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What do you REALLY need for a cruise?!
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items I have tweaked my cruise packing list throughout the years in hopes of creating the perfect list for smooth sailing. These recommendations are the items I have taken on my last three cruises and feel they are essentials for my trip. I will also list ...
Pre-trip necessity: In hopes of avoiding illness on my trip, I start taking Airborne gummies several weeks before my trip and continue to take them until a few days after my trip. The gummies come in a large plastic container, so I count out the numb...
Airborne: Gummies
Avoid seasickness BEFORE it happens. I learned the hard way that taking medicine once you are already nauseous makes for a very unpleasant first night on the ship. I take Bonine the morning that I am getting on the ship and every morning during the c... I have also had my doctor prescribe the patch which does work very well but makes me very thirst the entire trip.
Bonine Non-Drowsy Nausea Relief - Meclizine HCI 25mg Chewable Tablets
MUST HAVE for those who sleep with a fan like I do! I no longer have small children but I do have several stroller fans. They are small, lightweight, and easy to pack in your suitcase. I place a magnetic hook on the wall next to my bed and hook one o...
Stroller fan to hang on your cabin wall
I actually own each variety of Loop Earplugs and use them for a variety of reasons. Quiet 2 are great when you don't want to be woken up by sounds on the ship or your cabinmate. Engage 2 are perfect for being able to clearly hear conversations while ...
Loop Earplugs
I take my Kindle everywhere! It is so compact and lightweight there is no reason not to take it. The Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for reading poolside or anywhere outdoors. When reading near water, I prefer to read on my Kindle so there is no posibil...
Kindle Paperwhite 16GB | Fastest E-Reader
My favorite thing to do is sit outside and read while listening to the waves. When I need a break from “peopling,” I grab one of my books and find a quiet spot to read. Carnival occasionally has a rolling book trolley the Fun Squad takes to different...
Books are a must for me
I didn't start using magnet hooks until recent years because I didn't think they would be useful. Boy was I wrong, especially if you have several cruisers in your cabin! The cabin walls and ceilings are magnetic so I place these throughout the cabin ...
Magnetic Hooks - For Quick Grab Items
Want to make sure your luggage makes it safely to your room? During embarkation your luggage will be handled by employees trying to safely deliver it to your cabin. If you simply attach your paper tag to your luggage, there is a chance it will get ri...
Luggage Tag Holders
A crossbody bag is essential for me when traveling. I like to have my phone, id, and room key readily available while not having to carry a backpack or weigh down my pockets. (affiliate link)
Crossbody & Messenger Bags
I personally don't like to iron my clothes while on vacation unless it's absolutely necessary. Most ships have a self-serve laundry room or iron room if you would like to iron your clothing, but I prefer to save some time and use Downy Wrinkle Releas...
Downy Wrinkle Releaser - because I don't like to iron
I carry a travel size hand sanitizer in my bag for times when it's not quick or convenient to find a place to wash my hands. When you are sharing a ship with thousands of others, it's important to clean your hands on a regular basis. I also like to t...
Travel Hand Sanitizers
Zenni is my go-to option for buying prescription sunglasses. I wear progressive lenses and don't want to spend a lot of money on sunglasses. Their online service is easy to use, letting you scan your optical prescription and “try on” glasses so you g...
Prescription Glasses & Sunglasses - Affordable Option
I have progressive lenses so buying prescription sunglasses can get pricey. I have a few pair of fitovers and really like how easy they are to wear and look nice.
Fitovers - Sunglasses to go over prescription glasses
Between the saltwater and sunscreen, I am constantly cleaning my glasses. I always pack a few cleaning clothes.
Lens Cleaning Cloth - Microfiber for Camera & Glasses
Do not let yourself become dehydrated. Not only will you feel awful, but it can be extremely dangerous. It's important to hydrate, or rehydrate, after extended periods of time in the sun, at the beach, on an excursion, or partaking in the drink packa...
Liquid IV Hydration
Keep your items safe at the beach while you enjoy swimming. We went on an excursion to an all-inclusive resort and spent the entire time worrying about our items back at our chairs. Not anymore! Get yourself a lockable bag that can hold your valuable...
Beach Locking Bags
Countertop space is very limited on cruise ships so I take a hanging toiletry bag. This can fit all of my makeup, shower, and bathroom necessities. I unzip it and hang it on the hook on the inside of the bathroom door.
Hanging Toiletry Bags
I use packing cubes for every trip I take whether it's a cruise or a beach vacation. It helps keep my room organized and makes packing up to leave a breeze. I roll all of my clothes and put them into the cubes. Rolling my clothes helps keep them from...
Packing Cubes - Be Organized
I have used my waterproof phone pouch on excursions in the ocean and pool. I like being able to still use my phone through the plastic while knowing it is safe from the water. I also carry my id, credit card, and some cash in it while off of the ship...
Waterproof Phone Pouches
I use this pill organizer so I don't have to pack so many OTC medicine box and bottles. It comes with tons of labels to choose from and also with blank labels if needed. I carry this in my purse or backpack while flying and when I go onshore at port so I don't have to pay for OTC meds.
Travel Medication Organizer
I love to hide ducks on cruises. Last year I found these miniature, glow-in-the-dark, resin ducks on Amazon. It was so fun to find places to hide them and sit back and watch kids AND adults find them. You can search for the name of your ship and the ...
Cruise Ducks - Mini Resin Ducks
I take water shoes on every cruise because you never know how rocky or shelly the beach may be. Also, some excursions or activities require closed-toe shoes and I use my water shoes instead of packing tennis shoes.
Water Shoes
If you don't want to reserve a beach chair, these sand proof blankets are a great option instead. We never know how much time we may spend on beach chairs that may be pricey, so we take a lightweight, sand proof blanket. It comes will stakes for the ...
Sandproof Beach Blanket
These floats are easy to travel with and easy to inflate. Just put them in your beach bag and inflate/deflate at the beach in each port. You have a quick and inexpensive way to enjoy a day at the beach without have to rent a float.
Hammock Mesh Floats
Not only is it environmentally friendly to wear reef safe sunscreens, some excursions require you wear it. If your favorite sunscreen does not have a reef safe option, it's always best to take a bottle with you in case it is required.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Don't forget to pack Aloe in case you get too much sun!
Banana Boat Soothing After Sun Gel with Aloe Vera