Knowing how to pack for a cruise vacation can be overwhelming, especially for first time cruisers. A cruise packing list makes it much easier so you don’t forget important items and can focus on all the fun you’ll have whether traveling to the western Caribbean, the eastern Caribbean or even Bermuda~ With a complete cruise packing checklist, you can check off each item as you pack it. Then, you’ll know you’ve packed everything you need to enjoy your cruise.
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• Updated February, 2018 •
Since most U.S. based first time cruisers take a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas, this post focuses on those destinations. We cover what to wear on a Caribbean cruise, which cruise outfits are essential (and which are not), and other things to pack for a cruise.
Without further ado, here are all the cruise packing tips and hacks you need to cruise like a pro, whether you’re cruising on a budget like we were or you’re in a luxury suite.
Cruise wardrobe essentials: What clothes should you wear on a cruise?
When we took our first cruise, everyone dressed up for dinner each night. Freestyle cruising, which is more casua, didn’t exist yet.
While cruising has gotten more casual, cruise lines do not allow tank tops or swim suits in the dining room, and shoes are required in all dining areas, so keep that in mind when planning which outfits to wear on a cruise.
I’ve learned a lot of tips to pack for a cruise since my first trip and know the best items to bring on a cruise. This ultimate cruise packing list focuses on what to pack for a 7 day cruise. If you’re going on a shorter trip, take only one formal outfit and take out at least one (or two) casual outfits. You won’t need them!
Even better, when you use our cruise packing list, you can fit everything you need for a week-long cruise in one suitcase!
Ready for the 7 day cruise packing list? Click here!
Or… read on for specifics for Women, Men, Kids and other stuff!
Women’s cruise packing list
Generally, when you pack for a 7 day cruise, take one “formal outfit,” a semi-formal outfit, five day’s worth of casual clothes to wear on a cruise, two swimsuits, essentials and accessories. For cruise outfits, I go for simple, a flowy dress with some costume jewelry for formal night and a bright, fun dress for semi-formal night. Other nights, I wear a skirt and blouse or sundress.
Pro tip: When planning what to wear on a cruise, pack within a color palette so you can wear the same cute sandals with each dressy outfit. (Our cruise packing list downloadable has everything listed item by item to make it easy for you to plan!)
Men’s cruise packing list
We use a great strategy to pack light for the guys, even when we pack for a seven day cruise! Wear a casual shirt to dinner (except on formal nights), then wear that shirt another day later in the trip for a shore excursion, so the shirt is used two days not one. That way you avoid over packing for your cruise vacation.
For formal and semi-formal nights, my husband wears the same suit. On formal night, wear the tie and jacket. On semi-formal night, go with a fun tie (or no tie) and skip the jacket. Pack two swimsuits, five casual daytime outfits, essentials and accessories.
Cruise packing list for kids
If you really want to enjoy your kids, let them be kids! Pack nice outfits for formal night, but something they can be comfortable in. Pack five or six outfits (a couple extra for babies), two swimsuits, a jacket, sweater or hoodie, and comfortable shoes! I recommend comfortable sandals with a heal strap (flip flops with a strap that goes behind the heel so they don’t trip on slippery pool decks or on the stairs) and tennis shoes. Comfort rules!
Besides clothes, what should you pack?
Cruises are almost all-inclusive, so you don’t need to bring a whole lot of extras. When you’re thinking about what things to pack for a cruise, pack the things you really need and leave the rest behind.
We bring sun essentials, like a beach bag, sunscreen and sunglasses. We also bring our cell phones and chargers, though we try to leave the computers at home! Books or Kindles are great to relax on sea days.
It’s also important to bring all required cruise documents: boarding passes, reservation confirmations (including any shore excursions booked before the cruise), required identification (a passport is best) and cash/credit cards. That’s about it! Have I convinced you that a cruise travel packing list is a great place to start?
Prohibited items on a cruise: What to leave at home
When working on your cruise planning checklist, it’s almost as important to know what not to pack for a cruise! If you pack something that is not allowed, it will be confiscated at the luggage screening.
After you go through the screening area, look for the tables full of confiscated items. If nothing you own ends up over there, you packed well!
On all cruise lines, weapons, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, irons, candles, and most small electrical appliances are banned. Curling irons and flat irons are allowed for hair (but I mostly go with a pony tail!)
