Packing for a cruise is a different problem than packing for any other trip. You are not packing for one climate -- you are packing for the ship (air-conditioned to approximately 68 degrees at all times), the Caribbean (90 degrees and humid), or Alaska (45-65 degrees and possibly raining). You are packing for the pool deck, the formal dining room, the fishing charter, and the glacier hike. All from one suitcase.

The good news: cruise luggage is checked at the pier and delivered to your cabin. You are not carrying it through airports or hauling it up stairs. This means you can pack more than you would for a flight-based trip -- but it does not mean you should pack everything you own.

Here is the complete cruise packing checklist, organized by destination and activity.

Your checked luggage will be delivered to your cabin -- but not immediately. It can take 2-6 hours after embarkation before your bags arrive. Pack a carry-on bag with everything you need for the first half of embarkation day.

Carry-on essentials:

• Passport and all travel documents (boarding pass, cruise card confirmation)
• Medications (all of them -- never check medications)
• Phone charger and any electronics you will use immediately
• A change of clothes and swimsuit
• Sunscreen
• Snacks (the buffet opens immediately, but having something in your bag is smart)
• Small amount of cash for port tips and small purchases

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date)
• Cruise boarding pass (printed and digital)
• Travel insurance documents and emergency contact numbers
• Credit card for onboard account (most lines require one at check-in)
• Driver's license or government ID (as backup)
• Copies of all documents stored separately from originals

Note on passports: Even for closed-loop sailings that technically allow a birth certificate, carry a passport. If you miss the ship at a foreign port or have a medical emergency, you need a passport to fly home.

Daytime/casual:

• 7-8 lightweight shirts or tops (quick-dry fabric is ideal)
• 3-4 pairs of shorts or lightweight pants
• 2-3 sundresses or casual dresses (for women)
• 1-2 pairs of jeans or casual pants (for cooler evenings and air-conditioned spaces)
• Swimsuits (2-3 -- one to wear, one to dry)
• Cover-up or sarong for the pool deck
• Comfortable walking shoes for port days
• Flip-flops or sandals for the pool and beach
• Water shoes (for rocky beaches and reef entries)

Evening/dining:

• Smart casual outfits for main dining room dinners (collared shirts, slacks, or dresses)
• 1-2 dressier outfits for formal or elegant nights (most lines have 1-2 per sailing)
• Dress shoes or heeled sandals

Outerwear:

• Light cardigan or wrap for air-conditioned spaces (ships are cold inside)
• Light rain jacket (afternoon showers are common in the Caribbean)

• High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen (required at many Caribbean marine protected areas -- standard sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in Hawaii, Bonaire, and other protected areas)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Polarized sunglasses
• Wide-brim hat or baseball cap
• Rash guard or sun shirt for extended water activities
• Snorkel mask (rental gear is available but your own fits better and is more hygienic)
• Dry bag for electronics on water excursions

• Seasickness medication (Dramamine, Bonine, or prescription patches -- bring it even if you think you will not need it)
• All prescription medications (in original containers, with enough supply for the full trip plus extra)
• Over-the-counter medications: pain reliever, antacid, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal
• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent (for rainforest and jungle excursions)
• Small first aid kit: bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment

Alaska requires a fundamentally different packing approach than the Caribbean. The weather is unpredictable, the temperatures are cool, and rain is always possible. Layering is the key.

Base layers:

• 3-4 moisture-wicking base layer tops (merino wool or synthetic)
• 2 pairs of moisture-wicking base layer bottoms (for cold days and glacier excursions)

Mid layers:

• 2-3 fleece or lightweight down jackets
• 2-3 long-sleeve shirts or lightweight sweaters

Outer layers:

• Waterproof rain jacket with hood (not a poncho -- a real jacket with sealed seams)
• Waterproof rain pants (essential for boat excursions and rainy port days)

Casual/evening:

• 3-4 casual shirts or tops
• 2-3 pairs of pants (jeans, hiking pants, or casual trousers)
• 1-2 dressier outfits for dining room evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes for port days

Footwear:

• Waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes (essential -- you will be walking on wet docks and trails)
• Casual shoes for onboard
• Sandals (optional -- Alaska is not sandal weather)

• Binoculars (essential for wildlife viewing -- glacier calving, whale watching, bear spotting)
• Waterproof gloves and warm hat (even in July, temperatures on the water can be cold)
• Dry bag for electronics on boat excursions
• Trekking poles (optional, but useful for glacier walks and steep trails)
• Gaiters (optional, for muddy trails)

• Sunscreen (the sun reflects off glaciers and water -- sunburn is possible even on overcast days)
• Polarized sunglasses
• Lip balm with SPF

Leave these at home:

• Clothes irons: Cabins do not have irons (fire hazard). Most ships have laundry services or self-service laundry rooms.
• Full-size toiletries: Ships provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Bring travel-size versions of anything specific you need.
• Excessive formal wear: Most cruises have 1-2 formal nights. One dressy outfit is sufficient.
• Illegal items: Obvious, but worth stating -- no weapons, no illegal substances. Cruise lines have strict security screening.
• Too many shoes: Shoes are heavy and take up space. Two pairs for the Caribbean (walking shoes + sandals), three for Alaska (hiking boots + casual + dress) is sufficient.
• Surge protectors with magnetic strips: These are confiscated at security. Bring a power strip without a surge protector if you need extra outlets.

Cruise dress codes vary by line and have relaxed significantly in recent years. Here is what the common terms actually mean:

Smart Casual: The standard for most evenings. Collared shirts, slacks, or jeans for men. Dresses, skirts, or nice pants for women. No shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops in the main dining room.

Formal/Elegant Night: 1-2 nights per sailing on most lines. Suits or sport coats for men; cocktail dresses or formal gowns for women. Some lines (Carnival, Norwegian) have eliminated formal nights entirely.

Casual: Daytime dress code throughout the ship. Shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear are fine at the buffet and pool deck. Cover up before entering the main dining room.

Note: Specialty restaurants typically require smart casual or better, regardless of the ship's overall dress code.

• Phone (with international plan or ship Wi-Fi package purchased in advance)
• Camera (a waterproof point-and-shoot is ideal for water excursions)
• Portable battery/power bank
• Universal power adapter (ships have standard U.S. outlets, but having a multi-port USB charger is useful)
• Waterproof phone case or dry bag
• Headphones

How many bags can I bring on a cruise? Most cruise lines do not have strict luggage limits, but practical considerations apply. Cruise ship cabins are small -- typically 150-200 square feet for an interior cabin. Two checked bags per person is a reasonable maximum.

Can I bring alcohol on a cruise? Policies vary by line. Most lines allow passengers to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne (typically one bottle per person) in their carry-on at embarkation. Hard liquor purchased in port is typically held by the ship and returned on the last night.

Do I need to bring towels? No. The ship provides towels for your cabin and for the pool deck. Beach towels are also available for port days on most lines.

Should I bring a power strip? Yes -- cruise ship cabins typically have only 2-3 outlets. A power strip without a surge protector (surge protectors are confiscated) is useful for charging multiple devices.

• First Time Cruiser's Complete Guide
• Alaska Cruise Guide: The Complete Outdoor Traveler's Itinerary
• Caribbean Cruise Guide: Island-by-Island Breakdown
• Best Cruise Lines for First-Timers: Ranked by Experience Level
• How to Book Shore Excursions Independently
• Back to the Cruise Hub