Why Cruise Packing Rules Matter
Cruise ships have rules about what you can and cannot bring onboard. Some items are restricted for safety. Others vary by cruise line, especially beverages and alcohol. While some cruise lines allow for you to bring on a limited amount of soda, wine and electronics other do not allow for it.
What Can You Bring Onboard a Cruise Ship?
You can usually bring clothes, toiletries, medications, sunscreen, small personal items, cruise documents, small fire retardant room decor, camera’s/video recording equipment and approved luggage. Some lines will also allow for some 12 packs of soda and bottles of wine/sparkling wine.
Restricted items often include irons, steamers, candles, surge-protected power strips, weapons, illegal substances, and some alcohol or beverage items. ( this depend on the cruise line)
⚓ First-Time Cruiser Series
This article is part of my First-Time Cruiser Questions Answered series. Start with the full guide before diving deeper into cruise cabins.
Read the Full First-Time Cruiser GuideItems You Should Bring on a Cruise
Travel Documents
You will need your cruise line travel documentation, often called a cruise passenger contract. This is sent to you from either your travel advisor or the cruise line itself. This will include your boarding documents and luggage tags for your cruise.
Passport and/or ID. Depending on your cruise you may need a passport. I strongly encourage all clients to have a passport. There is a lot of talk about closed-loop cruises and not needing a passport, which is true in some sense, but having a passport just takes out allot of “What Ifs”. Keep a copy of your passport on you but keep the original in the safe in your room with your Government ID.
Travel Insurance paperwork. In todays technologic world everything is online and in a app of some sort. However, bring a copy of your travel insurance packet with your Insurance Card so you have a physical copy incase your phone is lost or stolen.
Medication and Health Items
Prescription medicine should be packed on you carry on. Luggage does get delayed and misplaced and you do not want to be without needed medications.
Motion sickness items, basic first aid kit for scrapes, cuts and blister and sunscreen.
Clothing and Shoes
Casual outfits, swimwear, dinner clothing, comfortable shoes, and layers. I must stress that flip-flops are not the one-size fits all shoe that you can wear for any occasion. Walking and excursions can become very difficult, and dangerous, without proper shoes.
Chargers and Electronics
Phone chargers, camera gear, battery packs, and non-surge charging hubs where allowed. The amount of folks that pack and have surge protectors confiscated is crazy so leave them home!
A Good Attitude
Pack a good attitude. You are on your cruise for a vacation, and so are the people surrounding you. A cruise is meant to be relaxing and fun. Leave your worries at the door and bring good vibes, Your vacation will be that much more enjoyable if you do.
Items Cruise Lines Commonly Restrict
Irons and Steamers
Often prohibited because of fire risk. Most people could care less what your clothes look like on your cruise. However, some people need to have their outfits cleaned and pressed. If that is the case you can take advantage of the onboard laundry services. Some rooms and cruise line experiences may even include a complimentary service so read up on your offers.
Surge-Protected Power Strips
If you pack a surge protector it will be taken away and found on the desk of shame when your goto debark. Surge protectors can cause major damage on a cruise lines electrical system and is a fire hazard. Do not even bother.
Candles and Heating Items
If you need candles for the romance factor pack LED tea lights. These will be removed as obvious as it may seem, it is a fire hazard and people still try to pack these.
Some Electronics
Things like travel routers, walkie-talkie / handheld radios and some bluetooth speakers are all prohibited on some cruise lines. Read the rules and talk to your travel advisor to help answer these questions.
Alcohol and Soda Rules
This is frustrating as the rules vary so widely between cruise lines. Some lines like Carnival will allow passengers to bring on a couple of bottles or wine and a 12pk os soda per person while other lines, like Norwegian, do not allow it.
Carry-On Bag Essentials
Why You Need a Cruise Carry-On
Checked luggage may not arrive at your cabin right away. Even if you have priority luggage delivery, it may not arrive until hours after you are on the ship. Pack a solid carry-on so you can start your vacation right away.
What to Pack in Your Carry-On
Medication, documents, swimsuit, sunscreen, phone charger, change of clothes, and valuables.
Not sure what to pack in general download a free packing checklist.
Cruise Packing Comparison Table
| Item | Bring It? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or ID | Yes | Depends on itinerary |
| Medications | Yes | Keep in carry-on |
| Sunscreen | Yes | Reef-safe may be useful |
| Swimwear | Yes | Pack in carry-on |
| Irons | No | Usually prohibited |
| Steamers | No | Usually prohibited |
| Surge power strip | No | Use approved charger instead |
| Alcohol | Maybe | Rules vary by cruise line |
| Snacks | Maybe | Must follow cruise line rules |
Common Mistakes When Packing for a Cruise
Packing Important Items in Checked Luggage
Keep medicine, documents, and valuables with you. If your luggage is lost and your paperwork is in the checked luggage, you will miss the ship.
Bringing Prohibited Electrical Items
These may be confiscated and you will need to visit the table of shame on debarkation. More importantly make sure you are aware of what you have packed, You can put your life and others at risk by packing prohibited items.
Assuming Alcohol Rules Are the Same on Every Line
Always check your cruise line’s current policy. As I mentioned previously some cruise lines allow more than others.
Overpacking
Cruise cabins have limited storage. Your luggage will fit under the bed for sure but storing all those clothes, toiletries and shoes can be another challenge on its own. Think about what you want to pack and cut it in 1/3.
Advisor Tip: Build a Cruise Carry-On First
Assume you will not be able to access your room and your checked luggage until hours after you board the ship. Pack a carry-on that makes sense. If you are flying in the day before, which is what I recommend to all clients, this gives you plenty of time and opportunity to build a carry on kit.
Include your medications as stated before, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, a book, flip-flops, etc. Think about what you will need to either sit pool side or at a lounge on the ship and start your vacation as soon as you board,
Keep Reading
⚓ First-Time Cruiser Series
This article is part of my First-Time Cruiser Questions Answered series. Start with the full guide before diving deeper into cruise cabins.
Read the Full First-Time Cruiser Guide
