Cruise Packing Guide

After 50+ cruises and 18 years working in the industry, I've landed on a packing system that works consistently. The core principle is this: you don't need as much as you think, but you need the right things—and the right things vary significantly depending on your destination and your cruise line's dress code. Overpacking is the most common mistake first-timers make. You'll spend most of your days in the same few outfits, you can't iron anything on board, and you're working out of a small cabin. Travel light, travel organized.

🪪 Documents (Non-Negotiable)

Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date (many countries won't admit you otherwise)
Cruise boarding documents — printed copies or saved in Apple Passbook / Google Wallet
Photo ID — in addition to your passport; occasionally requested separately at ports
Travel insurance documentation with the 24/7 emergency assistance number on the front page
Digital copies of all documents emailed to yourself and saved offline
Any required port-entry visas — check each country on your itinerary individually; requirements vary

👙 Caribbean & Warm-Weather Clothing

Swimsuits — 2 to 3; one is always wet or drying, so bring more than you think you need
Cover-ups or resort-wear for pool deck and beach days
Lightweight shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses for port days ashore
Collared shirt or blouse for the main dining room — even contemporary lines have a minimum standard
Formal wear: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have eliminated formal nights; Cunard maintains black tie traditions; Princess and Celebrity have "Formal Recommended" nights — a dark suit for men and a cocktail dress for women is universally acceptable
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers — essential for port excursions, especially archaeological sites
Sandals or flip-flops for the pool deck and beach days
Evening shoes for formal or smart casual nights
Light cardigan or jacket — cruise ships are air-conditioned to genuinely cool temperatures, especially in restaurants and theaters

🏔 Alaska Cruise Clothing

Layering is the system. Alaska weather changes rapidly—sunny and 65°F in Juneau can become rainy and 48°F in Ketchikan the next morning.

Moisture-wicking base layers — merino wool or synthetic; not cotton (cotton holds moisture and chills you)
Mid-layer fleece or wool sweater for insulation
Waterproof outer shell jacket — this is not optional in Alaska; even "sunny" days involve spray
Waterproof pants or water-resistant hiking pants for shore excursions
Hat and gloves — even in July, glacier viewing is significantly colder than you expect
Waterproof hiking boots or waterproof trail shoes — essential for excursions into rain forest terrain
Sunglasses — glare off glaciers and water is intense even on overcast days
Smart casual options for evenings onboard — the ship itself is warm and comfortable
Formal attire: Alaska sailings typically have one formal night; a dark suit is completely appropriate

💊 Medications & Health

All prescription medications in original bottles — bring more than you need; ship pharmacies are limited
Motion sickness medication: Dramamine, Bonine, or prescription scopolamine patches — take preventively, not reactively
Sunscreen — SPF 30 minimum; reef-safe formulations required by port regulations in many Caribbean and Hawaii destinations
After-sun lotion or aloe gel
Basic first aid kit: pain reliever, antacid, antihistamine, adhesive bandages
Hand sanitizer — supplement to handwashing, not a replacement; norovirus prevention is real aboard ships
Insect repellent for tropical port excursions into jungle or mangrove environments
Required or recommended vaccinations — check the CDC destination-specific travel health notices for each port country

📱 Electronics & Accessories

Phone and charger; portable battery pack for long port days away from outlets
Universal power adapter for international sailings — European, UK, and Australian outlets differ from US standard
Camera with zoom capability or binoculars — especially valuable for Alaska wildlife and whale watching
Noise-canceling headphones for sea days and long flights to embarkation ports
Waterproof phone case or dry bag for snorkeling, water sports excursions, and tender rides in choppy conditions

🚫 What NOT to Bring

Irons or clothes steamers — fire hazard on ships; security confiscates them at embarkation. Use the ship's laundry service or hang-dry in the bathroom.
Candles or incense — prohibited across virtually every cruise line for fire safety reasons
Alcohol beyond the allowed limit — most lines permit 1–2 bottles of wine per person at embarkation; additional bottles are confiscated and returned (sometimes) at disembarkation
Illegal substances — customs and ship security use X-ray scanning and sniffer dogs at every embarkation port
Power strips with surge protectors — often prohibited by cruise line policy; if you need extra outlets, bring a UL-listed extension cord without surge protection

"Use packing cubes. It sounds like a trivial recommendation, but on a cruise where you live out of a suitcase in a small cabin for 7–14 days, organization is the difference between a relaxed trip and a frustrating one. Organize cubes by category: tops, bottoms, undergarments, formalwear. You can find what you need in 10 seconds without excavating the entire bag."

— Gregg, 50+ sailings, 18 years in the industry

Useful Resources

TSA Prohibited Items List — Full list of what can and cannot go in carry-on vs. checked luggage
U.S. State Department — Passports — Renewal timelines, validity requirements, and expedite services