Cruising is a great way to explore the world or parts of the world. When you cruise, you have the opportunity to explore various ports of call on a single vacation. This offers a blend of adventure, relaxation, and, on some cruises, a bit of luxury. However, cruise cabins can be small and limited in storage space, making organization and comfort crucial for an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, packing essential cruise cabin items will make a significant difference in your cabin or during your travels.
Popular Amazon Cruise Essentials
You definitely will not need to pack every single one of these items and take them with you on your cruise. However, many of these items are convenient and practical and will help you during your cruise vacation. You may have heard about some of these items such as packing cubes which help compress your clothes in your luggage. You might not be as familiar with using magnetic hooks to help keep your cruise stateroom organized. Many seasoned cruisers use, depend, and swear by these items when cruising. Here’s a list of 27 essential cruise cabin items that are handy to keep your cruise cabin organized and ensure maximum comfort during your voyage.
Packing Cubes – Essential for Travel
Packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to traveling. Not only are they great for compressing your clothes in your luggage, but they can also help keep your clothes organized in your stateroom. Some staterooms, especially those on older ships, have narrow and limited closet space. Packing cubes can help compress the items you place on the closet shelves, making it easier to fit everything. They are also essential for organizing clothes placed on shelves, which makes finding what you need much easier. Packing cubes are great for maximizing the limited drawer and closet space in your cabin, especially if you are sharing the cabin with more than one person.
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Packing Cubes
Over-the-Door Organizer
An over-the-door organizer can be hung on the bathroom door or closet door. They are great for storing toiletries, shoes, accessories, and other small items that you would like to be kept within easy reach. An over-the-door organizer will keep everything visible and easily accessible. They also save valuable counter and drawer space and eliminate the need to keep pulling out your luggage if you tend to store items in your luggage during your trip. If you would like to place the organizer in a different location other than over a door, you can use magnetic hooks to hang your organizer.
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Shoe Organizer
A over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets can work similarly to an over-the-door organizer. You can store your shoes and also any accessories, toiletries, and other small items. Since you can store your shoes, it is a versatile solution for keeping your cabin tidy and making the most of vertical storage space. While you probably won’t need both an over-the-door organizer and a shoe organizer, it’s good to know that you can use one or the other in a similar fashion. And you can also use magnetic hooks to hang your organizer in a different location other than over a door.
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Magnetic Hooks – A Top Essential Cruise Cabin Item
Magnetic hooks are a definite game changer and one of the top essential cruise cabin items on my list. I heard about the use of magnetic hooks a few years ago but waited a while before buying them. I don’t know why I waited so long to start using them. Cruise ship walls are normally metal, so magnetic hooks can be used to hang hats, lanyards, lightweight bags, and many other items. They are an excellent and convenient solution for utilizing vertical space in your cabin.
Magnetic hooks come in a variety of weight limits. The higher the weight limit, the more you will be able to hang on the hook. However, a word of caution about magnetic hooks. If they are very strong, you might have a problem separating them if they happen to connect. Also, if you are holding two hooks and they snap together because of the magnet, there is a chance that they can pinch your skin or a finger and draw blood. I opted for lighter-weight hooks because I wasn’t planning on hanging heavy items, and they worked well for what I needed. Other users would disagree. Choose a weight limit that works for you.
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A First Aid Kit – An Essential Travel Item
A first aid kit will not be limited only to your cruise cabin, it is something you can carry with you in your backpack or in your car. Because of its importance, a first aid kit is one of the top essential cruise cabin items on my list. I started traveling with a first aid kit after I injured myself while hiking on the Big Island of Hawaii. I had to scramble to find first aid items that I needed at grocery stores. Nowadays, I always travel with a first aid kit and take it with me on a hike or wherever I go. It is an essential item on my travels.
