As a frequent traveler, I often pride myself on packing strategically and efficiently. However, I made a few notable packing mistakes on my recent Mexican Riviera cruise that I definitely won’t make again for future travels.

Whenever possible, I try to cruise with just a carry-on suitcase to keep my luggage to a minimum. This also makes it easier navigating the airports and cruise terminals with fewer suitcases to haul around. I especially try to pack lightly when I’m flying to my embarkation port, as checking a bag with the airline can slow me down at the airport.

Of course, packing with just a carry-on is typically easier on shorter cruises to warmer destinations. With these itineraries, you don’t need to pack as much, and summer clothes usually take up less space in your suitcase. Longer itineraries with varied climate and unpredictable weather forecasts can make this much more difficult.

For instance, when I sailed to Norway last summer and to Iceland the year before, I ended up checking two suitcases with bulky winter clothes for my cruise! On the flip side, I never struggle to pack just a carry-on for cruises to the warm and sunny Caribbean, even for weeklong itineraries.

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

And although I’ve cruised on many itineraries across North America, I had never visited Cabo San Lucas on a Baja Mexico cruise. With the highly-anticipated arrival of Ovation of the Seas in Los Angeles earlier this summer, my mom and I decided to fly across the country for an inaugural sailing. 

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum class ship, and the biggest ship to ever sail from Los Angeles, California. As such, we were excited to be on the first sailing to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico aboard Ovation of the Seas! My mom and I had never visited this popular port of call in Baja, Mexico, and the cruise was surprisingly affordable at $700 each for the 5-night cruise.

This particular itinerary featured an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas with two days at sea in between. Having an overnight port is one of my favorite features of an itinerary, as it allows more time to explore the destination without rushing to return to the ship.

We arrived in Los Angeles the night before embarkation and drove across town to the cruise terminal the next morning. For this sailing, I packed for the weeklong adventure with just a carry-on and personal item. I encouraged my mom to do the same, given some logistics of our travel days, so we were both prioritizing packing light for this cruise.

Throughout the cruise, I was disappointed in myself for making a few rookie packing mistakes. In fact, some of these forgotten items are ones that I never leave behind! Here are some of the amateur mistakes I made when packing for this Mexican Riviera cruise, including a few items I won’t forget again.

1. Forgetting a pair of long pants

When I picture cruising to Mexico in the summer, I think of the scorching heat and stifling humidity. However, most of my summer itineraries to Mexico have departed from Florida and visited ports of call like Cozumel and Costa Maya. Moreover, as a Florida resident, I typically cruise from the ports near me, and I haven’t spent much time on the West Coast while traveling.

Although I had looked at the weather before packing, I focused on packing summer clothes for the warm and sunny days in Cabo San Lucas. Unfortunately, I somehow forgot to pack a pair of pants for this cruise to Mexico. Instead, I prioritized shorts, dresses, and skirts for our time both onboard and ashore in Mexico. I completely disregarded the possibility that our embarkation port and sea days might be chilly.

To my surprise, Los Angeles was quite cool with cloudy weather and low humidity on the first morning. This is when I learned about California’s “June Gloom," which is a Southern California term I had never heard before.

June Gloom describes the weather patterns in the early summer with cloudy, overcast skies. This usually brings cooler temperatures, often accompanied by a foggy marine layer. Supposedly, May is called “May Gray” and July has been dubbed “No Sky July” because of this weather phenomenon. Naively, I had assumed June in California would be sunny and warm!

Because most cruisers onboard were local, the majority of people on our cruise were wearing pants for the first two days with the cloudy weather. While I was comfortable inside the ship, I definitely felt chilly when my mom and I walked around the top deck during the day or strolled along the promenade after dinner.

The chilly breeze was a big surprise for us, and not packing pants was a complete oversight on my part. In the future, I’ll definitely plan to pack at least one pair of leggings or pants for my cruises. 

Read more: My 64-year-old parents love to cruise. Here are 10 essentials they always pack

2. Choosing not to pack personal shower products

Although cruise cabins are well appointed, Royal Caribbean’s bathrooms only include one basic product for shampoo and body wash. The 2-in-1 combination product works fine as a body wash for me, but I prefer to pack my own shampoo and conditioner usually.

Because my suitcase was packed to the brim, I decided to minimize the amount of cosmetics packed to save space. In addition, I didn’t want to have too many travel-sized products and get flagged by TSA for airport security (which has happened before). I was also relying on the upgraded bathroom products provided by Royal Caribbean to Diamond Plus loyalty members.

Because of this, I chose to pack a small bottle of conditioner and planned to use the shampoo and body wash provided by Royal Caribbean. We requested the upgraded shower products from our cabin steward on embarkation day and received them on the first night. While we were given shampoo, body wash, and lotion, there was no conditioner included for some reason.

Read more: 5 Dollar Tree Items Cruisers Should Stock Up on Before Their Sailing

Sadly, forgetting to pack conditioner was a big mistake. At some point, I apparently decided to use my travel conditioner bottle for lotion instead. I wasn't able to tell the difference when packing, given the similar texture of lotion and conditioner.

Halfway through the cruise, I realized I was conditioning my hair with cocoa butter instead of actual conditioner. That certainly explained why my hair was so greasy! By the end of the trip, my hair was looking less than impressive. Thankfully, my mom had packed a small bottle of conditioner that I borrowed on the last night. But, the half-filled bottle was not enough for us to share for the entirety of the cruise.

