What to bring, what to skip, and how to avoid losing your SeaPass card (yes, it happened).
Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be stressful—especially when you’ve done it as many times as we have! After plenty of adventures, a few packing fails, and more than one “I wish we’d brought that” moment, we’ve fine-tuned what makes it into our suitcases for each sailing.
Here are our go-to tips and must-haves to help you pack like a pro (with a little flair from Gramps and Honey Bee, of course):
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🎉 1. Decorate That Door!
We love making our cabin door stand out. Whether it’s magnets, themed decorations, or a splash of color, door decor makes it easy to find your room and adds to the fun. One of our favorite cruise traditions? Bringing a small magnetic whiteboard to post a daily question. It’s a great way to connect with other cruisers and share a few laughs!
🏖️ 2. Bring the Right Beach Bag
If you’re heading to the beach, Honey Bee swears by a Bogg Bag. Waterproof, easy to clean, and perfect for tossing in towels, sunscreen, and yes—Gramps’ secret stash of snacks. Bonus: the sand doesn’t come home with you.
You can also easily add accessories to your bag to make things even more convenient. Some of Honey Bee’s favorites include a bag organizer, phone holders for quick access during photo ops, a cup holder for her Owala, and of course—fun charms to show off some cruise personality.
📱 3. Fanny Pack = Lifesaver
We joke, but it’s true—Gramps did lose his SeaPass card once. Now, we keep the essentials (ID, SeaPass, phone, ChapStick) in a hands-free fanny pack while in port. Stylish? Questionable. Smart? Absolutely.
👟 4. Pack Comfortable Shoes
If your excursion involves walking, you do not want to be dealing with blisters by lunchtime. Bring supportive, broken-in shoes for port days. Gramps may be the life of the party, but even he knows to ditch the flip-flops when there’s cobblestone involved.
👕 5. Mix-and-Match Basics
Don’t overcomplicate it! Pack clothing that mixes and matches easily, so you can go from poolside to dinner or change five times a day (been there, done that). Trust us, you’ll want outfit options without packing your entire closet.
☀️ 6. Wear Sunscreen (Looking at You, Gramps)
Not everyone is like Gramps—who skips sunscreen and then wonders why he’s glowing by Day 2. The cruise sun is no joke. Pack plenty of SPF and apply it often. You want memories, not sunburns. Honey Bee’s favorite is Neutrogena Hydro Boost for her face.
💼 7. Don’t Forget a Carry-On
If you’re like us and want to be one of the first to board, remember—you likely won’t get into your stateroom for hours, and your luggage? It’s still cruising the hallways. Pack a carry-on with a change of clothes, toiletries, and your swimsuit, so you’re ready to hit the pool (or the buffet) without skipping a beat.
💊 8. Bring a “Just in Case” Kit
We never cruise without a mini medicine stash. Our essentials?
- Ibuprofen – (because dance parties and shore excursions hit a little different after 40)
- Motion sickness remedies — Honey Bee swears by the scopolamine patches, but bring what works for you: Dramamine, ginger chews, or wristbands
- Band-Aids, stomach meds (because cruise food is worth it), allergy pills
Don’t wait to find it on the ship or pay ship prices. Just bring it!
🧳 9. Roll It, Don’t Fold It
Rolling saves space and cuts down on wrinkles. We’re team packing cube too, but a good roll-and-tuck strategy is gold. And a separate laundry bag? Total game changer.
🎉 10. Theme Night Must-Haves
Cruise lines love a good, themed night—and so do we! From white parties to ‘80s night to Hawaiian luau dinners, it’s all part of the fun. Pack at least one “just in case” outfit you can dress up for the party nights onboard. Bonus points if it includes sequins, leis, or neon anything. Gramps never misses a chance to win a dance-off.
Final Thoughts from the Packing Pros
Cruising is about relaxing, having fun, and making memories—not stressing over what you forgot. With a little planning, the right essentials, and the ability to laugh when things go sideways (because they sometimes do), you’ll be ready for smooth sailing.
See you on the lido deck—with sunscreen on and fanny pack zipped!
—Gramps & Honey Bee 🚢☀️