25 Cruise Essentials That'll Have Everyone Thinking, "Wow, They've Done This Before"

On the outside, this looks like your average makeup bag. But it unfolds Mary Poppins-style to reveal four zippered compartments that hang from a handy metal hook. As someone who travels with a multi-step skincare routine (I have needs!!), this bag is a legit lifesaver. I’ve got my morning routine in one compartment, my nighttime routine in another, and my SPF collection in a third.

Glowing Customer Review: "I saw this bag on an influencer's page and thought it would be nice for our cruise. The quality and size of the bag were amazing! It fit my toiletries perfectly and was great for hanging on the back of the door in the bathroom."

Idk about you, but I've never been on a cruise that doesn't have all-inclusive everything, including adult beverages. That's why I always have a few packets of Liquid IV on standby. (The strawberry flavor is my fave.) They've saved my morning-after on multiple occasions, and even helped me recover after the NYC Marathon. In short, I rely on these when I'm at my best AND worst, and they've never let me down! You'll thank me later.

Glowing Customer Review: "I love the flavor! I was introduced to these a few years ago and they are my go-to packets when I need a hydration boost. Easy to keep in your purse or on vacation. They are great after a night of drinking or when you’ve been out in the sun all day."

On a recent cruise, I was stresseddd when my husband and I walked into our itty-bitty stateroom with our giant checked luggage and nowhere to store it. After that voyage, I did hella research and found this cool collapsible suitcase. It’s a major upgrade from the ancient, enormous bag passed down from my grandparents and so much easier to stow. It comes in both carry-on and checked baggage sizes, and the carry-on pictured here collapses from nine inches in width to just five(!!!).

Glowing Customer Review: "This is literally my favorite suitcase. The fact that it collapses really small is amazing! It is also very lightweight. The wheels are durable and very strong. It is extremely sturdy. I just love that when I am not using it I can store it away under the bed, but when I am using it for packing, I can expand it and it holds so much!"

If you're off somewhere warm like the Caribbean or Mexico, you *need* this viral Amazon tote. It's lightweight, barely takes up any space in your luggage, and is ideal for beach excursions (you can shake the sand right out!). You can get it in several colors, but trust me, this tan one is the best choice because it'll complement anything—from dresses to bikinis.

Glowing Customer Review: "Wanted a bag that wouldn't take up much room in my suitcase when going on a cruise. Totally works! Lightweight and good size for taking off the ship for beach or shopping. Have even used it for shopping around town and at the grocery store! Glad I made the decision to get this practical, very functional, and affordable bag."

This portable charger is a game-changer when outlets are nowhere in sight (like on cruise excursions!). What I love most is that you don't even need a USB cord. Just stick the pack on the back of your phone—it holds tight thanks to a genius built-in magnet—and your device will be juiced up in no time.

Glowing Customer Review: "I am going on a week-long cruise this year, which means never-ending photo-ops. My battery drains fairly quickly and I hate carrying bulky battery packs around or a charger to look for outlets. This pack allows me to charge hands-free and never miss an opportunity for great photos. Will be buying more for the fam."

Physical books over e-readers is definitely the hill I choose to die on. But when it comes to bringing novels on vacation, I've learned my lesson the hard way—let's just say lugging the 700-page A Little Life to Greece was a regretful experience. After that, I vowed to always pre-load an e-reader with all my vacation picks. And I've stuck to that promise! My recent Alaskan cruise was made even better by this cute waterproof Kindle. The compact size slips into my carry-on with ease, no matter how full of books it is.

Glowing Customer Review: "The battery life lasts a long time. I downloaded a couple of books on it and took it on our seven-day cruise. It was fabulous. Lightweight, took up less space than packing actual books, and was easy to read in bed at night or in the sun on the pool deck."

This isn't the most glamorous item on the list, but it sure is one of the most essential. I got super lucky in life that I don't deal with motion sickness (*knocks on wood*), but my husband isn't so fortunate. He always double-checks to ensure this is packed in his travel bag—especially when we're hitting the water.

Glowing Customer Review: "We had a day and night of really high swells on a cruise and this was a lifesaver. I felt so incredibly sick. It kicked in sooner than most meds which I was definitely happy about and lasted the entire night. Seriously, no one could walk straight and we were about six hours late to our port because of it. But these meds were like a gift from the gods."

These cutie containers come in different sizes and colors and can stash anything from skincare products to jewelry. The magic? They're reusable, magnetic, and connect both vertically and horizontally, so you can pack 'em any way you'd like without them getting lost in your bag. Even more, they're TSA-compliant, leakproof, and you can order them with labels for extra organization. (Slay.)

Glowing Customer Review: "I absolutely love the aesthetic and color choices of my capsules. I just packed them for a quick overnight. I bought them for a cruise I’m going on later in the year and I have color-coded all my items so they are easy to identify."

Behold, Dramamine’s best friend: the anti-nausea bracelet. I’ve seen these bracelets on the wrists of cruise-goers for years, and I’ve always been intrigued. At first glance, they seemed like a quirky fashion statement. But I found out they’re actually engineered to apply pressure to the P6 acupressure point on each wrist. And according to thousands of passionate cruisers, they’re the real deal.

