Everything you need for life at sea, from embarkation day to formal night.

Packing for a cruise is a little different from packing for any other vacation. You'll unpack once and wake up somewhere new each morning, which is wonderful. But your cabin is compact, your days swing from beach to dinner to deck party, and there are a few things you'll really wish you'd brought (and a few the cruise line won't let on board at all).

This is the packing list I give my own clients. Use it as a checklist, or scroll to the end to download the free printable version.

Before You Pack: Three Quick Checks

1. Read your cruise line's prohibited items list. Every line publishes one, and they're stricter than airlines about a few things, like irons and certain power strips.
2. Check your itinerary and dress code. A Caribbean cruise, an Alaska cruise and a European cruise call for very different suitcases. Note how many "elegant" or formal nights your sailing has.
3. Check your airline's luggage limits if you're flying to the port, so there are no surprise baggage fees.

Your Embarkation Day Carry-On

This is the most important bag you'll pack. When you arrive at the terminal, porters take your large suitcases, and those bags may not reach your cabin until late afternoon or even early evening. Everything you'll want before then belongs in a small carry-on or tote that stays with you.

• Passport (or birth certificate and photo ID, if allowed for your sailing)
• Boarding pass and cruise documents, printed or in the cruise line's app
• All medications, in their original containers
• Phone, charger and portable battery
• Credit card and a little cash
• Swimsuit and cover-up
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A change of clothes for dinner
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Any must-have toiletries

Tip: Keep medications, documents and valuables with you at all times, never in the luggage you hand to the porters.

Documents & Money

• Passport, valid for at least six months after your trip (strongly recommended, even when not required)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Cruise boarding pass and luggage tags
• Flight and pre-cruise hotel confirmations
• Travel insurance policy number and 24/7 assistance phone number
• Credit card for your onboard account
• Small bills for tipping porters and tour guides
• Copies of your passport and ID, kept separately from the originals (and a photo on your phone)
• Emergency contact list

Clothing

Cruise days follow a rhythm: pool or port by day, a relaxed evening, and the occasional dressy night. Pack for each.

For daytime

• Swimsuits (bring two, so one can dry)
• Cover-ups
• Shorts, sundresses and lightweight tops
• A light sweater or jacket for windy decks and cool dining rooms
• Workout clothes, if you plan to use the gym
• Pajamas and loungewear
• Underwear and socks for each day, plus a spare

For evenings

Most evenings are resort casual: think sundresses, nice slacks and collared or button-down shirts. Many cruises also have one or two elegant nights, where guests dress up a little more.

• Two to three casual dinner outfits
• One or two dressier outfits for elegant nights (a cocktail dress, or a suit or dress shirt and slacks)
• Dress shoes or sandals

Shoes

• Comfortable walking shoes for port days
• Pool sandals or flip-flops
• Water shoes, for rocky beaches and snorkeling
• Dress shoes

Pack for your destination

Cruising to:

Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico? Add these:

• Extra swimsuits
• Wide brim hat
• Reef safe sunscreen
• Snorkel gear if you have your own

Alaska? Add these:

• Layers
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm hat/gloves
• Binoculars for wildlife

Europe and the Mediterranean? Add these:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A scarf or layer to cover shoulders when visiting churches (where applicable)
• A crossbody bag

Any cruise in the cooler months? Add these:

• A packable jacket and a pair of long pants, even on warm-weather itineraries

Toiletries & Health

Most cruise cabins provide soap, shampoo and a hair dryer, but bring your favorites if you're particular.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Deodorant
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash (if you prefer your own)
• Face wash, moisturizer and makeup
• Reef-safe sunscreen. Some destinations restrict certain sunscreen ingredients, so reef-safe is the easiest choice.
• After-sun lotion or aloe
• Lip balm with SPF
• Hairbrush, hair ties and styling tools
• Prescriptions in their original bottles, plus a few extra days' supply
• Seasickness remedies (over-the-counter tablets, bands or patches; ask your doctor which is right for you)
• Pain reliever, antacids and allergy medicine
• Bandages and blister pads
• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent for port days
• Glasses, contacts and solution

Tech

• Phone and charging cable
• Portable battery (carry-on only)
• Headphones or earbuds
• E-reader or tablet, with books and shows downloaded before you leave
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Camera, charger and extra memory card
• Plug adapter, if your ship or ports use different outlets
• A cruise-approved USB charging cube (many lines don't allow surge protectors)

Tip: Cellular service at sea can be very expensive. Turn on airplane mode as soon as you board and use the ship's Wi-Fi if you need to stay connected.

