Ultimate Printable Cruise Packing List – Free PDF Checklist

We are not shy to any type of vacation, from backpacking adventures to all-inclusives, cruises and theme park vacations, we want to do it all. But it’s obvious that some are easier to pack for than others.

Something that makes cruising unique to some other types of vacations is the lack of convenience to buy something if you forget it. Which is where this ultimate printable cruise packing list will save the day! 

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Having cruised on multiple types of cruises between the US, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, I have a great idea of what’s important to include when packing for your cruise. 

Planning a family cruise is an exciting adventure, but knowing what to pack can feel overwhelming since you can’t just run out to a store to buy something you forgot. Whether you’re sailing the Caribbean, exploring the Mediterranean, or cruising through Alaska, having the right essentials will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

This comprehensive packing guide will help ensure you have everything your family needs for a 5-7 night cruise, with additional details based on different cruise regions.

There are also going to be essentials you need if you are doing a re-positioning cruise where you are at sea for multiple days in a row. Keep that in mind as you read through this list! 

If you want to skip all of the details and get straight to the printable packing list, I understand! You can add your details to the box below and it will be delivered to your inbox! Otherwise, I suggest taking a look at the reasoning for each item and determining if you need it for your specific cruise experience. 

Cruise Packing List

Essential Travel Documents

Before you even think about clothing and toiletries, ensure you have all the necessary documents in order. 

• Passports and/or birth certificates: Depending on your destination and if it’s a closed loop cruise, you may or may not need a passport. Check the requirements for your specific cruise line and destinations to be sure. However, I highly recommend bringing a passport if you have one! It will make the process much smoother for everyone in your traveling party! 
• Cruise tickets and boarding passes: These will be provided by your cruise line directly prior to your trip. While most cruise lines will provide the boarding pass digitally, I suggest having it printed as well. Confirm the requirements for your specific cruise line. 
• Travel insurance information: We do not travel without travel insurance! And the different types of insurance varies depending on the cruise. For example, if we are leaving from our home cruise terminal and driving down the day before or the morning of, we get insurance through the cruise line directly. If we are flying to our cruise, we always get comprehensive insurance that covers the entire trip. I recommend insurance through. Keep in mind, your travel credit card will likely include travel insurance as well, but it’s not always enough, depending on the circumstance. We have had to use our travel insurance a few times and it’s always been worth it to have it! 
• Any necessary visas: This depends on your cruise location, I suggest checking into the requirements in advance! For example, starting in 2025, The UK and the EU are requiring prior authorization, which isn’t a travel visa, but it is something you will need to do before traveling. 
• Driver’s license or other ID: While your passport is key, I also at least bring my ID onto the ship with me, but usually leave it in the safe once we board. 
• Credit/debit cards and some cash: We have learned from our travels over the last few years that cash is still very important in some countries and situations, but it’s a must to have credit cards as well. I really like this card for no foreign transaction fees and great benefits.
• Medical documents: Depending on where you are visiting, it will be important to provide specific documentation. It’s also helpful to bring any prescription medication in their bottle. 

Pro Tip: Most cruises have a Facebook group full of guests traveling on your specific cruise! Look for this group and join in on the fun! 

Clothing & Accessories

Packing the right clothing depends on your cruise destination, but many of the essentials will also stay true even if you are in various locations. I’ve linked some of my favorites as well!

General Clothing Considerations For Any Cruise:

• Casual outfits for daytime activities (shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, or rompers)
• Evening attire for dinner (collared shirts, dresses, and skirts)
• Formal wear. If your cruise has formal nights, consider a cocktail dress, suit, or dressy outfit)
• Comfortable walking shoes for excursions. Consider these white sneakers for summer experiences and these waterproof sneakers options for cooler weather experiences, like an Alaskan cruise!
• Swimsuits and cover-ups for your excursions or on the cruise. Even during a cooler weather cruise, the hot tub will be nice! 
• Light jacket or sweater. Even warm-weather cruises can have chilly evenings on deck.
• Undergarments and socks. Maybe this one is too obvious, but I won’t say I haven’t forgotten them in the past  
• Sleepwear. I now bring a wide range of PJs when on a cruise because I would hate to be without something that will help me sleep better. I usually bring a shorts PJ set and a long pants PJ set, and a sweatshirt I can layer if needed or when I want to lounge around in the cabin. 
• Workout clothes. If you plan to visit the gym or participate in active excursions. If you are one of the types of people who “plan” to work out on vacation but usually don’t, just skip this! It will only make you feel bad as you change into your bathing suit instead of your workout clothes. I bring these leggings just in case though 😉
• Hats and sunglasses for sun protection. Even the cold weather trips will likely have sunshine! Don’t forget this! 

Toiletries & Medications

Most cruise cabins provide basic toiletries, but bringing your own ensures you have everything you need. I’ve also grown to really enjoy the products I use, rather than the random products provided by the cruise ship. So I always bring my own! 

• Shampoo & conditioner. Travel-size or solid bars to save space, and if each of your family members uses different shampoos, I just bring mine, and we share for the week. This is helpful with saving space as well! 
• Body wash or soap
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen. Make sure it’s reef-safe sunscreen is important for tropical cruises. 
• Aloe vera gel. Great for sunburns!
• Razor & shaving cream
• Moisturizer & lip balm. I highly recommend an overnight lip mask. It can be really dry on ships in the cabins. I love this one!
• Makeup & remover wipes or makeup cloth
• Hairbrush, hair ties and hair clips
• Medications & first aid kit. A few musts for us are pain relievers, motion sickness remedies, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, allergy medicine, and prescription meds. 
• Bug spray. This is essential for tropical cruises.

