Packing for a cruise can feel a little overwhelming the first time. You’ve got sea days, port days, beach days, dinners, excursions… and somehow it all has to fit in a suitcase.
I’m definitely an overpacker — but with strategy.
After a lot of cruises and a lot of travel, I’ve figured out which items actually make a trip easier and which ones just take up space in your bag. The things in this cruise packing list are the items I bring again and again because they’re genuinely useful.
Some make your cruise cabin more comfortable, some make pool and beach days easier, and others just help you stay organized while traveling.
If you’re planning a cruise and want to avoid that “I wish I packed that” moment, these are the items I recommend bringing.
If you’re sailing with Virgin Voyages specifically, you may also want to see my full guide to Virgin Voyages Cruise Tips & Tricks: Ultimate Guide Before You Sail — it covers everything from cabins to onboard planning.
Before you even get to the packing stage, you’ll also want to think about logistics like flights and hotels. I usually compare airfare on Skyscanner flight search to see the best routes and prices before finalizing cruise plans.
If you don’t want to read the whole list, these are the five items I personally never cruise without. I’ve taken them on multiple trips and end up using them constantly.
This is one of my favorite travel items.
It keeps your phone attached to you so you don’t drop it overboard on excursions or while walking around the ship. It also has a small wallet with a zipper pocket where I usually keep my lipstick.
It’s perfect for walking around the ship too so you don’t always have to carry a purse.
Cruise cabins never seem to have enough outlets.
A cruise-approved extension cord makes charging phones, cameras, and other devices much easier.
Most cruise cabin walls are magnetic, and people love these for hanging hats, drying swimsuits, hanging lanyards, or just keeping things organized.
Port days drain your phone battery fast.
This one attaches magnetically so you can keep using your phone while it charges.
Cruise bathrooms are small, so this makes a big difference in staying organized.
The passport holder I use is a hard waterproof case, which I love because it protects your passport from getting bent or damaged.
In some countries, if your passport has water damage or torn pages, they won’t accept it, so protecting it is important.
I use Apple AirTags to track my luggage at the airport and on the cruise.
When you arrive at the cruise port, you drop your bags off and they get delivered to your cabin later. Having an AirTag inside lets you see where your luggage is.
This has actually saved me before when the airport accidentally sent my bag to the wrong terminal — I was able to track it and go find it. I put the airtags in this case in my luggage.
This is one of my favorite travel items, especially for excursions.
It keeps your phone attached to you so you don’t drop it overboard or lose it while exploring. It also has a small wallet with a zipper pocket where I usually keep my lipstick.
Cruise cabins are efficient but compact, which means a few smart items can make a big difference.
Again, cruise cabins never seem to have enough outlets.
Phones, watches, cameras, hair tools… it adds up quickly.
I don’t personally use these, but they are very popular with cruise travelers.
Cruise cabin walls are magnetic, so people use these hooks to hang hats, swimsuits, lanyards, or bags. They’re also great for drying swimsuits or keeping small spaces organized.
Cruise cabins can get surprisingly bright, especially if you have a window or balcony.
The sleep mask I use is called Manta, and I love that it has space for your eyes so your lashes don’t push into your face. It also has a soft covering so it doesn’t feel like it’s pressing on your face.
I never used a noise machine until I met my husband, and now I can’t sleep without one.
It has improved my sleep so much. On a cruise, you might have a dance floor above you or a busy area nearby, and the noise machine helps drown that out.
If it’s still loud, I add my Loop earplugs, which dull sound without blocking everything completely.
I love these for really loud music nights on the ship.
They don’t block sound completely — they just reduce the volume so it’s easier on your ears. They also make versions specifically for sleeping.
Cruise cabins are close quarters, so this is one of those nice and polite items to bring.
Because let’s be honest… after brunch, lunch, dinner, and calling a giant pretzel a late-night snack, you’re probably going to need it.
Travel can wrinkle your clothes, so wrinkle release spray is great for a quick spray and go.
I don’t like my dirty clothes touching my clean clothes, so I always bring a lightweight laundry bag to keep things organized.
A little organization goes a long way when you’re living out of a suitcase.
I like using packing cubes to organize outfits by day since I usually pack different outfits for different activities.
A pill container helps keep supplements or medications organized.
I also pack seasickness medication and day/night cold medicine just in case.
Hanging bags are amazing for cruise cabins.
I usually hang my toiletry bag on the hook in the bathroom. For my jewelry organizer and sunglasses holder, I just use a regular hanger from the closet and hang them there.
Since using this, I haven’t had necklaces break or earrings get lost.
I’m a little excessive and bring the five-pair version, but there’s also a three-pair version if you don’t want to bring as many.
These go over the tops of your bottles so they don’t leak all over your clothes.
They’ve saved me from having sunscreen explode in my suitcase more than once.
I use these constantly on trips.
Opening packages, cutting tags off new clothes (because buying new clothes for vacation is half the fun), and all kinds of random things.
Port days and sea days usually involve a lot of time near water, so a few small items can make those days much more comfortable.
When I relax, I like to go all out, and this ballast pillow makes beach lounging much more comfortable.