Some questions I’ve been asked about what is banned on a cruise ship.
- Can you take prescription drugs on a cruise? Yes! Prescription medications are allowed on a cruise. I recommend that you bring all medications in their original packaging. That way, if you get sick or injured, the ship’s doctor has easy access to your medical information.
- Can you bring an iron on a cruise? No! Irons are strictly forbidden because they pose a fire hazard. Instead, pack a couple of small bottles of Downy Wrinkle Releaser: Spray clothes, hang them in the bathroom while you shower, and they’ll look great!
- Can you bring weed on a cruise? No! While marijuana is legal in some states, it is not legal on a cruise ship. Instead, mellow out in a lounge chair on the pool deck!
- Can you bring alcohol on a cruise? Probably. Most cruise lines allow you to bring one or two bottles of wine onboard, but the uncorking fee is pretty hefty! Check with your specific cruise line to make sure you know what’s allowed (see below for a link to the most popular family cruise lines)
- Can I bring my sports equipment? Nope. Leave the baseball bats and golf clubs at home. On the ship, all sports equipment is provided. Pool noodles and frisbees are banned also. If you’re planning on a relaxed beach day shore excursion, I found these great inflatable pool noodles. They pack flat and are great for floating on those Caribbean blue seas!
Because cruise line policies change and each cruise line’s rules vary, check what’s allowed before you go. Here’s a link to the four major family cruise lines’ lists of prohibited items:
- Carnival Cruise Lines Prohibited Items List
- Disney Cruise Lines Prohibited Items List
- Norwegian Cruise Lines Prohibited Items List
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Prohibited Items List
What are my luggage limitations?
Most cruise lines don’t have a set limit on luggage, but when you’re trying to figure out how to pack for a cruise to the Bahamas or things to take on a Caribbean cruise, remember that less is more! You can store two or three bags under your bed.
About your cruise carryon luggage
On our first cruise with the kids, I made a huge mistake and brought way too many items in carryon luggage. Since cabins aren’t available for hours after boarding, everything you carry on with you stays with you until the cabin is available. Juggling kids, a buffet lunch and luggage is no fun! Trust me!
So, what are the best items to bring on a cruise carryon?
- ALL cruise boarding documents (boarding passes, photo ID, passport, and anything else the cruise line requires). When I say what the cruise line requires, I mean requires! If you don’t have the required documents, you can’t cruise!
- ALL medications. If checked luggage gets lost or delayed, you can’t easily replace prescriptions.
- Swimsuits. HINT: Have boys wear their swim trunks as shorts! If girls have 2-piece suits or tankinis, they can wear theirs under clothes, too. Simple cruise packing hacks make life so much easier, don’t you agree?
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- All valuable electronics. If you must bring a computer, carry it with you. Cruise lines have computers available on-board, so consider using those instead. It’s a whole lot easier!
- Camera. Make sure batteries are fully charged so you don’t have to carry those.
- Valuable jewelry if planning to bring any. (I don’t recommend it. Simplify with a few costume pieces and pack in checked bags.)
- Diaper bag for younger kids with enough diapers and wipes, baby food/bottles, and a couple toys to get through 6 hours. (Of all the family cruise tips, this is my favorite. Think of what you’d normally pack for a one day outing. That’s all you need for your carryon diaper bag.)
Things you don’t need to carry on to the cruise ship:
- A change of clothes. You’ll have access to your cabin before dinner so you can change. And if your luggage arrives late, don’t worry! Dinner the first night is quite casual.
- Beach towels. Towels are provided for guests by all major cruise lines. You can use them for shore excursions, but remember to return them to the ship or you’ll be charged for them.
- Chargers for electronics. Make sure phones, cameras, e-readers and computer are fully charged the morning of the cruise and pack the chargers in your checked luggage. Less is best for cruising carry-ons.
Some final cruise tips to make packing easier
Tip One: When I travel, I always take a photo of my checked luggage. If my luggage gets lost — or held by cruise security — I can show staff exactly what the bag looks like, making it quicker and easier to retrieve.
On a Carnival cruise with my mom, security held one of my bags because something apparently didn’t look right to them. I went to guest services and showed them my photo. They retrieved my bag and explained it needed a hand search. Two minutes later, search uneventful, I had my bag and enjoyed a lovely vacation.
