Sharing is caring!

If you’re going on a cruise, you’ve likely thought about what to bring and hopefully found a couple of good cruise packing lists that you like.

But, even with the lists, both new and seasoned cruisers have tales to tell about the things they forgot to pack for a cruise, and regretted!

Thinking about and planning for potential seasickness, getting too much sun, and shoes…

Yes, shoes!

Don’t worry, I’ll explain why, as well as what kind of shoes you may need, to participate in some of the activities on board your cruise ship.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Don’t forget to Pack These Things When Going on a Cruise

Let’s start with the really important items for your cruise, that you really don’t want to forget!

1. Passports or Government ID

The most important item that any cruiser must back is required identification (passports and/or government ID). Most cruise passengers will remember this. After all, you need this to board the cruise!

However, a mistake that some cruise passengers have made is packing their passport in their checked luggage, rather than keeping it on them in a handbag or passport holder.

This has actually resulted in people being denied boarding, and it happens every year.

A warning – try not to even keep your ID or passport in your cruise carry on bag. As sometimes, we tend to put these down.

Here’s what happened to a lady heading to her Caribbean Cruise

This person was taking a cruise transfer from the airport to the cruise ship, and put her carry-on bag down, as she was handing over luggage to the driver of the shuttle.

When she was about to board the shuttle, she realized her carry-on bag was missing. Having been reassured that is must have been put into the coach section of the bus, (along with the luggage of 50 other people), she thought she’d get it when she arrived at the ship.

Sadly for her, it was not. She was unable to board her ship and ultimately missed her cruise.

If you don’t have a specific spot for your passport, I recommend this passport holder. You can also use it as you travel for your boarding passes, money, credits cards and more.

Recommended: Neck Wallet & Passport Holder (verify price and reviews on Amazon)

2. Boarding Day Carry-on Bag

While seasoned cruisers are aware, first time cruisers may make the mistake of not packing a carry-on bag for boarding day.

It will be several hours before your checked luggage is delivered to your cabin. Therefore, packing an embarkation day bag with your essential items is a must!

Can you imagine not having access to your medication, valuables and other personal items? Luckily this is easy to avoid by packing a good carry-on bag.

I like to pack a change of clothes and an extra pair shoes as well. This weekender carry-on bag has a separate shoe compartment, wet pocket and a small matching toiletry bag included.

Recommended: Carry-on bag with shoe compartment & luggage sleeve (check price & 4.5* reviews here)

3. Cruise Documents

It’s always a good idea to print your cruise documents. Firstly, it has all your cruise information and security will ask for it as part of the cruise boarding process.

Secondly, it has your cruise port and boarding time and other information that’s handy for you to have on hand when heading to your cruise ship.

If you do forget this, the cruise line can often still look up your information if need be, so most of the time the only thing that happens is a delayed process.

Download the Cruise Line App

These days you may find your boarding pass on your cruise line app. While I still like to print my documents (in case wifi is down), this will be sufficient for some cruise lines.

Tip: Follow the boarding day information on your cruise line website or app. You’ll see this when you complete your online check-in.

4. Luggage Tags

As part of the online check in process for your cruise, you’ll be guided to print out your paper luggage tags.

As a suggestion, print out a few extra copies, in case you mess a couple up when folding and stapling to your luggage.

It’s a good idea to purchase plastic luggage tag holders. They’re so convenient and reusable as well!

Note: If you do buy luggage tags, check to make sure they are specific to your cruise line. There are 2 sizes, so each work for many and are reusable, but you want to get the right ones (see below).

Luggage Tag Holders by Cruise Line

• Carnival
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian
• Princess
• Holland America
• Celebrity
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises

5. Shore Excursion Confirmations

It’s a good idea to print paper copies of any shore excursions booked, to bring with you on your cruise. You can also keep photos in your phone if you like, if this is most convenient. If you’ve booked online with a local tour operator, it’s very important to have their contact information and any instructions handy, just in case.

I like to keep notes for my cruise excursions, along with payment information, in a cruise travel planner. In fact, I use it to keep organized all through my cruise planning process!

If you’re interested in purchasing the cruise planner, it’s 47 pages of cruise packing checklists, planning forms and more. You can print it out again and again as needed for future cruises.

Here are the details: Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner

6. Sunscreen

A common item many people forget to bring on a cruise is sunscreen. The sun is so hot on the ocean and you can get a terrible sunburn even on the first day of your cruise.

Something to note is that the convenience store on your cruise ship won’t be open until you actually sail away (as shops on board aren’t open in port), so you’re pretty stuck if you forget it.

Reef Safe Sunscreen

Many cruise ports have banned regular sunscreen as some ingredients can be damaging to coral reefs. Therefore, it’s recommended to bring a reef safe sunscreen for Caribbean and Hawaii cruises in particular.

