Packing for a cruise is its own art form. You’re balancing plane comfort, beach days, sea excursions, and evenings on the ship — all in a single bag. After returning from my most recent Cruise I broke down every item I bought for this last cruise and future vacations with a refreshingly honest verdict: hit, miss, or absolute must-have. Here’s the full rundown.
Plane & General Travel
Before you even board the ship, the journey there matters. I packed “A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches ” as my travel read and highly recommend it for any cozy reader looking to disappear into a book on a long flight. Zech and I both traveled with a hooded neck pillow the hood doubles as a light blocker and makes a real difference on overnight or early morning flights, though I’ll be the first to say it’s a personal preference item. Rounding out the travel basics were packing cubes, which kept everything organized and easy to navigate, even if the jury’s still out on whether they actually save meaningful space.
Cruise-Specific Gear
Once on board, a few items quickly proved their worth. Having personal snorkel gear was a clear win better fit, better hygiene, and no waiting around to rent equipment at the port. Just remember to treat the mask with dish soap or toothpaste beforehand to prevent fogging. A beach bag paired with a waterproof bag was equally essential, especially for protecting electronics like my Insta360 during water excursions. One issue: the mesh section on my beach bag developed a hole, so it’s worth noting; I’m unsure how I managed.
The water shoes, on the other hand, never left the bag a miss on this trip. That said, this one is entirely destination-dependent. Some ports genuinely require them, so research your specific stops before deciding whether to leave them behind.
The standout item of the entire trip no contest was the portable fan. I’d give it a full 10 out of 10 if you’re someone who sleeps with a fan at home. It’s compact enough to fit in a carry-on and honestly, mandatory rather than optional. For evenings in port or on the ship, a deck of Uno and Phase 10 cards came in handy at the Havana bar and made for genuinely fun, low-key entertainment.
Sun Care
Sun protection deserves its own category when you’re spending full days in the Caribbean. I used Blue Lizard sunscreen on my body and came home without a single burn which says a lot given the intensity of the sun. For my face, I relied on Project Reef sunscreen, which is notably thick but highly effective. A little goes a long way, and it’s a solid choice for anyone with sensitive or sun-prone skin.
Tech & Gadgets
On the tech side, my Anker power bank kept both my iPad and phone charged through full excursion days without needing to hunt for an outlet. The real sleeper hit, though, was the SD card reader an absolute lifesaver for offloading photos mid-trip and freeing up storage space when it mattered most. My Insta360 X4 captured beautiful sunrise and sunset footage; I recommend pairing it with a floating handle for any water use. The small tripod came along but was rarely used an easy item to leave behind next time.
Must-pack hits
What I’d leave at home
- Water shoes (Unless you are for sure going to a rocky beach; do research)
- Neck Pillow; this one is definitely personal preference; there are better reviews and I would go research this as well.
Every vacation looks different, and I know trips vary so much depending on what you love. But if you’re someone who gravitates toward beach destinations. I think a lot of these items are great for first timers or this is your 6th vacation.
<3 The Rowehaydens