TIP TWO: If traveling with someone else, divide your checked items into two suitcases. That way, if one is lost or delayed, you both have something to wear. This is a great tip for all travel, not just cruise travel.
TIP THREE: When packing, ask yourself, “Do I need this?” If the answer is no, leave it out. If the answer is, “But if XYZ happens, I might need….” leave it out. [bctt tweet=”Experienced cruisers know to pack light! Less fuss = More fun! Get our free cruise packing list to make it easy. #cruising #packing #traveltips”]
Our cruise packing checklist printable!
Download our Ultimate Cruise Packing List PDF now. It’s free! The last page includes space for notes so you can personalize your list to meet any special needs you have.
A special note to first time cruisers: Cruise ship packing isn’t a whole lot different from other vacations. If you use this as a first time cruise packing list, you’ll be the pro on board — and you’ll have a great time. The articles below will help you learn more about cruising. Bon voyage!
Read these articles for more great cruise tips
Cruising is one of my favorite types of vacation. Once the packing is done, just show up and the rest is taken care of. I love the food, the convenience of sleeping in the same space while seeing different places, and the food. Did I say that already? HAHA! I hope these cruise packing tips, the cruise packing list and other posts help you have the best cruise vacation ever! If you hvae questions, feel free to ask.
Going on my first cruise on Mariner of the Seas and just read I cannot bring my heating pad and I have severe osteoporosis and have had 5 fractures and use my pad every night to sleep. So that is upsetting although I realize it could be a fire hazard. So my next question is we have an ocean view cabin, Do bathrooms have a hairdryer to dry my hair in our room?
Hi Mary. Before you travel, speak with the cruise line to ask about alternatives to the heating pad. Or, you can pack the gel heating packs designed for one time use. And, yes, there are blow dryers in each cabin. They are not the most powerful hair dryers in the world, but they get the job done. To be honest, I only used them for formal and semi-formal dining nights. The wind does a good job otherwise. Enjoy your cruise!
I disagree with not taking a change of clothes in your carry on…as we arrived to check in for one of our cruises, we were caught in an absolute downpour…luckily we were able to change quickly once on board, particularly as our bags didn’t arrive until after dinner that night.
That’s a great point, and certainly, there are exceptions to everything. I change my packing if weather dictates I should. Thanks for bringing that point up!
I made the mistake of not having a change of clothes for my very first cruise. We had a very hectic day and by dinner all I really wanted was to brush my teeth and put on a clean shirt. But because we did not have our luggage I went to dinner feeling not my best.
Good suggestions for first timers, but once you’ve gotten through that test… just a suggestion but you really never need to take more than a carryon suitcase no matter how long the trip. I don’t even own a larger suitcase anymore. The airline can’t lose your bag, you can skip the cruise ship bag check in and walk all your belongings to your cabin. You have everything with you from the minute you arrive. On disembarkation day you can walk off as soon as the gang plank is down – no setting luggage out the night before and waiting in some lounge area to be cleared to disembark and go find your luggage ashore. On one cruise where we ended in Venice we’d checked into our hotel and were an hour into sightseeing before the time the ship would have let us off if we had luggage to deal with. My next trip is 2+ weeks in Tuscany followed by a 30+ day transatlantic/repositioning cruise – all with just a carryon bag: 13 tops x 8 bottoms=104 outfits for a 50ish day trip, so enough for a day and evening outfit every day without ever repeating a combination. I’m still taking way too much but I don’t want to get sick of the same few outfits and I can go at least 10 days before doing laundry.
FYI – all the giant suitcases in the hallway always makes us smile- did they bring their friends along in those bags? 😉
This same process works just fine with kids too. On our first cruise our kids were 6 and 13 and were in charge of dragging their own wheeled carryon bags from home to the ship’s cabin. The little one needed help getting her bag in the overhead on the plane but otherwise she had to be able to manage her own bag. The only exception I can see to needing more space than a carry on is vast quantities of diapers for a baby, or bulky gear like a cpap machine perhaps?
Can you take and use a c-pap machine on Holland America cruises?
yes, hubby and I always take ours
Medical equipment is always allowed on a cruise ship. Some older ships don’t have convenient electrical outlets, so discuss that whoever books your cruise to make sure you have what you need.
