I’ve composed a helpful cruise packing list below, including several Amazon affiliate links to make it easier to purchase items you may not already own. (Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.) You should be fine without any of these items, but, as I’ve learned from my own experience and that of my amazing clients, many of these products can be really helpful on board.
Suggested items to pack for your cruise:
Magnetic Hooks: The walls of your stateroom are magnetic, so many guests buy magnetic hooks to hang things from the wall (like jackets, robes, lanyards etc).
Clothing line and hooks to dry clothing on your balcony (for those who have one). I’ve also seen people use the clothing line with a sheet hanging from it, as a room divider, especially with younger children in their room (the clothing line can be hung from the magnetic hooks).
Extra Storage: Purchase a shoe rack like this which is helpful to hang on the back of the bathroom door to hold toiletries since the bathroom ledges are quite small (The shoe rack can also be hung on the room wall with magnetic hooks and be used to hold extra things in the room which has limited surface space).
Find Your Room: it is fun to bring along decorative magnets to place on the outside of your cabin door which will help you (and your kids) easily locate your room in the hallway.
Shabbat Electric Tea Lights: Fire and candles are not allowed on board. Purchase electric tea lights for Shabbos - fresh kosher cruises usually have some on board, but there may not be enough for everyone.
Religious Items: Bring a siddur and benchers for when you can’t use your phone on shabbos; men - pack your tallit/tefillin.
Cabin Doors on Shabbat: Since the keys are electric, most people apply duct tape or a magnetic strip on your doorpost when leaving the room so that the door doesn’t lock (If you do this, make sure to leave all valuables in the safe and put your do not disturb sign on the front of your door).
Extra Ziplock Bags and maybe tin foil … you know, for that extra piece of strawberry shortcake you simply have to take with you :)
Bags/Backpacks: Bring some plastic shopping bags or a wet/dry bag for wet clothing. Also, bring backpacks/ beach bags for excursions.
Pop up hampers for dirty laundry. It will keep your floor space tidy and make packing up at the end of the cruise a lot easier. (see belwo about laundry options on the ship).
Travel Laundry Soap to wash small items in your bathroom sink.
This is a must! Apple Air Tags, so that you can follow your luggage and locate it if it gets lost. If you have kids, once on board, you can move the Airtags onto your kids’ wrists with these wristbands to keep an eye on their whereabouts. (And, when you get home, you can use the AirTags to track your car keys with this key chain holder). (single airtag)
Lanyards to hold your key cards (for Royal Carribean cruises).
Pool Protection: Sunscreen, and aloe for burns
Meds: Any of your favorite over-the-counter medication you may need (Tylenol, Immodium, GasX, decongestant, Tums, etc.)
Shabbat lamps are great to have on Shabbos. (This one is also terrific.)
Refillable water bottle: Water stations can be found all over the ship. (Don’t worry if you don’t bring water bottles - they will have cups!)
Wine: You’re allowed to bring one bottle of wine on board per adult. Also, bring your own corkscrew (although they could still charge a corking fee). The kosher dining room will usually have wine available to purchase. On kosher cruises, grape juice is available complimentary on Shabbos. For more details about what drinks (alcohol and otehrwise), you can bring on board, read about it here.
Snacks- Royal Carribean has kosher ice cream on board (and fresh kosher pizza for between meals on the kosher sailings), but if you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend brining a good amount of small packaged snacks and/or protein/granola bars for between meals or for when you are on the move at ports.
You can NOT bring extesion cords, steamers, irons or hotplates. On RC you can’t even bring outlet expanders now. This is what you should bring: port expanders for charging devices (that’s allowed) and even a european/Israel outlet converter because many ships have a European outlet, so this will give you an extra outlet to use.
Beach Floaties and snorkels- For those going to private islands or to any beach, these floats pack really small and are a lot of fun for kids - and adults! to use. You can also bring your own snorkel gear- or rent through the cruise line on the private islands.
Sweatshirts- Bring a sweatshirt or two, even if going to a warm location, as it can get windy in the evenings or cold in air conditioned venues. If sailing to Alaska, be prepared to dress in layers, with a light fall jacket.
Rain ponchos- It’s always good to be prepared for any type of weather. Small packable rain ponchos or umbrellas can come in handy on a rainy day. These are especially important for Alaska cruises!
More info for your cruise (tips and tricks):
First Day Important: Please note, that you may not have access to your suitcases until the evening of the first day, so make sure you keep with you anything you may need for the day (including bathing suits, kids change of clothes etc). You should have access to your room at about 2:00 pm on the first day (but not necessarily to your luggage right away).
Kids’ Club & Babysitting: For those looking for kids club/babysitting throughout the week, my suggestion would be to sign them up as soon as you get on board, as there are sometimes a limited amount of spots for each time slot. Kids Clubs are available for ages 6 months and older (there is an hourly charge for babies- 3 year olds) and while they don’t have private babysitters that will go to your rooms, they are open until very late, if you want to go to a show, dinner etc. without your kids.
For necessary laundry on board, on Royal Carribean, you can ask for a “laundry bag”. They wash everything in the laundry bag that comes in you room for about $35. Note that it’s a pretty small bag. (Princess cruise line has laundry machines for use with tokens).
Pool Towels: Make sure to sign back in towels you use at the pool. The cruise line could charge you a fee if they’re not returned (check your final bill on the last night to make sure you don’t have any towel fees). Also, Royal Caribbean will offer you towels when you disembark at Coco Cay. Don’t bother taking towels at the ship exit; there are plenty of towel kiosks on the island and if you take from the ship, you‘ll have to bring them back to ship.
Hide-and-Seek: A long cherished cruise tradition is to play a game with your fellow cruisers: hide-and-seek with little rubber ducks. So, feel free to bring some ducks to “hide” on board and have fun “seeking” those stashed away by others.
Check your passports! Make sure they aren’t expired and don’t forget to pack them! If you have an issue with your passports, please contact me and I can try to help you.
Cell Phones: Buy internet packages to be able to use your phone on board and don’t forget to put your phones on airplane mode when your cruise is at sea. You might get charged exorbitant roaming fees from your carrier if you don’t.
Royal Caribbean Messaging on App: While you can only text, WhatsApp or call if you purchase an Internet package, you can message people on board through the Royal Caribbean app even if you didn’t purchase Internet. However, note you have to keep checking for new messages because you won’t get notifications. Also, please note that it is less costly to purchase an Internet plan on Cruise Planner before your cruise starts.
Reserving Entertainment: (For Royal Carribean) Shows usually become available to reserve on the first of the month on the month before the cruise (so Dec 1 for any cruise in January), but that is not set in stone. Check the “entertainment” tab in your cruise planner account or call 1 (800) 398-9819 and say “shows” if you don’t see it in your app after that time frame. Don’t worry if you don’t get reservations - there are usually seats available on board!
Choose your Check-In Time: (For Royal Carribean) 45 days before sailing, you can choose your check-in time for the day of the cruise (generally, it’s ok if you arrive later than your time slot).
Travel Insurance: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! This link is for an excellent concierge company I use for my own travel called Travel Defend. Use the link to price and purchase your travel insurance. The benefit to booking through them is that if there are any issues before, during, or after your cruise and/or if you should ever need to make a claim, they will be your advocate and help get your claim paid! To contact them with any questions reach out to them at +1 (800) 578-2871 and tell them that I referred you.
-Dalia Stelzer