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I've been on nearly a dozen cruise ships in my lifetime. Between studying abroad on a ship, family travel—my parents both spent their careers working for cruise lines, so it was the de facto summer vacation growing up—and assignments for work, I count myself lucky to have traveled everywhere from the Mediterranean to Alaska to the Caribbean via cruise ship. All of those experiences have made me something of a pro at packing for a cruise, if I do say so myself.
Now, unless you're on an expedition trip to, say, Antarctica, packing for cruise is a fairly straightforward endeavor: Bathing suits, sandals, a Kindle full of books to read by the pool, and you're basically good to go. But there are a few trip essentials that shouldn't be left off your cruise packing list (speaking of, I've also put together a list of the items you're likely to forget), including small items that'll help you cut down on excess carry-on or checked bag weight. Below, my best tips on what to pack for a cruise.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
On deck
Sea days are often spent bopping around the ship: watching lectures or performances in the theater, gazing at the open water while lounging poolside, ducking into a dining room for lunch, or curling up in the library with a good read. You'll want outfits that are easy enough to throw over a bathing suit (like sundresses or linen shirts), as well as layers to keep you warm when the cool sea breeze rolls in around dusk (or the air conditioning is pumping particularly hard in the game room). You'll want to bring along your own water bottle, too—most ships have fill-up stations somewhere on board, so you can skip the plastic bottles and stay hydrated.
If, like me, you aren't the best at keeping track of expensive sunglasses—or live in fear of dropping them overboard—a cheap but trendy pair from Amazon just might be the move. Lastly, forgo the stack of books and bring along a Kindle or other e-Reader. The Paperwhite is my favorite, since it's super small and lightweight (under eight ounces) and has a weeks-long battery life, in case you misplace your charger.
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By the pool
If you're headed to a warm location, you'll probably want to take advantage of the pool deck during days at sea. Keep skin protected with sunscreen and a sun hat—for the former, I love Sonrei's Sea Clearly body sunscreen; it goes on smoothly with no white cast. As for a hat, stick with something neutral you can wear on shore excursions as well as on board. The San Diego Co. pick below is especially ship-friendly—on windy days, tie a loose bow to keep it from flying off. Add a cover-up and some waterproof sandals, like Birkenstock's Arizona Essentials, which offer more support than flip flops, and you're good to go.
The formal dinner
Whether you're sailing on a larger ship with Celebrity or Royal Caribbean or a smaller vessel with Seabourn or Silversea, you'll likely encounter at least one black-tie evening or formal night during your cruise (check the cruise line's dress code for specifics). For itineraries that include several formal nights, I like packing one or two staple dresses in a neutral color and pairing them with bold accessories to feel like I'm changing up my look without bringing a new outfit for each night. And since you won't need much but your phone, room key, and maybe a lipstick, bring a small purse with room for just the essentials so you can avoid carrying around a bulky crossbody or tote when you head to dinner.
In the cabin
Nothing beats kicking back and relaxing in your stateroom after a long day of exploring—especially if you can watch the waves roll by from the comfort of your bed. Up the cozy factor with a pair of comfy socks; Brother Vellies' Cloud socks are a go-to for many Traveler editors, myself included. Even though most ships leave fluffy robes hanging in the closet, I like to pack a thinner one with me too, to wear while getting ready for dinner or sitting out on the balcony, especially since it doesn’t take up much room, even in a carry-on.
I also love a weighted sleep mask for ultimate relaxation (and darkness); Nodpod's can be laid over your head if you sleep on your back, or secured via a loop if you're a side sleeper or tend to move around. On the skincare front, hydrating face lotion is a toiletries essential no matter the climate you're traveling to—both ends of the temperature spectrum can lead to dried out skin (on that note, don’t forget a lip balm, too). Lastly, if you’re prone to seasickness, plan ahead and pack some Dramamine.
The shore excursion
Rule number one for shore excursions: Wear comfortable walking shoes. You might also need water shoes, depending on your ports of call and itinerary, but a pair of lightweight sneakers will come in handy for any and all sightseeing tours. Allbirds are my go-to, especially the classic Tree Dashers style. If you plan on doing any shopping, stuff a Baggu tote in your day pack or crossbody—it weighs next to nothing and folds up small, but has plenty of room when unfolded to carry whatever souvenirs (or bottle of wine) you bring back on board. Plus, thanks to its material, it doubles as a perfect beach bag to stash a towel and wet swimsuit in, if the day calls for a change of clothes.
Speaking of water, if you're planning to hike waterfalls, go kayaking or snorkeling, or participate in any other water-adjacent activity, bring along a waterproof phone case to keep your cell phone protected and easily accessible (I like the Pelican style below for its lanyard, and because it floats). Another fun pick: A disposable underwater camera. While the two products sort of serve the same purpose, I like having the option to snap pictures on my phone and take photos that will need to be developed later on.
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