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Must Have Packing List For Your First Cruise

  • Writer: Erin
    Erin
  • Sep 6, 2021
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 31

Packing for any trip can be daunting between all of the documents you'll need, the clothing you may need, any medication, and somehow making it all fit in your suitcase. I have created the ultimate packing list for your first cruise.


A grid of flat-lay cartoon images shows various clothing items and accessories, including shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, jackets, underwear, hats, ties, shoes, sunglasses, and jewelry. The clothes are in a variety of colors and styles, suitable for both men and women, and different seasons.

Packing Item #1

Packing the appropriate attire is essential and can vary on the type of cruise you plan to take. Many cruises to the Caribbean have lost some of their formality, and casual wear is becoming more and more normal. However, if you are river cruising in Europe, you'll need to pack business casual attire. In addition to that, there are specific activities that require closed toes shoes, long pants, or swim gear. The last item of clothing is specifically for the ship is a sweater or long sleeve shirt. Even if you are traveling to the Caribbean, ships can be a little chillier than you are used to, and you'll be wearing an outer layer more than you anticipate.


A flat lay image displays a comprehensive first aid kit with various medical supplies neatly arranged on a teal background. Central to the image is a red first aid box with a white cross. Surrounding it are items such as bandages, plasters, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, gauze pads, instant cold pack, gloves, a triangular bandage, aspirin, eye drops, a thermometer, hydrocortisone cream, a flashlight, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, and a "First Aid Emergency Manual" book.

Packing Item #2

Medications are a significant item on packing lists. On top of any daily medications you take, packing other first aid items is a must. That is not to say that you won't be able to find Advil or Band-Aids onboard the ship, but you'll be paying an arm and a leg to purchase them. I highly recommend bringing them from home and saving some pain in your pocket. Included in the first aid kit is motion sickness medication. Even if you've never experienced any issues in the past, cruises are notorious for bringing out that motion sickness. Your family doctor or even tele-heath can prescribe a patch that lasts seven days that you can wear and forget about.


A colorful, cartoon-style illustration of various bathroom items and toiletries. On the left, there are two mirrors, a toilet, a sink, and a pink polka-dotted shower curtain. In the center, there are two bathrobes (yellow and blue), a hairdryer, stacked towels, a bathtub with bubbles and running water, and more towels on a rack. On the right, there are personal care items including a rubber duck, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap bars, a toilet paper roll, and a variety of hairbrushes.

Packing Item #3

Toiletries fall in the same vain as the medication. They are fully available; however, their prices are much higher than on the mainland. On a cruise, they provide small toiletries in each stateroom bathroom, though if you find yourself going through those toiletries, or have specific products you love, be sure to pack them. I always pack additional toiletries for the bathroom and an air freshener. In addition, I always add sunscreen and after sun lotion because the sun on ships can be much stronger than what you'd find at your local pool or the beach.


A dark background features three rows of stylized illustrations of various alcoholic beverages. The top row displays eight different cocktails in various glasses, garnished with fruit and straws. The middle row shows a bottle of liquor, a stemmed glass of red wine, a shot glass, a tumbler with ice, a mug of beer, a beer can, a mixed drink in a rocks glass, and a mojito. The bottom row includes red and green grapes, a wooden barrel, a red wine bottle with a glass, a white wine bottle with a glass, a champagne bottle with a flute, and another red wine bottle with a glass.

Packing Item #4

The last tip is one for if you've decided not to purchase the beverage package, you can generally bring on a 12 pack of anything but bottles, but most cruise lines require you to carry it in your carry-on. You can also bring on a bottle of wine with most cruise companies. There is a charge for opening the bottle that varies from cruise line to cruise line. It'll help with cutting costs if you just want to have a celebratory drink.


A grid of 12 cartoon illustrations of various backpacks. The backpacks are shown in different colors, styles, and sizes, ranging from small daypacks to larger hiking or travel packs. Some have visible pockets, zippers, straps, and items peeking out, such as a map or a book.

Bonus Embarkation Day Packing Tip

When you are boarding the ship, your main luggage will be delivered to your room by a porter, which means that you could potentially be without your luggage for a portion of your first day on the ship until your room is ready. This is why I highly recommend a small carry-on in the way of a small backpack or bag. In that carry-on, you should include your medication, a change of clothes, your swim suit to take advantage of those fantastic pools, a copy of all of your documents, and any chargers or electronic accessories that you may want to use early on in the day.


Now that you have your bags ready to go, let's book your perfect cruise. From river to the Caribbean or even a Mediterranean cruise, we will ensure that your first cruise is one that you'll remember for a lifetime. Schedule your consultation today!

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