Your Essential Cruise Carry-On Bag: Ideas for Smart Items to Pack (With Checklist)
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When you arrive at your cruise ship, certain important items should be kept with you until you reach your cabin. If you are flying to your port and going directly to the ship, this bag will also be your flight carry-on bag.
Here’s how to decide what should be in your cruise carry-on bag.
What Is A Cruise Carry-On Bag
Also known as an embarkation day bag, this is a bag or tote that you carry with you from the port to your cabin, not allowing it out of sight. It contains the most crucial items you need for your cruise.
Why lug around a carry-on bag on the first day of your cruise?
When you arrive at the port to go on your cruise, your luggage is whisked away to be X-rayed for dangerous or prohibited items before being delivered to your cabin. Delays can happen, and you might be onboard for hours before your luggage is delivered to you.
So you’ll have everything you might need during those first few hours onboard (as well as when you’re flying to the port), you should keep certain items with you at all times until you can secure them in your cabin.
â–ºNOTE: Whether it’s just a tote bag or a small roller bag, it’s important that your cruise carry-on stays with you until your cabin is ready and you can safeguard your valuables.
After going on many cruises in the last few years, I’ve come up with a list of must-haves that I pack in my cruise carry-on for all our voyages. I’ve expanded the list to try to cover any eventualities I could think of, so feel free to pick and choose among the items listed here for what works best for you.
How To Decide What To Pack In Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
There are a few criteria to think about as you’re packing for your cruise, decisions that determine whether an item will go into your luggage or into a bag that you’ll keep with you at all times until you arrive at your cabin. These are:
- Will the loss of the item mean that I can’t continue on my trip, or will losing it ruin my trip?
- Is the item valuable? Would someone be tempted to steal it?
- Is the item difficult or prohibitively expensive to replace during my trip?
- Will I need this item sometime during the first day, before my luggage is delivered?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the item should be in your cruise carry-on bag. I hope this list can help you remember what might be essential for you to take and will act as a starting point and memory jogger.
I’m a big fan of having my belongings organized on a trip, which helps with packing, unpacking, and keeping track of small belongings while you’re traveling. I’ve included some suggestions that you might want to consider for your next trip if you want to be more organized too.
Cruise Carry-On Checklist
Would you like to have a FREE Cruise Carry-On Checklist to help you with packing for your next cruise?
Items You Might Want To Pack In Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
There are many items that you might want to consider packing in your cruise carry-on bag. You won’t want to carry all these items around with you all afternoon on day one of your cruise, but some of them are incredibly important to safeguard that way. Others, like snacks, may not be important to you at all, unless you have special dietary needs.
Important Paperwork
Without the proper documents, you probably won’t get far, so these are the most important things to pack first. It’s also a good idea to be prepared for travel delays, accidents, and misadventures…just in case. Better to have these things and not need them, than to need them and not have them, right?
Passport Holder
Want to be super-organized with your documents? Check out passport holders like this one, which is the one we use every time we travel. It keeps your passport safe from damage and has an extra slot for your vaccination card.
Identification for travel: Driver’s license, passport, visa, and green card (if you’re a resident alien).
Travel documents: Airline boarding passes, hotel reservation confirmations, cruise documents, excursion reservation confirmations, vaccination cards, and airline lounge cards.
Insurance information: Cards, coverage information, and contact information for your health insurance, travel insurance, travel interruption insurance, and car insurance (if you’re renting a car during the trip).
Carrier information: Contact info for cruise line and airline customer service, and for any hotels you may have booked.
Your emergency contact info: Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of those you’d like to be notified on your behalf in case of emergency.
Your legal documents: Although I hope you never need them, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your signed health care power of attorney and living will with you when you travel, especially if you have health issues.
Keep Your Passwords Handy
It’s so frustrating to be away from home and unable to log into a website you desperately need access to. Having your passwords with you gives you peace of mind. I use a book just like this one for my personal login info, then one in another color for my business logins.