This is the best packing list I have ever seen! Such a detailed post. I have saved it.
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. I hope you get to use it often!
Hi,
I am going on my cruise in Jan, 2020. I have read about 20 blogs like this one. I have written all the tips in my cruise journal. This is a good article.
Question- my daughter is renewing her vows on board and i am wondering can i take a gift to give them on board the ship? We are traveling on Carnival.
Great question! You can take gifts with you. When we travel, I often take little gifts for my kids — they get souvenirs but I don’t spend as much.
Make sure you follow airline guidelines when packing it. If it’s something fragile or valuable, pack it in carry on.
That sounds like a great place to renew vows. Our 30th anniversary is that same year!
Thank you for these wonderful tips!! We are going in our first cruise in 5 day??!! (Beyond excited). Please could some one tell me if you are allows to take the ships pool towels on shore with you? And are you allowed to pack a food snack for your day on shore, including a beer possibly ?
Hi Sandy,
Have a GREAT cruise! So exciting.
Regarding pool towels, the short answer is yes, you can take them with you. However, if you lose the towel, the cruise ship will charge a fee to replace it. Understandably, of course.
I do pack snacks for shore, but only packaged foods (crackers, etc.) In general, you cannot take fresh food off the ship because of safety issues.
I’ve never taken a beer off the ship, so I don’t know if you can or not. But, they do not search bags before you leave. The greater risk here might be drinking in a public place where alcohol is not allowed or where outside alcohol is not allowed. Be sure you know local laws before you consider it. Does that help at all?
hope this is helpful info because i am going on a cruise
Heyy! I love your tips! I never went for a cruise, but we are planing this summer. Your packing ideas will help me a lot to organize my suitcases. Greetings
I’m so glad you find these tips useful. I just got home from a cruise yesterday, and I used these tips to pack and prepare! 🙂
I like to pack black, white, and khaki colored pants and tops plus scarves of all kind and all colors. Scarves and jewelry make an outfit look new!
Hi Karen! Great name AND great packing tip! I like scarves, too, because the air conditioning in the dining rooms and theaters can get chilly. Scarves offer a coverup option if needed. 🙂
When’s your next cruise?
I read some helpful items here https://www.smsmondial.com.mt/helpful-things-to-bring-on-a-cruise/ but love that the carry-on bag was very detailed in your post.
And I’m going to try rolling the clothes, you’d think they’d come more wrinkled but I’m going to have to see for myself!
Also am going to take pictures of my luggage from now on 🙂
It works if you roll them right! Make sure the rolls aren’t too tight. Make a core with socks or underwear or your swimsuit!
We have been rolling our clothes and packing kids clothes in ziploc bags for years. I recently invested in packing cubes. We have traveled with them three times now and I love them in a way I never thought possible. I bought a different color for each family member and different sizes for different articles of clothing and toiletries. I am amazed at how much space they save in our suitcases, as well as how simple they make packing.
As a massage therapist, I purchase MANY sheet sets, I find the plastic zippered bag the sheets come in are very strong and works great as a packing cube. Even when placing clothes in zip lock bags, the air sometimes creeps back into the bag and makes repacking difficult without squeezing or rolling out the air again. If you immediately place the compressed bags tightly into the plastic bag the sheets came in then zip it up, it stays compressed. I typically pack weeks before the trip so this works for me. I also place a fabric softener sheet in each bag to keep clothes just washed fresh.
Great tips! We recently bought a new comforter set and discovered that those bags make great storage packing cubes. Never thought about the sheet set bags. Thanks for that awesome tip!
Fabric softener sheets keep clothes smelling fresh — and they help with static. Double great tip!
Sharing a “V8” moment: Pack smaller dental toiletries inside travel mugs and cups; especially if they’re going into checked bags. Makeup & applicators, cleansers & lotions can be stored & carried in them, too.
Small items that either get lost in suitcases or forgotten are ideal. Lip balm, wet & dry wipes, contact lens solutions or eye drops, anything that might leak or melt, etc. Nail polish & remover double bagged and tucked into a travel mug has a better chance of survival.
