Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide shows exactly what to bring for sea days, port days, dinners, and formal night — so you stay prepared without overpacking.
You’ll also find a link to my Cruise Outfits for Women guide, where I break down what to wear each day of your trip, including embarkation, sea days, port days, and formal night.
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⭐ Quick Packing Checklist
(Full breakdown below)
- Clothing + outfits
- Swimwear + coverups
- Shoes
- Toiletries
- Beach bag essentials
- Cruise cabin essentials
- Excursion gear
- Travel documents
- Electronics
- Optional extras
👗 1. Clothing to Pack for Your Cruise
Cruise outfits don’t need to be complicated — just pack versatile pieces you can mix and match throughout your trip. These basics will cover sea days, port days, dinners, and formal night without overpacking.
Pack:
- 3–4 daytime outfits
- 2–3 dinner outfits
- 1 formal night outfit
- 1 excursion outfit
- 1 comfy travel outfit
- Light sweater or denim jacket
👙 2. Swimwear + Coverups
You’ll wear these almost every day — at the pool, hot tub, beach, or while walking around the ship. Pack pieces that dry quickly and layer easily.
Pack:
- 2–3 swimsuits
- 2 coverups
- Flip‑flops or waterproof sandals
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
👟3. Shoes to Pack for Your Cruise
Keep it simple — shoes take up space, and you only need a few versatile pairs that work for sea days, port days, and dinners.
Pack:
- Comfortable sandals
- Flip‑flops
- Sneakers
- Dressy sandals or wedges
🧴 4. Toiletries + Personal Care
Cruise bathrooms are tiny, so stick to travel sizes.
Bring:
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Body wash
- Razor
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Skincare
- Makeup
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
- Travel-size sunscreen
- Aloe gel
- Lip balm with SPF
Cruise cabins have limited space, so travel‑size toiletries are a must. You can shop the ones I personally recommend here.
🏖️ 5. Beach Bag Essentials
Perfect for CocoCay, Nassau, and sea days.
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Sunscreen
- Towel clips
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Small wallet
- Snacks
- Ziplock bags
🚢 6. Cruise Cabin Essentials
These items make your cabin more organized and comfortable.
- Magnetic hooks
- Portable fan
- Cruise‑approved power strip
- Nightlight
- Travel laundry bag
- Packing cubes
- Lanyard for Sea Pass card
If you want a full breakdown of the cabin items I used on my cruise, you can read my Cruise Cabin Essentials guide here
🏝️ 7. Excursion Gear
Depending on your port activities:
- Sneakers
- Athletic shorts
- Breathable tank
- Waterproof sandals
- Refillable water bottle
- Small backpack or crossbody
- Snorkel gear (optional)
📄 8. Travel Documents
Keep these in your carry‑on:
- Passport or birth certificate
- Cruise documents
- Luggage tags
- Wallet + ID
- Credit card
- Travel insurance info
🔌 9. Electronics
Bring:
- Phone
- Charger
- Portable charger
- Watch charger
- Camera (optional)
- Cruise‑approved power strip
🎒 10. Optional Extras
These aren’t required, but they’re definitely nice to have and make your cruise days easier and more organized.
Pack:
- Jewelry
- Makeup bag
- Mini first‑aid kit
- Ziplock bags
- Reusable straws
- Waterproof tote
🌴 Final Thoughts
Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be stressful — once you know what you actually need, everything else falls into place. This list keeps things simple, practical, and focused on what you’ll truly use on board.
If you want help choosing the best gear for your trip, my Amazon Cruise Essentials Guide breaks down all the must‑have items I personally used and loved. It’s full of helpful recommendations and budget‑friendly finds to make planning even easier.
If you have any questions or want help planning your cruise, feel free to leave me a comment — I’d love to help.