What to pack for a cruise: a beginner's guide (2023)

Packing for your first cruise can be tricky. After all, cruise ship cabins aren't particularly spacious, dress codes can be confusing, and airline baggage fees are high. In addition to clothing, you should also consider what you'll need on board your cruise.

Mostly travels on main lines such asRoyal Caribbean,CarnivalINoorowie (NCL)has become an almost completely relaxed affair. This makes packing easier than in the past, when you had to shove whole suits and elegant dresses into your suitcase.meet your non-garment packaging measurement needs.

With that in mind, we've put together a simple (yet comprehensive) cruise packing list that includes the clothes you'll need and the things you'll want to take with you. Read our beginner's guide to packing for a cruise.

Check out our updated guide for more on what to wear on your next cruiseDress code for cruise lines.

Clothes a woman should pack for a cruise

Knowing what clothes to pack for a cruise can be especially difficultcruise lines dress codedoes not always correspond to what is considered acceptable on board. The key to getting the most out of your wardrobe on the high seas is to work with a few basic pieces and combine them as you travel. This is especially useful for evening wear, which tends to be larger and take up moreluggage space.

What women should bring on a day cruise:

From breakfast to dinner, you don't have to worry about your outfit. The name of the game is casual, which makes it easy to pack. If you sail in tropical areas, take a pair of shorts with you every other day of the cruise (in cold climates, replace shorts with trousers or jeans).If you like to spice up your look, choose shorts or airy skirts in different colors .

Focus on lightweight tops: Tank tops and T-shirts are great for all-day wear indoors and outdoors. You'll probably need a top for each day of your cruise (roll it down to save space in your luggage). One or two bathing suits shouldmake the maximum, but don't expect to wear them in the dining room.

Unless you're going on intense shore excursions or planning to take a fitness classuse of the fitness center, you can skip active clothing. If you are visiting religious monuments, remember that you may need to cover your arms and legs.

What women should bring on an evening cruise:

Yes, your cruise ship probably has an evening dress code which is generally easier for women to follow. Try a maxi dress (or similar), a nice romper or a nice shirt with pants (or skirt) - all in the picture. As for trousers and skirts, follow the same rule as for shorts: one for every other day. Pay attention to the colors so you can mix and match them overnight, and if you really don't see the "had it" effect going to fly, stick with itaway from bold designs.

Related: What to wear on a luxury cruise

Men's clothing must be packed for the cruise

In general, when it comes to packing for a cruise, the same rules apply for men and women. Keep shorts, jeans and trousers to a minimum and make room for bold shirts, tank tops, polo shirts and more.You can give up on a suit or tuxedo. If you want to spice up the styling, consider a sports coat, but it is generally not required.

What men should pack during the day for a cruise:

Stick to the basic rule of thumb when packing for two days. This means a pair of shorts, chinos or jeans for the day (depending on your itinerary). Again, pay attention to colors if you want to mix and match. T-shirts are edibleindoors during the day (t-shirts are fine for the pool, but on some ships they may look inside during breakfast or lunch). For longer cruises, two bathing suits are more than enough. One is enough for short four- and five-day trips.

Write down what shore excursions you are going on and consider an exercise plan before you pack. You may need to add more active clothing. It can help you determine how many workouts you want to do while on board, as well as the number of active shore excursions beforeyou will use up valuable luggage space for more clothes than you need. For most religious monuments, men will also be required to cover their legs and arms, so be prepared and reconsider shorts and tank tops.

What men should bring on an evening cruise:

If you sail on regular cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival or Norwegian, you will need a choice of casual collared shirts (polos, short sleeved button-ups, smart sweaters or long sleeved tops are all fine).chinos or smart, rugged jeans. You're likely to see more of the former than the latter at night, although many ships have casual dining areas where jeans are welcome.sleeves are unacceptable for men in the evening.

As we mentioned, tuxedos are out of place on almost every major cruise ship these days, and you probably won't even see a full suit. But there are some high-end dining options on some regular ships (e.g. Le Bistro on NCL), so it's worth putting on a jacket to freshen up yourappearance.packing movies onlinewhich saves space and minimizes wrinkles when packing your sports jacket.

Related: What to bring on a cruise in Alaska?

Clothes and accessories that everyone should take on a cruise

Sandals, boots and sneakers:If you're looking to save space, a pair of sneakers, a pair of shoes, and a pair of sandals will suffice. Closed-toe shoes are a must for men on a night out, but women can go for smart open-toe shoes (and no, that doesn't apply to pool slides).Opt for darker, neutral shades like black and brown shoes to maximize the fit. If you're going to areas with wet weather like Alaska, it's wise to opt for waterproof sneakers.

