40 essential things to bring on a cruise
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For evening events, the dress code varies, but cruisers are less formal than they use to be. Many guests wear "smart casual" for formal night; Royal Caribbean's website explains the dress code to help with packing for evening wear. When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will hand your larger bags over to a porter, and they will be delivered to your cabin later on embarkation day. With so much fun to be had on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship you sail on, don't you want to capture it all on video?
Royal Caribbean cruise packing list at a glance
Older ships might only have one or two outlets in each stateroom - and they likely won’t be near your bed. In addition to packing cubes, I’ve also started to utilize these compression travel bags that are super convenient and easy to use. But if you are packing for a family, then there are some things that good to bring.
Check Out The Cruise Ship’s Childcare Facilities
Knowing what to wear and what outfits to pack, as well as what must-have items to bring on your Caribbean Cruise is essential. I’ve also included a free printable cruise packing list, which you can print and personalize. We like to print our list so that we can easily mark off each item as we pack. You can find our free printable cruise packing list here or by clicking on the image below. You’ll notice that the items are organized into sections in this printable cruise packing list. The free printable comes in PDF format and is a great cruise planning tool.

THE Cruise Packing Checklist: 85 Items To Bring (Printable)
This organizer has tons of pouches and mesh pockets to keep everything perfectly organized in my carry-on bag and even in my stateroom. Easily track your cruise items with Apple AirTags - I never travel or cruise without one these days. Simply pack your clothes inside and roll the bag to release air. These types of compression bags truly save so much space, especially for bulkier items that you need to pack, like your winter coat for an Alaskan cruise! Another reason I love these compression bags is that they will protect your clothes from any water that gets inside your luggage.
My family and I tend to board the cruise ship with a carry-on backpack. This allows us to organize our carry-on items in the different sections of the bag. For more information about our packing list items, including links to the specific brands we use, you can check out the information below. If you would like additional resources for packing for your cruise vacation, we created a 30+ printable cruise planner for our Etsy shop.
Document your wipeout on the FlowRider and let everyone hear as you scream your way down the Ultimate Abyss or maniacally laugh your way through a session of bumper cars. With the GoPro HERO5 Session waterproof camera you can record all the action in 4K. With the included Quik editing software, you'll be able to easily create jealousy-inducing video recaps to share with your family and friends. Liquids Are OKAnother way cruise packing is easier is that there aren’t rules regarding liquid sizes.
These lightweight water shoes are comfortable and easy to pack for your cruise. Some Caribbean beaches, even cruise line private islands, can be grainy or rocky, so it’s a good idea to pack a pair for everyone in the family. Make sure to have some motion sickness remedies, as it’s always possible to be affected by some seasickness during your cruise. It’s a good idea to bring a waterproof phone case on your cruise, for sea days by the pool as well as port days by the beach.
Packing Cubes
This one includes the ability to use the touch screen as well. Make sure to pack both prescription and over the counter medications. It’s a good idea to pack a small pharmaceutical bag or DIY first aid kit with bandaids and other useful items.
BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to the Western Mediterranean (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to the Western Mediterranean (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 04:30:16 GMT [source]
Packing Tips for Your Caribbean Cruise
You may want to bring a couple for both cruise ship and beach days. A lanyard holds your cruise card both on the ship and in port, keeping your hands free. While you’ll check your luggage at the cruise terminal, you’ll want to have a cruise carry on bag with all you need for embarkation day. In here, you can keep your essentials like a change of clothes, a bathing suit and cover up, and medications and valuable. As cruises are sailing again, many cruise lines have vaccine requirements and/or will be asking for Covid 19 test results as you board on embarkation day.
Most cruise ships have limited outlets in each stateroom, but it’s common to find European outlets in your cabin. I hated seeing these go unused, so I started to bring a European adapter with USB ports. On a longer cruise, another essential that I always bring is a travel-size packet of laundry detergent. Even though I get a free laundry bag onboard the ship, I am leery of handing off my dirty clothes to be washed onboard because I’ve heard horror stories.
It’s important to note that you DO NOT need to pack beach towels. The cruise lines should allow you to take a towel from the ship to use on any shore excursions provided you bring it back. In general, you can wear what makes you comfortable on cruise ships. Most of the cruise lines have rules stating they don’t allow swimsuits or tank tops in certain areas of the ship. However, if you dress in what you would wear to a restaurant at home, you should be fine. In the post below, we have organized cruise necessities into several categories.
In addition to bringing a reusable water bottle, I absolutely always pack these Liquid IV packets - I am obsessed! These are hydration multipliers that you can add to water to boost your electrolytes. I prefer to have a lanyard with a card holder that I can take around the ship. This can easily go over my neck as I wander around the ship without having to bring my purse or wallet.
For this reason, I always travel with a mini first aid and emergency kit. Dramamine makes a less drowsy formula, which is perfect for during the day when I don’t want to get too sleepy from the medication. The small container is easy to keep in my purse or bag while ashore too - as bus, boat and taxi rides can all induce motion sickness. In the way of seasickness, it’s essential that you always pack motion sickness medication for your cruise. You never know when nausea will strike when you are sailing at sea.
One of the few things that can put a damper on the excitement of your first few hours on a cruise is being stuck in your travel clothes, while the pool and water slides beckon invitingly. If you give your luggage to a porter, you'll have to wait several hours for it to be delivered -- with no access to your bathing suit. If you check a bag, be sure to bring a carry-on that has anything in it you might need for the first day. So you’ll want a change of clothes, swimsuit, toiletries, boarding documents, and any valuables.
I prefer to use a beach bag or some sort of canvas tote around the ship. A small backpack also works great if you are going ashore as well. It’s essential to pack a beach bag or small backpack on a cruise.
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