*ALWAYS arrive the port of departure city the night before your cruise.

Passport - If there's one thing you don't want to lose, it's your passport. Protect your travel documents with a RFID passport holder 

*Plastic luggage tag holders to put your printed luggage tags in. This keeps them from tearing and getting displaced.

*Take over the counter medications. We usually include:

• Tylenol 
• Ibuprofen
• Multi symptom cold medication 
• Allergy medication
• Decongestion 
• Seasick medication (preferably non-drowsy)
• Band-Aids 
• Eye drops 
• Aloe gel 
• Thermometer (just in case)
• There are several over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Tums, Pepto Bismol, and Imodium which can help relieve digestive symptoms like heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea. 

and any others you feel would be helpful. Generics would be fine. You just need to get through your cruise if you start to feel something coming on. Seeing a ship doctor can be pricey. Pill organizers may be the preferred way to travel with your daily medications, but it's best to bring prescription medications in their bottles (especially on an international cruise such as a European river cruise). While it's not likely that TSA agents will stop you regarding unidentified pills, it's best to be prepared by having your prescriptions. To make traveling easier, consider requesting smaller bottles from your pharmacist that are suitable for packing in your carry-on luggage. 

**It is recommended to bring at least a week’s worth of extra prescription medications.

*The ship provides Liquid Soap and Conditioning Shampoo. I myself only bring a small container of my preferred hair Conditioner.

*Sunscreen

* Hand Sanitizer or Sanitizer wipes for hands while in ports. 

*Earth Magnets - A surprising fact: Cruise ship cabin walls are made of metal, which means you can optimize your storage space by hanging some of your belongings (lanyards, hats, bags etc.) on magnetic wall hooks. We use earth magnet hooks with at least 30 lb. capacity.

* Refillable water cup – Ships water is very good. A water package is not really needed. Bring a refillable (Yeti style) cup. The buffet has several places to refill your cup. Also, you can obtain a refill at most any bar (if they are not super busy).

*Over the door shoe holder to help with organization. Sometimes you can find them at Dollar Tree. (We don’t pack as much anymore but in our early cruise days, this helped keep things in order)

*Unless specified by the ship indicating a Passport is required in port, I only take a photo (or photo copy) of my passport and leave the original passport in safe on ship. Most ports only require a Government ID to meet requirements to reenter the cruise port. Your cruise ship will notify you of the requirements in several different ways onboard. 

*Phone chargers and Electronics organizer - (usually the ship has at least 2 electrical plug ins by the desk and usb outlets on the nightlights by the bed. All electronic devices seem to come with different cords, plugs and attachments, so it's important to keep them organized for easy access. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; I just use a quart size baggie.

*Portable phone charger – I like to have one of these while in port incase my battery drops.

*Rain ponchos – But keep in mind if it’s a rainy day in port, the ship usually sells ponchos (NCL charges $3). I keep a couple from the Dollar Tree in our luggage. Only used once in 30+ cruises.

*Something to hold your key card – Lanyard with a pocket. The do not punch holes in cards. I use a small cross body bag that holds my phone, money for tips and casino, and ship card.

*Post it notes to leave notes on the mirror for our Cabin Steward or our door for friends/family.

*Highlighter - This is helpful to use on the paper Daily Schedule delivered to your cabin. This will help you keep track of daily activities you'd like to do that day.

*The Cruise Ship provides towels for the beach. No need to pack.

Carry-On Bag or Backpack - No matter if you’re bringing checked luggage, a carry-on bag or backpack is essential. A backpack is especially useful since it can double as a day bag for shore excursions. Since checked bags must go through security—similar to airport procedures—and your stateroom may not be immediately available, it’s important to have easy access to essentials before boarding. Pack items like a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for poolside relaxation. Keep medications, your cellphone, credit card, passport, and other important documents or valuables with you. A lightweight bag is also handy for exploring ports, taking day trips to the beach, visiting your cruise line’s private island, or enjoying an afternoon by the pool. A backpack works perfectly for all these activities.

Optional Items:

*Collapsible Cube – Packing cubes are one of the best ways to organize your clothing on the go – especially in a tight cruise ship cabin. Dollar Tree carries these for $1.25. This would be handy on a longer cruise. I will bring a couple and store them on the top shelf of the closet. 

Digital luggage scale - A handy scale gives you a heads-up before you leave for the airport so you can avoid overweight baggage fees, which can add up quickly once you start adding souvenirs to your bags. 

Downey Wrinkle release spray - Travel steamers and irons are prohibited for safety reasons on most ships, so the next best thing to bring is a travel-size bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release spray. If you combine a spritz or two with the steam from your shower, you should be able to smooth out some of the wrinkles in your clothing. 

Collapsible luggage - If you like to shop on vacation, bring an extra bag collapsible bag with you to avoid overpacking your primary luggage. 

A good book - Sea days are the perfect time to kick back and relax with a book you've been meaning to read. Find an oceanfront lounge chair in a shaded area on the pool deck or settle into a quiet nook indoors. You might want to pack your book Kindle or other e-reader in your carry-on bag for easy access. Just don't pack more than one book, as many cruise ships have libraries and some even have an E-Library.