Sweaters and Jackets:Go for a layered look. You'll need a waterproof jacket and sweatshirt on almost every cruise (rain is always a possibility, and indoor air conditioning can work great). For cooler weather, consider packing a little less T-shirts and opt for long-sleeved options insteadYou can usually wear neutral hoodies and sweaters more than once if you're concerned about looking the same every day.

Had:Take a baseball cap, bucket or wide-brimmed hat with you on a cruise. They will protect your head and face from the sun, which is a problem no matter where in the world you sail. If you are going to places like Alaska, the Arctic or Antarctica, an essentialthere is also a good hat or winter cap.

Sunglasses:It may seem obvious, but polarized sunglasses will work wonders when you're exploring or reading by the pool. You'll probably want to use them in colder places too, as Norway, Iceland, Antarctica, and Alaska have a lot of summer days.

Related: Why should you pack these 6 things in your hand luggage?

Accessories without clothes to pack for a cruise

Backpack, cloth bag or other small bag:Small to medium-sized backpacks or bags can come in handy for carrying cameras, books, sunscreen, water bottles, and other items on a cruise ship or port. If you want to save space, you can use a backpack or travel bag as hand luggage whenyou will reach the port of departure of the plane. For those who prefer to carry something smaller on dry land, the easiest way will be a kidney to go (and it is no longer worth it).

Phone i laptop or tablet:Resisting the urge to take every piece of tech you have with you on your trip is a challenge. However, since cruise days will usually be filled with activities, you should stick to the basics of travel tech - all you need is a smartphone and a laptop or larger tablet. This is especially true if you have a newer model of smartphonewith an excellent built-in camera (making DSLRs obsolete for all but the most experienced photographer). However, if your cruise destination is full of wildlife, the options, a zoom lens and a good camera may be better. Also, be sure to bring alongall chargers and headphones.

Related: 6 things you need to know about Wi-Fi at sea

Beach equipment (but not towels):When visiting a private island or cruise ship pools, you don't need to bring your own towels. If you're traveling with children, consider inflatable beach toys that can be easily deflated and packed away (as opposed to lugging buckets, shovels, and other large plastic items).

Toiletries:The cruise ship supplies soap and shampoo (and often also body lotion, conditioner, and body wash), but if you're picky, pack your own.

Drugs and sunscreens:Take any prescriptions with you, and take more than you actually need in case of travel delays. If you are using prescriptions that contain controlled substances, take them with you in the original bottle with the information on it. Also, consider over-the-counter medications ason cruise ships these can be prohibitively expensive. Sunscreen is obviously a must (it's best to choose reef-safe varieties if you want those reefs to exist in the future).

Reusable water bottle:Water on cruise ships is purified and safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid the cost of bottled water and save the planet from excessive plastic waste.

Related: What to expect: Drinking water from cruise ships

waterproof bags:Some destinations are prone to rainfall, or you may be sailing during the rainy season. For overland trips, it's a good idea to have at least one waterproof bag to store your electronics and important items like your wallet. Most backpacks and bags are waterproof, but not waterproof, meaningthat the items inside can still get wet. A large Ziploc bag will suffice, although you can find more expensive waterproof bags on a roll at outdoor stores.

Identification:Before you leave home, check and double check that you have your passport or ID card and birth certificate with you.

Extra Storage Space:Many seasoned sailors use over-the-door shoe bags to store toiletries or to keep small items from getting lost in cramped cabins.then fill up with souvenirs (or dirty laundry) and check on the way home.

Children's toys:There are children's clubs on all regular ships, and most also have swimming pools suitable for small cruisers. With this in mind, it's best not to bring bulky toys, but rather smaller or flat ones that can be packed in a minimum of space.

Related: What to take children on a cruise?

Books and magazines:For those who like to feel words on paper in their hands, a book or two (or several magazines) will suffice. Some ships have libraries, but don't expect to find a title you like. If you really want to save space and travel easily, downloadbooks to an e-reader or tablet before leaving home (Wi-Fi on board is not always the best solution for large downloads and can be incredibly expensive).

Headphones:If you are a light sleeper or have a room in a noisy cruise ship environment (low deck near the anchor, engine or jet engines; directly below the pool deck or buffet), consider bringing a pair of earplugs.

towel clip:There is almost always a breeze at sea (and most beaches), so throwing towel clips in your luggage may help. When splashing in the pool or sea, they prevent the towel (and the things you put on it) from being lifted from the sun lounger by the strong wind.