for a lot of things.

Plus, what's available to buy on the ship might not be the brand or style you prefer.

When I was on Enchantment of the Seas for a January cruise, I regretted not bringing shorts so I relented and bought a pair onboard. There was only one option, and it wasn't the style or look I wanted. So I bought it and then promptly threw it away when I got home.

I'd rather bring too many things as to feel confident I (probably) won't need to go out of my way to buy something.

There are themed nights, port days, and evening wear to consider

Another key difference on a cruise are all the occasions that necessitate different outfits.

Royal Caribbean offers themed nights to add a fun element to how you dress up.  So if you want to get a cute family photo of everyone in their matching tropical attire, that's a separate outfit that only gets worn once on that trip.

Another nuance of cruises is your day is often split between time in port and time on the ship in the evening.  Not only are there different clothes for each, but if you're cruising in the warm months, you might end up sweating through clothes.

While you don't have to have three outfits a day, I do think you'll need more clothes overall for a cruise compared to a trip to a city or resort.

There are no luggage fees on a cruise

One major reason why so many travel experts advocate packing light are to avoid airline baggage fees.

To be fair, you might need to fly to your cruise and then their advice holds up.  But once again, I think my other points earlier in this article necessitate paying for checked luggage.

The good news is Royal Caribbean doesn't have any baggage fees. This is even better if you can drive to your ship.

Plus, if you end up paying for airline baggage fees, you won't get hit again with the same fees on a cruise.

I'd rather regret having too much

In my mind, I weigh the emotion of fear of too much or too little.

If I overpack, I ended up bringing things I didn't need, but there's no financial or logistical impact. It's more of an annoyance that I thought I'd need that gym outfit but ended up at the bar instead.

On the other hand, I will get frustrated with myself when I forget something at home that I needed. 

When I don't have something I need, I get angry at myself, and then start an internal debate of do I really need to go out of my way to buy it.

If I'm lucky, I'll catch the mistake the night before the cruise and buy it in my departure city (because you should always fly in the day before the cruise begins).  But it seems I always discover the missing thing once I'm on the ship and unpacking.

One of my best finds for my recent cruise was just $1.25 — and I’m already heading back to the Dollar Tree to stock up on more.

Before every cruise, I like to swing by the store for any last-minute items before I start packing my suitcase. Recently, the dollar store has become my top choice for cruise must-haves before any trip — and it never disappoints! 

For this trip, I’d be embarking on a major getaway to Asia with my parents and sister. Our 12-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas included exotic ports of call throughout Asia, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.

My flight schedule included 30 hours of travel across three different airports before even setting foot on our cruise ship. Once aboard, we had full-day excursions planned for each port of call to make the most of our time in these far-flung destinations. Needless to say, this was going to be an epic adventure for our family!

As a self-proclaimed germaphobe, I am always paranoid about getting run-down and sick while traveling. Although I travel often, I try my best to stay rested, hydrated, and healthy during my trips. There’s nothing worse than getting sick on your long-awaited trip, and potentially ruining your vacation. 

In this way, I am constantly reaching for hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to keep my hands clean while traveling. If I can’t wash my hands, I typically reach for a pack of disinfectant wipes as the next best thing. 

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to find a pack of 40 disinfectant wipes to pack for my cruise at the dollar store for only $1.25! It ended up being the smartest item I purchased for trip for many reasons. 

Here’s why you should head to the dollar store before your next cruise to stock up on this must-have item.

Don’t overlook the dollar store.

As cruise prices continue to climb, so do the costs of all your must-have travel essentials. In this way, I am always looking for ways to save money when I can. Even still, I usually enjoy making a quick shopping run or placing a few online orders before a cruise to make sure I’m fully prepared for my trip. The last thing I want is to overpay onboard the ship for something I could have picked up at home for just $1.25.

Last fall, I decided to visit the dollar store for the first time in many years. My small town has a Dollar Tree that I’ve heard friends rave about, so I decided to check it out. I was seriously impressed by the quality and quantity of items available for only $1.25!

While I pictured the store having mostly junk that I didn’t need, I couldn’t believe the selection of travel necessities and cruise staples. Everything from door decorations and magnetic hooks to travel-sized toiletries and on-the-go cleaning supplies was available for just $1.25.

I had an entire shopping spree and spent less than $20 — you can hardly get a fast food meal for less than $20 these days! Now, I always stop at the dollar store before my cruises to stock up, especially on these hand sanitizing wipes!

