Cruise Cabin Essentials

      Cruising is a different type of vacation. It is one of the best ways to travel. Where else can you unpack once, visit many different cities and countries and still be able to go back to the same cabin each night for a restful sleep? These cruise cabin essentials will make your cruise much better. 

     Cruise cabins are usually small and it helps if you bring along a number of items that will make your stay more comfortable. I have put together a list of what I call Cruise Cabin Essentials: 

Note: These items can be purchased anywhere. I have included links to Amazon if you care to purchase them from them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This said, I never endorse any product or products that I do not highly recommend. Any payment I receive helps me maintain and keep this site up and running.

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Basics:

1. Waterproof Tote Bag: This is an excellent drawstring bag that will hold all your cabin essentials. In addition, it can also be used as a pool or excursion bag. The tote is water-resistant and includes a built-in zippered pocket for valuables.

2. Hanging Laundry Bag: Some cruisers like the pop-up laundry bag but this one is so much better! It folds and zips into a small bag, then opens to a full-size laundry bag when needed. Hang it in the closet and you are set to go. It is soft-sided so consequently, it can easily fit into your luggage, filled with dirty clothes for your trip home. 

3.  NightOwl Travel Alarm Clock: I love this travel clock! While on a cruise you often experience time zone changes.  This is the clock to have when visiting many time zones. It can switch between 6 time zones (for example Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic & Newfoundland),  is backlit, small and lightweight.

4. TSA Approved Luggage Locks: On our first cruise, we saw a comedian who made this observation:  “Everyone on the cruise will tell you to be sure you lock up all your valuables in your cruise safe.

Then, on your last night, they tell you too pack all your things in your luggage and leave them outside your cabin door. They sit there, unlocked, for the most part, available for anyone to help themselves:-).” After that, we always lock our luggage and find these work the best.    5.   Clear Cruise Tags:  While we are talking about luggage, I would suggest you invest in these cruise line specific luggage tags. Yes, you can staple the luggage tags to your luggage, but I do not trust staples to keep my tags on. Be sure you get the correct tag size for the cruise line you are sailing on. Do not fly with these, rather attach them before embarkation. 

6. Power Strip: Cruise ships are known for not having many outlets in their cabins. Bringing a power strip will end your frustration when it comes time to charge your electronics. Beware though – if you bring a surge protector along it will most likely get confiscated. The cruise lines see them as a fire hazard. This power strip is cruise ship approved.

     7. Super Strong Magnetic Hooks: I didn’t know about these on my first cruise and I wish I had! The cabins are small and there is not a lot of storage space. The walls on a cruise ship are magnetic.

These magnetic hooks are perfect for hanging jackets, hats, bathing suits, nightwear or whatever. Do not leave home without them;-). Note: Because they are very strong you may want to put a piece of fabric or card stock between them so you can get them apart when you get to your cabin.  

     8. Super Strong Magnetic Clips: Similar to the hooks above, these can also attach to your cabin wall and hold all sorts of things. I have clipped the daily cruise planner, notes to our cabin steward, our next day itinerary, our excursion passes and have even hooked my jacket over them. 

     9. Towel Clips: As you can imagine, the decks on cruise ships are very windy. To keep your pool towel from flying off take a couple of these cute clips to secure your towel. And don’t forget to take them with you if you will be going to a beach or pool excursion. They also can be used to clip the curtains shut in a balcony room if you do not like the sun streaming in the morning. There are all sorts of cute ones available!

10. Nightlight: It is dark, dark, dark in the cabins at night and if you are in an interior room it is dark all the time. Nightlights come to the rescue. I like this one because it automatically goes on when it is dark and the light head swivels so you can direct it where you want the light. Battery operated tea lights also work well. 

11..  Foam Ear Plugs: You may be used to your cabin partner’s night noises but you never know if you will need to block your neighbors or the hall noises. These disposable earplugs are perfect. 

     12.  Highlighter:  A highlighter comes in handy when going through the daily cruise planner.  There are so many options of things to do on a cruise that highlighting them makes it easier to identify what you would like to do each day. 

13.  First Aid Kit: This is the perfect size travel first aid kit. By Body Source, it includes 90 pieces and it meant for travel. I also add some extras to the kit: Tylenol, Benadryl, cold medicine, travel sickness medicine, and something for upset tummies. Better safe than sorry. 

14.  Hanging Toiletry Bag:  Room is very tight in the cabin bathrooms. This hanging toiletry bag is a perfect solution. Fill it with your everyday needs and simply hang it on the bathroom door.

It can even hold full-size hair products with room to spare. It is the best one that I have found. Believe me when I say it holds a lot of your essentials!

15.  Tom Bihn Travel Tray: These awesome drawstring travel trays are only available from the manufacturer. I have two that we use and I love them! In one I keep all of our electronics and charging cords, in the other our medicines.  I never travel without them!

Liquids:

    16.  Poo-Pourri: This little spray bottle will make sharing a cruise bathroom so much nicer! As it says on the bottle, “Spritz the bowl before you go and no one will never know”. 

    17.  Wrinkle Release Spray: This is a lifesaver when traveling. Okay, not technically a lifesaver, but it sure is nice to have with you! It really works and does take wrinkles out of clothes. Perfect for formal night and for other times when you just do not want to look like you have slept in your clothes. 

    18.  Travel Bug Spray: Insects bites happen, especially while on some excursions. Take along a travel bug spray. There are many available on Amazon and in the stores but I like this brand as it is an all-natural Insect Repellent Spray and is DEET free.  

    19.  Antibacterial wipes and lotion: To help prevent getting ill on a cruise, wipe down all surfaces in your cabin, wash your hands frequently and use an antibacterial gel often. 

    20.  Travel sunscreen: No matter where you are cruising you need sunscreen. Besides the larger tubes of it, I also pack a few travel sizes and keep them with me on excursions or in my pool/beach bag. 

21. Leak-proof travel bottles: Cruise ships typically provide body wash or bar soap and shampoo but you may want to bring your own. Rather than bringing full-size bottles, I like to travel with these. As an added bonus they are TSA approved size.

  Additional items that are good to bring on a cruise:

• Extra hangers:  I bring some wire hangers because there never seems to be enough hangers in our cabin. I just leave them behind at the end of our cruise

• Large Ziploc bags: These are great to bring home wet items or perhaps sandy items. 

• Post-it note pads: Perfect for leaving your room steward notes.

• Clothes detergent pods: I am one that will do a load or two of laundry on vacation. That way I can pack fewer clothes and not come home with a suitcase full of dirty clothes. Rather than buying expensive detergent onboard I always pack a few pods and do laundry on the ship. 

• Laynard:  Many, many cruisers wear a lanyard with their cruise card. You need to keep this card with you at all times. I guess I am just not a lanyard person because I do not have one. Perhaps one day I will. This is what I would order if I were to get one: leather lanyard. 

** If you are looking for information on what to carry in your embarkation carry-on please check out my post on that: Embarkation Day Carry-On Essentials.