Your Ultimate Guide to Must-Have Items for Every Cruiser

Here are the top essential items for your cruise:

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  1. Magnet Hooks

I understand what you might be thinking, "Why would magnetic hooks be the top recommendation?" Magnetic hooks prove to be a game-changer when it comes to organization, freeing up limited surface space and keeping essential cruise items (lanyards, sunglasses, hats, bags, etc.) readily accessible. Did you know that the walls of your stateroom (cabin) are made of metal? This is a safety measure to reduce the risk of fire, showcasing the cruise industry's commitment to safety. So, what does this mean for you? Hanging space! You'll be surprised at how limited and valuable the flat surface space is in your stateroom.

Quantity Needed: Plan on having 3-5 hooks per person, and they are reusable from cruise to cruise.

Expert Tip! I always set up two hooks per person by the stateroom door – one for the lanyard and the second for sunglasses. They are the last things you grab when exiting and the first things you put away when entering the room.

2. Power Strip

Hopefully, you've read the important information above, but just in case you missed it, be very careful when selecting a power strip. Surge protectors are strictly prohibited on all cruise lines, and they'll take them away, or your luggage will end up in the security office instead of your stateroom (cabin).

Now, let's get back to why I picked this as my second essential item. With the amount of technology we have today and the different plugs and adapters needed, having enough plug or outlet space is crucial. I'm sitting here with my Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and laptop, which require 4 outlets. This might surprise most of you, but cruise ship staterooms aren't designed with a lot of power outlets. Most ships offer only 1-2 outlets per stateroom. While newer ships have a couple of additional USB ports, I've averaged two outlets on the last six ships I've been on in 2023, and one of them was the brand new Carnival Celebration™.

Come prepared and bring a power strip. I purchased the Anker power cube a couple of years ago, and it has been my constant travel companion ever since. It goes with me on all of my trips, and it has been the best $15 I've ever spent.

Important! Don't bring surge protectors on any cruise – they're not allowed. Just bring a regular power strip to avoid it being taken away.

3. Packing Cubes

I was a bit late to the party on this one, but packing cubes are my third essential item for cruisers. Packing cubes are truly a game-changer for travelers, providing organization and maximizing luggage space. With designated cubes for different items, finding and accessing belongings becomes a breeze, reducing the time spent packing and unpacking. Their compression feature minimizes wrinkles in clothes and ensures a neat and orderly suitcase, making packing cubes an indispensable tool for any journey.

Now, some people pack items by type (like myself), and others place an outfit a day in each cube. For cruises, I recommend packing items by type. This allows you to unpack more easily. All of your shirts to be hung up are in a single spot, and likewise, you can simply unpack by unzipping the cube and placing it in the cabinet or drawer.

Expert Tip: Pack your embarkation day clothes in their own cube. This will save time, and you will not have to dig through your entire suitcase.

4. Lanyards

My fourth choice is lanyards for your cruise card (except on Princess Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages, which do not use cruise cards), and they are essential for all cruisers. Cruise cards serve as your room key, a means to make purchases, and allow entry and exit from the ship on port days. Lanyards make carrying cruise cards simple and painless. Coupling this with magnetic hooks placed inside your stateroom creates the perfect combo.

Regardless of whether you have a favorite lanyard or need to purchase one, you will need the plastic sleeve to place your card in. Cruise lines used to punch holes in them for you, but they have moved away from this practice. I made the mistake of forgetting to pack mine and had to pay $18 for a Carnival-themed one that I later found for much less.

In summary, pack your lanyards and plastic holders with you. If you want to use your favorite lanyard, make sure you have a plastic sleeve for it. I have included some heavy-duty ones on the right below.

5. Waterproof Phone Pouch

I cannot imagine anything worse than being on a once-in-a-lifetime shore excursion and suddenly having your phone, the one you've been using to capture precious moments, accidentally fall into the ocean. Luckily, you came prepared and had your phone in a waterproof pouch and lanyard.

Now, I know some of you might be wondering why you'd need your phone on vacation. However, most cruise lines have incorporated mobile apps into their recipe for fun and relaxation. You might not need this if you have no plans to head to the beach or do an excursion in the water. Nevertheless, it's an item you'd rather have and not use, rather than risking damage to your phone.

The Trifecta (6-8)

When I think about essential cruise items, I picture the trifecta: Antibacterial liquid hand soap, disinfectant wipes, and wrinkle release. I know, these aren't your typical cruise items, but they are must-haves.

6. Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap

Antibacterial liquid hand soap might be an item that makes you scratch your head, but trust me, it is essential. There is nothing worse than bar soap stuck to the counter, and after trying to free it, you end up with soap under your fingernails. We've all been there. You might also be thinking, "Don't cruise lines stock liquid soap in the stateroom restrooms?" The answer is, not all of them, and very few do. Antibacterial liquid hand soap adds another layer of protection against germs and is much more convenient. I usually run to Target and find a cheap bottle that is around $2 or $3, and once the cruise is over, I dispose of it on debarkation day.

7. Disinfectant Wipes

Now, I don't want you to think cruise ships are dirty or your stateroom is not being cleaned, but remember that your room steward and cleaning staff completely turn around the ship in under 4 hours. I have a rule, and I strictly enforce it on embarkation day. When we get to our stateroom (cabin) for the first time, immediately after entering, we wipe every surface from top to bottom – from the restroom to the main cabin to the balcony. All flat surfaces and commonly touched areas, including switches, drawers, shelves, door handles, etc., are included. Taking steps like these helps prevent any unexpected illness that may not be ideal on your dream vacation.

8. Wrinkle Release

Now, in my opinion, the inventor of wrinkle release should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Irons and steamers are strictly prohibited on cruise lines because they pose a significant fire hazard. Depending on the cruise line, some may have irons in the laundry rooms, while others offer laundry services that include ironing for an extra charge. A combination of packing cubes and wrinkle release will help eliminate any wrinkles.

9. Motion Sickness Treatments

Motion sickness can affect your vacation, and it's always great to have something on hand. Nowadays, most cruise ships do an excellent job of ensuring smooth sailing. They avoid storms and rough seas as best they can, and ships are equipped with stabilizers. That being said, from time to time, you may encounter some rough seas. For instance, we were sailing back from Alaska to Seattle, and unfortunately, the weather turned for the worse. The captain did everything possible to avoid the weather, and the stabilizers helped, but we could still feel some movement.

It is often recommended for new cruisers or individuals who do experience motion sickness to proactively treat themselves, and the most common method is with patches behind the ears. In full disclosure, I do not get motion sick, but many clients highly recommend the patches and, of course, Dramamine.

10. Your Personal Pharmacy

When traveling, I always recommend that you come prepared with your own personal pharmacy kit, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The medical centers on cruise ships are not free, and let's be honest, we'd all rather have you spend that money on something fun. The cost of OTC medication on a cruise is similar to any resort, overpriced for a small quantity. Recommended items include hand sanitizers, a small first aid kit with band-aids, pain relief (Ibuprofen and Tylenol), cold medication, allergy medication, anti-diarrheal medication, antacids, etc.

I often make a run to my local dollar store to gather some of these items. I would encourage a larger supply of cold medication and antacids. There's nothing worse than some heartburn as you dance the night away.

Ibuprofen

Small First Aid Kit

Tylenol

Cold Medication

Allergy Medication

Anti-diarrheal

Antacids

Hand Sanitizer

Sunscreen

Sunburn Relief

Beiersdorf, Inc.
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