12 essential luggage items for your cruise vacation

Smart items that can make a difference on a cruise

A cruise vacation is like no other. Packing smart and bringing the right items is not about spending a lot of money. It is about spending money on things that will make a difference to your life on board. Your cabin will be your home from home for a while, and most likely, you will be living in a compact space.

The following is a list of items we pack every time we cruise. We like durable, quality items that will last more than one cruise holiday vacation.

Each makes a difference, either while on board or enjoying a shore excursion. And bringing them from home means you will never have to pay the inflated prices on board.

Comfortable walking shoes

For cobblestones, uneven pathways, and steps to climb

Comfortable walking shoes

Skechers “Let it Glow” walking sneakers could be the most comfortable shoes ever made.

  • Soft stretchable knit fabric
  • Relaxed Fit for a roomier feel 
  • Air Cooled Memory Foam comfort
  • Slip-on design

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Lightweight swimming shoes

Lightweight swimming shoes are perfect for shore excursions where you’ll be on or in the water, such as swimming with dolphins, yachting, or picnics on a beach. With anti-slip soles, these swim shoes protect your feet from small stones or slippery surfaces.

Anti-slip soles

Lightweight Swimming Shoes

Great features include:

  • Quick-drying
  • A choice of colors
  • Soft and flexible
  • Non-slip soles
  • Uni-sex style

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Rechargeable handheld fan

This handheld fan is a life-saver when queuing in the sunshine and waiting to enter must-see sights during shore excursions. The Mediterranean, in particular, is very busy during cruise season, and this little fan will help you beat the heat while you wait with the crowds. Buy two, and sell one to a fellow traveler who planned less wisely than you!

A must on summer cruises

Rechargeable Handheld fan

Great features include:

  • Convenient pocket-size
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Compact & easy to carry
  • Comfortable to use

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Packing cubes

Keep the whole family organized with these great packing cubes. Packing and unpacking become much easier and quicker, and with transparent sides, you can easily see which cube belongs to who.

Packing smarter

Packing Cubes

Great features include:

  • Made of strong, washable nylon and wool
  • Easy to see the contents
  • Makes unpacking in your cabin quick and easy

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Samsonite luggage set with Spinner wheels

It’s hard to beat Samsonite regarding quality, and this set of three suitcases offers all the luggage space our family of 4 needs for a 10-day cruise vacation. Sturdy and easy to maneuver, you’ll find they withstand even the narrow cobble-stoned streets of Venice. And these suitcases will last you for many cruise vacations over the coming years.

Luggage set with Spinner wheels

Samsonite Luggage Set

  • High-quality brand comes with a 10-year warranty
  • Wheel spinners for easy maneuverability, no need to pull your suitcase behind you any longer
  • Sturdy, reliable, and lockable

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Motion sickness patches

If you suffer from motion sickness and find that tablets and bands don’t work for you, try these patches, we find they quickly alleviate symptoms. They are a 100% natural herbal treatment with no reported side effects, but, as always, consult your medical professional.

100% Natural Herbal Treatment

Motion sickness patches

  • Perfect when traveling by airplane, cruise ship, and car
  • 100% natural herbal treatment
  • Lightweight and waterproof
  • Take up little space in your hand luggage

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Cruise-compliant power strip

There never seem to be enough outlets in a cruise cabin to charge everyone’s smart devices. This handy power strip is cruise ship compliant and has no surge protector or extension cord.

Cruise-compliant power strip

Cruise Safe Power strip

  • Charge up to 5 devices at a time
  • Cruise compliant, no Surge Protector & without an extension cord
  • The mini-size makes it easy to pack

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Lanyard For Cruise Ship Card

This double pack of cruise lanyards means you will always know where your cruise card is, ensuring you never leave it behind when leaving the cruise ship for your shore excursion. Includes waterproof ID holder for cruise key cards, cash, credit cards & other cruise essentials.

Cruise ship card lanyard

Cruise Card Lanyard

  • Fits all major cruise key cards
  • Includes a waterproof ID holder
  • Quick-release clasp
  • Retractable Lanyard for convenient use

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Stylish Sun Hat

This sun hat is stylish, but most importantly, it protects your face, neck, and hair from the sun. This is a holiday must-have in your suitcase and will last you for many years.

Stylish sun protection

Stylish Sun Hat

  • Tightly woven with a wide brim
  • Foldable for easy packing
  • Easy to reshape
  • Equivalent to UPF 50+ Furtalk UV sun protection

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Luggage Tag Holders

Ensure that the printed luggage tags you get from the cruise line do not get torn or wet on your suitcase by using these sturdy luggage tag holders. That way, you can be sure your luggage won’t get lost among the thousands of bags on board.

Reusable luggage tag holders

Luggage tag holders

  • Waterproof and reusable
  • Fits most luggage tags; fold printed tags to insert
  • Durable, safe and easy-to-use
  • Pack of 4

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Collapsible Water Bottles

These collapsible water bottles are easy to pack and an essential packing item so that you can take water with you when you leave the cruise ship and head out on a shore excursion. And in cities such as Rome, you can use the drinking water fountains to refill your bottle to stay hydrated all day in the heat.

Stay hydrated for less

Collapsible Water Bottles

  • Collapsible and easy to pack
  • Durable with a waterproof lid
  • Easy to attach to your backpack
  • Food-grade silicone, PP (#5 Plastic), and BPA-free
  • Leak-proof guarantee

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Wrinkle release spray

We know you can make your own wrinkle-release spray, but this works better. And it is less work! Irons are not allowed in the cruise cabin, so stay looking wrinkle-free throughout your cruise with the downy version. A must-have, especially for those formal nights!

Stay wrinkle free with ease

Wrinkle release spray

  • Removes static and wrinkles from your clothes quickly and easily
  • Just spray and hang your clothes the night before, and you’re ready to go in the morning.
  • Fabric freshener eliminates odors

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Bonus item: Over-the-door Cruise Organizer

Use this hanging cruise organizer for storing all your small items, such as medicines, keys, id cards, and more. Just hang it over the outside of your bathroom door to avoid misplacing items around your cabin! Ideal when you are a family in the same cabin and need to keep daily things all in one place.

Stay organized in smaller spaces

Over-the-door Cruise Organizer

Great features include:

  • Clear pockets – no guessing what’s inside
  • Large enough for sandals and pool shoes
  • Easy to hang
  • Washable

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