Your Ultimate Cruise Packing Checklist

You know that feeling when the ship finally pulls away from the dock, you’re officially on vacation…
…and then you remember the motion sickness patches sitting on the kitchen counter?

Yeah. We’re not doing that this time. 🙅‍♀️

As we get ready to sail out of chilly Norfolk in March and head toward the warm Caribbean, I started a running list of “don’t you dare forget these” items. My brother Josh chimed in with a few clutch ideas too, so this has officially become a must-have cruise packing checklist.

If you’re prepping for your next sailing, steal this list, tweak it for your style, and cruise a little more prepared (and a lot less stressed).

Woman with hat and sunglasses sitting on the floor behind a packed suitcase

Suitcases lined up with backpacks sitting on top of each suitcase

Cabin Comfort: Make Your Stateroom Feel Like Home(ish)

Night light

Cabins get dark. Like, “I-just-walked-into-the-desk” dark. A soft night light saves stubbed toes and late-night chaos.

Magnetic hooks

Most cruise cabin walls are metal. That means you can hang hats, bags, lanyards, and damp swimsuits on magnetic hooks instead of draping them over every chair.

Lanyards

Your cruise card is your room key, wallet, and identity all in one. A lanyard keeps it around your neck and not lost in the bottom of a beach bag.

Cartoon image of a plug with a thumbs up

Outlet extender

(no surge protector!)

Ships are picky about power strips. Bring a non-surge outlet extender or USB hub so everyone can charge phones, watches, tablets, and whatever else we’ve decided is “essential.”

Keep It Charged & Protected

PHONE CHARGERS

Pack at least one extra. One for the room, one for your carry-on. Future you will be grateful.

Two white iPhones one lying on top of the other

Waterproof phone cases

Perfect for beach days, pool time, and excursions. They also keep sand and sunscreen off your phone. Extra win.

Front pack / small crossbody

Great for port days and embarkation. It’s the perfect place to stash your passport, cruise card, cash, and lip balm without lugging a huge bag.

Pool & Beach Essentials

WATER SHOES

Rocky beaches, slippery steps, surprise pebbles — water shoes are your friend.

SWIMSUITS

Bring more than one. Nothing like putting on a still-wet suit. Nope.

COVER UPS

For when you’re bouncing between the pool, buffet, and exploring the ship without feeling like you’re walking around in just your swimsuit.

What to Wear: From Norfolk Chill to Caribbean Sun

Sailing from a colder port in March means you’re basically packing for two seasons at once.

Winter clothes for embarkation

Think: leggings or jeans, hoodie, light jacket. You’ll want to be warm getting on the ship — especially in Virginia in March.

Woman with large sunhat looking at the ocean with her back to us sitting on a sandy beach

Summer clothes for the Caribbean
Shorts, tanks, sundresses, breathable shirts. You’ll live in these once you’re chasing that sunshine.

Woman in a black, red and white formal dress

Formal dress / dressy outfit

If your cruise has an elegant or “dress-up” night, pack at least one outfit that makes you feel a little fancy.

A pair of red heels with rhinestones on the toe section

Shoes & heels/dress shoes

Comfy walking shoes for ports
Flip-flops for pool and around the ship
Heels or nice shoes for formal/elegant nights

Personal Care & “Trust Me, You’ll Want These”

Motion sickness patches

Even if you’re “usually fine,” all it takes is one extra-wobbly sea day. Pack them just in case and thank yourself later.

Hair stuff

Cruise ship humidity has opinions. Bring the products you know work for you: brush, ties, clips, spray, gel — whatever your hair loves.

Face stuff / skincare

Salt air, sun, and AC are a combo. Stick with your usual skincare so your face doesn’t revolt halfway through the cruise.

Straws

Lots of ships are paper-straw-only now. If that’s not your favorite texture, toss in a few reusable straws.

Don’t Forget the Important Documents

This is the “check three times before you leave the house” section.

Passports (and check expiration dates ahead of time)
Birth certificates (if your specific sailing allows them and you’re using that option)
Boarding documents & confirmations (printed and/or digital)

No documents, no cruise — so these are non-negotiable.

Carry-On / Embarkation Day Bag

Your checked luggage may not reach your cabin for a few hours, so pack a backpack or small carry-on with things you’ll want right away:

Medications
Phone & chargers
Swimsuit and cover-up (if you want to hit the pool day one)
Sunscreen
One change of clothes
Travel-sized toiletries
Any valuables (jewelry, cash, electronics, etc.)

Think of this as your “first few hours onboard” survival kit.

green and brown backpack with green background

Final Tip: Turn This Into Your Reusable List

Use this as a starting point and make it your own. Add your must-have snacks, favorite tumbler, that book you always mean to read, or your go-to hat.

Before every cruise, pull this list up, walk through it once, and you’ll be way less likely to have that “oh no” moment as the ship is sailing away.

And if you ever want help choosing the right ship, cabin, itinerary, or just figuring out what kind of cruise fits your style, I’m always happy to help you plan it out.

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