The 10 Cruise Holiday Essentials Every Passenger Needs

With the luxury cruise industry booming, experts have told travelers the ten essential items they must pack on their once-in-a-lifetime trip. Crucial items include magnetic hooks to keep cabins organized, binoculars to enjoy the details out at sea, and basic medication, which would otherwise be seldom and expensive on board.

Cruise holidays can last many weeks, so travelers must think carefully about everything they need to take with them as there are limited opportunities to buy most items whilst away. Many of the items recommended by luxury cruise experts are specifically useful when on board a cruise ship, including magnetic hooks and over-the-door organizers for essential items. Here are ten essentials for a cruise that we recommend for every passenger.

10 Must-pack Items Whilst Out at Sea

Despite being smaller in size than the mass market cruise liners, luxury cruise ships give passengers more than twice the personal space and larger cabin sizes. But items that allow passengers to stow items better to keep cabins clutter-free are still recommended making it easier to find personal belongings quickly and easily.

James Cole, founder and managing director at Panache Cruises said: “Before getting on board, there are a number of cruise-specific essentials that passengers can bring with them to get the most out of their luxury cruise holiday.”

1. Magnetic Hooks

Magnetic hooks have gained popularity as essential items to pack for cruises due to their ingenious ability to maximize the often limited cabin space available on ships. Cruise cabins are notorious for their compact layouts, where storage options can be at a premium. This is where magnetic hooks for cruises come into play.

Most cruise cabin walls are made from steel – meaning magnetic hooks are a great idea for storing smaller items like lanyards, hats, or jewelry instead of leaving them around the cabin. Magnetic hooks for cruises are an essential item to pack due to their versatile functionality in optimizing limited cabin space. These hooks easily adhere to metal surfaces, all while keeping the cabin tidy and clutter-free.

The adaptability and convenience offered by magnetic hooks make them a practical must-have for any cruiser looking to optimize their onboard living quarters and enhance their overall vacation experience.

2. Over the Door Organiser

Another great way to keep the cabin in order is to have an over-the-door organizer for all the smaller essential items. Fill it with things like suncream, sunglasses, snacks, water bottles, and anything else that may instead be left lying around. It’s an easy way to keep the cabin feeling spacious and organized and is one of our essential items for a cruise.

3. Towel Clips

When cruising, the best way to let your towel and wet swimwear dry is, of course, outside on your balcony. A towel clip is a great item to pack to stop your belongings from blowing away into the ocean when it is windy outside. Towel clips can also be used to secure your towel to your sunlounger when on the pool deck. Towel clips are cruise ship essentials.

4. Socket Bank

Some cruise cabins may not have as many plug sockets for charging all different devices simultaneously as a family might need. That’s why buying a socket bank is a great solution for charging lots of things at the same time. It’s also worth taking a plug adapter to make sure you can use any socket type.

5. Binoculars

Investing in some high-quality binoculars is a good idea before boarding the cruise ship. The water depth and the draft of the vessel you are on will determine how near the shore you sail and anchor. Having high-powered binoculars will let you enjoy details that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.

6. Small Personal Bag

Bringing along a small bag you can keep on your person, such as a bum bag or a money belt, is a good idea for both ship and shore to help make sure you keep belongings such as cabin keys, money and phones close to you and safe. On larger cruise ships you may spend much of your day far away from your cabin so keeping a ‘day bag’ will allow you to access essential items without needing to keep going back and forth.

It is also worth remembering that on the day of embarkation it may take several hours for your luggage to arrive in your cabin. Ensure you keep everything you might need with you in a separate bag.

7. Water Activity Essentials

Depending on your cruise itinerary and the time of year, you might be able to swim at your ports of call – so bring along a mask and snorkel so you can swim and explore the underwater life. Water shoes are also a good idea to have – to help avoid any nasty foot cuts and scrapes.

8. Appropriate Dining Clothes

If there are formal dinners on your cruise then you will want to pack appropriate dress clothing to make the most of the experience. Also, travelers might not be able to dine in certain restaurants if they are not wearing the appropriate clothing so it is worth checking with your cruise agent before you go and packing appropriately.

Be mindful of the local traditions in your ports of call and cover up where necessary out of respect to local cultures and religions.

9. Essential Medication

Remember to pack basic medication that might be needed whilst holidaying – such as paracetamol, Imodium and allergy tablets as well as travel bands and/or motion sickness tablets in the unlikely event that you may need them.

Although it may be possible to buy these items on-board the ship it is more convenient and cheaper to take them with you.  Suncream regulations differ markedly across the globe too so ensure you take enough to ensure your family is protected.

10. Cruise Repatriation Insurance

These documents are essential to take onboard any cruise holiday. They provide the peace of mind that if anything does go wrong you will be protected. It’s worth knowing what the insurance specifically covers and having these documents to hand at all times – taking a picture or having the email saved on your phone is a good idea. Alternatively, take a print out with you.