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Laundry Bag
Traveling with a laundry bag might seem odd. In reality, laundry bags do not take up much room in your luggage, they are much better than traveling with a plastic bag for laundry, and they come in very handy. A laundry bag will help keep dirty clothes contained and organized. Instead of placing dirty clothes in plastic bags or in your luggage, they can be placed in a laundry bag.
At the end of your cruise, you can decide how to handle the dirty clothes. If there is a launderette on board your cruise ship, you can do a load and go home with clean clothes. Or you can pack your clothes and wash them at home. I do make a point to fold my dirty clothes so that I can pack them easily and quickly if I decide not to wash my clothes prior to disembarking.
Laundry bags come in different styles and sizes. You can also find a collapsible laundry hamper that is compact when folded. Most laundry bags and hampers can be easily folded and stored when not in use or during travel. Some have handles and fold in a way where they become a convenient carrying case. There are many to choose from. I prefer using a laundry bag, which I store in the closet if there is sufficient room, or in the suitcase space under the bed.
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Cruise Approved Power Strip with USB Ports – An Essential Cruise Cabin Item
Cabins typically have limited electrical outlets. It is not unheard of to have only one electrical outlet in a stateroom aside from the shaver outlet normally located on or towards the ceiling in the bathroom. A cruise-approved power strip with USB ports is essential for charging multiple devices simultaneously. In fact, this is one of my top essential cruise cabin items because navigating a stateroom with only one electrical outlet can be difficult.
It is very important to ensure that the power strip you take on your cruise is cruise-approved, as cruise lines have specific regulations regarding power strips. Power strips with surge protectors are banned on cruise ships and will be confiscated from your luggage. Having the right power strip is handy when you need to charge your electronic devices. This is the one I use and recommend. I also keep it in the box and place it in my carry-on so that it does not get confiscated from my luggage.
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Cruise Ship Luggage Tags Holder – Essential for Luggage Identification
Cruise ship luggage tag holders are a little bit different than regular luggage tags. When you cruise, your cruise line will give you luggage tags that need to be attached to your luggage. The tags are usually in PDF format, which you need to print on a sheet of paper. That paper is then folded based on instructions on the page and attached to your luggage on embarkation day. The luggage tag has your cruise information, cruise ship name, your name, deck, and room. Luggage tags help cruise ship staff sort luggage and eventually deliver your luggage directly to your room. They are an important piece to attach to your luggage for embarkation day.
There are a couple of things that can go wrong with attaching a folded-up paper to your luggage handle. First and foremost, the tag can get ripped off of your luggage. It can also become illegible if something spills on the paper or if it is raining and the sheet gets wet. And if the port for your cruise is away from home, you will need a stapler or tape to attach your luggage tag. A luggage tag holder is the perfect solution.
Cruise ship luggage tag holders are the perfect size to accommodate the folded luggage tag sheet and attach easily to your luggage. It is a good idea to get a larger holder so you can use it if you sail with other cruise lines. We purchased tag holders that were made to fit Carnival’s luggage tags. This size also accommodates luggage tags from Royal Caribbean International. The important take-away is to purchase one that will fit the size of your cruise line’s luggage tag sheet after it is folded.
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Cruise Lanyards and Key Card Holders
Cruise lanyards and key card holders are perfect to keep your cruise card safe and easily accessible. Your cruise card serves several purposes. It is your identification for exiting and boarding your cruise ship, your door key, and what you use to purchase items on board your cruise ship. Thus, everyone keeps their card on their person all the time. Many cruisers use a lanyard that they hang around their neck, and other cruisers use a wristband lanyard. A magnetic hook is the perfect place to hang your lanyard while you are in your stateroom.
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Toiletry Bag with Hook – Essential for Travel
A toiletry bag is an essential item for packing toiletries. What’s even better is a toiletry bag with a hook. This is especially true as there is limited space in stateroom bathrooms. A toiletry bag with a hook allows you to hang it on the bathroom door or towel rack, keeping your toiletries organized and off the limited counter space. Choose one with multiple compartments for better organization.