Sanitizing wipes were a lifesaver during my trip.

Before flying to Singapore for my cruise, I quickly stopped by the dollar store to pick up a few go-to cruise items, such as a pop-up hamper, liquid hand soap, and travel-sized toothpaste. 

While walking through the store, I found a pack of BioPure Hand Wipes with 40 wipes in a resealable package. The product had 5-star reviews online, so it seemed promising. In addition, I found a 2-pack of the same product at Walmart online selling for $14, so this seemed like a great deal. 

I snagged one package before checking out and packed the wipes in my carry-on suitcase. According to the packaging, these wipes contain aloe and vitamin E with a refreshing honey wildflower scent. Supposedly, the product claims to kill 99.9% of germs with an advanced anti-bacterial formula.

I’ll be honest, I was expecting these wipes to be poor quality. For $1.25, my standards were quite low and I didn’t expect much. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been surprised if these wipes were cheap, thin, and flimsy.

However, I was proven wrong! The resealable pack felt high-quality and the wipes didn’t flake or fall apart when pulling from the package. They were easy to remove, and didn’t leave any sticky feeling on my hands. The lasting scent was a nice touch, too!

 During my long-haul flight through Seoul, I was already reaching for the wipes to clean off the tray table and entertainment screen. Considering how dirty airplanes can be, I think having disinfectants wipes is a must. The tray seemed to have some sticky residue, which is always off-putting on a plane. Luckily, these handy wipes took care of the stain quickly, and I was relieved to have these instead of relying only on hand sanitizer.

Once we boarded the cruise, I kept grabbing for these wipes.

As promised on the packaging, the compact, resealable pack was perfect for traveling. I could easily toss the wipes into my purse or backpack each day without taking up much space. Though slightly larger than typical travel-sized wipes, this pack was still slim and light enough to carry around the ship or on shore excursions. I never left our cruise cabin without throwing the pack into my pool bag.

Even though Anthem of the Seas offered handwashing stations at the entrance to the buffet, I noticed not everyone was using them. Plenty of passengers skipped right past the sinks and headed straight for the serving tongs. 

This made me extra glad I had my wipes handy before every meal. Germs can spread quickly on cruise ships, and I wasn’t about to let poor hygiene practices ruin my vacation.

Some studies even suggest that the physical motion of wiping with disinfecting wipes can be more effective at reducing bacteria on hands than hand sanitizer. Of course, handwashing is always the gold standard, but when it wasn’t available, these wipes were the next best thing. I used them regularly before eating, after touching railings or menus, and any time I needed to refresh my hands.

I packed the wipes in my purse for long days ashore.

While it was helpful to have these wipes onboard the ship, sinks for handwashing are never too far away on a cruise ship. However, this isn’t the case when you’re ashore — and certainly not the case when traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations in Asia.

I kept my pack of wipes in my daily bag during our long days ashore. While I’m not usually overly concerned about sanitation when traveling, this trip was different. It was my first time visiting countries like Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea, and I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of restroom facilities or cleanliness. 

I wanted to be prepared for the worst case scenario, and packing these wipes gave me peace of mind.

As expected, there were several times when I walked into a bathroom and realized there was no soap or even running water. In those moments, I was so thankful to have my handy wipes in my bag!

I felt confident my hands were clean enough after using them, and I was more than happy to share them with others when needed. Being able to wipe my hands after browsing handmade goods in Vietnam or handling souvenirs at the street markets in Hong Kong made a big difference for me. I felt more comfortable exploring without worrying about germs.

By the end of the cruise, my trusty $1.25 pack was nearly empty — the sign of a worthwhile purchase!

I already plan to grab a few more before my next adventure.

If you haven’t checked out the dollar store for travel or cruise essentials, I definitely recommend swinging by before your next trip. It wasn’t always on my radar, but I’ve been consistently surprised by the quality and variety of items I’ve found there, especially for the price.

Beyond the sanitizing wipes, I also picked up some fun self-care items for me and my sister to use during our cruise. I packed a cherry blossom body scrub (perfectly fitting for our stop in Japan) and a couple of hydrating face masks to enjoy some affordable, in-cabin spa time. For only $1.25 each, I didn’t feel bad leaving the remaining product with new friends we made onboard.

Of course, I won’t swing by the dollar store without picking up more packs of these sanitizing wipes before my next cruise! 

It's been six months since Royal Caribbean implemented a new policy prohibiting certain travel items, but we're still seeing the wrong ones piling up.

