Cruise Packing List

What to bring so you’re ready for anything

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We’re thrilled to welcome Judy as today’s guest contributor! With dozens of cruises under her belt — from solo sailings and couples’ getaways, to themed group adventures — Judy has truly mastered her cruise packing list and the art of packing smart and traveling even smarter.

She’s not only a savvy traveler, but also a group leader who knows how to make the most of every cruise. In fact, Judy is leading an upcoming Jokers and Journeys Mah Jongg Cruise — a themed group sailing that blends all the fun of cruising with the strategy and social joy of Mah Jongg. Check it out here.

Judy’s Insight

Packing for a cruise has always been a challenge for my family.  We tend to overpack and bring many “just in case” items that never see the outside of our suitcase.  I have learned over the years some things that I feel would be helpful to cruisers, and I am happy to share them with you.  Packing of course can feel like solving a 3D puzzle — you need enough for sea days, port adventures, formal dinners, and lounging poolside… all without overpacking. After years of sailing (and forgetting a thing or two along the way), I’ve compiled a list that I find very helpful.

Before I get into my list, I would like to share with you an option many people use for packing for a cruise.  This option is known as CAPSULE WARDROBE PACKING.

Capsule Wardrobe Packing

Pack for comfort, layers, and variety — you’ll want daytime casual, swimwear, and a few polished evening options. Many people prefer a capsule wardrobe for packing, which involves selecting a small collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.

If you are interested in the Capsule Wardrobe Packing, below are things to consider.

• The first thing you do is to IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS. Consider the weather, the type of excursions you may be taking, the number of formal nights on the cruise.
• Choose a color palette. Wearing neutral colors such as black, white, gray and beige (and add a few accent pieces, such as jewelry, scarves or shawls) makes it easier to mix and match. Select versatile items. These are pieces that can be dressed up or down, layered and worn in a variety of ways.
• Choose fabrics that are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant and are easy to care for.

The 5-4-3-2-1 Method (or similar)

• 5 tops:
  • Choose a variety of styles (t-shirts, blouses, button-down shirts) in your chosen color palette.
• 4 bottoms:
  • Include jeans, pants/slacks, skirts, or shorts that can be paired with different tops.
• 3 pairs of shoes:
  • Select comfortable walking shoes, flats or heels, and sandals or boots, depending on your destination and activities.
• 2 dresses (or layers):
  • Choose versatile dresses along with a neutral cardigan/jacket that can be dressed up or down.
• 1 hat and 1-2 bags:
  • A versatile hat for sun protection and a bag that can be used for both day trips and evenings.

My Packing List

If you are the type of person who prefers packing lists, and not just your average packing list, I have complied an extensive list along with some personal favorite tips and items.  This list has been refined over dozens of sailings and includes tips from other experienced cruisers as well.  Whether it’s your first sailing, your fifteenth, or too many to count, here’s what to bring to make your next cruise smooth, stylish and stress-free.

Packing Tip: Make a list — this will make packing easier and will help assure that some important items aren’t left behind.

Clothing & Accessories

Pack for comfort, layers, and variety — you’ll want daytime casual, swimwear, and a few polished evening options.

• Shorts, tees, tanks
• Casual pants or jeans
• Casual dresses or skirts
• Blouses, and for men – collared shirts (for evening dining)
• Dress pants / slacks / belts (if needed)
• For dress up night – Women: dark pants or dark dress, and for men – button up shirt (optional sport coat, suit and tie).
• Workout clothes & gym shoes
• Sleepwear & undergarments
• Bathing suits, cover-up, flip flops or water shoes
• Dress shoes/sandals for dinner
• Windbreaker or lightweight raincoat
• Walking shoes, sneakers or sandals and socks
• Sunhat, visor and/or baseball cap
• Women: jewelry / scarves / shawls / cardigans to mix and match to create different looks
• For cold weather cruises: scarf, hat and gloves

Packing Tips:

#1: I bring an array of scarves (doesn’t take up too much suitcase space) to wear with dark pants and a neutral shirt to change my evening looks.

#2: I lay all of my clothes out and then try and take away about 1/3.  For every pair of pants or skirt, I have 2-3 tops to go with them.  This cuts down on trying to pair every pant or skirt with its own top.  As I mentioned above, using scarves, cardigans, shawls, and even jewelry can really change the way your outfit looks.

#3: Use compression cubes or rolling methods to save space. I swear by them now!

Toiletries & Personal Care

Yes, your cruise cabin will have the basics — but not always your preferred brands.