Tape a “packing slip” inside the lid. This helps Inspectors when bags are scanned and pulled for hand-inspection. Inspections happen. Make it easier on yourself and maybe put a smile on the Inspector’s face. I’ve put silly stickers on Baggies many times… just to give myself a smile while packing.
Oh! Almost forgot. Empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes are great for corralling all kinds of things in suitcases. I usually tuck in USB pigtails, charging cords, and similar items. Bandanas & scarves, extra hair ties & elastics…
Getting excited planning a solo cruise for the beginning of November. Enjoying reading different hints, tips & suggestions!
These are all great tips! And a solo cruise sounds like a lot of fun!!! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas.
Great minds think alike, as my husband and I have utilized 99% of the tips. I find that rolling your clothes in the carry-on size suitcase leaves less wrinkles and more room for stuff, eliminating the need to carry a backpack (most times, there is enough room for the backpack to lay flat).
I don’t bother bringing shampoo or sunscreen anymore, as the ship store has all of this and it’s way more convenient than lugging it around and bagging it for the airlines.
I can’t imagine rolling clothes will leave less wrinkles, am going to try that! 🙂
The first time we went I packed a sundress for every evening meal. That is for me and my two daughters. You do not need a dress for every evening meal. In fact, every night (on a 7 day cruise) except for formal and semi-formal night, we wore nice shorts and a nice shirt/t-shirt. It was so much more comfortable and not having to worry about the dresses getting wrinkled!! Plus, the girls could then go straight to their kids club without having to go back and get play clothes on. Good idea on taking a picture of your luggage. I would have never thought of that. Two thumbs up!!!!
We took our own snorkel gear too! Cheaper!!
Great tips Karen, love the idea of photographing your checked bags! Here’s some others we share with our clients… A small power strip for all your tech gadgets (phones, pads, readers, cameras) since outlets can be scarce and humans today gotta stay charged! Post-it notes to leave reminders and notes for your roomie or family members in different cabins, or even requests for your stateroom steward. Battery-operated tea light candles to set the mood on romantic getaways, plus it doubles as a night light. A lanyard to wear around your neck that can hold your sea pass card. Pack an empty fold up duffel or tote bag inside your luggage that can be used later to carry off souvenirs. Travel Febreeze for those quick traveling odors or to freshen up clothes when you recycle outfits. Binoculars for sightseeing and Walkie talkies to keep in touch on the ship. Disposable rain poncho (from the dollar store) just in case. Chair/curtain clips to ensure your pool or beach towels don’t fly away in the wind. Gum isn’t sold on ships, so pack some if you can’t do without it! If taking wine, remember a travel corkscrew (I forgot it on my last cruise and it took forever for the attendant bring us one). Baggage gremlins got your suitcase? Pack half of your stuff in your traveling partners bag, put half of theirs in yours. This way if one bag gets lost, you aren’t completely put out! And some other cruising tips: hang clothes in the bathroom while you shower and the steam gets rid of wrinkles. I’ve also seen a “travel smart mini iron” on Pinterest. Cabins are stingy when it comes to providing hooks to hang your personal things and did you know that most cabins have doors and walls that are made of metal? Pick up a pack of strong magnetic hooks to stick on cabin walls or doors to create more hanging space for sweaters, robes, baseball/straw hats, swimsuits, etc. Also, finding space is challenging for over-packers or a third person in a standard cabin–never fear–slide a suitcase under the bed, but leave it open, now you’ve got a new “drawer” for items you won’t need as frequently. Here’s another secret–why not use it to store your dirty laundry?
I pack plenty of ziploc bags in various sizes and a lunch bag with straps. For excursions, i can grab my snacks for the day from the food counters. Also, be sute to grab beverages. You’ll find lots of uses for ziploc bags.
I always do laundry on board. On one of our sea days, I just go early in the morning and wash a load or two, so I don’t have to pack as much. I bring my own detergent (either pods, or those laundry sheets). I know it isn’t for everyone, especially on vacation, but I’m fine with doing it.
I pack the kids’ clothes in ziploc bags. One outfit per bag, and then I suck the air out of each bag as I seal it. They take up very little space that way.
I also bring a tiny steamer for my clothes.
What kind of steamer? I have never heard of one being allowed, but it sure would be nice to take.
