The Ultimate Packing Checklist for Your Cruise

One of the greatest joys of cruising is the variety it offers—you’ll explore different ports and enjoy a range of shore excursions. Interested in scuba diving in the Galápagos or taking an after-hours tour of Spain’s Alhambra palace? Plus, there are endless activities onboard, from elegant dining and live shows to lounging by the pool, or indulging in full-service spas and extravagant recreational facilities on larger ships.

However, this variety can make packing a bit tricky. While you only need to unpack once, allowing you to bring more than you typically would for a short trip, it raises the question: how much is too much? What essentials should you pack to feel prepared without going overboard? To help you navigate this, here’s Dinogo’s ultimate cruise packing list, paired with handy packing tips.

Bags and Organizational Tools

Most cruise lines don’t impose strict limits on luggage, though some expedition operators may have weight restrictions for charter flights to remote destinations. It’s advisable to choose a medium or large checked bag—avoiding oversized options—since cruise cabins can be quite snug. Ideally, your luggage should fit under the bed to keep it out of the way once you’re settled. Also, if you're flying to your cruise departure point, remember that most airlines enforce a 50-pound weight limit for checked bags.

As you’ll be staying in one cabin for anywhere from 5 to 14 days (or more), staying organized is key. Use a hanging garment bag for your formal attire, and consider getting a set of magnetic hooks from Amazon. Since most cruise ship walls are metal, these hooks will keep your hats and other essentials within easy reach.

For shore excursions or just lounging by the pool, a daypack or tote bag is essential for carrying your sunscreen, books, and other small items, along with your wallet if you plan to go ashore. This can serve as your personal item, or you can pack a smaller collapsible bag in your suitcase for convenience.

• A medium or large checked suitcase (We recommend the 60-liter Rimowa Original Check-In Medium, $1,650, for its durability and classic design reminiscent of the golden age of cruising.)
• Hanging garment bag
• Packing cubes
• Magnetic hooks
• A packable daypack or tote, such as the Baggu Cloud Bag ($56)

Important travel documents

On a “closed-loop” cruise—which means you leave from and return to the same U.S. port after visiting at least one foreign destination—you don’t need a passport. However, you will require a driver’s license or another form of photo ID. (If you're flying to a domestic cruise port, remember that starting May 2025, you’ll need a Real ID to fly.)

Here are the essential travel documents you must not forget:

• Passport or other photo ID (if it’s not an international cruise)
• Any necessary visas
• Confirmation details for your cruise and flights—these are usually electronic, so ensure they are accessible on your mobile device or relevant apps
• Emergency documents, including your health insurance card, travel insurance info, and emergency contacts
• Cell phone
• Wallet with cash and credit cards (Even on all-inclusive cruises, cash may be needed for onshore purchases and tips—though main gratuities for the cruise can often be settled at the end and many lines allow you to charge them to your credit card.)

Cruise-Ready Attire

Clothing choices can often be the most challenging aspect of cruise packing. Start by checking the weather for your cruise ports and dress accordingly. If layering is essential, a capsule wardrobe is a smart approach. During a five-day cruise or a two-week itinerary, you may need multiple outfit changes daily. While many cruise ships have laundry facilities, it's wise to plan for mix-and-match outfits. For example, on an Antarctic cruise, Aislyn Greene, Dinogo's associate director of podcasts, found that cashmere sweaters from Everlane were stylish for formal dinners and cozy for relaxing in her cabin.

Every cruise has its unique vibe, so consider the types of shore excursions you’ll take and how many formal or semi-formal dinners you’ll need to dress up for, along with any themed nights. You can choose to skip dressing up entirely, but this may restrict you to casual buffet or dining options.

Don’t forget to pack clothes for your departure port, especially if you plan to stay an extra day or two. When Greene traveled to Antarctica, she made sure to include shorts and T-shirts for her additional days in Buenos Aires.

Clothing Essentials to Pack

• 2–3 swimsuits (We recommend Summersalt suits, priced at $23–$125, crafted from recycled polyamide fabric and available in sizes 0 to 24.)
• 1–2 swim cover-ups—these are handy if you prefer not to rush back to your cabin after a day at the pool when dining in the ship’s restaurants.
• Rashguard for extra sun protection while swimming
• 3–4 shirts and T-shirts for everyday activities and shore excursions
• 1–2 tops or shirts for casual evenings
• 3–4 pairs of pants or shorts for daily wear
• 1–2 pairs of dressier pants or skirts for casual dinners
• 1–2 versatile dresses that can be styled up or down as needed (Cruise writer Terry Ward suggests Reformation’s popular midi-length Rou Knit Dress, $98, which can be layered over a bikini post-swim, belted with sandals for exploring port towns, or dressed up with heels for dinner.)
• 1–2 sweaters—even in tropical areas, it can get cool on the water, so pack a couple of sweaters.
• Pajamas and loungewear
• Underwear and socks
• 2–3 activewear outfits for shore excursions—this will depend on your planned activities, such as walking, hiking, or biking.
• A light rain jacket—since weather can change unexpectedly, it’s good to be prepared.
• A warm jacket if you’ll be cruising in colder regions

Attire for Formal Evenings

You might think you need to pack a tuxedo for formal or semi-formal nights and captain’s dinners, but don’t let that overwhelm you. While some guests do bring tuxedos and formal gowns, the overall dress code typically leans towards resort evening wear.