• Shampoo, conditioner, and hair products
• Hand sanitizer or wipes
• Soap and face cleanser
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Deodorant, cosmetics, shaving gear
• Sunscreen, lip balm, after-sun aloe
• First-aid musts: Band-aids, pain meds, seasickness remedies, antacids, bug repellent
• Hairbrush/comb, tweezers, nail clippers
• Moisturizer, eye cream, feminine products
• Contact lenses and solution (maybe an extra pair of glasses)
• Perfume and/or body spray
• Foot spray (I like the peppermint ones that cool your feet after a long day of sight seeing.)
• Poo Pourri toilet spray

Packing Tip: Keep liquids in Ziplock bags in case of pressure changes or leaky caps. I also love the extra protection provided by silicone bottle covers.

Must-Have Cruise Extras

These might not be on every packing list — but they should be!

• Refillable water bottle / collapsible water bottle
• RFID crossbody bag, wallet or phone carrying case.
• Lanyard cruise badge holder
• Books, e-reader, or reading materials
• USB outlet extender
• Travel fan
• Motion-sensor night light
• Towel clips / bands (a must for pool deck lounging!)
• Pool/beach bag (waterproof phone bag)
• Magnetic hooks (cabin walls are metal = instant hanging space!)
• Small umbrella or packable poncho
• Foldable hangers
• Travel laundry bag + detergent
• Ziplocks for snacks or wet suits
• Evening purse or foldable shopping bag

Packing Tips:

#1: Foldable hangers can be used 3 ways. Jackets and tops to tank tops and bras to scarves, belts and hats. I use the ships hangers for pants and skirts (you can always ask your cabin steward for more wooden hangers) and use the foldable hangers for t-shirts, sweaters, dresses and blouses. I also use them if I do laundry and want to line dry my items.

#2: I use a crossbody cell phone wallet for my iPhone 16 (link for iPhone 14) to carry around the ship. I have my cruise ship card in the wallet section. This allows me to not have to carry a purse around the ship.

Carry-On Musts for Embarkation Day

Never put these in your checked bag — you might not see it until dinner!

• Passport or government ID
• Cruise documents & itineraries
• Medications (I also have the name of the medication and the dosage amount in the “notes” section of my phone.)
• Credit cards, wallet, some cash (and foreign currency if needed)
• Cell phone, earbuds, portable charger (and don’t forget your smart watch charging cord.)
• Copies of important docs (paper + digital)
• Valuable jewelry
• Mah Jongg card (if you’re cruising with us for the Jokers & Journeys Cruise!)

Optional But Awesome

• Apple AirTags to track luggage / Android Air Tracker
• Waterproof camera
• Wrinkle-release spray
• Ear plugs / sleep mask
• Travel journal, sticky notes
• Camera with extra memory cards
• Snacks, gum, mints
• Hair straightener or curling iron
• Duct tape and zip ties (they take up very little space)

Packing Tip: Most cabins have space under the bed large enough to store your empty suitcase.  I also store my souvenirs in the empty suitcases in order to keep my room neat.

Packing Cubes vs. Compression Bags

As this seems to be a long-standing debate between seasoned travelers, I wanted to provide an overview of the pros and cons of both.

Packing Cubes

Pros: Great for organization. Helps keep your clothes neat and separated and helps to prevent wrinkles. Packing cubes make accessing your clothes easy, especially if you organized your cubes.  I put all of my undergarments in one cube, my t-shirts, tank tops, dresses and blouses in another cube. I keep my socks in a separate, smaller cube. I have my pajamas, robe and any summer or winter accessories in another cube.  I have my pants, shorts and skirts in a cube, and I have a miscellaneous cube for scarves and any other smaller items.

Cons: Does not compress your clothes, so therefore doesn’t give you you any more space and it can also add extra weight to your suitcase.

Compression Bags

Pros: Compresses bulky items by reducing their volume. Compression bags offers you the maximum luggage space and is a great option when packing winter clothes (jackets, sweaters, etc.). Compression bags are also good for stinky laundry because it will help keep the odor from your clean clothes.

Cons: Can wrinkle clothes and is not ideal for delicate fabrics.

Final Thoughts

Cruise cabins aren’t huge, so every item should earn its spot. With this list, you’ll feel confident and organized — and avoid that “oops, I forgot” moment we’ve all had. And remember: there’s no prize for the heaviest suitcase…or else my husband and I would easily take first prize.

Happy sailing,

~ Judy and the MAK’n Waves Crew