I don’t know about you, but I think that packing for a cruise can be fun. But, if you’re like me, you have a busy life and don’t want to stop to think about everything you need to pack. So, I started utilizing Google Keep to keep track of everything, including my packing list. What’s cool about Google Keep, is that at first, you create a checklist. Then, when you check those items off your list, they move to the bottom. Ultimately, the next time you pack for your next cruise (you know there will be one) just un-check the boxes and they will move back to the top.
I’m going to try to take the work out of thinking about what to pack for you. All you need to do is print this off or use it to make your own list on Google Keep.
My suggestion is that you pack a day bag (your room will more than likely not be ready and you might want to hit the pools).
Day Bag (usually a backpack):
sunscreen
bathing suit
swim cover-up (although mine looks like a dress so most often I wear my bathing suit and my swim cover-up and pack a change of clothes)
medications
chargers
computer
camera
wallet
passports
cruise documents
Documentation
Passports and port documents (birth certificates if not using passports for closed-loop US cruises)
Travel insurance documents (please purchase travel insurance…we found out the hard way when we had an emergency where my husband was hospitalized and we did not have travel insurance)
Notarized letter if bringing a child who is not your own or from a broken family
Clothes (no-brainer)
Bathing suits
Bathing suit cover-ups
Shorts to lounge in or for your fitness days
Pants for cooler nights or when you are in the dining rooms (can get chilly)
Sweater for cooler nights or dining room (we ended up getting our wait staff to bring us a warm table cloth to wrap up in on one of our Disney cruises)
Tennis shoes, sandals, flip flops, water shoes (if doing an excursion that requires them)
Formal wear (usually 7 nights and longer cruises), formal shoes (don’t be like me and leave one at home)
Females: make-up, hair straightener (these are still allowed), curling iron or curlers (no need for a hairdryer…all cabins have one and they are usually amazing!)
Dinner outfits (no cutoff jeans, tank tops, and athletic wear allowed in dining rooms)
Hat (to protect you in the heat)
Sleep clothes
Undergarments
socks (if you so desire)
Toiletries
No need for shampoo and conditioner as it will be provided unless you are partial to your own
Females: sanitary items for those horrible monthly visits
Brush
Hairspray, gel, moose
Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
Facial wash (most cruise lines offer)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hand sanitizer
Insect Repellent (Disney Cruise Line provides this)
Lotion
Body Wash (most cruise lines offer)
Chapstick for sunburned lips
Baby Powder (to get the sand off feet and hands at the beach)
Deodorant
Razors/Shaving Cream
Medicines
Advil or Tylenol (can be expensive on the ship)
Vertigo meds: Dramamine or Meclizine (Meclizine is prescription and is non-drowsy) *if needed
Anti-nausea meds: Phenergan or Zofran (both prescription) *if needed
Any prescription medications you take daily and a copy of the list (don’t pack in checked luggage)
Electronics
Camera, camera batteries (or charger)
Cell phone, chargers
Charging block (USB only, power strips are prohibited)
Earbuds
Laptop (I take to upload my photos and blog)
SD Cards/memory cards for the camera
Underwater camera
Watch (charger for smartwatches)
flashlight
Miscellaneous
Cash for tips (room service tips on Disney Cruise Line)
Credit Cards
Lanyard
Trading Pins (Disney Cruise Line)
Mouse ears (Disney Cruise Line)
Pirate costume (Disney Cruise Line)
Rain jacket or poncho (for excursions or port days)
Snorkeling gear (usually free to snorkel if have own gear)
Books or magazines to read during downtime
Ziploc Bags to put wet items in to travel home
Extra bag for souvenirs
Clothes Pins to hang up wet items in the bathroom
Bathroom organizer to hang in the closet with all toiletries
Small sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage only)
Magnets (most cabin walls and doors are magnetic. This is a great way to hang up important invitations to gatherings or the Navigator (DCL’s newsletter), your kids cruising artwork, and/or a message board for your family to communicate on.
Dish soap to wash your reusable mugs
I hope you find this list helpful! I know how overwhelming packing for a vacation can be, but when you are packing for a cruise, it can be even more overwhelming because most items you could leave at home on accident will not be available on the ship, and if they are, the cost could be three times as much as you would pay on the mainland. There is no need to pack maps of the islands you will be visiting. You can get nice glossy, colored ones once you arrive. You can do your homework ahead of time and figure out what excursions you want to go on and places you want to shop. I hope you have a magical voyage!
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