18+ Things I Always Pack in My Cruise Carry-On Bag
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When you board the ship on the first day of your cruise, you’ll hand over your main luggage to a porter, and you probably won’t see it again until it’s delivered to your cabin later in the day. That’s why your cruise carry-on bag is so important—it should be packed with the essentials you’ll need right away.
When I fly, I always have a set of travel essentials in my item bag. Since I typically fly in a day before my cruise, I adjust what I pack in my bag that I will carry onto my cruise to include a few extra items specific to embarkation day while moving things I no longer need for the flight into my checked luggage. Normally, my checked luggage is the size of a carry-on, which I could choose to roll onto the ship, but I never do.
The biggest difference is generally adding sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a light change of clothes. I like to be pool-ready and also have another set of clothes in case there are any delays with luggage delivery.
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This packing list covers the must-have items I always pack, and you should also pack and carry them on your cruise carry-on.
1. Don’t Leave Without Your Identification, Wallet and Boarding Passes
You won’t get on the ship without proper identification, your wallet with your form of payment, and your cruise boarding passes. Be sure to check with the cruise line to confirm what identification is required for check-in. Always carry your passport and have your cruise documents ready and accessible—both on paper and digitally as screenshots or within the cruise line’s app. Keep your wallet handy with any cash and credit cards you might need.
2. Keep Your Travel Documents in Check
Create a travel folder to keep all your important documents—like your passport, boarding passes, and reservation confirmations—in one place. Store this folder in your cruise carry-on bag so they don’t get lost. Of course, always have digital copies backed up to your Google Drive or your Phone.
3. Pack Your Prescription Meds and Must-Have OTCs
Keep all prescription and OTC medications in your cruise carry-on bag, including seasickness meds. You never know what might happen after you check in your luggage at the port, so it’s best to have your medications on hand when needed. Avoid packing them in your checked suitcase. We like to organize them in our favorite pill organizer.
4. Your Mobile Phone: Don’t Cruise and Travel Without It!
Nowadays, our mobile devices do more than keep us connected with the ones we love. It is how we take photos and videos and access important data that we might need at check-in.
5. Never Run Out of Power: Charging Cable and Portable Charger
I never travel anywhere without a portable charger. With how much I use my phone for photos, my battery is usually drained halfway through the day. I don’t want to leave my phone behind in the cabin to charge, so I always pack my favorite external charger and a charging cable.
6. Keep Your Valuables Close: Electronics and Jewelry
Pack valuable electronics like your Kindle, camera, video recorders, headphones, other pricey devices, and any jewelry you’d be upset to lose in your cruise carry-on bag. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
7. Swimsuit Ready: Dive Right into the Fun
If lounging by the pool is your top priority when you board, consider wearing your swimsuit that morning to be ready right away. Alternatively, pack your pool essentials in your cruise carry-on bag to change it as soon as you’re settled.
8. A Fresh Outfit, Just in Case
Luggage delivery can sometimes take until after sailing away, so it’s smart to have a light change of clothes in your cruise carry-on bag. If your suitcase doesn’t show up sooner than later, you’ll be relieved to have something fresh to wear while you sort things out. Notably, a set of undergarments, which you won’t find in the gift shop if you come to find out your luggage is lost.
9. Sunscreen: Always Protect Your Skin
On the first day of a cruise, exploring the ship and spending time on the lido deck is common. Keep sunscreen in your cruise carry-on bag, ready to use before lounging outside. I also recommend applying a layer before leaving your hotel that morning.
10. Skincare Staples You Can’t Cruise Without
I never travel anywhere without my basic facial skincare items and hand lotion in my carry-on. I dispense them into my favorite Cadence travel containers, saving space, and the product lasts me over a week. If my luggage gets lost, at least I have some of my skincare essentials.
11. Toothbrush and Toothpaste to Freshen Up Anytime
It’s a good idea to pack your toothbrush and toothpaste, too. Having them in your cruise carry-on bag means you can freshen up after meals or before dinner, especially if you don’t get access to your cabin or luggage right away. It’s a small comfort that makes a big difference when settling in.
12. Lip Balm with SPF to Protect Your Lips
Packing a lip balm with SPF is always a good idea. This is an item I must have when I travel and plan to be out in the sun a lot. Keeps my lips protected and moisturized, especially when spending time outdoors.
13. Sunglasses to Keep Your Eyes Shaded
What’s a vacation without sunglasses? Pack your favorite pair—you’ll want them when the sun is shining on you while lounging by the pool deck.
15. Stay Hydrated: Bring Your Reusable Water Bottle
If water bottles are not included in your drink package, don’t worry; you can fill up at the buffet with a reusable water bottle. You can also always ask a bartender for a cup of water, but sometimes they are so busy it’s easier to have your water bottle with you. If you have one at home, throw it into your bag.
16. Lanyard, Cruise Card Holder or Crossbody Bag
As soon as you get your Cruise Card, you’ll want to place it somewhere secure but easy to access. Many cruisers use a lanyard—my husband included—while others prefer sticking a cardholder on the back of their phone. Personally, I like to switch out my carry-on bag for a crossbody bag, which I pack and swap as soon as we’re allowed to drop off our carry-on in the cabin.
17. Clean Hands, Happy Cruise: Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
Disinfectant wipes and a spray are essential to have on hand. I always pack Wet Ones and make my own hand sanitizer spray in a small travel-sized bottle with alcohol and a few drops of lavender oil.
18. Eyecare Essentials: Cleaner Cloths and Contact Necessities
As someone who wears glasses, I never travel without an eyeglass cloth to keep my lenses clean, so it’s a must-pack item for me. You’ll want to do the same if you’re on team glasses! And if you wear contact lenses, be sure to pack everything you need, like contact solution, a case, and a pair of regular glasses—just in case.
Packing Tip: Use packing cubes or travel pouches to keep things organized and compartmelized things in your bag.
Bonus: You May Want to Pack Some Soft Drinks, Wine or Champagne
Many cruise lines allow you to bring bottled water, soft drinks, or 1-2 bottles of wine or champagne on board, as long as they are in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage. Be sure to check the specific guidelines of your cruise line, as policies vary between brands. While these items might not fit neatly in a carry-on bag, planning to bring them on board can save you a few bucks if you don’t have a drink package.
Bags You May Want to Consider as a Cruise Carry-on
When choosing a carry-on for your cruise, it’s best to travel with the bag you feel most comfortable with.
If I’m boarding the ship after a flight the day before, I usually stick with the same backpack or duffel bag I traveled with, just swapping out some of the items. The type of bag I choose depends on how challenging my travel days are and how long I’ll need to carry it myself. Sometimes, a duffel is easier to pack, but I only use it if I can mostly roll it on my carry-on suitcase throughout the travel days. On the other hand, a backpack is easier to carry, but if the travel days are too long, it might not be as comfortable for my back.
These are my favorite backpacks and duffels in rotation from Amazon, not including my Monos Duffel.
Can you roll a carry-on-sized suitcase onto the ship?
Yes, you can roll a carry-on-sized suitcase onto the cruise ship if you prefer not to check it in. Typically, the maximum size allowed through security is 22″ x 14″ x 9″. Anything larger must be checked in. Rolling your bag onboard saves you from waiting for your luggage to arrive at your cabin.
If you’re traveling with valuables like camera gear, a small rollaway bag can be a great option to keep everything secure and within reach.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