Authorization for travel with a minor: If you’re bringing a child on the cruise who isn’t yours, say a grandchild, you need a notarized permission from the parents for the child to travel with you.
Health information: A list of the medications you’re taking, as well as a brief medical history (a list of surgeries, hospitalizations, etc.).
Copies: In case they’re lost or stolen, keep a copy of your passport and any credit cards you’re bringing on your trip (both front and back).
Just in case: Pen and a small notepad.
Ziploc bag: In the event you’re forced to stand outside in the rain while waiting to board your ship, you want your important documents to stay protected. A large Ziploc bag is perfect for this. It’s also good to take along with you in a backpack or tote bag on excursions.
Valuables
Wallet: Safeguard your wallet and keep it with you.
Cash: It’s a good idea to have some cash with you, not only for emergencies or gambling but also for some small bills for any gratuities (such as for the baggage porters, or bus drivers on excursions).
Credit cards: I’d suggest only taking two or three credit cards with you and leaving the rest at home. It’s smart to not take a credit card that you use for automatic bill pay. That way if that card is lost or stolen, you have other options with you, and you don’t have to redo all your automatic bill payments when you get home. The card you used for your cruise and airfare should be among those you take with you, as well as a credit card that gives you perks you may be using on this trip (such as coverage for airline incidentals or airline lounge access).
House and car keys: Losing these could cause major worries during your trip, as well as difficulties afterward, so they should stay with you until you can leave them in your cabin’s safe.
Jewelry: Cash and credit cards can either stay in your wallet or in a travel organizer as I mentioned above. But for jewelry, it’s nice to have a specialized organizer to protect your jewelry and keep your necklaces tangle-free, while still being small enough to fit in a cabin safe. This organizer is attractive and compact, and protects necklaces, rings, watches, etc.
Tech Needs
In this connected world, we like to have our devices with us, so here are a few things to consider.
Cell phone: You’ll need your phone, of course, and bonus points if it has a good enough camera that you don’t feel the need to bring your DSLR.
Something To Read
You may end up with time on your hands while you’re traveling, so I love to have something to read. My preference is a Kindle, since I can bring more than enough books to keep me entertained during the trip without taking up valuable real estate in my suitcase. Be sure to have it charged and preloaded with your genre of choice before your trip!
iPad or other tablet: I like to bring my iPad along on trips, not only to have games to entertain myself with on the plane, but also to have a larger device to transfer my travel photos to for viewing and editing while on the trip. And if I want to write a blog post or two, it’s easier to do on the iPad than on my phone.
Chargers and cables for all devices: Your tech devices will be nothing but paperweights if you can’t recharge them on your trip, so be sure to bring everything you need to keep them juiced up.
Organize Your Cables
This cable wallet is a great way to keep those charging cables organized while you’re on the go. Since an ill-fated trip where I had to pay $70 for a new charger for my iPhone, now I always keep my cables and chargers in my carry-on.
Universal adapters: If you’re traveling on a ship that doesn’t have American electrical outlets, or will be staying in a hotel outside the US during your trip, it’s a good idea to bring along a travel converter.
Portable charger: Have you ever been on an excursion and had your phone die on you? Yep, it’s happened to me. Now I always carry along a portable charger like this one so I can be sure I’ll stay connected and get all the photos I want.
Earbuds or Headphones: If you want to listen to music while you travel or are on vacation, or if you want to watch a movie on board your plane, it’s a good idea to have your own earbuds or headphones. Your needs and budget will determine whether you take along wired earbuds, wireless earbuds, or wireless headphones, but these are a few great choices.
Charge All Of Your Devices
Since many cruise cabins have limited electrical outlets and few or no USB chargers, it’s a good idea to carry your own. I always travel with this non-surge adapter, especially on older ships.
Health & Beauty
Medications: Be sure to take all prescription medications with you that you’ll need to take during your trip, plus a few days extra, just in case. The best practice is to bring prescription medication in its pharmacy bottle, but you do you. Also include any over-the-counter medications you may need, such as your solution of choice for seasickness, diarrhea, pain relief, or heartburn.