Cabin Helpers (the Cruise Veteran Secrets)

Cruise cabins are cozy, and these small, inexpensive items make them feel twice as big:

• Magnetic hooks. Most cabin walls are metal, so these give you instant places to hang hats, bags and lanyards.
• Over-the-door shoe organizer for toiletries, sunscreen and small items
• Lanyard for your cruise card
• Highlighter to mark the activities you want in the daily schedule
• Small night light, because cabins get very dark, especially inside cabins
• Laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate
• Zip-top bags for wet swimsuits, snacks and documents
• Wrinkle-release spray (since irons aren't allowed)
• Door decoration, a fun way to spot your cabin in a long hallway (check your line's rules first)

Your Port Day Bag

When the ship docks, you'll want a small bag ready to grab and go:

• Cruise card (you need it to get back on the ship)
• Photo ID, plus a copy of your passport
• The ship's port agent phone number and all-aboard time, usually listed in the daily schedule
• Cash in small bills and a credit card
• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• Beach towel (check whether your ship lends towels for shore days)
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Light rain jacket or umbrella

Cruising with Kids? Add These

• Swim diapers (often required in kids' splash areas)
• Kid-friendly sunscreen and swim shirts
• Small games, coloring books and card games for downtime
• Tablet with downloaded shows and headphones
• Favorite snacks for the journey to the port
• Night light and any comfort items from home
• Children's medications and a thermometer
• Birth certificates or passports for every child
• A notarized consent letter if only one parent is traveling (check your cruise line's requirements)

What to Leave at Home

Cruise lines confiscate certain items at security, so save yourself the hassle:

• Clothes irons and steamers. They're a fire risk at sea. Use wrinkle-release spray instead.
• Surge protectors and some extension cords. Many lines prohibit them. A cruise-approved USB charger is the safe choice.
• Candles, incense and anything with an open flame
• Drones and certain sports equipment, unless your line allows them
• Excess alcohol. Policies vary widely, so check how much (if any) your line allows you to bring aboard.
• Too many "just in case" outfits. You'll wear less than you think.

Every cruise line's rules are a little different, so always check the prohibited items list for your specific sailing.

My Best Cruise Packing Tips

1. Plan outfits by day. Lay out each day's look (pool, port and dinner) and you'll pack far less.
2. Stick to a color palette. Two or three colors that mix and match make every piece work harder.
3. Roll, don't fold. Rolling saves space and reduces wrinkles. Packing cubes keep everything organized in a small cabin.
4. Leave room for souvenirs. Pack a foldable tote for the trip home.
5. Pack a "first night" outfit on top, in case your luggage arrives just before dinner.
6. Put luggage tags on before you leave home, using the tags from your cruise documents.
7. Unpack everything on day one. Suitcases slide under the bed, and you'll feel settled for the rest of the trip.

Cruise Packing FAQ

How many outfits do I need for a 7-night cruise? Plan on one daytime outfit and one evening outfit per day, plus swimwear, and repeat a few pieces. Many ships also offer laundry service, and some have self-service laundry rooms.

Do I really need formal wear? Not necessarily. Elegant nights are usually optional, and many guests simply wear a nice dress or a collared shirt. Pack one dressier outfit so you can join in if you'd like.

Can I bring my own towels? You can, but most ships provide pool and beach towels. Check whether your line lets you take them ashore.

What happens if my luggage is late? That's exactly why your carry-on matters. With your swimsuit, medications and a change of clothes on hand, you can enjoy the ship right away while you wait.

Download Your Free Cruise Packing List

Want all of this in a printable checklist you can tick off as you go? Download my free Cruise Packing List, organized by category with room for your sailing details.

Download The Packing List Here!

And if you haven't booked your cruise yet, I'd love to help you find the right ship, cabin and itinerary. There's no planning fee, and I'm available 24/7 while you travel!