Recommended: Reef act compliant sunscreen (a best-seller on Amazon)

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera or a good after sun lotion to ease any sunburns is a must. The sun in the Caribbean (and when out to sea) seems stronger than usual, so best to have the essentials.

Recommended: Aloe Vera Gel  (best seller on Amazon!)

8. Lip Balm

This is one thing that so many cruisers say they forgot to bring on a cruise, and have seriously regretted it!

When I asked about this in my Life Well Cruised community on Facebook, a few people said not bringing lip balm was a big whoops!

Swollen and dry lips while on a cruise can be avoided with good quality lip balm with SPF.

Recommended: Lip balm with SPF (& lip repair/protectant)

9. Over the Counter Medication

While there are some basic over the counter meds sold on cruise ships, the selection is very basic and expensive.

I like to travel with a bit of a pharmacy – this way you have everything you need just in case. In this blog post, 31 Cruise First Aid Kit Essentials You Need to Have, you’ll find a good list of all the necessities.

10. Over the Counter Medication for Kids

Going on a cruise with children? Cruisers have said that they’ve forgotten to bring cold and cough medicines for their kids, and have really regretted it. Medications for children are especially hard to find on a cruise, which can sometimes mean a visit to the infirmary.

Now, on the positive side, you’ll see a doctor or nurse and get necessary medication. However, unfortunately the medication will be expensive and you’ll be charged for the medical centre visit.

11. Bandaids for Blisters

This one makes a lot sense!

Cruise passengers have said that although they may have brought regular bandaids, they didn’t think about the different kinds they may need.

When we’re cruising, we’re walking both on the ship (and most are big), and off in the cruise ports, so having a bandaids for possible blisters is a good idea.

Recommended: Bandaids for blisters (Amazon link)

12. Dress Code Attire

Cruising is way less formal than a few years ago. In fact many cruise lines now allow jeans in the main dining. That said, you can still expect a cruise line dress code in some restaurants.

I know a couple who went on a Caribbean cruise, and they decided not to do formal nights, so they didn’t bring formal attire. They planned on just eating in the Main Dining Room on casual nights.

This was absolutely fine. But do you know what they didn’t think about?

Pants. 

Yes, pants.

On this cruise line, shorts weren’t allowed in the Main Dining room, and her husband didn’t pack any pants for his cruise.

It’s a good idea to bring at least one pair of pants or nice jeans for evening – don’t forget to bring this on a cruise.

Related posts:

• 30 Beautiful Cruise Dresses & Outfits from Amazon
• 25 Pretty White Dresses to Wear on a Cruise
• 25 Gorgeous Swimsuit Cover Ups for a Cruise
• What I Wore on My Mediterranean Cruise
• What to Wear on an Alaska Cruise (outfit ideas with photos)
• Cruise Wear for Men: Men’s Packing List for a Cruise

13. Shoes

Sometimes people forget certain types of shoes. This might be dress shoes for formal or dressy nights, but it can also be closed toe shoes for activities on and off the cruise ship.

This is especially true for cruises that have  ziplines, slides, ropes courses and other cool ship activities which require closed toe shoes.

I cannot tell you how many parents have said they just didn’t think they’d need running shoes for their kids, but this is important safety reasons. They won’t allow participation in some of these fun ship activities without them.

Related: 101 Awesome Things to Do on a Cruise (cruise activities for all ages)

What Shoes to Bring for a Cruise (for day, evening & shore excursions)

14. Socks

Socks are so often forgotten, especially on Caribbean or other warm weather cruises! However, you’ll still want socks on your cruise packing list to wear with sneakers as well as dress shoes.

Clothing and Laundry Needs on a Cruise

15. Mini Laundry Detergent Packs

I don’t usually do laundry on a cruise, but on our last cruise I sent a few items (truly very few) to the ship’s laundry and it cost me $45.

So, when some cruisers said that they regretted not bringing travel sized laundry packets, I think I get it. Sometimes washing just a few items either in the ship’s laundromat, if available, or in your cruise cabin sink, could be helpful.

Recommended: Laundry detergent travel packets (Amazon)

16. Downy Wrinkle Release

Since we can’t take irons or steamers on board a cruise, and sending items to the cruise ship’s laundry service to press can be expensive, having a travel size Downy Wrinkle Release is the best thing ever!

Recommended: Downy Wrinkle Release – travel size (check price on Amazon)

17. Laundry Stain Stick

I’m a huge fan of the Tide-to-Go pen and literally bring it everywhere! It’s so handy and can save a good outfit when you get the tiniest stain at dinner, or anytime.

Try and remember to pack a stain remover stick when you’re going on a cruise.