Glowing Customer Review: "I bought these for my very first cruise. I was a little bit weary as to whether these would keep nausea away, as I am very prone to motion sickness (car rides in the mountains, carnival rides, etc.). I put these on just before boarding the ship and didn't take them off until the fourth day. I didn't have any issues at all, unlike many of my fellow cruisers. I'm bringing these with me on my next cruise!!"

I've never met anyone who tried packing cubes and didn't fall head over heels. I've only heard love stories and rave reviews, including my own. (I've gushed about them so much I could write a damn book.) These ones from Calpak come in soooo many cute styles, and are perfect for prepping your cruise outfits. I dedicate one to formalwear, another to casualwear, another to swimsuits, and so on and so on. They help minimize chaos in the best (and easiest!!) way possible.

Glowing Customer Review: "I am a notorious overpacker and have always been curious about packing cubes. Finally tried it out on a trip to Maui. Wow! I saved so much space and was tempted to keep on going, ha! Happy I had plenty of space to pack gifts and goodies to bring home."

This travel adapter has been my trusty sidekick all over the world. It’s never let me down, charging all my devices at once—phone, laptop, AirPods, and more—thanks to the five USB ports. It also boasts a universal AC outlet that transforms plugs into US, EU, UK, and AU types with just the touch of a button. Quick tip: Remember to pack all your charging cables, and you'll be good to go!

Glowing Customer Review: "Bought this for a cruise in Europe. Easy to pack as it is small. It is an adapter, not a converter, but everything we used this for only needed an adapter (iPhone, iPad, computer, etc.). I loved that it has USB C and USB A plugs as well as one for a regular plug from many countries."

I brought this sling bag on an Alaskan cruise on a whim, and it turned out to be my most-used item. It fits SO much more than you'd expect! (I packed a Land's End Adult Squall Anorak Pullover, a small umbrella, a water bottle, and two wallets.) And when you're not using it, it’s unstructured, so it takes up practically zero space in your cabin or suitcase.

Glowing Customer Review: "So beautiful on and super comfy! Also so stylish! I absolutely love this bag!!"

After testing out every water bottle under the sun, this Owala bottle is hands down my top choice. I love that I can either sip from the straw or take a big swig from the spout when I need a lot of water fast. Ultimately, it doesn't matter which brand you choose, but IMO, bringing a water bottle on a cruise is a game-changer for staying hydrated. Most ships have convenient water stations for easy refills, so you won't get stuck waiting in line at the buffet or bar. Plus, you can bring it along on excursions!

Glowing Customer Review: "Before going on a vacation, I purchased this water bottle. It came in handy while trekking, at the beach, and on the cruise ship. It is leakproof and convenient for both children and adults to drink from. I appreciate how there's a straw inside. It's removable and simple to clean. If I put ice and water in it, it stays cool for the entire day."

Cruisin' with this portable lil razor is such a treat. I used to choose mayhem by tossing a full-size razor into my bag, but now I've upgraded to this one. It features five blades that keep my legs silky-smooth and comes in a cute travel case for easy storage on the go.

Glowing Customer Review: "I bought these for a cruise last year. Cruise ship bathrooms are notoriously tiny, in the shower especially. Having a very short, comfortable handle made it extremely easy to shave in very tight quarters. Seriously, I can honestly say that these are the best razors to do the job beautifully and comfortably."

No matter where your cruise is taking you, you'd be sad to forget sunglasses. Any pair will do, but these ones from Amazon are polarized, so they're easy on the eyes in more ways than one, and have over 10,000 five-star ratings. Considering the small but real chance they could go overboard or get stepped on during a pickleball match, they’re probs a smarter choice than splurging on a designer pair.

Glowing Customer Review: "Great 'cheap' pair of polarized sunglasses. I got these to take on a cruise and didn't want to splurge and get super expensive ones. These are great!!!"

First-time cruisers, here's a fun tidbit: Your cabin walls are built with metal framework. That means you can Amazon Prime some magnetic hooks like these and bring them along to create extra storage solutions. They’re perfect for hanging damp items up to dry, or just keeping your cozy space tidy.

Glowing Customer Review: "I have purchased these in the past and then purchased again, because they work! They're not too big and work great on a cruise ship! I had them all over our cabin. They held my hats, some shorts, and whatever I was too lazy to put away!"

This pill organizer cleverly consolidates the contents of all those scattered bottles and packets into one cute, convenient case. With its magnetic closure and seven compartments, you can stock it with at least a week's worth of medication or supplements for your voyage. P.S. It comes in a bunch of pretty colors.

Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve looked, to no avail, for ages for a way to carry extra meds in my purse. I have an autoimmune disease that causes a wide array of symptoms so I need to have meds with me just in case. This box is cute, has plenty of room, snaps shut securely, and the individual compartments open and close easily. It keeps meds separated nicely."

My TikTok algorithm knows I’m all about travel hacks, and that’s how I learned you can hook a shoe organizer onto the back of your stateroom door to stash essentials. Cabins tend to get cramped, so it’s pure genius for keeping hot tools, hair brushes, pickleball paddles, books, and more organized and easy to grab and go.

Glowing Customer Review: "I ordered this to take on a cruise because the bathrooms on ships are so tiny you have nowhere to put all your stuff. I bought this brand because the pockets are mesh and therefore breathable so wet things can dry."