Plus 10 bonus things that quietly turn a good cruise into a great one

Even if you have cruised a million times, every sailing has that moment. You are standing in your cabin, suitcase open, ocean humming just outside the hull, and you realize you forgot the thing. Not a catastrophe. Just enough of an annoyance to haunt you the rest of the week.

Cruises are funny like that. They are wonderfully all-inclusive until they very much are not.

This is not a panic checklist or a “you must do this or else” article. Think of it as a dockside story from someone who has learned, sometimes the hard way, which small items punch way above their weight once you are floating between ports.

We will start with ten true essentials, the things people forget most often, followed by ten bonus items that make your cruise experience smoother, comfier, and occasionally downright delightful.

The 10 Essentials People Forget (Until They Really Wish They Hadn’t)

1. A USB-Only Power Hub (No Surge Protection, No Extension Cord)

Cruise ships are strict for a reason. Fire safety rules mean no extension cords and no surge protectors. What is allowed is a compact USB charging hub.

Look for one that plugs directly into the wall and offers multiple USB ports. USB-A, USB-C, or a mix is fine, just skip anything with a long cord or surge suppression. Cabins often have one or two outlets total, sometimes placed like a practical joke.

This one item prevents the nightly ritual of unplugging lamps like you are defusing a bomb.

2. Paper Copies of Important Info

Yes, your phone has everything. Until it doesn’t.

Bring a small folder with:

• Cruise documents
• Boarding passes
• Port excursion confirmations
• Emergency contact info
• Your ship name and cabin number

Paper is boring. Paper is unfashionable. Paper also works when Wi-Fi is spotty and your phone battery is at 4 percent.

3. A Lightweight Day Bag or Backpack

You will leave the ship. You will need your hands. Shore excursions, pool decks, buffet runs, and port days all benefit from a simple, comfortable bag.

Skip anything bulky. Think collapsible, easy to stow, and comfortable against bare shoulders in the heat.

4. Medications and Basic First Aid

The ship has a medical center. It also has medical center prices.

Bring your daily medications in original containers, plus a small kit with:

• Pain reliever
• Motion sickness remedies
• Band-Aids
• Blister care

The ocean has no sympathy for new shoes.

5. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Cruise ships sell sunscreen. Ports sell sunscreen. Both will cost you enough to briefly reconsider capitalism.

More importantly, many destinations now require reef-safe formulas. Bring your own, apply generously, and reapply often. Sun on the water hits differently, like it is personal.

6. A Lanyard

This one feels silly until it saves you five times a day.

Your room key is your ID, your charge card, and your access to the ship. A simple lanyard keeps it where you can find it instantly, especially during port days or when your hands are full of food, towels, or regret.

7. A Refillable Water Bottle

Cruise air is dry. Sun exposure is real. Walking miles on deck adds up fast.

Bring a refillable bottle and top it off frequently. Most ships have water stations near buffets and gyms. Staying hydrated quietly improves everything from sleep to patience in line.

8. A Small USB-Rechargeable Fan

Cabins can get warm. Balcony doors trap heat. Interior cabins sometimes feel like they are holding onto yesterday’s weather.

A small USB rechargeable fan that fits in a carry-on can be a lifesaver. Look for something quiet, compact, and stable on a nightstand.

This is one of those items that earns gratitude at 2 a.m.

9. Comfortable Shoes You Can Walk In All Day

Cruise ships are huge. Ports are larger. Cobblestones do not care about your fashion goals.

Bring shoes you know you can wear for hours. Then bring a second pair so your feet can recover. Your future self will thank you quietly, repeatedly.

10. A Light Jacket or Layer

Even tropical cruises get chilly. Dining rooms, theaters, and evening deck breezes can surprise you.

A thin layer solves the problem without taking up much luggage space.

Bonus Items That Make Your Cruise Totally Awesome

These are not required. They are not essential. They are simply excellent.

1. Magnetic Hooks

Cruise cabin walls are metal. Magnetic hooks turn vertical space into storage magic. Hang hats, bags, lanyards, or light jackets and suddenly your small cabin feels twice as organized.

2. A Nightlight

Cabins are dark at night. Like, “where did the floor go” dark.

A tiny plug-in or USB nightlight makes nighttime bathroom trips safer and less dramatic.

3. Wrinkle Release Spray

Irons are not allowed in cabins, and ship laundry moves on ship time.

A small bottle of wrinkle release spray can rescue outfits in seconds and keep you looking like you planned ahead.

4. A Book, E-Reader, or Offline Entertainment

Yes, there is Wi-Fi. No, it is not fast. And sometimes unplugging is the whole point.

Bring something you enjoy without a signal. Ocean views pair well with quiet entertainment.

5. A Small Laundry Bag

Wet swimsuits, gym clothes, and mystery damp items need somewhere to live. A lightweight laundry bag keeps chaos contained.

6. Binoculars

Spotting dolphins, watching distant ports, or just scanning the horizon becomes oddly addictive with a small pair of binoculars.

7. A Portable Phone Stand

Balcony sunsets, time-lapse waves, video calls home, or just hands-free movie watching. A tiny foldable stand is surprisingly useful.

8. Extra Zip-Top Bags

They weigh nothing. They solve everything. Wet items, sandy shoes, snacks for shore days, protecting electronics during rainstorms.

You will use them.

9. A Pen

Customs forms. Notes. Random sign-ups. The humble pen still gets invited to important moments.

10. A Curious, Flexible Attitude

This one does not take luggage space, but it might be the most valuable thing you bring.

Ships reroute. Weather changes. Plans shift. The best cruise stories often begin with “that wasn’t the plan at all.”

11. Fun things to decorate your room door with.

It makes your door easier to find when you are wandering the halls.  

Things You Can Skip (They’re Not Worth the Hassle)

• Overpacking clothes. You will wear the same favorites repeatedly.
• Bulky towels. The ship provides plenty.
• Hair dryers. Cabins usually have them, and yours will take up space.
• Full-size toiletries. Smaller versions are easier to manage.

Less stuff means more room for souvenirs, snacks, and that inexplicable second hat you buy in port.

One Last Thought Before You Sail

Cruises reward preparation, but they reward flexibility even more. Bring the few things that make life easier, skip the things that weigh you down, and let the ship handle the rest.

If you want to go deeper, we have an entire collection of cruise tips, accessibility notes, and real-world experiences over in our Cruise Compass, the Blind Travels hub where we keep everything cruise-related in one easy-to-navigate place.

Until then, pack smart, stay curious, and enjoy the slow magic of waking up somewhere new every morning.

See you on deck.

Ted and Fauna