7 Cruise Ship Packing Essentials, According to an Avid Cruiser

28.07.2023 - 14:47 / cntraveler.com / Royal Caribbean

Packing for any type of vacation can be stressful, but packing for a cruise, where you likely won’t be able to pop into a Target or schedule an Amazon delivery to replace a missing item mid-trip, only adds to the anxiety. Frequent travelers are likely to have a cruise packing list that outlines what outfits to wear in each port, swimsuits to sport at the pool, and comfortable shoes to wear around the ship, all waiting to be marked off as you place them into your suitcase.

I do this too, but I also have a less expected list of the items that are going to make my cruise easier, more organized, and in the end, more fun. After sailing on over 50 cruises on lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, all of these items have become must-haves, whether I’m embarking on a three-night sailing to the Bahamas or a week-long jaunt around the Mediterranean. Keep reading to find out what my cruise ship packing essentials are, and consider packing them yourself to make any future cruises smoother.

The number one thing I always make sure I pack in my suitcase is an over-the-door hanging shoe organizer—but I don’t use it for my sandals. I put this to work keeping small things like hair brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and Band-Aids off of the bathroom counters and in a set spot in the room. If I’m cruising with other people, everyone gets a row or two to use for their things. I always make sure that I bring strong magnetic hooks to hang this up with too, because most cruise lines will not let you put tape on the walls or use the hooks that come with the organizer since it could damage the door frame and paint.

I hate seeing dirty laundry around my room, but I also don’t want to pull my suitcase out every night to load in clothes that I’m done wearing for the cruise. That’s why I always pack a collapsible mesh laundry hamper. After I unpack my suitcase and hang all of my clothes up in the closet or place things into drawers, I find a spot in the closet where the hamper can sit without being in the way of the doors closing. Each night I toss my worn clothes into the basket; after a few days, when the basket is full, I take a few minutes to fold and place dirty clothes back into my suitcase. The best part about this hamper is that it folds flat and is super lightweight so it doesn’t add any bulk to my suitcase while in transit.

The key to not feeling overwhelmed by stuff every time you walk into your room? Staying organized. One way that I like to keep things off of the desk or floor is with clip-style fridge magnets. These are great for larger items that you will use almost every day, like hats and swimsuit coverups. I also like to use these to keep important papers like excursion tickets, daily schedules,