In September 2024, Royal Caribbean announced it would not allow multi-plug outlets on its ships. It was a major shift, as these had been a very popular item to bring on a cruise ship.

Power outlets in cruise ship cabins are quite limited, especially on older ships. With the proliferation of phones, smart watches, tablets, and other electronics, the need for power outlets has grown tremendously.

While the cruise line has long banned surge protectors because they were a fire hazard, "Multi-Plug Outlets" were added to the list too.

After a few weeks of confusion, it became clear passengers can no longer bring anything that turns a single outlet into multiple outlets.

Adding more USB outlets is fine, but electric outlets cannot be extended.

It's important to know which devices you can bring on your cruise, and which are going to get taken from you as you try to board the ship.

Don't buy the wrong power outlet extender

Because Royal Caribbean's rule is still fairly new and other lines allow them, it can be confusing which items to bring.

On a recent Adventure of the Seas cruise, a person posted a photo on Facebook the confiscated items table strewn with the banned outlet extenders.

While we can't see the specific model of each one, it's clear they all resemble power strips that offer additional power outlets and USB outlets.

A quick search of Amazon shows many of these labeled as being for use on cruise ships.

To be fair, they are allowed on other lines. As an example, Carnival Cruise Line has not banned these items.

It's also not very clear on Royal Caribbean's prohibited items list which type of outlet extenders are permissible.

This is what the cruise line lists:

We do allow consumer type power conversion device USB charger (multi-plug blocks on which the outputs are for USB cables). Note: Devices must be stamped with US/Europe recognized Conformance Marking to demonstrate compliance with Electrical Safety standards.

While not a new policy, it's also worth noting you still cannot bring surge protectors or power strips either.

Which plug adapter do I need for Royal Caribbean?

To avoid having your things taken away from you, we have a list of USB chargers and power blocks you could bring on Royal Caribbean.

Depending on your power needs, any one of these should work well. All of these links contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you buy it, but it costs you absolutely nothing extra.

Anker 543 Charger (65W)

This is an ultra slim desktop charger that adds four USB ports, including a USB-C outlet.  

This will work well for Apple devices, and it's small. It has a 0.7-inch design and weighs just 5 oz (about the same as a baseball).

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

This is my favorite travel adaptor because it's small, and works well on the ship and overseas.

It has just one electric outlet, so you don't lose the outlet you're plugging into.  Plus, it can be used with UK or EU outlets. This not only makes it useful around Europe, but also in your cruise cabin because there's usually an EU outlet in there.

It has four USB-A outlets on the bottom, and a single USB-C outlet as well.

Anker Power Bank

Our readers have recommended a workaround to the power outlet issue all together with a power brick.

You charge the power brick, and then plug in whichever device you need to have charged.  This frees up the outlets in your cabin, and there's no issue with how many outlets there are.

I'd recommend getting a travel-friendly, but beefy power bank so it can keep multiple devices going.

You probably don't need one on a new cruise ship

Depending on your needs, you might not need to buy an adaptor at all if you go on relatively new ship.

Royal Caribbean began adding more power outlets, and even USB plugs to ships that were built in the last ten years or so.

Ships such as Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas all have many outlets and I never used my power adaptor on these ships.

The Quantum Class ships may be in the "gray area" of if you need a power adaptor or not.  

Cabins have more than the usual assortment of power outlets, but if you're sharing a room with more than one person, there may not be enough outlets for your needs.

You don't need to buy a power adaptor if you have a C-PAP machine

I've seen some confusion among cruisers that need a C-PAP machine and thinking they need to buy a power adaptor for their cruise.

Royal Caribbean will assist with a special need, such as a C-PAP machine, but you do need to take one extra step.

Using the Special Needs Form before your cruise begins, you can request an extension cord and distilled water for a CPAP machine. There's no extra cost, you just need to make the request pre-cruise.

I go on a Royal Caribbean cruise about once a month, and I always seem to forget to pack something minor that could have made my trip so much better.

Most of the time, I think I do a good job remembering to bring the essentials with me, but it's the small things that seem to elude me from time to time.

It might be because they're not critical elements that I cannot cruise without. Rather, they're ancillary items that improve the experience for me.

An example is when I went on Liberty of the Seas for a short cruise and forgot to pack liquid hand soap.  There's nothing wrong with the bar soap that the cruise line provides and it didn't ruin my cruise by any means, but I prefer the liquid soap because it's easier and faster to use.