Antibacterial wipes and hand gel: Although I haven’t done it in the past, I’m bringing travel packs of disinfecting wipes and antibacterial gel with me on my next trip. Wiping down your airplane tray table and armrest is just smart these days, and the gel is perfect for your hands before you start popping airline pretzels or peanuts. The wipes will also come in handy when you arrive at your cruise cabin.
Vision needs: Glasses and/or contact case and fluid. Eye drops, because airplane air is extremely dry. Sunglasses, because you may spend time waiting in bright sunlight before boarding your ship, or because you want to hit the pool as soon as you get onboard. Eyeglasses, and maybe an extra pair if you depend on them and they break or lose a screw while you’re onboard.
Mini First Aid Kit
I like to put together a mini first aid kit for my carry-on, nothing more than a small Ziploc bag with pain relievers like ibuprofen, cough drops, a few Band-Aids, and the like. In my suitcase, I’ll pack a larger kit like this one with more options such as gauze, ointments, etc. If you ever have to get a Band-Aid or cough medicine from a cruise ship medical clinic or sundries shop, you know how expensive those can be.
Lip balm and hand lotion: Once again, because airplane air is so dry, it’s a good idea to have a lip balm with you, as well as a small tube of hand lotion.
Toothbrush and toothpaste: After a long day of travel, you might want to freshen up in your cabin before going exploring.
Deodorant: See above. LOL
Hairbrush: A lot of us are picky about our brushes and might feel lost without our special one, so toss yours in your carry-on.
Feminine products: If you use pads, tampons, or panty liners, be sure to bring a supply with you for the plane and your first few hours onboard the ship.
Rest In Quiet Bliss
If your headphones or earbuds aren’t noise canceling, or you simply want to be sure you’re not disturbed by noisy neighbors on the plane, in your cruise cabin, or in your hotel room, you should consider inexpensive earplugs. I’ve used the Mack’s brand of silicone putty earplugs for years and love them. Now I never travel without them.
Sunscreen and lip balm: A must, even in colder climates. Keep that skin protected!
Tissues: I always keep a travel packet or two of Kleenex or Puffs tissues in my bag on vacation. The sniffles can sneak up on you at any time.
Manicure items: You never realize how important a nail file and nail clippers are until you break or tear a nail away from home and don’t have a way to repair it.
Makeup: Want to always look your best? Be sure to pack whatever beauty products you need for a quick touch-up.
Clothing
Extra outfit: What if your suitcase is lost or delayed, or someone spills a drink in your lap while you’re traveling? You won’t be miserable if you have another outfit handy. Bring along a top, a pair of pants, and extra underwear.
Pool attire: If you want to hit the pool as soon as you board the ship, you’ll want to have your bathing suit, coverup, and flip-flops in your carry-on. Your suitcase might take hours to arrive in your room, but you won’t care. You’ll be chilling by the pool with an umbrella drink in hand!
Be Ready For Downpours
An unlined lightweight rain jacket with a hood can be folded up small enough it won’t take much room in your carry-on. I’ve had to wait for my suitcase on the tarmac in a driving rain before when I took a regional jet to Seattle, and it wasn’t fun. Be prepared!
Scarf: Sometimes planes are extra cold, even in the summer, so a pashmina or other large scarf can cover the back of your neck or act as a small blanket. Either way, having something on hand to keep you warm is nice.
Cardigan or light jacket: If your plane is cold or you need to wait in line outside before boarding your ship, you’ll be glad you brought one of these along.
Food & Beverage
Snacks: A few granola bars, bags of nuts, or cookies can be a lifesaver on a flight, especially if you’ve skipped breakfast to make your flight, and the flight is too short for meals to be served. Don’t be hangry; grab a bar from your bag to tide you over until you can check out the ship’s restaurants for lunch.
