Best Cruise & Travel Essentials: My Favorite Gear
After a lot of cruises, I’ve learned that you really don’t need to bring half your house with you. But there are a handful of inexpensive things that can make a cruise cabin, beach day, or port day considerably easier.
These are the kinds of things that actually make it into my luggage. Some are cruise-specific, while others are simple travel products that I end up using over and over again.
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Cruise Cabin Magnetic Hooks
My pick: Heavy-Duty Magnetic Cruise Hooks $9.99
These are ridiculously useful.
Many cruise cabin walls and ceilings contain metal, so strong magnetic hooks can give you extra places to hang hats, bags, lightweight clothing and other things that would otherwise end up scattered around the cabin.
They’re small, weigh almost nothing in your luggage, and are one of those cruise accessories that you may end up using far more than you expected.
Cute Towel & Beach-Chair Clips
My pick: Animal/Whale Beach Towel Clips $9.99
These are one of my favorite little cruise accessories. They’re basically oversized clips that attach to a lounge chair.
They’re useful for keeping a towel from blowing around, but we also use them to hang wet items from the chairs outside so they can dry. I particularly like the cute ones shaped like whales or other animals. They’re inexpensive, easy to pack and much more useful than they look.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
My pick: Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch $9.99
If you’re going to the beach, pool or on a water excursion, this is cheap insurance for an expensive phone.
A waterproof pouch keeps your phone protected from splashes, sand and water while still allowing you to carry it with you. I especially like floating versions because there’s at least a fighting chance of getting your phone back if you accidentally drop it in the water.
Contigo Insulated Water Bottle
My pick: Contigo Insulated Stainless-Steel Bottle $34.00
I almost always travel with a Contigo.
For me, the biggest advantage is how long it keeps a drink cold. Fill it before heading out and you’ve got cold water with you at the beach or while walking around a port instead of buying drinks constantly.
It’s also something you’ll continue using long after the cruise is over.
Simple Beach Tote
My pick: Lightweight Beach Tote $6.99
You don’t need some elaborate $100 travel bag to get off a cruise ship.
A simple lightweight tote is perfect for throwing in a towel, sunscreen, water bottle, waterproof phone pouch and whatever else you’re taking ashore. I prefer something inexpensive, lightweight and large enough to carry the basics.
If it’s easy to shake sand out of, even better.
Multi-Port USB Wall Charger
My pick: Multi-Port USB Wall Charger $7.99
Older cruise cabins can be surprisingly short on convenient charging ports. A compact wall charger with several USB-A and/or USB-C ports lets you charge several devices from one charger without carrying multiple charging bricks.
One important distinction: this is a USB charger, not a power strip or extension cord. Cruise-line rules for electrical devices vary, particularly for power strips, extension cords and multi-plug AC adapters. Always check your cruise line’s current prohibited-items policy before packing any electrical accessory.
Cruise Card Lanyard
My pick: Cruise Lanyard With Card Holder 5 Pack $3.99
Your cruise card is constantly coming out for purchases, getting into your cabin and other things around the ship. A lanyard keeps it accessible and makes it considerably harder to lose.
Dramamine for Motion Sickness
My pick: Dramamine Original Formula $4.99
Most cruises are perfectly comfortable, but rough seas happen. If you’re susceptible to motion sickness, it’s much better to have something with you than to discover that fact once the ship starts moving.
Dramamine Original Formula contains dimenhydrinate and is intended to prevent and treat symptoms of motion sickness. Follow the package directions and warnings; it can cause significant drowsiness.
Sea-Band Motion Sickness Wristbands
My pick: Sea-Band Wristbands 2-Pack $19.99
My mom uses these little wristbands, so they make the list.
They’re drug-free acupressure wristbands that some travelers use for motion sickness. They’re reusable, tiny enough to throw into your luggage and an option for people who would rather try something that doesn’t involve taking medication.
Packing Cubes
My pick: Lightweight Packing Cube Set $16.99
This is one I would add even though it wasn’t on my original list.
Cruise cabins aren’t exactly famous for enormous closets and endless storage. Packing cubes make it easier to organize clothing in your suitcase and then transfer everything into drawers or shelves once you’re onboard.
They also make packing for the trip home considerably less chaotic.
Portable Phone Charger
My pick: INIU 10,000mAh Portable Charger $29.68
A portable battery is one of the easiest things to recommend for a cruise. Between taking pictures, using the cruise line app, checking schedules and spending a full day in port, your phone can go through its battery surprisingly quickly.
I prefer a relatively small 10,000mAh power bank instead of carrying around something enormous. It gives you plenty of extra power while still being small enough to throw into a beach bag or backpack.
What I Actually Think You Need
You absolutely do not need to buy every so-called “cruise essential” you see online.
If I were narrowing this list down to the things I find most useful, I’d start with a portable battery, magnetic hooks, towel clips, a waterproof phone pouch, an insulated water bottle and a simple beach bag. Add motion-sickness products if you know you tend to need them.
Everything else depends on where you’re cruising and how you travel.
The goal isn’t to pack more stuff. It’s to bring a few inexpensive things that actually make the trip easier.