With that in mind, there are other cheap things everyone can pack for a cruise that makes a small difference. I call these "good to have" items that aren't essential, but still helpful.

So before you zip up that suitcase, double check you have these things that cost less than $10 make your cruise better.

This article contains affiliate links to products I've mentioned, which means it costs you absolutely nothing extra, but I make a small commission if you buy it.

Liquid hand soap

$9.88 on Amazon.

I mentioned already liquid hand soap, but it really is worth bringing on every cruise.

It's so important to stay healthy on a cruise ship, and washing your hands is step one in that process.  You'll hear the mantra of washing your hands quite a lot.

In your cabin bathroom will be a bar of soap that you can use, but I find liquid soap is so much easier to use and completely cover your hands in a good lather.

Also, bar soap always leaves my hands feeling dry after I use it.

An added benefit of liquid soap is my hands smell better too.

Pop-up laundry hamper

$6.79 on Amazon.

I never thought a cheap laundry hamper could make such a difference in my cabin, but it really does.

I originally started bringing a laundry hamper with me as a way to test out inside cruise cabin hacks, and I've brought one with me ever since.

When I've forgotten it, I thought I'd be fine with just a pile of dirty laundry in the corner somewhere, but that pile becomes a mountain quickly and expands with it.

The hamper makes laundry more manageable and it collapses down when I'm done with it.

Some readers recommend instead to put the dirty laundry in a suitcase, but I keep my suitcase under my bed and I'll admit I'm too lazy to take it out and put it away everyday.

Plastic luggage holders

$5.99 at Amazon.

I probably forget to actually print out luggage tags more than I've forgotten to pack the luggage tag holders, but that's a different blog post.

When I use my luggage tag holders, I don't worry about my luggage tags accidently getting ripped off in the transit process to my cabin.

A pack of them are cheap and they last forever.

Shampoo and body wash

$9.52 at Amazon.

Anytime I've gone on a cruise and forgotten to bring my own body wash or shampoo, I've regretted it every time I showered.

If you're the type of cruiser that can rely on the 2-in-1 mystery liquid that comes out of the dispenser in your cruise ship shower, I salute you, because I cannot.

Just like the hand soap, I find it makes a difference in how clean I feel to have my own stuff.  I don't have any scientific evidence, but I have a hard time believing 2-in-1 stuff can work as effectively.  

Plus, I prefer the scent my own toiletries have.

I should point out if you're staying in a suite, you'll get higher end toiletries that come with separate body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. I can tolerate these a bit more, but if you have specific needs for your hair, I'd recommend bringing your own.

Your hair products might cost more than $10, but I feel that even some of the cheap stuff from your local store is better than what's waiting in that shower dispenser.

Over the counter medications

$5.39 at Amazon.

When I cruise solo, I seem to always forget to bring a bag of medications with me and always realize it when I unpack in my cabin.

Most of the time I never need any, but if you're fighting a hangover, upset stomach, or stuffy nose, having medications with you makes a big difference in feeling better quickly (and cheaply).

Royal Caribbean does sell some medicine in its shop, but they charge a high price for it and the shop is only open when the ship is at sea and during certain hours.  Plus, who wants to get up and go out when they have a hangover and just want to take an aspirin to help with the headache?

Lip balm

$9.99 at Amazon.

When I cruise to Europe or Alaska and I encounter a humidity level that's far less that the Caribbean, I regret not bringing Chapstick with me.

Chapped lips hurt, and it seems the drier air in these itineraries almost always hits me.

More things that are must-haves on a cruise

Of course, there are plenty of other things I bring on a cruise that cost more than $10, but I think are very helpful.

I thought it would be helpful to include other items that I would be disappointed not to have with me onboard.

Besides the basics that everyone packs, I wanted to include a few other items I'd recommend to anyone going on a cruise.

AirTags

It's not just for a flight, AirTags are great for a cruise too.

The idea is simple: keep track of where your luggage is to make sure it's on the ship and not lost somewhere in the terminal. Plus, you can use them when flying too.

Water bottle

One of the top trends right now is to bring a reusable water bottle so you can keep hydrated easily on your cruise.

It means you can make less trips to get water, but is also really useful when on a shore excursion.  During the hot summer months, this is a must-have.

Headphones

I love bringing noise-cancelling headphones because it's the perfect accessory for enjoying quiet time on the ship.

I really love putting them on when I'm on the pool deck so I can enjoy the breeze and sun while laying out in a lounger, without all the conversations, music, and noise you'd have to put up with around you.

