12 Unexpected Cruise Essentials You’ll Wish You Packed Sooner
One of the best methods of travel, cruising combines adventure and relaxation while on the high seas. Every year, more than 30 million people take cruises, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) — and 73 percent of cruise travelers indicate a travel advisor has an important influence on their travel decision to cruise.
If you’ve never been sailing, a few surprises await you, including packing. However, lesser-known items such as swimsuits and sunscreen can take the onboard experience to a higher level beyond the basics. Below is a list of 12 cruise essentials you might not think of, but they could become your new must-haves for every voyage.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
Cruise ship staterooms are notoriously small, and the space will prove limited in a hurry. If you haven’t invested in an over-the-door shoe organizer, it’s time to get one. It’s not just for shoes; you can store toiletries here, sunglasses, electronics, snacks, or small pieces of clothing.
Your essentials are within arm’s reach, and your cabin is clutter-free, hanging neatly on your bathroom or closet door. Go with a foldable organizer with clear pockets so that you can quickly and easily see what is stored where at a glance without digging through small drawers.
Thermal Coffee Mug
Are you an early riser or a coffee enthusiast? On busy disembarkation mornings, when ordering room service might not be possible, having a thermal coffee mug onboard is a lifesaver. Most cruise lines have smaller cups of coffee on board, so a good thermal mug means you can help yourself to a large cup from the buffet and take it with you wherever you go on the ship. And it keeps hot drinks hot (or cold drinks cold) for hours.
While the mug isn’t great for holding coffee, it does a fine job holding iced tea, water, and cocktails beside the pool.
Towel Clips
Strong winds make it challenging to keep a towel on deck, or the beach during port stops if you plan to relax. Towel clips are a sensible option when your towel is likely to fly and can clip onto the sides of loungers to keep your towel where you left it.
They help you quickly find your deck chair in a sea of others that all look identical. Choose colorful or fun-shaped clips (flamingos) for a fun touch!
Seasickness Remedies
It’s always better to be prepared, even if you’re sure you won’t get seasick. Motion sickness can ruin your trip, and rough seas can happen unexpectedly. Many remedies are available, from non-drowsy ginger-based tablets to wristbands that apply pressure to acupressure points.
Natural options include ginger candy or capsules, which many cruisers swear by. If you want to skip over-the-counter meds and the drowsiness that comes with them, they’re a great alternative.
Portable Phone Charger
Cruise cabins have limited electrical outlets—usually just one or two in the room. A portable phone charger will keep your devices sealed and charged while you explore a port or lounge by the pool all day.
Your phone is your camera, navigator, and your entertainment device. So please don’t risk it running out when you’re far away from your cabin.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch protects your phone from water damage. It is perfect for beach excursions, poolside lounging, or anything else water-related where you need to be able to take pictures, answer messages, or even scroll social media.
If we aren’t holding anything, most pouches have a neck strap, so you can use your phone hands-free when snorkeling, kayaking, or doing any other water activity.
Extra Hangers
Having limited hangers in cruise ship closets can run you out of space if you like to organize your wardrobe. If you have large items like dresses, shirts, or jackets, bring a few slim packable hangers to ensure your clothes will still hang nicely, wrinkle-free, and easily accessible.
Small First-Aid Kit
A small, personal first-aid kit is a good idea to have around. While it’s not medical, band-aids, allergy medicine, and pain relievers are essentials for any tender bellyaches, headaches, or just building up your vitamin levels since onboard medical supplies are often expensive.
Motion sickness patches, blister bandages, and antiseptic wipes are brilliant additions to your kit.
Reusable Water Bottle
It is vitally important to stay hydrated, particularly during extra-long excursions and sunny days on deck. Sign up for a reusable water bottle; you’ll never have to repurchase bottled water. Some insulated bottles will keep your water cold all day (reasonable in tropical destinations).
Several cruise lines offer water refill stations, so bringing a reusable bottle is good for the planet and your wallet.
Laundry Bags
Keeping dirty clothes secure is easy with a simple mesh or foldable laundry bag to keep them separate and contained. It can be convenient if you’re on a cruise with the family or will be on the cruise for a little longer.
If you are savvy about buying laundry bags that work on multiple trips, some can double as extra storage for the return home.
Magnets
Now, you would think this is crazy, but many cruise cabins have magnetic walls. Small magnets or magnetic hooks provide extra storage options, such as keeping hats, daily schedules, or lightweight jackets off the floor.
Some travelers have even used mini magnetic clips to hang reminders or keep a cabin keycard handy. Decorative magnets can give your cabin a unique personality and make finding your room in the uniform hallways easier.
Packable Backpack or Tote
On excursions, you’ll need a lightweight, packable backpack or tote to carry essentials like sunscreen, snacks, water, and souvenirs. Foldable options are reasonable because they don’t take up much space in your luggage. Use water-resistant options so the water does not get to your stuff.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Read More:
- Ultimate Guide To Picking The Best Travel Credit Card
- The 5 Best Budget Airlines in the United States
- 15 Best Countrıes to Vısıt in Afrıca