I was relying on the cruise line to provide conditioner for this cruise, but that ended up being a mistake. Even if I’m tight on space in the future, I’ll prioritize packing my own shower products.

3. Not bringing enough casual outfits for the ship

Our 5-night itinerary on Ovation of the Seas included two sea days and two days in Cabo San Lucas. While packing for this cruise, I planned to bring three nicer outfits for our time in port, three evening dresses for dinner, and exactly three casual outfits for our time onboard.

For this vacation, my mom and I booked an excursion on the first day in Cabo San Lucas to make the most of our time in port. On the second day, we had planned to venture ashore for a little exploring before the ship's all aboard time. 

However, after a full-day excursion in Mexico, we were completely worn out by that evening. On top of that, Cabo San Lucas is a tender port, which requires extra planning and dealing with the tender boats to get ashore. Our tender boat on the first day was quite small while navigating the choppy waters, leaving me a little woozy before the excursion even started.

On the second day, all aboard was scheduled for early afternoon, so we decided to stay on the ship instead of going ashore in Cabo San Lucas as we originally planned. We didn’t want to deal with the tendering process again, especially since we had already seen and done so much during our excursion the day before.

Because I had packed only three casual outfits to wear on the ship, I ran out of casual clothes by the last day. While I wasn’t left without something to wear, I wished I had packed more comfortable lounging outfits for onboard the ship and worried less about packing specific outfits for Mexico.

Not to mention, this meant I was rewearing the same stinky, stale airport outfit from my first travel day to California. This was a good reminder to always pack a couple of extra versatile pieces that you can wear, no matter how your plans change.

Read more: Caribbean and Mexico cruise outfits for women

4. Leaving behind an evening purse for dinner

Whenever I cruise, I typically pack a different purse to use onboard the ship for the evenings. However, I had already packed my daily crossbody pouch and a small backpack to use ashore in Cabo San Lucas that could hold my larger camera. 

While trying to keep my suitcase from overflowing, I opted to ditch the evening purse, but I did end up regretting this. Instead, I was using my casual crossbody pouch for evenings onboard, and I felt underdressed and mismatched.

For instance, on formal night, I thought my crossbody pouch looked pretty tacky with my nicer black dress for the occasion. Although no one else probably noticed or cared, I would have preferred having a nicer accessory for our evenings onboard.

Next time, I’ll plan to pack a more versatile option for both daily use and evenings onboard the ship, like my leather crossbody purse from a Mediterranean cruise. When it comes to packing minimally, having clothes and accessories that can serve multiple purposes is key, and my bag choice on this trip was definitely a packing mistake.

On the other hand, my mom went the opposite route and ended up packing too many bags for this cruise! She is notorious for bringing multiple bags while traveling, even if they’re not practical. Like usual, she didn’t end up using every bag she packed. While they didn’t take up much space in her suitcase, she definitely could have narrowed down her selection and saved herself the extra clutter.

5. Forgetting to pack a few magnetic hooks

While magnetic hooks are a popular cruise staple for many, we opted to forgo packing these because of our shorter cruise itinerary. I always pack these for longer sailings to make the cabin more functional and organized. However, I convinced my mom that we didn’t need to bring any magnetic hooks this time because a full set can be heavy and take up unnecessary room in our suitcases.

In hindsight, magnetic hooks are useful no matter how lightly you decide to pack. While our cabin had plenty of storage for us, having a few magnetic hooks on the walls would have made it so much easier to grab things quickly, like a light sweater or our cabin lanyards. This also helps reduce clutter in your cruise cabin, especially when you have minimal counter space on the vanity or dresser.

Next time, I’ll plan to pack at least one or two magnetic hooks for my cruise, even if I’m convinced they won’t be necessary. A full set might be too bulky for a short cruise, but bringing just a couple can make the cabin feel more organized without adding much weight to my luggage.

Read more: 21 Cruise Cabin Essentials Everyone Should Pack

6. I should have left more room for souvenirs

I love shopping while cruising, but traveling with only a carry-on can make it challenging to leave extra space for souvenirs. In fact, sometimes I intentionally don’t leave room in my suitcase just to keep myself from shopping too much. If there’s no room for souvenirs, I shouldn’t be tempted to browse the local markets for trinkets and treasures.

Even still, I was excited when I found a small set of hot sauces for my husband during our excursion in Mexico. It was also Father’s Day weekend, so I purchased a T-shirt and baseball hat to send back with my mom for my dad's present. We did resist the temptation to purchase tequila during our tasting event, as there were only a few travel-sized bottles that would fit in our suitcase.

We also enjoyed some of the onboard shops, as we are both suckers for a good cruise T-shirt! I try to avoid looking in the shops because I usually find something I like, and I know they’re overpriced.

At the end of the trip, even a few souvenirs were difficult to pack in our already-full suitcases. My mom and I both struggled to find room for the small treasures, even though we made a conscious effort to minimize our shopping.

It’s always best to leave a little bit of wiggle room while traveling, as you never know what you’ll find! This also alleviates some stress when packing your suitcase at the end of the cruise, as my mom and I needed to spend a few hours strategically packing. Luckily, we were able to squeeze everything in and bring home our finds without too much trouble.

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.