For years, I've used and recommended the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones for over-the-ear comfort and unbeatable noise cancellation.

I know a lot of other people that prefer the Apple AirPods Pro because they offer noise cancelling without the heft and size.

Air freshener

Whether you're sharing a cabin with a friend or family member, what happens in the bathroom shouldn't be well-known to everyone else.

Poo pourri and other air fresheners are a must-pack item to keep your cabin bathroom from being a point of contention (or embarrassment) 

Magnetic hooks

Magnets that can you can affix to the walls are so helpful and you can use them almost anywhere in your cabin.

There's a lack of storage space on cruise ships, so magnetic hooks provide convenient ways to hang clothes and accessories.

I recommend these magnetic hooks if you have not purchased one yet.

E-reader

If you're a reader, bringing a Kindle or other e-reader is a must-have on a cruise.

You'll find lots of opportunity to read while on a cruise, especially on a sea day. The Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for the pool deck as well as in your cabin.

Night light

It shouldn't come as a shock that inside cabins are really dark at night because they have no natural light source.

This night light not only offers lighting, but it will only come on when someone moves around.

There are rules about what you can and cannot bring on a cruise ship, including water.

Royal Caribbean has specific rules about what you can and cannot bring onboard with you, and there are limits to things like bringing water.

More travelers are bringing water bottles with them on their cruise. There's a heightened awareness of the importance of staying hydrated in our lives, and that leads many to want to know how much water they can bring with them on a cruise.  Or if they can refill a water bottle.

Before you pack for your cruise, don't ignore the rules about how much water you can bring, and be sure to investigate what alternative options you have for having enough water for your needs.

Royal Caribbean’s official policy on bringing water

Royal Caribbean allows its passengers to bring water on a cruise, but only on one day of the sailing and in a limited quantity.

The cruise line does not distinguish between water or soft drinks, but does allow some non-alcoholic drinks to be brought:

Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day.  Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom.

This means you can bring up to 12 bottles of water with you on embarkation day only.

Moreover, it needs to be carried onboard and not put into your luggage that you give to porters to be delivered to your cabin.

Why? Because all bags are scanned in an X-Ray machine, and if they see bottles, the security team many not be able to distinguish between bottles of water or bottles of liquor. In that case, they'll hold your luggage back and you'll need to go to security and have them open it up and check it out.

You can also bring a water bottle to use and refill

Instead of plastic bottles, you're allowed to also bring your favorite water bottle onboard.

Whether you prefer a Hydroflask or Yeti cup or Stanley cup, they're all allowed onboard (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).  There's one important caveat.

You cannot directly refill your water bottle at one of the ship's refillable water stations because of health concerns.  

Cups should never be re-used for refills because that cup was in contact with your mouth, and that's how illnesses can be spread.  Instead, Royal Caribbean provides plastic cups you can use to easily grab and fill.

In the case of a water bottle, you'd have to get the water from a plastic cup, and then pour the water into your water bottle from there.

Any bar or food service location will give you a glass of iced water. You can pour into your own sports bottle.

You don't need to bring water for a CPAP machine

If you have the need for a CPAP machine on your cruise, Royal Caribbean will provide water for you without the need for you to bring any.

The key is to fill out an online form for your CPAP requests.

There's no fee for the cruise line to provide you with the distilled water.

Royal Caribbean can provide the distilled water and an extension cord, at no extra cost. These items will be placed in your stateroom on the day of sailing.

Be sure to carry your CPAP/BIPAP machine onboard with your carry-on luggage. Don't check it in with the porters.

Alternatives to bringing your own water

If carrying your own water onboard seems like more hassle than it's worth, there are other options for you.

First and foremost, there is complimentary tap water in staterooms, dining rooms, and buffet areas.

It's perfectly safe to drink the water on a cruise ship straight from the tap, including the water that comes out of your bathroom sink.

All the water on your ship is rigorously distilled or purified according to sanitation standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The water is regularly desalinated, treated, filtered, and tested to confirm the water quality. It's probably cleaner than the tap water you get at home.

Read more: 8 Royal Caribbean cruise questions guests are too embarrassed to ask

If you prefer spring water, Royal Caribbean sells bottled water packages.

Packages of 12 Evian water bottles are sold that you can pre-purchase from the Royal Caribbean app or its Cruise Planner website.

The water will be delivered to your stateroom, and you can even share it with others. Plus, there's no heft on your part to worry about getting it to the ship.

The standard price for a 12 water bottle package is $45.

