The cruise packing list: what to pack, what to leave at home and what’s banned

What should you pack for a cruise?

Pack less than you think. A week-long warm-weather cruise needs comfortable daywear, two or three swimsuits, a cover-up, sandals and walking shoes, a few smart-casual evening outfits, and one dressier outfit if you’ll join formal night. Add a light sweater, because theaters and restaurants are air-conditioned.

Cabin storage is limited, and suitcases usually slide under the bed, so soft-sided bags are easiest. Most mainstream cabins have a few drawers, a small closet and limited hangers. Some ships have self-service launderettes, and every ship offers paid laundry, which means you can rewear and pack lighter on longer cruises.

Documents and money: the non-negotiables

Keep these on your person or in your carry-on, never in checked luggage that porters take at the pier. If you lose sight of your suitcase for hours, these are the items you can’t replace in time.

• Passport, or for closed-loop cruises from a US port, an original or certified birth certificate plus government photo ID for US citizens. Check your line’s requirements.
• Boarding pass and luggage tags, printed or in the cruise line’s app.
• A credit card for your onboard account, and a backup card.
• Small bills in US dollars for porters, taxis and tour guides in port.
• Travel insurance details and an emergency contact list.
• Photos or copies of your passport and ID, stored separately from the originals.

What to pack in your cruise carry-on bag

Your checked bags can take until late afternoon or evening to reach your cabin on embarkation day, so pack a carry-on as if it’s all you’ll have until dinner. You’ll want it again on the last night, when many people put their big bags outside the cabin to be taken ashore.

• All prescription medications in their original containers, with enough for a few extra days.
• Phone, chargers and any travel adapters.
• Swimsuit, sunscreen and sunglasses, so you can enjoy the pool on day one.
• A change of clothes suitable for dinner.
• Valuables, jewelry and electronics.
• Any wine or soft drinks you’re allowed to bring on board, if your line requires them in carry-on.

Cruise clothing: what to wear by day, at night and on formal nights

Daytime on board is relaxed: shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and swimwear around the pool. Bring a cover-up, because most lines don’t allow swimwear in dining rooms and some indoor venues. For port days, pack breathable clothes, a hat and shoes you can walk in all day on cobblestones or uneven paths.

Evenings are smart casual on most ships: slacks or nice jeans with a collared shirt, or a dress, skirt or smart separates. Many lines hold one or two formal or dress-up nights on a seven-night cruise. A suit, sport coat or cocktail dress fits in, but on mainstream lines a dressier version of smart casual is fine. Cunard is the notable exception, with gala evenings where many guests go full black-tie.

Packing for Alaska, Northern Europe and cooler cruises

Cold-weather cruises are about layers rather than heavy coats. Alaska summer temperatures are mild but changeable, and glacier viewing on deck can be windy and cold, even in July.

• A waterproof rain jacket with a hood; Southeast Alaska ports get a lot of rain.
• A fleece or insulated mid-layer, plus long-sleeve base layers.
• Waterproof or water-resistant walking shoes.
• A warm hat and light gloves for glacier days and whale watching.
• Binoculars for wildlife and scenic cruising.
• A swimsuit anyway, for the ship’s hot tubs and indoor pools.

Useful extras experienced cruisers pack

These small items solve common cruise annoyances. None are essential, but repeat cruisers swear by several of them.

• A non-surge-protected power strip or a USB charging cube. Cabins often have only a few outlets, though newer ships add USB ports.
• Magnetic hooks, since cabin walls are usually metal, to hang hats, lanyards and the daily schedule.
• A refillable water bottle and an insulated tumbler for drinks on deck.
• A lanyard or card holder for your key card.
• A small daypack or dry bag for beach days and tender rides.
• Motion-sickness remedies, pain relievers, antacids and bandages; the ship’s shop charges a premium.
• Reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands restrict sunscreens with certain chemicals, and some other destinations do too.
• A light scarf or wrap for chilly theaters and windy decks.

What’s banned on cruise ships

Every line publishes its own prohibited-items list, and security screens your bags at the terminal. Banned items are confiscated, and some lines may refuse boarding for serious violations. These are prohibited on most major lines:

• Surge protectors and power strips with surge protection, because of fire risk with ship electrical systems.
• Clothing irons and, on most lines, garment steamers. Use the ship’s laundry service or a wrinkle-release spray.
• Candles, incense, hot plates and other open-flame or heating appliances.
• Firearms, ammunition, fireworks and weapons, including knives beyond the line’s permitted size.
• Marijuana in any form, even with a medical card or where it’s legal at home. Most major lines also ban CBD products.
• Hoverboards and similar self-balancing devices; many lines also prohibit flying drones on board.
• Hard liquor and beer in luggage on most lines, plus any wine beyond your line’s allowance. Confiscated alcohol is usually returned at the end of the cruise.

What to leave at home

Some things aren’t banned but simply aren’t needed. Beach towels are provided on board and usually for excursions. Hair dryers are in most cabins, though they can be weak, so bring a travel model if it matters. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are supplied on almost every ship.

Leave expensive jewelry at home, especially for beach and adventure excursions. Skip a full-size umbrella in favor of a rain jacket, and don’t overpack shoes: one pair of sandals, one pair of walking shoes and one pair of evening shoes covers most cruises.

Frequently asked questions