We recommend the following products to help make your cruise vacation even more enjoyable!
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Items for your cruise cabin
Definitely bring small USB charger(s) and cables so you can keep your various devices charged up (this one is USB C). Note that most cruise ships no longer allow you to bring power/surge strips, and older ships may not have USB outlets, so a charger like this is a necessity.
We highly recommend a small white noise machine when staying in cruise ship cabins and hotels to help drown out noise from the hallway or adjoining rooms to help you sleep better.
This international outlet adapter turns one of the international outlets in the cruise ship cabin into a US outlet plus USB outlets. It is also great for overseas hotels that likely require an adapter to give you a US outlet. Note that it is not a voltage converter.
Cruise ship cabins have small, poorly ventilated bathrooms, so use this spray to be kind to your cabin-mate!
These magnetic hooks attach to the metal walls of the cruise ship cabin. They’re great for adding places to hang wet bathing suits, hats, lanyards, etc.
Twin Memory Foam Mattress Topper
This is totally optional, but consider getting two memory foam toppers to add cushion for better sleep. You’ll want to use two in twin size because two individual beds are typically combined to create a “queen” size.
These do take up considerable room in your luggage, but most cruise ships do not offer foam toppers anymore.
Pro tips: Fold in half the long way and roll tightly to fit into checked size luggage; Ask your cabin attendant for extra sheets to put over or under these on the bed.
If you have any devices still using micro USB, these adapters let you plug them into USB C cables to charge.
Items for around the ship and excursions
If you cruise frequently, it’s nice having luggage tag “sleeves” attached to the luggage you drop with the porter for delivery to your cabin.
These come in both Wide (for Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, MSC, etc.) size and Narrow (for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity) size to fit the printed luggage tags provided by the various cruise lines.
Pro tip: Attach two tags to each piece of luggage, and put a printed copy inside your luggage.
This water bottle has a wide mouth and latching lid, which makes it easy to fill up and clean. Stay hydrated while at the pool, in your cabin, at the beach, or out on excursions!
Throw some towels, a change of clothes, water bottle, etc. in this beach bag and have a great time at the pool, beach, or on excursions.
This lightweight travel backpack is great for excursions or just lounging at the pool or beach. When empty it is small and easy to pack, yet large enough to hold a couple towels, extra clothes, and a water bottle on the side.
Clip towels to your chaise or chair to keep them from blowing away. Also works well to show people the chaise/chair is taken while you swim or grab a quick bite.
Read and relax while on vacation! A Kindle holds loads of book and takes up very little space.
We recommend this more rugged travel backpack for plane travel (personal item), cruise embarkation/disembarkation, or more active excursions. It holds a laptop, extra clothes, a water bottle, etc.
Alternatively, you could get this Travel Backpack with Wheels.
Be prepared for inclement weather by bringing a good travel umbrella with you!
Items for motion sickness
Even if you’re not prone to motion and/or sea sickness, it’s a good idea to have something on hand if the seas are rough (or the excursion gets wild) just in case.
Pro tip: We’ve personally had success with Bonine the few times we’ve felt motion/sea sickness coming on — we’ve found the trick is to take it as soon as you start to feel sick. The other products listed here can also help.
Other items to consider
Sunscreen – be careful with sprayable sunscreen because it’s goes everywhere (on glass under railings, on fellow passengers, etc.)!
Insect Repellent
Lanyard or holder for your shipboard “seapass” card – if you want something other than what the cruise line provides.
Wristband for Princess Medallion (or other type of holder) – Princess will send you a lanyard, but another type of holder is nice.
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