Another option is to buy an unlimited drink package, which also includes bottled water.

Both the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package include bottled water during your sailing, and there's no limit to it either.  Plus, you get other drinks to enjoy too as part of the cost.

Plenty of water, whether you bring your own or not

The bottom line is you can stay hydrated on your Royal Caribbean cruise whether you bring your own or not.

Packing water to bring on your cruise means you could save money on a costly drink package, and provide the exact brand and type of bottled water you prefer.

Remember that there's a limit on the amount of water you can bring, even if in practice, crew members sometimes don't get too concerned with the exact amount brought onboard.

Royal Caribbean's water policy is simple, but don't overlook the fact there's lots of water you can drink on the ship at no cost.

In fact, one really useful cruise hack is to bring water drink mixes to enhance the flavor of the water included with your cruise fare (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use). 

Plan ahead and review the cruise line rules to avoid surprises on embarkation day.

If you're ready to take a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025, make sure you leave a few commonly packed items that aren't allowed onboard, at home!

Royal Caribbean has a lengthy list of prohibited items not allowed to be brought on a cruise ship, but in 2025, it's a good reminder that last has been recently updated.

Thanks to changing technology and different trends in travel, there's an occasional need not to bring certain things with you on your trip.

A few things were added to the banned item list last year, and others are still mistakenly brought onboard as a mistake.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Outlet extender

Probably the most surprising thing you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise anymore are outlet extenders.

In September 2024, the cruise line banned the very popular travel accessory without warning.

There's never been an official explanation, but I think it has to do with a fire risk. Fire is the most dangerous concern for a cruise ship because of how quickly it can spread.

"Multi-plug outlets" are now no longer allowed onboard, in addition to power strips and surge protectors.

From what we can tell, it seems the key is to ensure any power outlet extender you bring only has one electric outlet.  It can have any number of USB outlets.

As an example, this Anker 6 Port USB Charging Station would be acceptable (contains affiliate link that costs you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link).

A single EU to American power adaptor could also be allowed, since it does not add any new outlets. 

Travel router

Another new addition to the banned list of items is a travel router or other networking device meant to circumvent Royal Caribbean's internet offerings.

Royal Caribbean added "satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment" under the "cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime" category of prohibited items.

Routers and other networking equipment can potentially interfere with the ship’s onboard systems, leading to security risks and connectivity problems for passengers and crew. 

Plus, these items can be used to extend a Voom internet package beyond the amount of devices it was intended to handle.

Clothing irons or steamers

Probably the most commonly packed thing you can't bring on a cruise ship has to be a clothing iron.

You're not allowed to pack, bring, or use an iron on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. And steamers are also not allowed to be brought onboard.

If you try to bring one, it will be confiscated and returned to you after the cruise is over.  The security team screens every piece of luggage coming onboard the ship and they look for irons (and other contraband items).

These are fire hazards and it will be confiscated quite quickly.

After a cruise is over, there's always a table full of confiscated irons, which means a lot of people aren't aware they aren't allowed on a ship.

Alcohol

Don't bother trying to bring beer or booze on your ship, because it will be confiscated.

Royal Caribbean bans these items and will hold it until the end of the cruise.  You can purchase these items in ports of call or on your ship, but they'll be held back until the end of the voyage.

You are allowed to bring one bottle of wine per adult on embarkation day, however. 

While we're on the topic, no, you should not try to sneak alcohol on your ship either. Not only is it against the rules, but it seems more trouble than it's worth.

You'd have to constantly shuttle back and forth to your room for refills, and the risks outweigh the convenience of simply buying a drink package.

Cooking appliances 

If irons and steamers are the top two most mistakenly packed things on a cruise, cooking appliances are probably second.

You'd be amazed how many rice cookers, instapots, and tea kettles are attempted to be brought on ships.

Regardless of why people want to bring them to use on the ship, they too are fire hazards and not allowed.

If you’re on the hunt for the best cruise products this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. I consider myself an expert cruiser after taking more than 50 cruises before the age of 30. With the holiday season upon us, now is the perfect time to find great deals on cruising essentials for your upcoming travels.

This year alone, I embarked on eight cruises across the world on four different cruise lines. These bucket-list itineraries whisked me away to five different continents: North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. It was a busy travel year for me, to say the least!.