Snacks - Even though there is more than enough food on a cruise ship, we like our snacks occasionally. You know the salty junk food. You can bring food onboard the ship and in ports as long as they are in unopened sealed original packaging.

Tip while onboard: After the 1st day, we take a box (or 2) of cereal and a milk carton (and a bowl/spoon) to our cabin for those late night cereal cravings, lol 

For the ship and onshore excursions

*ALWAYS keep your phone in airplane mode while on ship. Also, we turn off international roaming just in case! This last cruise, my husband somehow turned off his airplane mode and had forgotten to turn off international roaming. Our cell bill was an additional $72 before we knew it.

*Check your cellphone carrier to see which countries your service is covered. Call to see if your plan includes Mexico and Canada; AT&T almost includes both countries. If you have a premium plan, they also cover numerous Latin America countries. Otherwise, they have an International Day Plan at a rate of $12 a day while in port. Here’s a link if you want to explore the AT&T plan which covers 20 Latin America countries: Unlimited Data, Calling & Texting in Latin America | AT&T *St. Thomas and San Juan is a U.S. Territory – your cell phone will work while in port. 

Mix-and-match clothing - Pack a variety of mix-and-match items for your cruise to cut down on the number of outfits you bring. To do this, choose a base color – black or navy blue – for your wardrobe. Next, pack plain, neutral-colored items, then add a few patterned items to the mix. Remember to include a variety of styles (T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants and shorts) and also consider reversible clothing and outfits that can easily transition from day to night. NCL usually mid-week, the ship offers a laundry special - $35 for all you can fit in their bag. Roll your clothes and you will get more in it. They do a good job. Other cruse lines such as Princess has self-serve laundromat.

Formal attire - Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is Freestyle Cruising. That means they do not have formal nights BUT if you would like to dress formal, you are welcome to and there will be others that will be dressed up so you will not be alone. On the other hand, if you wish to be more casual you are welcome to do that as well. Keep in mind, Some Specialty Dining Restaurants do have a dress code. It’s important to know what’s acceptable to wear.

Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival host formal evenings in which guests are required to dress up for dinner. Check your cruise itinerary to see which nights this policy may apply to you and what the dress code will be. For most cruise lines, formalwear generally means cocktail dresses, dress slacks, dress shirts, jumpsuits and pantsuits. Many people also wear sports jackets, suits, tuxedos and full-length gowns.

**Don’t forget socks/pants for ice skating and Close-toed shoes for rock wall. 

Themed party attire - Some cruise lines host themed voyages or parties on select nights where passengers can dress up to participate in the fun. You'll want to review your cruise itinerary before you go so you're prepared for the festivities. 

Heavier Jacket - If you're cruising to a cold weather destination such as Alaska, it’s important to dress in layers as the temperatures will change throughout the day. If it’s later in the season, you may need something heavier than a light jacket. 

Comfortable walking shoes - If you're planning to take a lot of shore excursions, be sure to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Even if you never step foot off the ship, there is still plenty of walking to do between bow and stern. Closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps are safer than flimsy flip flops when boarding a slippery tender into port (if your ship can't dock directly). 

Swim cover-up - Another must-have for your cruise packing list is a swimsuit cover-up or two. These are great for wearing over your bathing suit during days at sea, as well as on excursions – especially if you're going on a cruise to warmer climates. 

Credit cards and local currency - When cruising internationally, consider getting small amounts of each country's currency to have on hand in port. This does not apply to most Caribbean ports, Mexico, and Honduras. Depending on where you go, some local markets may only accept their own country's currency, not U.S. dollars or credit cards. Travelers who want to pick up authentic souvenirs, such as French-milled soaps in southern France you will need to have euros on hand. It's also nice to leave cash gratuities for cab drivers, tour guides or servers; in the European Union, 1- and 2-euro coins are convenient and appropriate tips. In ports with vendors that do accept credit cards, be sure to carry a Visa or Mastercard, as some shops and restaurants do not take American Express.

What not to pack for a cruise

Power strip - Many cruise lines do not permit power strips as they present a fire hazard, while others allow them as long as they are non-surge-protected. 

Alcohol - While most major cruise lines allow guests to pack a limited amount of wine or Champagne per person, they do not permit hard liquor. Check your cruise line requirements. If it is prohibited and you pack it, it may be confiscated. If confiscated, they will hold your luggage and you will have to go to security to retrieve it. They will return your alcohol on your last night of your cruise. 

Hairdryer - While you can technically bring you own, it's not necessary as hairdryers are available in every bathroom on most ships. You can bring a curling iron if you want. I suggest one that has auto shutoff feature; otherwise, always make sure you turn it off before leaving cabin. If not, your steward may confiscate it if he/she thinks it is a safety hazard.

Household appliances - Coffee makers, mug warmers, Irons and steamers are prohibited items on cruise ships, which is why the wrinkle release spray and packing cubes are recommended for keeping clothing tidy and neat. 

*The ship will let you borrow an iron and ironing board for a limited time if needed. 

This information is based on our experience from 30+ cruises and is not meant to be exhaustive or mandatory. Over time, we've refined our personal packing list, adding and removing items as needed. Feel free to customize it to suit your own needs.