I also do laundry on most vacations, though not cruises. If I was cruising for 12 days, I would certainly rethink that strategy!!!!
Celebrity Cruise ships do not have do-it yourself laundry facilities, but valet service/ dry cleaning/ laundry prices are reasonable enough to take advantage of. One of the perks of reaching an elite level of frequent cruising is free laundry. Almost as nice as free internet!
I’m glad you guys have left a lot of tips for us 1st timers. I’m cruising for 8 days March 27-April 4 and so needed this information.
Orshedia, Thanks! I’m glad we could help. I hope you have a fabulous cruise vacation. Just remember, if you forget to pack something, you’ll be just fine! (Except that passport and cruise boarding documents)! Enjoy!!!!
We are going on our first cruise in July. I don’t really want to dress up for a formal dinner. Will I still be able to visit the restaurants, etc that night? We are going on Carnival Liberty.
Yes, you can still go to dinner if not dressed formally. Don’t wear swimsuits to dinner. If you wear a sundress or capris/dress pants or skirt and a top, you’ll be just fine. For formal night, I usually wear a maxi dress with my flashier earrings and call it done. Some will dress formally and others will just freshen up.
If you feel like staying in your swimsuit, just eat at the buffet on the pool deck that particular day. Though, I have to say dinner with our server is usually a highlight of the trip for me.
Take a large scarf or Parshima..you WILL freeze at dinner..trust me
Taking my first cruise in May……Carnival Valor to the Bahamas…..do they provide bottled water on this cruise?
Renee, you can purchase a bottled water package. It’s not free.
@ Renee: Carnival allows you to take bottled water on board with you as well as one bottle of champagne or wine per person.
Carnival no longer allows plastic bottles of any kind to be brought on board, due to the “hiding of alcohol” 🙁 You can have a 12 bottle package delivered to your stateroom for $2.99 (order before sailing).
Hi Sherri,
Thanks for that update. I appreciate it — the travel industry is always changing, so updating policies is important!
Here is a link to the article reporting this change: http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/10/news/companies/carnival-cruises-bottled-water/
Karen Dawkins
Tervis Rocks..pour wine in them from the room head to the Lido and add fruit and ice..voila Sangria all day
Where was this list back in 2012!? LOL, I really could of used something like this when I went on my 1st cruise. But now I can pin this for my future cruises 🙂 Thanks!
Ha ha! I hope it helps the next time around!
we take our travel coffee mugs so we can walk around with a hot cup of coffee. I also take my little vanilla creamers
I make flavored coffee drinks using the soft serve ice cream on the pool deck. 🙂 YUM!
I am DEFINITELY going to remember that tip when we go on our very first cruise in January 2017.
Oh…. it is so good!
OMG – Facepalm moment! I bought frappachinos at the coffee shop when I could’ve made it myself for FREE. Great tip – I’m definitely gonna remember that on our next cruise in a couple weeks.
I also pack a can of air freshener because there is no exhaust fan in the bathroom of our room.
I use a cheese grater and use a bar of nice smelling soap shredded and stored in small mesh bags hung in restroom and placed in drawers to keep things fresh.
This is such a great list filled with so many ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy to help, Missi. Let me know if you have any other cruise questions — or travel questions for that matter!
I bring adult sippy cups(water bottles)! Those cups they provide for the ice tea and water are so small! Its nice to not refill all of the time!
Excellent tip, Crystal! We took Tervis mugs — they kept drinks plenty cold and held a lot — on our last cruise. Many people asked where they could get them. I will definitely pack them for my next one, even though I’m flying and luggage space is tight. 🙂
I was wondering about taking our Tervis tumblers. I will definitely take mine!
We are taking our Tervis tumblers again on our second cruise. They make handles for them also that are amazing (which we didn’t have the first cruise). Now one person can run to the soda machine and easily grab drinks for our family of four.
We took a Disney cruise with our 4 & 6 yr old. Packed each kids outfit, headband, underware, etc in a gallon Baggie from $1 store. Made dressing so easy & fast they could see what they wanted to wear with out help from us & it was all together. Plus we put all their clothes baggies in drawers & bulky suitcase was stored out of way!
Great tip, Jillian! A little advanced planning lets mom relax more on vacation too! You have everything you need, neatly organized! Thanks!