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Travel-Sized Toiletries
Opt for travel-sized toiletries to save space and comply with cruise line and travel regulations. Many brands offer compact versions of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. You can also find other essential items, such as acetaminophen, deodorant, and toothpaste, that are the perfect size for a week-long trip. Sometimes I prefer a kit that is ready-made instead of preparing one myself. Kits such as this one are the type of kits I use when I want to take one that is ready-made. Travel-sized toiletries are essential if you prefer to carry your luggage on your flight.
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Toiletry Travel Kit
A toiletry travel kit is the perfect companion to a toiletry bag. With a toiletry travel kit, you will have TSA-approved travel-size bottles and containers. Instead of purchasing name-brand compact versions of your favorite shampoo and conditioner, you can fill the bottles and save money. The sizes are usually the perfect size for a week-long trip. Travel kits come with a variety of bottles and containers that can be filled with face cream, cleansers, and other items.
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Foldable Travel Hangers
While hangers are available in staterooms, you might not have enough for all the clothes you would like to hang. Extra hangers are often needed in cruise cabins, so pack a few foldable travel hangers to increase hanging space for clothes. They are lightweight, portable, and a great way to keep garments wrinkle-free.
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Suction Cup Hooks
Cruise ship bathrooms have a clothesline that extends across the shower. Unfortunately, the clothesline is small and only accommodates a few articles of clothing at a time. Suction cup hooks can be attached to bathroom walls or mirrors to hang wet swimsuits, towels, or other items that need to dry. They are easy to install and remove without leaving any marks. Be aware, though, that if you have an extra large and heavy towel, a suction cup hook might not be able to support the weight of the towel when it is wet.
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Pill Organizer
If you take daily medications or supplements, a pill organizer can help you keep track of your doses throughout the trip. It ensures you don’t miss any important medication and keeps everything neatly contained. This is the one I recommend because it is easy to open and close.
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Reusable Water Bottle – Essential for Travel
Staying hydrated is essential, especially in warm climates. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at the ship’s water stations and take it with you on excursions. This is a great way to save money on water as you won’t need to buy bottled water on board. Reusable water bottles are also great for keeping ice from melting too quickly and keeping your water cold. If you prefer to drink filtered water, look for a bottle with a built-in filter for added convenience. While not limited to your cabin, a reusable water bottle is one of the top essential cruise cabin items on my list.
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Carabiner Clips for Water Bottles
Carabiner clips are useful for clipping your water bottle on your backpack. Most backpacks have useful outside water bottle pockets. Some backpacks don’t or have pockets that do not fit a water bottle. A Carabiner clip will attach your water bottle to your backpack so you don’t have to carry it or try to fit in into a full backpack. They also have many other uses.
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A Coffee Tumbler – Essential for Coffee Lovers
Packing a coffee tumbler is a great idea so that you can take your coffee on the go. You can always use the mugs that are provided at the coffee stations. However, you run the risk of spilling your coffee if your cruise ship is rocking. A coffee tumbler is the perfect solution. Not only will you not spill your coffee, but it will also keep your coffee hot. A coffee tumbler can also double as a cold drink holder and keep your drinks nice and cold.
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Travel Alarm Clock
Most staterooms, if not all, do not have clocks. I have stayed in a variety of staterooms and have yet to see a clock in my room. Most phones have a built-in alarm, which is convenient to use for early morning excursions. However, some people might find that relying on a phone for an alarm is inconvenient. A small travel alarm clock will fit the bill. It will ensure that you wake up on time for early excursions and onboard activities.
As an added benefit, a travel alarm clock can also double as a night light. If you have an interior cabin, you will discover that the room is very dark when the lights are turned off. There is usually very little light that comes into an interior stateroom from the outside. If you pack a digital travel alarm clock, you will have a bit of light from the digital display.
