Cruise Packing List Essentials
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What should you pack on your cruise?
There are so many things you can consider bringing on your cruise. I am going to share with you items I feel are cruise packing essentials. Of course, some of these items may not fit your needs in particular. But I hope to highlight items that are both useful and organizational for your cruise experience. Maybe some items you never even thought of.
HANGING ORGANIZER
Space is limited in a cruise cabin. So finding ways to maximize that space is always helpful. I have used a hanging toiletry bag like this for many of my trips. Not only can you pack your toiletries, but they have waterproof compartments where you can also store your hair ties & jewelry. Being able to hang it on a hook in the bathroom or inside the cabin is a great feature as well. HANGING TOILETRY ORGANIZER
PACKING CUBES
I love this product! I like to roll my clothes when I pack. I find it cuts down on wrinkles and since we can’t have an ironing board in our cabins, it’s always great to find ways to reduce wrinkles. A family member told me about these packing cubes and I became amazed. The amount of clothes you can pack and consolidate is fantastic. This product is not just great for cruises but all types of travel. YAMIU PACKING CUBES
CRUISE TAG HOLDERS
One of the joys of cruising is to print out your luggage tags and then staple them around your handle and hope it stays on. Clear luggage tag holders are an awesome, reusable way to place your paper tags inside these holders without worrying that the paper will rip or get wet. You must know though that not all luggage tags are the same size.
If your sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you can use these narrower tags:
For sailings on all other Cruise Lines, you can use these tags:
Anyone sailing with me, Grab Your Bags Travel, for the first time, will receive these tags for free.
TOWEL CLIPS
Sea days by the pool or the sun deck is so much more enjoyable when your towel isn’t always falling off your chair. One time I was laying out and a gust of wind came and blew my husband’s towel and shirt away because he wasn’t sitting there. (true story) These towel clips which you use to hold your towels in place is small to pack and very convenient to have. It’s also great for any beach days! TOWEL CLIPS
ADJUSTABLE TOWEL BANDS FOR BEACH CHAIRS
For those who prefer not to have clips on their chairs, these towel bands are also quite popular. They are adjustable as well. TOWEL BANDS
DOWNY WRINKLE RELEASE SPRAY
Iron are not allowed onboard. Most major cruise lines charge a fee to have your clothes ironed onboard as well. An option is to bring a travel size Downy Wrinkle Release spray to get any wrinkles out of your cruise wear.
TIDE TO GO STAIN REMOVER
Spills happen. So to try to avoid that stain, I bring my Tide to Go instant stain remover sticks. This will save your cruise outfits! Make sure to pack one or more for your cruise. : )
HAND SANITIZER AND HOLDER
You should find plenty of hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship. But I always carry my own sanitizer with me no matter where I go. I love the scents from Bath and Body Works. Sometimes they have sales where you can get them for a $1 each so be on the look out and stock up! : ) HAND SANITIZER
When you are on the ship it is prohibited to use any snorkel gear or pool tubes in the pool. But if you are planning a beach day at a cruise port, I have often brought our own snorkel mask and pool tube to bring for fun. The kids (and adults) always had fun using them.
I haven’t used this snorkel set, but this item is said to be popular and reasonable in price. SNORKEL SET
I like to purchase the pretty cheap pool tubes so that it’s compact to pack, ease to blow up and your not upset to leave it behind if it breaks or you don’t feel like deflating it and re-packing it.
POOL TUBES
Seasickness can be an issue for many cruisers including myself and my kids. There are 2 things I like to do to help with my seasickness and I’ve had great success with it. First, eat a green apple. This works. A cabin steward suggested I try this remedy and boy was she right.
SEABANDS
I also like to wear seabands for a more natural remedy. I never cruise without them. SEABANDS
GINGER CANDIES
Ginger candies are another natural remedy for motion sickness. I haven’t used this product yet but I have heard so many people say how well this works that I plan on buying these for my next cruise. GINGER CANDY
MULTI USB HUB CHARGING STATION
Cruise cabins often don’t have enough outlets for all the devices needed to be charged. Cruise lines also do not allow you to bring surge protectors onboard. But they do allow USB hub charging stations. So this product is a great option to use. I bring mine on every trip I go on! USB CHARGING STATION
EUROPEAN ELECTRIC CONVERTER
When traveling abroad don’t forget to bring your electric converter. Different countries may need different converters so double check where you are going. These have converters for different countries and do not have surge protectors. I purchased this converter and actually brought it with me on my Bahamas and Alaska cruise. Both lines I was on had a European outlet. This was a great space saver and worked perfectly for our charging needs!
PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER
With so many people using phones or other devices, charging your battery is a concern. Having a portable battery charger is great for when you are somewhere you can’t find an outlet. Make sure your phone is compatible. PHONE CHARGER
LENSES FOR YOUR CELL PHONE
There are certain destinations you wish you had brought a good camera. A lot of people are like me though and simply only bring their cell phone. So instead of purchasing and lugging around a professional camera, I bought these lenses you can attach to your phone. It comes with multiple lens sizes which is great for zoom and wide purposes. It also comes with a carrying case and portable light if you need better lighting or doing a vlog. Just be sure that this particular lens will fit your phone before buying. CELL PHONE LENSES
APPLE AIRTAGS
A lot of people have been using these Apple Airtags to keep track of their luggage or other personal items. These are for iPhones only. For people who don’t have an iPhone, the have TILES that do the same thing. I have not purchased this item but would love to hear from you if you have.
STAINLESS STEEL STRAWS
As you will find in most businesses, cruise lines have been avoiding single use plastics, including plastic straws. If you prefer to drink with a straw and not a paper one, you can consider purchasing stainless steel straws which are environmentally friendly and reusable. STAINLESS STEEL STRAWS
GATORADE PACKS
When I’m out in the sun long for an excursion or beach day, I like to sometimes replenish my electrolytes. I bring these packs of Gatorade powder to mix with my water. GATORADE PACKS
JOURNALS
Jot down your cruise experience in a daily journal. It’s a great keepsake to remember your daily activities, interactions and funny anecdotes. JOURNAL
I hope the items I listed here will help in your cruise packing. Let me know what you like to bring!
If you haven’t booked that next cruise yet, be sure to reach out to me and I will help you get on that next adventure that is perfect for you! My services are always free!
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