We love to cruise! This year we are going on cruises #7 and #8! Cruise #7 leaves in just a few days, hubby and I are escaping to the Bahamas aboard the Carnival Liberty. I am so ready for this 4 night cruise, I can’t wait. Later this year we are joining with friends and family for an 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Magic. Make sure you are following along on Instagram so you can see my favorite pictures!
With all of these cruises under our belts, we have learned a few things like what to pack and what not to pack. Today we are going to talk about non-clothing cruise essentials that I always take with me on a cruise. Most of them are inexpensive items that you shouldn’t leave the port without. Most of these items can be purchased on Amazon so that makes it super easy.
Top 10 Must Pack Cruise Essentials
10. Towel Clips
It gets windy up on deck and towels flap all over the place. Secure your towel to your lounge chair so that it doesn’t fly away. Take these on your beach excursions as well so that your towel stays off the sand. This set of 8 towel clips from Nuolux sells for $6.99.
9. Magnetic Hooks
The walls in your stateroom and bathroom are metal. Magnetic hooks are great to use to hang up lanyards and hats in the bedroom as well as swimsuits and bath poufs in the bathroom. This set of 6 magnetic hooks from CMS holds up to 18 pounds each and sells for $8.99.
8. Waterproof Phone Pouch
I got one of these for our family cruise in 2015. I used it on one excursion then I loaned it to Summer and Aaron…and I never got it back! I need to order another one. I love the fact that I had the ability to take pictures out on the water while Ron snorkled and I wasn’t afraid of ruining my phone. This 2 pack of Mpow Waterproof Dry Pouches sells for $8.99.
7. Small Bills
Yes, when you are onboard the ship you are in mostly a cashless society. Most cruisers put a credit card down on their account and any beverages and souvenirs, and gambling that they do is charged to that card. Even your cruise gratuities are charged there…for the most part. You will want small bills to tip room service waiters, excursion leaders and porters who handle your luggage at the port. None of these people make change for you so come prepared, or they will enjoy that $20 tip!
6. Day Bag or Backpack
If you are going on any excursions you might want more than just your usual purse. Depending on where you are going and what you are doing you may want a towel, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, sunglasses, and more. Think ahead and bring a bag or tote that will comfortably carry whatever you will need. This Waterfly Sling bag sells for $15.99.
Top 5 Must Pack Cruise Essentials
5. Wireless Flash Drive
My SanDisk wireless flash drive was the best thing I bought before our last cruise. This item is pricier but since we use our iPhones as our cameras it was a necessity. Using the SanDisk Connect app you can transfer photos and files from your phone or tablet to the flash drive via Bluetooth. Then, when you return home you can pop the drive into your computer and download the photos. This 64 gb flash drive sells for $34.19, other sizes are available.
4. Cellphone Lanyard with Card Holder
I just got a cellphone lanyard with card holder for this cruise. I saw it on a TV show and knew I had to have it. I will also be using this whenever we visit the theme parks. A lot of my outfits don’t have pockets and I hate carrying a purse around the ship just for my phone and room key. No longer will that be an issue with the FabSelection Universal Phone Lanyard. This case is available in multiple colors and sells for $10.20.
3. Hanging Shoe Organizer
No, I don’t pack a lot of shoes when I cruise. The hanging shoe organizer is for on the back of the bathroom door! There is very little stoarge space in cruise ship bathrooms. Hang a shoe organizer on the bathroom door and let that hold your makeup, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, and other bathroom necessities. This Zober Clear Shoe Organizer sells for $9.95.
2. Portable Phone Charger
The last thing you want is for your cellphone battery to die while you are trying to take pictures on an excursion. I always carry a portable phone charger with me. I have one that lives in my purse at all times. I have several models from EasyAcc and they all work great. This EasyACC 6000mAh Powerbank is the one I carry with me daily. It works great and sells for $18.99.
1. Power Strip with Surge Protector
Most cruise ship staterooms don’t have enough plugs to charge all of the devices we carry onboard. Using a power strip with surge protector while you are in the stateroom is the easiest way to stay charged up. I like this Belkin 6 Outlet Power Stip with surge protector and 6 foot cord which costs $8.00.
Bonus Tip
Don’t forget the sunscreen! I will never understand why so many people walk around fried to a crisp when sunscreen is so readily avalable. Enduring a sunburn while on vacation is not fun and can be easily avoided by following directions on the sunscreen of your choice.
So, who is ready to go on a cruise? I am! If you would like a quote on a cruise vacation please just Email Me and we will get started.
Bon Voyage!
I have had my power strip with surge protector taken at the baggage check point before. They will hold it until your cruise ends and you can reclaim it on your return but no matter how hard I argued that it was safe they dissagreed and claimed it was a fire hazard. My suggestion is use a standart multi plug that has no cord and no surge protector. Ive always gotten thru with these.
Cheryl, I guess it really has to do with who is screening. I have heard other people have trouble too but so far 9 cruises with no problems bringing ours.
Our first cruise ever in august!! Cant wait? Most important things to know…??
Yay!! Cruising is so much fun. My top tips would be use a travel agent, purchase travel insurance, travel with a passport, and pack a capsule wardrobe.
Our first cruise will be innNovember! What is a capsule wardrobe?
Congratulations! An easy way to think of a capsule wardrobe in this context is a mix and match wardrobe. For me I will pack 1 pair of black dress slacks and 2-3 blouses that go with those slacks so that I have 3 evening outfits to wear on non-elegant nights. My husband brings black dress pants, blue dress pants, and khaki dress pants plus 2-3 shirts for each pair, plus 2 ties and he is set for every evening of the cruise.
Carnival Cruiseline has put the kibosh on power strip with surge protector.
I have heard of a few people having them taken away but we have never had a problem. It is left out in plain sight of our stateroom stewards and we have never been told that we can’t use it.