So, you’ve booked your cruise—congratulations! Now comes the fun (and sometimes daunting) part: packing. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, knowing what to pack for a cruise can make or break your vacation.

We’ll walk you through every step: from how much you can bring and choosing the right luggage to what to pack, what to leave at home, and those last-minute essentials you don’t want to forget. This cruise packing guide covers everything you need to know so you can cruise stress-free and focus on the fun.

David wearing a cross body bag — *A small cross-body bag is helpful in port and around the ship*

Step 1: How Much Can You Bring?

First, let’s talk about how much you can actually pack. If you’re driving to the port, most cruise lines don’t have strict luggage limits. If you can carry it and fit it in your cabin, you’re good to go. Just remember: you and the crew still have to carry your bags!

If you’re flying to your cruise port, the rules are a bit different. Airlines have strict weight limits, and going over can cost you a small fortune. We learned this the hard way on our 2024 Australia trip when our bags started out underweight but quickly tipped the scales after a week of collecting Starbucks mugs! Trust us—double-check those baggage limits and consider packing a portable luggage scale to stay on track.

Cruise Luggage Weight Limit — *If you’re flying to your cruise port, check your airlines rules.*

Step 2: Choose the Right Luggage

You’ll need more than just a suitcase. Make sure you have a good carry-on bag—this could be a backpack, tote, or small suitcase (like an airline carry-on, but without worrying so much about size limits). We also strongly recommend packing a beach bag and a lightweight day bag for exploring ports.

Here’s what we usually use:

A large suitcase: We we currently using Level8 luggage.
A backpack: This for our carry-on bag and port days.
A small cross-body bag: This for ports and around the ship. (we’re currently using the UNIQLO cross bag)
A beach bag: Keep our other bags from getting sandy or wet.
A foldable duffel/travel bag: We throw this in our case and has saved us more than once when we needed an extra checked bag for flights!

Step 3: Know What You Can and Can’t Bring

Before you start packing, double-check what’s allowed on your cruise. Cruise ships aren’t like resorts—there’s a long list of items you can’t bring, and it’s worth reading through ahead of time:

Restricted medications: Even if they’re legal at home, they may be banned onboard or in ports.
Irons and steamers: Fire hazard.
Candles or incense: Also a fire hazard.
Weapons or sharp objects: Strictly prohibited.
Alcohol beyond the allowed limit: Most cruise lines let you bring a couple of bottles of wine; anything over gets confiscated.
Power extension cords and surge-protected strips: Usually not allowed.
Towels: The ship provides them—save your space!
High-end jewellery: Not worth the risk of loss or theft.

Ben and David Dressed For A Cold Cruise — *First think about your cruise destination and the weather.*

Step 4: What to Pack for a Cruise (Main Luggage)

Clothing

When it comes to your clothing, think practical, versatile, and comfortable. Start with comfortable daywear that suits your destination’s climate, plus evening outfits that meet your cruise line’s dress codes. And don’t forget your swimsuits and beachwear! Even in tropical destinations, pack a lightweight sweater or jacket—air-conditioning on ships can be surprisingly chilly. A good pair of walking shoes is essential for shore excursions, and flip-flops or sandals are perfect for poolside lounging.

Here’s a quick checklist of the essentials for your suitcase:

Comfortable daywear: We always recommend layers
Evening wear: Formal or smart casual, depending on your ship. Check the ships dress code and remember any themed parties.
A light sweater or jacket: Even in warm destinations the ship gets cold and breezy on deck.
Swimwear
Workout gear: If you’re hitting the gym
Comfortable walking shoes
Flip-flops or sandals
Smart shoes for evening dining: This can be dress shoes or just smart sneakers depending on your cruise.
Sun hat and sunglasses: Even on colder cruises! We got burnt while sailing in Antartica and in the sun it was too warm for winter hats.
A light raincoat or small umbrella: All destinations are unpredictable so pop one in your case.

*We pack a sunhat and sunglasses on every cruise, even winter sailings!*

Toiletries

We like to bring our own shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, and skincare essentials. Sunscreen and after-sun lotion are absolute musts—your skin will thank you for it. A hanging toiletry bag is a game-changer in those small cruise bathrooms.

Essentials to pack:

Shampoo and conditioner
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Razor and shaving cream
Moisturiser and lip balm (a must on any cruise!)
Sunscreen and after-sun lotion: Even for colder cruises, the UV can still be strong!
Bug spray: especially for tropical destinations
Personal hygiene products
Sanitizer: A must have for any cruise. Grab a small bottle to carry around with you.

Medication

You don’t need to go over the top—ships do have small shops, but prices can be sky-high. We always pack the following:

Prescription medications
Pain relief
Indigestion relief (antacids)
Diarrhoea relief and rehydration tablets
Cold and flu medication
Band-aids
Motion sickness medication (even seasoned cruisers need this sometimes!)

Technology

For tech, pack a universal power adapter—cabins often have limited outlets—and long USB cables (especially for older ships that don’t have bedside plugs). A portable charger is a lifesaver for long days in port, and we always download books, movies, and music ahead of time so we’re never bored, even if we skip the ship’s WiFi.

Here’s our essential tech list we recommend:

Universal power adapter: Ships normally have mixed outlet types (for example North American and European Outlets).
Long USB cables: Helpful if plugs aren’t near the bed.
Portable phone charger: A must for long excursions and port days.
Multi-USB wall charger: Keep all your devices powered at once.
Phone, iPad, Kindle: Anything you want to bring to keep you entertained and chargers for them.
Headphones

Alcohol and Drinks

Each cruise line has its own policy about bringing drinks onboard. Some allow you to bring a couple of bottles of wine or a few cans of soft drinks per stateroom—perfect for a sunset toast on your balcony. But always double-check the rules—there’s nothing worse than having your carefully chosen bottle confiscated at the terminal. We like to tuck bottles between shoes in our suitcase to avoid any breakages.

*Check the cruise line's rules on bringing alcohol to avoid problems when you boa*rd.

Quirky Cruise-Only Essentials

Finally, those items you only need on a cruise. Over the years, we’ve found a few extras that make cruising even easier—like magnetic hooks for hanging hats or lanyards, and ziplock bags for wet swimwear. If you want even more ideas, check out our post on unique cruise items you’ll want to pack.

Hand Luggage Essentials

Next, it’s time to pack your hand luggage (also known as your carry-on bag). This is your mini survival kit for the first few hours onboard. Checked luggage might not show up in your cabin until after dinner, so make sure you’ve got everything you need to settle in:

All your travel documents: passports, visas, insurance
Credit cards and cash
Medications you’ll need
A change of clothes for the evening (optional)
Swimwear if you want to jump straight into the pool
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jacket for breezy decks (we often forget this and regret it!)
Your phone and charger
Anything valuable: laptops, jewellery, your favourite bear—basically, if you can’t live without it, put it in your hand luggage!

Final Steps Before You Go

Before you leave home, make sure your luggage has your cruise luggage tags securely attached. We highly recommend using luggage tag holders to keep them safe. Also, include your name, phone number, address, and email inside your bag—just in case the tag comes off. For flights, it’s also helpful to add your flight or cruise details.

We also like to add something bright and unique—like a ribbon, strap, or colourful tag—to make our bags easy to spot at baggage reclaim.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to take a photo of your luggage—it’s saved us so much stress in the past when trying to explain what our luggage looks like!

Final Thoughts

Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and some thoughtful choices, you’ll be ready for whatever adventures await. If you have your own cruise packing tips or questions about what to bring on a cruise, let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you and share the cruise love!

Cruise Packing Guide: What to Bring, What to Skip, and How to Pack Smart