• 1–2 formal dresses or skirts
• A pair of dress slacks
• 1–2 blouses or button-up shirts
• A blazer or suit jacket
• Ties

Footwear Options

• Sandals or flip-flops (Note that these are generally not permitted in dining rooms.)
• Dress shoes or heels
• Sports shoes or walking/running shoes
• Any specialized footwear needed for shore excursions (hiking boots, water shoes, cycling shoes)

Accessories to Consider

• A cap or hat for sun protection
• Polarized sunglasses, such as the Maho Positano shades ($195), to minimize glare from the bright sun on the ocean or snow (depending on your location)
• A watch—make sure you don’t miss the boat after your shore excursions
• Belts, scarves, and for polar voyages, gloves
• A warm hat for cruises in colder climates

Toiletries and Personal Care Items

Similar to hotels, most cruise ships provide basic toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and/or body wash. However, if you prefer to bring your own, you won’t need to worry about travel-size containers if you check your luggage—cruise ships have no restrictions on liquid sizes.

Don't forget sunscreen: It's crucial in tropical locations where you'll be snorkeling or lounging on the beach, as well as on Antarctic or Alaskan cruises—the reflection from the ice can significantly increase the risk of skin damage during these excursions.

Personal Care Items

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Skincare products and other lotions
• Eye drops and contact solution (if necessary)
• Shaving supplies
• Feminine hygiene products (if needed)
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen (Choose reef-safe sunscreen like Thinksport or Australian Gold Botanical—Hawai‘i and several other locations are prohibiting sunscreens containing harmful chemicals, including oxybenzone and avobenzone.)

A basic first-aid kit

Although you can typically buy emergency first-aid supplies on board, they are likely to be pricier than what you’d find at home. Even if you don't anticipate seasickness, it's wise to pack a bag of ginger chews as a precaution—they're great for alleviating nausea. You can also read more about how to combat motion sickness here.

• Pain relievers
• Any medications or sleep aids you regularly take
• Allergy medications
• Anti-nausea medications, such as over-the-counter Dramamine, or prescription options like Transderm Scop
• Antidiarrheals
• Bandages
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hand sanitizer
• Antibacterial wipes (Dinogo's senior commerce editor, Lyndsey Matthews, discovered on a Galápagos cruise that while she didn’t need her own snorkel gear, she preferred to bring antibacterial wipes to sanitize the shared equipment provided by the ship.)

You might also consider bringing

• Mosquito repellent (Kinfield’s Golden Hour mosquito repellent, $22, is DEET-free and effective. Its blend of citronella, lemongrass, and clove has a delightful scent.)
• After-sun leave-in hair conditioner, such as Sun Bum’s Revitalizing 3-in-1 Leave-In Treatment ($13), which detangles, conditions, and protects hair from the harmful effects of sun and salt water.

Travel Gear and Electronics

As more destinations ban single-use plastics, bringing your own water bottle on any trip is becoming increasingly advisable. We suggest carrying a water bottle—it’s particularly crucial to stay hydrated in tropical areas where you'll sweat a lot—along with a wide-mouth drink cup for enjoying beverages while strolling on deck.

While you might want to unplug entirely, having a laptop or e-reader could be beneficial. Keep in mind that reliable Wi-Fi can be pricey, so consider downloading books and movies in advance. (For example, you’ll incur significant costs for upgrade packages if you want to download movies onboard.) Additionally, if you’re taking your cell phone, check with your carrier about international options to avoid hefty roaming fees; you’ll be outside the country while at sea, and charges on ships can be steep.

• Reusable water bottle
• Travel coffee mug or another drink container (for taking beverages to the deck)
• Wrinkle-release spray (as irons are usually prohibited in cruise cabins due to fire safety regulations)
• Umbrella
• Laptop and e-reader (with movies and books pre-downloaded)
• Chargers
• Universal travel adapter

You might also consider bringing

Greene discovered that her iPhone camera was perfect for her Antarctic journey, while Matthews deemed an underwater camera like a GoPro essential for her snorkeling-filled Galápagos trip.

• Camera
• Underwater camera, such as the GoPro Hero12 Black ($400), which is waterproof up to 33 feet and includes accessories like a floating hand grip if purchased as a bundle from GoPro
• Beach blanket (The cruise will provide pool towels, but having one for beach outings is convenient.)
• Binoculars (We recommend the Bushnell Legend L-Series 10x42mm Binoculars, $150, as a solid entry-level option.)
• Small flashlight (Some ships may offer flashlights or nightlights in cabins, but it’s always wise to bring a compact one of your own—just in case.)
• Sticky notes (Many cruisers find these invaluable. They’re great for leaving messages for new friends on their stateroom doors.)

This article was first published in 2020 and was updated on March 29, 2024, to reflect the latest information.