Welcome to our blog post on cruise packing! Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or embarking on your first voyage, having a well-prepared packing list is essential. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive cruise packing list, complete with all the must-have items for a smooth sailing adventure. From clothing essentials to travel documents, we’ve got you covered.
And the best part? We’ve even included a printable version of the checklist for your convenience. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the essential items you need to pack for your upcoming cruise. Bon voyage!
Printable Cruise Packing List
We have created a printable packing list for a caribbean cruise to make it quickers to check items off as you pack for a cruise, completely free for use. Simply click the download button and either save it or print it out. Please check the next section for our printable Alaskan Cruise Packing List.
Printable Alaskan Cruise Packing List
Alaskan cruises can be a little different to pack for, so to help, we have created a free printable Alaskan Cruise Packing List to help you prepare for your next cruise to Alaska. Be sure to check the weather to determine how thick of winter clothing you may need since Alaska can range in temperatures depending when in the season you are cruising.
Cruise Packing Checklist: Clothing
A large portion of your cruise packing list will be clothing. Between themed nights, formal night, swimwear and casual dress, you will need to pack a little bit of everything.
The amount you will need to pack will ultimately depend on the length of your cruise. While many cruises offer laundry services, it can be pricey, so you want to try and pack as much as you can to hold you over for the entirety of the cruise. We often will wear the same outfit multiple days to reduce how much we pack.
Casual Clothes to Pack
- T-Shirts (at least 1 per day of your cruise)
- SPF Shirts for Swimming (easier than sunscreen)
- Shorts (at least 1 for every 2 days of your cruise)
- Athletic shorts (if you work out)
- Long pants (1-2 pairs for nights)
- Underwear
- Socks (1 pair per day of your cruise + 1 extra pair)
- Swimsuit (multiple suggested)
- Swimsuit cover-up
- Belt (I always forget this!)
- Hat
- Sneakers
- Flip-flops or water shoes
- Sleepwear
Formal Wear to Pack
- Mens Dress Shirt
- Mens Dress Pants
- Mens Dress Shoes
- Optional: Sports Coat/Blazer or Tie
- Womens co*cktail dress
- Womens Evening Gown (if you want to be more formal)
- Womens dress blouse
- Womens dress shoes or sandals
- Any jewelry, watches, or accessories
Cruise Packing Checklist: Personal Items
- Phone / device chargers
- Camera and camera charger
- Tablet or Laptop and charger
- Headphones
- Cash for port spending
- Medications (prescription and over the counter)
- Boarding documents
- Passport or birth certificate (DO NOT FORGET THESE)
- Dramamine or motion sickness pills/patches
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and Aloe
- A backpack to take into port
- Lanyard for your keycard
- refillable bottle
- Ziplock bags
- Mask and Snorkle
Cruise Packing Checklist: Toiletries
- Toothbursh and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shaving supplies
- Hair comb or brush
- Makeup
- Makeup remover
Cruise Packing Checklist: Other Items
We have put together a list of 23 other essential items we recommend for cruises, including many you may not have thought of. This list includes things to add to your cruise packing list such as cruise approved power strips, magnetic hooks, “Poopouri” to reduce bathroom stenches, and many more.
Cruise Packing Tips
Now that you have put together your cruise packing list, let’s talk about some essential cruise packing tips to make the process of packing for a cruise much easier.
Leave Extra Space
On your cruise, you will be visiting several ports and will be buying up souvenirs. When packing for a cruise, make sure you leave extra space in your bag to pack any new items you pick up. Often, we will bring a suitcase in a suitcase which allows us to bring less suitcases on the ship but easily have an empty suitcase ready to pack any extras we acquire while on the ship.
Bring a “Wet Bag”
Bring a large ziplock or a bag that can be sealed shut for your wet items. Most likely, you will be enjoying your cruise all the way up to the last day, including swimming or relaxing in the hot tubs. Be sure to bring a bag to pack your wet bathing suit in to keep the rest of your bag dry.
Grocery Bags for your Shoes
Shoes are dirty! Sticking your different shoes into your bag will spread that dirt to everything else in the bag. When putting together your cruise packing list, we recommend adding some grocery bags to put your shoes into before packing them into your luggage. This will keep everything else clean and sanitary.
All First Day Essentials in your Carry-On
While the cruise ship staff is amazing and will work to get your checked bag to your cabin quickly, it can take up to 7pm or 8pm for your bag to arrive at your cabin. You may not have access immediately to items that are in your checked bag. Make sure you have packed anything you will need those first few hours of the cruise into your carry-on. This includes your clothing for dinner if you have an early dining time.
Swimsuit in your Carry-On or Wear It Onto The Ship
When you board the ship, most ships will immediately have the pools open. Many will grab a quick lunch from the buffet and then head directly to the pool while they wait on the cabin to be ready. Make sure part of your cruise packing list is to pack your swimsuit into your carry-on allowing you to change into your suit and jump right in!
Packing Cubes
The above cruise packing list has a lot of items on it, and you will be throwing all of these into a large suitcase. It can get very unorganized very quickly when looking at a 7+ day cruise. We recommend using packing cubes to make it much easier to pack your bags, and keep them organized if security needs to get into your bag. If you do not have packing cubes, they can be found on Amazon or at Walmart.
Frequently Asked Questions for Cruise Packing
What are other essential items I should back for a cruise?
The above packing lists will help you know the essential things you should pack for both a Caribbean and Alaskan cruise. In addition, we created an article that covers other essential items we recommend for you to take on your next cruise. See our 23 Essential Items to Pack for a Cruise for more ideas.
What should be in my cruise carry-on?
Your cruise carry-on should be all valuables and important documents. In addition, make sure you have anything you may need for the first few hours of the cruise while you wait on your bag to be delivered to your room. Here is a suggested list of items to include in your cruise carry-on:
Travel documents (passport, ID, boarding pass)
Medications and prescriptions
Valuables (cash, credit cards, jewelry)
Electronics (phone, camera, charger)
Essential toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant)
Change of clothes and underwear
Swimwear if you plan to swim on embarkation day
Entertainment items (books, magazines, headphones)
Please note that specific items may vary depending on your personal preferences and the duration of your cruise.
How much money should you bring on a cruise?
The amount of money you should bring on a cruise depends on your personal spending habits and the activities you plan to engage in. It is recommended to bring a mix of cash and credit/debit cards for flexibility. Consider budgeting for expenses off the ship such as meals, drinks, excursions, shopping, and tips. Additionally, keep in mind any extra costs like transportation to and from the port, tips for the porter, and souvenirs.
What are the rules for packing for a cruise?
– Pack weather-appropriate clothing including swimwear, casual attire, and formal wear for dinner events.
– Don’t forget essential items like toiletries, medications, and travel documents.
– Bring comfortable shoes for walking and exploring ports.
– Pack a small bag or backpack for day trips and excursions.
– Consider packing a power strip, as cruise cabins often have limited electrical outlets.
– Remember to bring any necessary adapters for international cruises.
– Pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated onboard.
– Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for sun protection.
– Consider packing a seasickness remedy, just in case.
– Check the cruise line’s guidelines for any specific packing restrictions.