I leave in 5 days for our 4th cruise and packed my 2 daughters clothing like this again… I used quart ziplock freezer bags w/ a pump to get all the air out. Im a true over packer and this saves a ton of space- plus no searching for undies, socks, or hairbows!!
We are about to go on our sixth cruise, and my best tip would be to bring an over the door shoe organizer with clear pockets, and use it on either side of your bathroom door to store everything….meds, hair/makeup supplies, lotions, mini 1st aid kit, hair brush, flip flops…you get the idea. The bathrooms are not like a large hotel, there is usually 3-6 small corner shelves, the counter top, and maybe a shelf underneath- this is also a great spot to use a collapsible square bin for larger items. In most showers there is also an expandable clothes line to use for suits and such. We also always bring travel size hand sanitizer to take to port (the cruiselines usually provide it on ship, at the buffet). Hope this helps!
Anne,
Great tip! I actually wrote an organizing post on how to use over-the-door shoe hangers for hotel vacations with young kids. The bottom row can keep toys organized and out from under bare feet!
NOTE: These organizers are NOT allowed on Disney Cruise Line because they damage the paint job. With that said, though, Disney offers an abundance of space. We didn’t even use all the bathroom shelving in our cabin… or the drawers… or the closet! Lots of storage. 🙂
Thanks for all your tips!
I saw this tip posted somewhere before our first cruise and it was a truly genius idea! Worked fantastically!!
Glad you like this tip! Just not for Disney. 🙂
I went in my first cruise it was a blast but I under packed I bought some thing s on board to waer though. now I am going (maby ) 2 crusie in april I went on carnval they are truly aewsome
Anyone just carry on their bags? We managed to pack within the 22x14x9 bag per person, so we could just carry these on. Plus they let you have a purse. We are backpackers so used to carrying way heavier things, and have a check in of 1230 so we probably won’t get on board til 130 which is close to room readiness anyway. Any thoughts?
Jen, For airlines, it’s nice to do carryon only and avoid that baggage fee. For a cruise ship, cabin delivery is included for free! I’d keep all valuables (computer, camera, passports) with me, but check everything else! Hauling those bags through the buffet line, up and down elevators or stairs, and everywhere else you go is a pain! Also, the rooms aren’t always open on time. If your cabin got trashed by its previous occupant (it happens, sadly), you may have those bags longer than you think.
Thanks. That is what most info postings say. It’s not about the money/fees, but the day bag for all four of us is more than half our packed bags. We are very light efficient packers. So it is more efficient for us to just keep our stuff. Just thought I get someone to reply who had done this. I did find on Disboards several posts of people on varied length cruises who did carry luggage on and did just fine. I guess it depends on what you are used to and which is less stressful.
Hello Jen,
I have gone on several cruises and honestly, I have been trying to find a way to pack everything in just a carry on because I always get very nervous about my luggage being lost. I personally, would carry it on if you feel that you can! They may check your bag to make sure everything checks out but you shouldn’t have to check it in and wait for it to arrive at your room. Also, it may be a bit of extra weight to carry around that first day to have everything with you, but at least you don’t have to be worried about losing any luggage!
Great discussion. What did you decide to do, Jen? You can carry your luggage to the cruise ship and then let them take it to your room. That way you don’t have to worry about the airline, but you don’t have to lug it all over the ship either.
If you do decide to carry on, opt for a later check-in time (after 1). You might be able to take your luggage directly to your cabin! Easy.
If not, find a table near the pool and away from the lunch buffet lines. Leave one person with the luggage while the other 3 go through the lunch line — that’s the only thing that’s really tricky with luggage in tow. The buffet dining room is way too crowded to navigate with luggage.
Another tip that I remember from the last cruise that my family took, is to make your luggage unique b/c at disembarkment they just pile everyone’s luggage together and you have to try to decide which bags are yours. It is worse than at the airport.
Thank you for the packing list! I will be going on my first cruise this upcoming January! Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico!
I’m going on that cruise too. I’m leaving January 5th 🙂
I am taking my first cruise early this fall and I always over pack. Thank you for the list. I am going to try to pack everything in two bags. One checked bag and one swim bag. That would be picture worthy!
I sure hope the packing list works for you, Susan! Where are you going?