It’s extremely lightweight and easy to pack. Once you get to the beach, you inflate it and attach it to your chair so you’re not straining your neck.
Pool decks and beaches can get windy, and these stretchy bands keep your towel from blowing off your chair.
I also use them to attach my ballast pillow to the chair, and it works great.
This is great for relaxing in the ocean or floating in a pool on beach days.
If you’re planning snorkeling excursions during port days, you can usually browse options like these through platforms such as GetYourGuide when planning activities ahead of time.
If you plan on snorkeling, bringing your own snorkel is worth it.
The one I use is a full-face snorkel mask with a clip in the back, which makes it easy to get on and off.
High-quality masks use dual-airway ventilation systems that separate the air you breathe in from the air you breathe out, which helps prevent CO₂ buildup inside the mask.
Lower-quality masks can allow carbon dioxide to collect, which can make you feel dizzy or even cause you to pass out — obviously not ideal while snorkeling.
Another reason I love this one is that it comes in different sizes. I have a small head, and the “free” snorkels from tours never fit properly for me.
Coola is my favorite sunscreen.
It’s a clean sunscreen that smells like a tropical dream, and it doesn’t make my skin break out.
My Nano Bag is my everything bag.
It folds up super small but opens into a large, durable bag. I use it as a beach bag and also for excursions if I buy things while exploring.
At home I love my Owala bottle, but when I travel I prefer a bottle with a built-in filter in case sink water is the only option available.
This tripod works with MagSafe phones, so you can just pop your phone on and off quickly.
It also comes with a small remote, so you don’t have to ask strangers to take photos.
Cruise days — especially port days — can drain your phone fast.
The one I use attaches magnetically with MagSafe so you can keep using your phone while it charges.
A GoPro is great for snorkeling, beach days, boat tours, and water activities when you don’t want to risk dropping your phone.
Vacations are way more fun when you’re sleeping well and not dealing with skin drama halfway through the trip.
As I’ve gotten older, vacation isn’t nearly as fun if I’m not sleeping well.
This pillow is small, easy to pack, and incredibly comfortable.
This acupuncture mat is amazing for tight backs and tired feet.
After walking 20,000 steps in a day, laying on it for 20 minutes before bed feels incredible. (use code PLUMMER for 10% off)
This is my everything skin saver.
It helps prevent breakouts while traveling and even helps calm skin if you get a little sunburn.
If a breakout shows up on vacation, I use the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Detoxing Clay Mask as a spot treatment.
Most of the time the zit is almost gone by morning.
The first thing I do when I buy a new swimsuit is rip out those cheap pads and replace them with Cakes.
I mostly use their grippy version, which stays in place but doesn’t rip your nipple off when you take them off (yes, I’m dramatic).
For dresses or lower-cut tops, I use the sticky version, which also works great. (use code WENDYPLUMMER use for 10% off)
Packing smart is one of the easiest ways to make your cruise smoother.
These are the items I actually use on trips — not random things that sound good on a list but sit in your suitcase the whole week.
If you’re still planning the logistics for your cruise, I usually start by searching hotels near the cruise port so embarkation morning is easy. You can browse options on Booking.com to find the best deals.
If your cruise itinerary includes ports where exploring independently makes sense, renting a car for the day can also help. I usually compare options through DiscoverCars rental search because it pulls prices from multiple rental companies in one place.
If you want a broader packing checklist for all types of trips, you can also check out my Ultimate Packing List for Perfect Vacations, where I break down the essentials I bring on almost every trip. And if you’re preparing for a long flight before your cruise, I also share the items I always bring in International Flight Essentials I Never Fly Without (Long-Haul Tested).
With the right packing strategy, you’ll spend less time wishing you had something… and more time enjoying the cruise.
Downtown Gatlinburg is one mile long and somehow fits an entire trip into it. SkyBridge, mountain coasters, rooftop bars, all walkable, no car needed. Save this for your next Smoky Mountain weekend
#Gatlinburg #ExploreGatlinburg #SmokyMountains #DowntownGatlinburg
Southern comfort with a twist, cozy modern vibe, worth the stop before Dollywood or downtown Gatlinburg.🥞🍳
Just a few highlights… Deep South Waffle: andouille, corn, cheddar, two eggs, chipotle hollandaise. Stuffed French Toast: coconut cream + berry compote (this one won). Cheese Blintz: berry compote crepes. Hash brown casserole: crispy, cheesy, non-negotiable
Save this for your next Smokies trip 📍 Buffalo Breakfast Co, Sevierville TN
#Sevierville #Gatlinburg #SmokyMountains #TennesseeEats #BreakfastSpots
Pack your bags: Bryson City is your next fall trip. Save this now. ✈️
Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through peak color, eat your way down Main Street, and end the day in a luxury yurt. Three days here and you won’t want to leave.
Haywood Smokehouse is the BBQ spot that ruins you for every other BBQ spot. Lean brisket so tender it doesn’t need the fat, fried pork ribs you won’t find anywhere else, and don’t sleep on the banana pudding for dessert.
Save this before your next Waynesville or Dillsboro trip 🍖🔥
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