Whether I was transiting through the airport, boarding trains, or sailing on the open sea, I spent much of my last year traveling. While unconventional for the average 29-year-old, my flexible remote work and role as a cruise writer allow me to travel often

Because of this, my suitcase is never stored away. My cruise cosmetic bag is always packed with travel-sized products, always ready for the next adventure. With my on-the-go lifestyle, I tend to pack the same travel essentials for all of my travels. This is especially true when I pack with just a carry-on, as suitcase space is limited.

In my opinion, not all cruise products are worth the hype. I’ve had a few products that fell short of expectations, which is always disappointing. However, some cruise essentials have changed the game for me and, therefore, I never leave home without them.

After trying dozens of cruise products this year, here are the top cruise products I would recommend purchasing this holiday season. If you choose to purchase from the affiliate links below, we will receive a small commission from your purchase - at no extra expense to you!

1. Magnetic Hooks

One of the most hyped cruise products has to be a set of magnetic hooks. Cruise cabins are often small and lack adequate storage, but magnetic hooks can provide additional space. I wasn’t sure if magnetic hooks would be worthwhile, considering this would be another item to pack away when cruising.

However, I finally ordered a set of magnetic hooks before sailing to Africa last January. If you’ve ever traveled to Africa, you’ll know that packing is difficult. You need to bring many non-standard items on your cruise, such as safari hats, DEET bug spray and scarves for protection.

In preparation for traveling two weeks in Africa, our cabin was quickly stuffed with our belongings. Having these magnetic hooks provided so much more space for us to hang items around the cabin without cluttering the small space.

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer, or you want to purchase your own set of magnetic hooks, now is the best time! This set of 10 hooks is only $5.85 right now

Link: Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks,30lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10). 

Price: $5.85 (51% off)

2. Portable White Noise Machine

Cruise ships are inherently noisy. Whether you have a rowdy neighbor or you’re listening to the clunking of a lifeboat, it can be difficult to sleep. As someone who sleeps with white noise every night, I decided to splurge on a potable white noise machine for my cruises.

Before, I was relying on my phone to play white noise through an app, which was draining my battery. Even still, I wasn’t sure if this product would be worthwhile before packing it on my first cruise. Although minimal space was used to pack, the small size didn’t seem like it would have much horsepower to drown out the ship’s noise.

I was pleasantly surprised by how powerful this small machine was. With a variety of 15 looping sounds that can be played, I slept so much better during my cruises. Even on the noisiest of cruises, the white noise machine created a more peaceful environment for restful sleep. Now, I don’t cruise without it!

Link: White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - White. 

Price: $15.98 (20% off)

3. Foldable, Compact Charging Station

A recent purchase I loved is this compact, magnetized charging station. With Royal Caribbean’s newest restrictions on outlet extenders, I was exploring different ways to charge my devices without breaking the rules. Also, many older cruise ships only have one or two useable outlets, which can be frustrating when trying to charge multiple devices between everyone in the stateroom.

I’ve seen many travelers rave about these charging strands to simplify packing and save space. But, the price had always deterred me from pulling the plug. With a recent Prime Day deal, I decided to splurge on the purchase - now, it’s an essential item for my travels!

The charging stand is designed to charge Apple products, including your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. I’m not one to wirelessly charge my products, but this handy station charges devices quicker than any of my other cords from Amazon.

Additionally, the charging station allows your phone to be propped upwards to display the time like a clock. This is especially helpful for cruisers who want to be able to see the time in their stateroom.

Finally, the charging station is extremely compact and folds easily. Instead of needing to pack multiple chargers and cords, the magnetized charging station is all you should need. Being able to charge multiple devices quickly will be a game changer for your stateroom!

Link: Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone 16 Charging Station, MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charger Stand, Qi2 Certified 15W Foldable Charger for iPhone 15/14, AirPods, Apple Watch 9 (40W USB-C Charger Included). 

Price: $82.49 (25% off)

4. Compression Packing Cubes

Cruisers have been raving about packing cubes for quite some time now. Although I hopped on the bandwagon for packing cubes, I just ordered my first set of compression packing cubes this year. If you love packing cubes, then you need to purchase a set of compression packing cubes for your upcoming cruises!

Compression packing cubes squish down your clothes to save space in your luggage. With an extra zipper to compress the cube tightly, you can save so much space when traveling. If you prefer traveling with a carry-on, consider opting for compression packing cubes over standard ones.

For instance, I packed my large puffer jacket for a recent cruise to Norway. I was shocked at how much I could compress the coat with my compression packing cube. The cube allowed me to squeeze the coat into my carry-on bag, which I thought would be impossible.