Recommended: Tide To Go stain stick for travel (Amazon)

Remember Your Cruise Essentials

Now, let’s face it, what’s essential to one person, may not be to another. However, there are items that many people miss if they don’t pack them for their cruise.

18. Power Bar with USB Outlets  (non-surge protected)

A must for many cruisers, remember to bring a “cruise-approved” power bar or cube to have some extra electric and USB outlets in your cabin.

While some newer ships, have installed USB outlets, most cruise cabins have 1 or 2 electric sockets, and that’s it!

Cruisers have said when they’ve forgotten this, they noticed!

Important – You cannot bring a regular power bar and it will be confiscated. It MUST be non-surge protected.

 Recommended: Non-surge protected power cube (with USB & USB-C)

19. Power Adapter

Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may need to pack an international travel adapter to use at your pre or post cruise hotel. This was a must-have for our Mediterranean cruise!

This is also a great cruise hack, as you can use your travel adapter to create an extra electric plug in your cruise stateroom.

Recommended: Universal Travel Adapter

20. Towel Clips

Towel clips are so handy to keep towels from blowing in the sea breeze both on the ship and off. Cruisers who forget these items say they wish they had brought some!

Personally, I love them!

You can find simple colorful ones or fun ones to suit your personality! My favorite are still pink flamingos.

Recommended: Towel clips (check price & 5* reviews on Amazon here)

21. Towel Bands

If you’re trying to pack a little lighter, a great alternative to towel clips are good quality towel bands. Not bringing towel bands is a big cruise packing mistake.

Recommended: Towel bands (read over 5000 4.5* Amazon reviews here)

21. Refillable Water Bottles

Whether you want to bring water with you on a cruise port day, or simply want to keep your drinks cold on the lido deck, be sure to pack a refillable water bottle.

I admit I love a good insulated water bottle that keeps my drinks cold!

Recommended: Insulated refillable water bottle (check price & color options on Amazon here)

22. Seasickness Medication

Being affected by motion sickness is one of the worst feelings! Even if you haven’t been seasick before, pack some preventative motion sickness medication just in case.

Some good items to have are seabands, ginger candy and Dramamine or Bonine. Personally, we find Bonine effective without any noticeable side affects.

Cruiser favorites include:

• Bonine Motion Sickness Relief tablets
• Seabands – available in adult and child sizes
• Ginger candies (natural anti-nausea relief)

Related: 10 Ways to Prevent and Avoid Seasickness on a Cruise

23. Credit Card

Having a credit card, even if you plan to use cash, is a good idea in case of emergencies. If you don’t use it often, it’s a good idea to let your credit card company know that you’re traveling, so they don’t block a legitimate purchase.

Small Bills

Don’t forget to bring some small bills to use as tips for bartenders, room service, porters etc.

24. Ziplock Baggies

The ultimate easy and waterproof organization system, I just love ziplock baggies!

You can take mini-first aid packs with you when you head out on an excursion, keep your hair elastics and clips,  and even pack a dry snack for the kids.

Tip: Be sure to check port regulations and note it’s against the law in most places to take fruit, vegetables and meat items off the cruise ship.

Small Plastic Containers

As a bit of a bonus, you may want to pack small Tupperware or rubbermaid containers. Some avid cruisers use these to store a few snacks and treats they pick up at the buffet, to eat later in the cabin.

YouTube video: Things Not to Forget to Pack for a Cruise

 

25. Extra Mobile Phone Charger Wire

Who hasn’t misplaced or forgotten a cell phone charger wire while on vacation? They are so expensive if you need to pick one up at the airport of convenience store.

Pack an extra one, just in case (and don’t forget it).

26. Reading Glasses & Sunglasses

It’s very annoying to forget, or even lose, reading glasses or sunglasses when on a cruise vacation. Make sure to bring an extra inexpensive pair just in case.

27. A Bathing Suit and Cover Up

Is anything worse than forgetting to pack a bathing suit to bring on a cruise? Sea days by the pool just won’t be as fun!

Make sure to bring a bathing suit and swimsuit cover up in your cruise carry on bag or checked luggage.

Recommended: Swimsuit cover up (see price & color options on Amazon)

Popular & Related Posts:

• 60 Cruise Packing Tips all Cruisers Need
• 50 Cruise Essentials Most Popular on Amazon
• 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know
• 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Straight from the Pros
• What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
• 25 Affordable Cruise Outfits for Ladies
• Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs

Final Thoughts: 27 Things People Forget to Bring on Their Cruise (and regret)

As prepared as we all want to be when we go on a cruise, there are still things even veteran cruisers admit to forgetting to pack for their cruise. I hope that this post can help you to remember some of the things that people regret not bringing on a cruise.

Have you ever forgotten to pack something for a cruise, and the regretted it? Please let me know in the comments below (it will definately help others!).

Happy Cruising!!

Ilana

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!