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Night Light – Essential for Your Cabin at Night
Some newer and more modern cruise ships have subtle night lights that help you navigate the room at night. Older ships do not have this feature. If you have an interior cabin, a small, battery-operated night light can be helpful for navigating the cabin at night. A nightlight is also helpful in an ocean view room when there is very little light coming from the outside, such as an evening without a full moon. Night lights with a soft, warm glow are the best, as they are not too bright when you are trying to sleep. This night light is great as it is battery-powered and has a magnetic base, so it can be placed virtually anywhere in your stateroom.
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![Motion Sensor Light Indoor [Powered Battery Operated Lights] Magnetic Night Light with Rotating Base - for Closet, Bathroom, Hallway, Under Cabinet Lights, Led Stick On Lights Cruise Ship Essential](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WvGCHq2OL._AC_SL1500_._SL160_.jpg)
Towel Clips – Essential For Windy Days
Beach towel clips are a great way to secure your towel to a lounge chair on windy days. They prevent your towel from blowing away and can be easily clipped onto the chair, keeping your spot reserved. Towel clips are also handy if you have a balcony room. You can clip your towels or other items to your balcony chair to make sure nothing gets blown overboard. Cruise lines do not allow any items to be left on the balcony if you are not present. They also have severe financial penalties if any item goes overboard. Beach towel clips are very handy and one of my top essential cruise cabin items that can save you hundreds of dollars by securing your items on your balcony if you step away for a few minutes. Towel clips are not only for use on a cruise ship. They also come in handy on beach days during your cruise and after your cruise has ended.
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Portable Travel Fan – Keep Your Cruise Cabin Cool
If you are used to sleeping with a fan or just like a cool room, you can request a fan from your room attendant, as many cruise lines have fans available for their passengers. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the number of fans available on a cruise ship. If you want to make sure that you are comfortable and have a fan available for your room, you can pack a small, portable, battery-operated fan.
A portable travel fan can provide additional ventilation and comfort in your cabin. Bringing your own will ensure that you have a fan for your voyage. Battery operated fans are convenient as you can place them anywhere in your cabin. As staterooms usually have limited outlets, a battery-operated fan will ensure that your outlet is reserved for charging your devices.
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Travel Sewing Kit
A travel sewing kit with needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins can be a lifesaver for quick repairs. It ensures you’re prepared for any wardrobe malfunctions that may occur during your trip. I usually travel with a small sewing kit and have only had to use it once. Having my kit on hand was perfect, as purchasing one on board would have been expensive.
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Dry Bag
A dry bag is essential for protecting your valuables during water-based excursions. It keeps your phone, camera, money, and other essentials dry and safe while you enjoy water sports or beach activities. A dry bag comes in handy not only while doing water sports but also if you are on a catamaran or other type of boat where things can get wet. Our dry bag has saved the day multiple times while on vacation.
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Portable Charger – Essential to Keep Devices Charged
A portable charger is a great addition to your essential travel kit. Especially if you are like us and take many photos and/or videos while on vacation. A portable charger will ensure your device stays powered up during excursions or throughout the day. There are different varieties to choose from, such as mag-safe or wired chargers. Many have high-capacity, built-in charging cables and will allow you to charge your phone two or three times. Portable chargers are essential to keep your gadgets charged throughout the day.
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Reusable Snack Bags
Reusable snack bags might sound like an odd item to pack; however, they have many uses on a cruise. They can store snacks and keep small items organized. I usually use them as snack bags but have also used the non-reusable ones to store dryer sheets in my luggage.
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Stain Remover Pen
Accidents can and will happen. A stain remover pen can quickly address small spills and stains on your clothes. It’s a compact and convenient solution to keep your clothes looking fresh.
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Final Thoughts on Essential Cruise Cabin Items
Cruise cabins may be compact, but you can transform your cabin into a comfortable and organized space with the right essentials. Packing some of these essential cruise cabin items will help you maximize your storage and keep your stateroom organized. Many of these items were recommended to me by more experienced cruisers, and I found them very helpful. Let me know in the comments if you found any of my recommended essential cruise cabin items helpful on your cruise vacation. Happy cruising!
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