Refillable Water bottle
I like to have water available in my bag on a plane, just in case I get a scratchy throat or need to take a pill. Double-wall insulated water bottles like these are great. On the ship, I refill mine from a pitcher of ice water I order each day from room service, and keep it by my bed. If you want a smaller, lighter version, look for a collapsible water bottle.
Gum and/or breath mints: The reason for these is obvious, right? If nothing else, they can be used to break the ice with an attractive seatmate if you’re single.
Kids’ Needs
If you’re traveling with children, you’ll probably need a carry-on just for their needs. Here are a few ideas:
Diapers and wipes: Bring enough in a carry-on for the entire first day.
Bottles or sippy cups: Be sure to also bring baby formula in TSA-approved containers.
Kid-friendly snacks: You know which snacks will keep your kids occupied and avoid the hangries. Bring some in plastic baggies.
Entertainment kit: Several small items to keep your child entertained on the plane.
Miscellaneous
Lanyards: If you don’t want to carry a purse onboard, a lanyard for your cruise card is a great option. We’ve tried these and found them to be good. I like to carry a small wallet with a shoulder strap while onboard, something just large enough for my phone, some eye drops and lip balm, and my cruise card.
Protect Your Luggage Tags
Print out the paper luggage tags provided by your cruise line and slip them into these durable luggage tag holders. Don’t put them on your luggage until you’re off your plane, though, so you don’t confuse the airline’s baggage handlers.
We use these for every cruise and have found them to be sturdy and durable, plus they protect your paper tags from the elements, which is a bonus in rainy Florida.
Bags To Consider For Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
Looking for a carry-on bag that can work as your personal item on a plane? Even though you won’t be needing ALL the items mentioned above, a regular tote bag might be too small for all your carry-on essentials, so something slightly larger would be great. If you pack an extra outfit per person plus your grooming kit bag, like we do, you might just use a regular airline carry-on. It’s a pain to drag around, but you don’t have to carry it and you have peace of mind.
How about something like one of these?
A Theft-Resistant Shoulder Bag
If you simply want a roomy shoulder bag that’s comfortable to carry, this theft-resistant bag from Travelon is what I carry…and I love it! It’s the size of a tote but is flexible, allowing you to easily bend it to fit under the plane seat in front of you.
Plus, it carries a lot! The outside zippers are lockable, and it has a detachable shoulder strap. Even without the extra strap, it fits comfortably over your shoulder and tucks safely under your arm.
A Cute Weekend Bag
If you like a shoulder bag, this striped weekender is the ticket. The bottom section unzips to reveal a separate shoe compartment, and the main compartment has pockets for all your goodies. It also has a pocket on the back that allows you to slide the shoulder bag securely onto your roller-bag handle.
A Small Roller Carry-On
If you’re looking for a roller bag small enough to fit under the airline seat in front of you, check this one out. It’s small, lightweight, and has several zipper compartments inside to organize your things. If you don’t want to actually carry your carry-on, this one is a good choice.
A Standard Roller Carry-On
If you’re looking for an airline carry-on, this is the one I use, and I love it. It’s lightweight and on spinner wheels, which makes it a breeze to navigate. It has plenty of room for an extra outfit for both of us, plus all of our valuables and other important items. This is what I carry with us when I bring my laptop and photography equipment on cruises.
Final Thoughts On Ideas For Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
If you’re not sure what you shouldn’t pack, check out our post on prohibited items on cruise ships. And if you’d like a handy checklist to help you pack your cruise carry-on, we have one for you!
Cruise Carry-On Checklist
Would you like to have a FREE Cruise Carry-On Checklist to help you with packing for your next cruise?
On the last day of your cruise, keep this bag with you if you leave your cabin for any reason before leaving the ship. A travel companion of mine recently was robbed of jewelry and other items when they left their cruise carry-on in their cabin while going to breakfast before debarking the ship. You never know!
Hope this list helps you pack your carry-on for your next trip. And don’t forget to download our Cruise Carry-On Checklist.
Happy cruising!
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