The Cruise Packing List I Actually Use

My Carry-On Is the Bag That Matters Most on Embarkation Day

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, larger luggage is usually handed over to be delivered to your cabin later. You may not see your checked bags for several hours after boarding.

That means anything you absolutely need during those first several hours should stay with you.

My carry-on includes things such as:

• Passport, identification, and required travel documents
• Prescription medications and other medications I may need
• Wallet and important personal items
• Phone and charging cable
• A change of clothes
• Swimsuit, if I think I'll use the pool before my luggage arrives
• Sunscreen
• Any valuables I don't want in checked luggage
• Anything I would be very unhappy trying to replace if my luggage were delayed

Never Put Your Passport or Medication in Checked Luggage

And one important rule: never put your passport or medication in luggage you're handing over at the cruise terminal.

You don't want to watch your suitcase disappear and then realize the document you need to board the ship is inside it.

Pack for Your Itinerary, Not Just "A Cruise"

There really isn't one cruise packing list that works for every sailing. A Caribbean cruise and an Alaska cruise need very different suitcases.

Think about where you're going and what you're actually doing. Will you be walking a lot in port? Going to the beach? Hiking? Taking a boat excursion? Visiting churches, historic sites, or places with clothing expectations? Will your excursion require closed-toe shoes? Could you need rain gear or layers?

I also look at the expected weather shortly before leaving.

Pack for the trip you're actually taking — not the cruise commercial you saw on television.

Think About Your Evenings Before You Pack

Cruise lines and ships can have different dress expectations, and those can also vary by venue. You may have casual evenings, more dressed-up nights, specialty restaurants, themed nights, or activities you want specific clothing for.

I don't believe you need to bring half your closet just because you're getting on a ship. Look at your cruise line, your itinerary, and what you personally plan to do onboard. If you're not going somewhere that requires the outfit, you probably don't need to pack it.

And please — bring comfortable shoes. Your feet do not care how cute the shoes looked when you packed them.

A Few Cabin Items Can Be Surprisingly Useful

Cruise cabins are designed to make good use of a relatively small space, so a little organization can help. Depending on the ship and cabin, I may bring things such as:

• A small laundry bag
• A nightlight
• A few approved organizational items
• A reusable water bottle, if permitted and useful for the trip
• A small bag or backpack for port days
• A lanyard or card holder, if I want one for my cruise card
• A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag, if my excursions call for it
• A small amount of basic first-aid and over-the-counter items I normally use

About Magnetic Hooks

Some travelers also like magnetic hooks because many cruise cabin walls contain metal — but don't assume every surface in every cabin will work the same way.

Bring what you'll actually use. Those "50 things you MUST bring on a cruise" lists can turn into another suitcase pretty quickly.

Medications and Personal Essentials Deserve Extra Attention

Bring enough of your regular medications for the trip, along with a reasonable extra supply in case travel is disrupted. Keep essential medication with you rather than placing it in checked luggage.

If you travel with medical equipment, refrigerated medication, mobility equipment, or other medical needs, check the cruise line's requirements well before departure. Don't wait until you're standing at the terminal to find out whether something requires advance arrangements.

And if there is a particular toiletry or personal item you absolutely need, bring it from home. Ships do sell basic items, but the selection may be limited and the price may make you wish you'd packed it.

Don't Pack Something Just Because the Internet Says You Can

This is one area where I want travelers checking their specific cruise line's current rules. Cruise lines maintain prohibited-item policies covering things such as certain electrical devices, heating appliances, candles, weapons, and other items. Policies can also differ regarding alcohol, beverages, extension cords, power devices, medical equipment, and other belongings.

So rather than giving you one universal list and promising it applies to every cruise line: check the current prohibited-items and baggage policies for the cruise line you're actually sailing. If you're unsure about something, check before packing it. It's much easier to leave an item at home than have it taken away at the terminal.

Leave a Little Room in the Suitcase

I try not to leave home with a suitcase packed so tightly that closing it requires sitting on it. You may buy something in port. You may pick up souvenirs. And somehow dirty laundry always seems to take up more space than clean clothes did.

A little extra room makes coming home much easier.

The goal isn't to prepare for every possible situation that could happen at sea. Bring the important things, pack for your actual itinerary, know your cruise line's rules, and leave yourself enough room to enjoy the trip without dragging your entire closet behind you.