Gadgets & Electronics

While cruises are a great time to unplug, some electronics will be helpful to have! 

• Smartphone & charger.
• Portable charger. I bring a smaller one to keep in my bag and a larger charger if we have an all-day excursion. 
• Travel adapter. These will be helpful for international cruises! 
• E-reader or tablet. I am team Kindle all the way! It’s perfect for traveling and takes up far less space than a book (or three!)
• Headphones or earbuds. I’m also a fan of audiobooks, so I bring both Airpods and headphones I can plug in. 
• Digital Camera & memory cards. This may seem like a thing of the past but I have loved bringing a small camera again! 
• Nightlight. Cabins can be dark, especially interior ones, these are perfect for bathrooms! 
• Walkie-talkies. Perfect for families who want to stay in touch onboard when the ship doesn’t have a method of communication available. 
• Snorkel gear. If you prefer to use your own instead of renting. We started bringing our own a few cruises ago and I really like having them! 
• Waterproof phone case. This is a new must-have for us! Perfect for the beach and poolside protection while on the ship. My order history said that I purchased these in 2021 and they are still going strong!

Destination-Specific Clothing:

• Caribbean/Bahamas/Mediterranean: Light, breathable clothing, flip-flops, sunhats, water shoes and rash guards for sun protection.
• Alaska/Norwegian Fjords: Layers are key! Pack a waterproof jacket, gloves, hats (a sun hat and a baseball hat plus a beanie!), and thermal wear.
• Europe & Mediterranean in Spring/Fall: Light layers, a versatile cardigan, and comfortable walking shoes. Check out the complete guide to packing for Europe.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

• Day bag or backpack. I like having a bag I can use for both shore excursions and if I am spending a day lounging on the pool deck. 
• Reusable water bottle. This is a must for me! For both on and off the ship. 
• Laundry bag. For separating dirty clothes or carrying to the laundry room if there is one on the ship! 
• Magnetic hooks. If you don’t know this about most cruise ships, your cruise cabin likely has metal walls! Using magnetic hooks can help to maximize cabin space by hanging items on the walls and doors. 
• Ziplock bags or dry bags. For wet swimsuits, snacks, or organizing small items. 
• Lanyards for cruise cards. This isn’t a must for every cruise line but it’s helpful to have on the ships where you need a card to access everything! 
• Lightweight beach towels. Some cruise lines provide them, but they’re useful for port days. 
• Deck of cards or travel games. You are likely to find a library or cafe with some games on board, but we always bring travel-sized options, which are great for entertainment on sea days when you want to stay in the cabin. 
• Over the door shoe organizer. This is a great way to have additional space with extra pockets to hold onto clothing items, shoes, etc. 

Want to see the complete Amazon list of everything I recommend for a cruise? Check out my storefront!

Packing Tips for Families

• Pack strategically: Use packing cubes to organize everyone’s clothes and keep things tidy in a small cabin.
• Bring extra outfits for kids: Spills and accidents happen, so having backups is key.
• Carry on essentials: Pack swimsuits, a change of clothes, and medications in your carry-on in case your luggage arrives late.
• Check the cruise line’s dress code: Some have specific requirements for formal nights or dining rooms.

Pro Tip: Make sure you understand the process of embarkation day! When will you be able to arrive to the port, when will you board the ship, when can you get into your room and when will your luggage arrive to your room. 

Things To Consider For Your Cruise

Every cruise line and itinerary is different; there are going to be things you need to have on your Alaska cruise packing list no matter if you are looking into Princess cruises or Norwegian cruises. And the same goes for a Caribbean cruise vacation. I suggest looking into each of the below items to determine what is best for your cruise. 

• Formal Nights. Does your cruise line usually have a formal night or are the evenings always more “smart casual” where you can get away with jeans and a nice top or a sundress. 
• Alcohol or Non-Alcoholic Allowance. What are you allowed to bring on the ship drink wise? For example, Disney allows two bottles of wine per adults or one 6 pack of beers or seltzers, while Carnival allows a case of soda per guest. You may want to consider your options. We each brought Coca-cola onboard Carnival because Pepsi products aren’t our thing 🙂  
• Carry-on Bag Restrictions. What can you bring on board in your carry on vs what needs to go into a checked bag? Make sure you always have your important documents with you in the carry on bag. It’s usually a long day of travel so I try to limit my carry on to only what I will need that day.    
• Checked Baggage Restrictions. Similar to the above, are there specific items that need to be carried on that you wanted to check? 
• Theme Nights. Most cruise lines have their own theme nights for each cruise. For example, Disney Cruise Line has Pirate Night, Holland America has Orange night. 
• Surge Protectors. You may consider bringing a surge protector depending on how many people are traveling with you. However, not all cruise lines allow them. Definitely check into this before packing.  
• Luggage Tag Holders. Each cruise line will provider their own style luggage tags for you to attach to your checked baggage prior to dropping it off at the cruise terminal. I highly recommend having specific sized tag holders attached to your bags to make this process easier and ensure it isn’t ripped off in the process! 

Packing for a family cruise doesn’t have to be stressful! By following this checklist and considering your specific cruise destination, you can ensure you’re fully prepared for an incredible adventure at sea. Don’t forget to always look into what your exact cruise line and itinerary will require, it’s a good idea to confirm things like beverage allowance and theme nights as the cruise gets closer as it’s subject to change. 

Whether you’re setting sail to tropical islands, exploring historical European ports, or cruising through glacier-filled waters, having the right items on hand will make your trip smooth and enjoyable.

Bon voyage, and happy cruising!