In addition, you can stay organized in your luggage with separate packing cubes for your belongings. As someone who struggles to stay organized, I find that packing cubes allow me to fit everything in my luggage easily and neatly.

Getting settled in your cruise cabin is a breeze with packing cubes, too. You can simply remove the packing cubes from your suitcase and place them in your cabin’s closet, drawers or shelves. At the end of the sailing, you can place the cubes back in your suitcase (with one designated for dirty clothes, of course).

If you like to shop for souvenirs during your cruises, compression packing cubes will allow you to fit more in your suitcase as well. I’m always thankful that I can compress my belongings to make space for new treasures!

Link: BAGSMART 6 Set/4 Set/2 Set Compression Packing Cubes for Travel, Lightweight Vacation Travel Essentials, Travel Accessories for Suitcase Organizer Bags Set, Durable Luggage Organizer Travel Bags

Price: $31.99 (26% off)

5. Luggage Tag Holders

Another very popular item among cruisers is a set of luggage tag holders to attach on your suitcase. Most cruise lines require you to print out baggage tags so the crew members can easily locate your stateroom when delivering luggage.

These holders ensure your luggage tags remain secure and protected during embarkation. To be honest, I never understood the hype around these luggage tag holders and didn’t see the need for many years. I’ve never had issues with my tags falling off or getting damaged.

However, my parents decided to purchase these tags before our recent cruise in Australia - and now I won’t cruise without them! My dad let me borrow one of his tags to place on my suitcase before heading to the cruise terminal. It was pouring rain during embarkation in Sydney, but my luggage tag stayed intact thanks to the holder!

I was so thankful to have a protective covering on my luggage tag, as I saw many others get destroyed during the downpour. My tag was in perfect condition even during the rain and my bag arrived on time to my stateroom. I decided to purchase my own set of cruise luggage tags to use going forward!

Link: Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage Tag Holder by Cruise On [4 Pack] Fits All Carnival & Royal Caribbean Ships & Tags, Cruise Ship Essentials 2024 & 2025 - Clear Luggage Tags for Cruise Ships. 

Price: $12.99

6. Hanging Cosmetic Bag

One of my all-time favorite travel products is a hanging cosmetic bag to stay organized. Not only do I bring my hanging cosmetic bag on every cruise, I also never travel without it. These hanging cosmetic bags are especially helpful for cruising, though.

Cruise cabins often have tiny bathrooms and limited counter space, making these bags with built-in hooks ideal for hanging on bathroom doors. This keeps your counter and vanity space less cluttered with all of your cosmetics in a convenient location.

There are multiple pockets to store your toiletries in clear pockets, including full-size products if you want. This makes organization a breeze while cruising. Also, if one of your bottles of shampoo decides to leak while in-transit, you won’t have damaged or wet clothes in your suitcase.

I’ve had my hanging cosmetic bag for years now, making it one of the best investments I’ve made for my cruising gear. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for the frequent cruiser or traveler in your life, then consider purchasing a hanging cosmetic organizer to simplify their travels.

Link: NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag for women, Portable Hanging Organizer for Full-Sized Shampoo, Conditioner, Brushes Set, Makeup Accessories, Large Size, Pink. 

Price: $16.99 (39% off)

7. Travel Medicine Kit

Something I never cruise without is my travel pharmacy with a variety of over-the-counter medication. Purchasing medication onboard can be prohibitively expensive due to inflated prices. The medical center is also expensive to visit, so I try to prepare for the worst when cruising with a variety of medication.

Because of this, my small “pharmacy” is always fully stocked for my cruises. Without fail, I use something in my medication kit while cruising. My pharmacy includes Tylenol, Pepto or Tums, NyQuil, DayQuil, Imodium and Afrin. I also pack seasickness medication, antihistimems and sleep aids, along with bandaids and electrolyte packets. It may seem excessive, but I’ve never regretted being prepared.

One practical purchase to make for your upcoming cruise is a variety of OTC medication to pack for your travels. Of course, you could pack your own medication from home or purchase each medication. But, if you’re looking for a variety of medication to bring on your cruise, this kit should have you covered.

Even better, each medication comes individually wrapped, which is perfect to place in your suitcase or purse while cruising. You can’t beat the compactness and convenience for traveling.

Link: Travel Essentials Medicine Variety Pack with Travel RX Kit & Travel Medicine Kit for Travel, Camping, Cruises, 37 Individually Wrapped OTC Medications (2 Pack)

Price: $29.99 (9% off)