If you love cruises as much as I do, packing for them is always exciting. However, it’s also easy to exaggerate.
First-time cruisers often overpack, bringing along lots of “just in case” items they never actually use.
I’ve definitely done that too, stuffing my suitcase with things I thought I’d need, only to find I didn’t touch half of them.
The truth is, cruise ships are well-equipped, and a lighter suitcase makes travel easier.
Below, I’ve made a list of 20 specific items you can safely leave at home. Your future self and your back will thank you!
20 Things You Don’t Need to Pack for Your Cruise
Hair Dryer
Save the space and weight; nearly all cruise ship cabins come with a hair dryer in the stateroom.
It might be tucked in a drawer or vanity, but it’s there and usually works as well as a full-size one at home.
Especially on modern ships, I have always found “heavy-duty” ones that really get the job done.
Beach and Pool Towels
You can leave your big and fluffy beach towels at home. Cruise ships provide oversized pool towels for you to use on board and even to take ashore for beach days.
They’re plenty large and dry you off in no time. Just swap your used towel for a fresh one in your cabin each day.
There’s really no need to pack a stack of towels that will hog suitcase space.
Full-Size Shampoo & Conditioner Bottles
You won’t need huge toiletry bottles on a cruise. Most cruise lines supply basic shampoo and body wash (and often conditioner) in your cabin shower.
Unless you’re very picky about brand or have skin conditions, save luggage space by using the ship’s toiletries or bringing small travel-size versions.
Workout/Gym Clothes (If You Won’t Use Them)
Packing exercise gear “just in case” you hit the gym often ends up being unnecessary.
Many cruisers admit they never actually put on those workout outfits once on vacation.
If you have concrete plans to use the ship’s gym facilities, bring an outfit or two. But if you’re only considering it out of guilt, it’s likely you won’t need those extra sneakers and yoga pants.
More Outfits Than You’ll Actually Wear
It’s common to bring far too many clothes. Remember, cruise cabins have limited storage, and you probably won’t change for every part of the day.
Plan to re-wear versatile pieces and mix and match.
You won’t need a completely different outfit for every single day or evening, and many of those extra clothes will stay unworn in your suitcase. Trust me, pack lighter than your first instinct; you’ll still have plenty to wear.
PRO TIP: If you need more clothes, you can always buy them in ports or use the laundry services on board.
Too Many Shoes
Footwear can take up a lot of luggage space. In general, on a cruise you’ll only need three pairs: one comfortable shoes for walking, sandals or flip-flops for the pool, and one nicer pair for dinner.
You can skip packing many different pairs of heels or bulky boots that you “might” use. Experienced cruisers often pare down to 3 or a max of 4 pairs of shoes.
PRO CRUISER: I’ll also bring a pair of rock shoes if you plan to go to the beach often.
Expensive Jewelry and Valuables
It’s best to leave your most precious jewels and pricey watches at home.
On a cruise, you’ll be in a casual environment much of the time, and there’s less need for lavish accessories.
Many cruisers I know have started bringing less jewelry on board than they used to. Not only do valuables risk getting lost or stolen, but you probably won’t end up wearing them.
A couple of versatile, inexpensive pieces will be perfect.
Full Makeup Kit
I know you probably wanna be perfect for those pictures, but you don’t need your entire beauty collection.
Cruise life is generally relaxed, and heavy “glam” makeup isn’t necessary for lounging by the pool or exploring ports.
Many women report they now pack a lot less makeup for cruises than they did in the past. With warmer climates and outdoor activities, a minimal routine (tinted moisturizer, mascara, lip balm, etc.) is usually plenty.
Of course bring what you’ll use, but that huge cosmetics bag with 10 palettes and 5 liners can likely stay at home. Remember to bring sunscreen, that one is important.
Laptop and Work Materials
Maybe I shouldn’t say this because I always take my laptop on cruises, but cruises are my job, so I have to.
But if you can avoid it, I think it’s better to leave it at home. You’ll enjoy your vacation much more if you completely disconnect from work and digital devices.
Bringing a computer or a stack of work documents can defeat the purpose of a vacation. Remember you’re on a cruise to relax!
Stacks of Books and Magazines
Packing multiple heavy books will weigh you down, and chances are you won’t get through them all.
If you love reading, bring an e-reader or load books onto a tablet/phone. Many frequent travellers have switched to Kindles or iPads instead of carrying physical books.
Unfortunately, most ships don’t have a library anymore, but if you prefer paper, I think a couple of books will be enough.
Bulky Camera Gear
Unless photography is your serious hobby, you can leave the big DSLR and multiple lenses at home.
Today’s smartphones take excellent photos, which is why many cruisers now prefer using their phone camera instead of a large one.
A bulky camera not only takes up space, but you also have to worry about keeping it safe and dry. And obviously, it wouldn’t be a good idea to take it to one of the 10 most dangerous cruise ports in the world.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
This was once a popular cruise hack to gain extra storage. I’ve also mentioned it to you several times, but in practice, many people find it unnecessary.
Cabins on newer ships are more efficiently designed with cubbies and shelves. Unless you have a very large family in one cabin, you likely won’t need an over-the-door pocket organizer for toiletries or shoes.
If you’re just a couple, skip this item; if you’re a family of four or more, I would consider bringing it.
Magnetic Hooks
Similar to the shoe organizer, magnetic hooks are a clever idea (cabin walls are metal), but consider if you’ll really use them.
A few hooks can be useful for hanging hats or swimsuits, but bringing a dozen magnetic hooks might be overkill.
I’ll take 3 or 4, but taking the whole pack might not be a good idea.
Formal Wear
The thing that I always recommend is to check your cruise line’s dress code before you pack the outfits.
These days, many cruises have optional or more relaxed formal nights or theme nights. I know not everyone likes them, but I still think it’s nice to take part in it.
You can find the list of theme nights here for Royal Caribbean, here for Carnival, here for MSC, and here for Norwegian.
Collapsible Laundry Hamper
A pop-up laundry hamper sounds handy to corral dirty clothes. I often take one with me, especially on longer cruises.
However, on shorter cruises or if you don’t have much space in your luggage, you can simply bring a large plastic bag, or even one of your suitcases can serve the same purpose.
If you forget it, you can also ask your room steward for a laundry bag. Have a look at all the things you can ask your cabin steward for free.
Iron or Steamer
Irons or steamers are actually prohibited on cruise ships for safety reasons.
As you can easily guess, they can be a fire hazard, so security will confiscate them from your luggage.
If you have something that truly needs de-wrinkling, use the ship’s laundry/ironing service or try a wrinkle-release spray. Otherwise, choose wrinkle-resistant clothes and avoid the hassle altogether.
Coffee Maker or Travel Kettle
Other things you should leave at home are small appliances like coffee makers, hot plates, or electric kettles.
Open heating elements are not allowed on board, and you won’t need them anyway.
Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot water are available on the ship around the clock (at buffet stations or via room service).
So you can still enjoy your morning cup of joe without packing your own coffee machine. Check the list of all the drinks you will get for free on a cruise.
Candles or Incense
Some travelers pack scented candles or incense to make a hotel room feel cozy. That is absolutely not allowed on cruise ships.
As I’ve often said, fires are a major concern on ships, and open flames of any kind are strictly forbidden.
So don’t bother packing candles, incense, or anything that burns. If you want a nice scent, consider an electric diffuser (it’s usually allowed) or just enjoy the ocean breeze instead.
Bottled Water and Soda
Bringing a case of water or soda isn’t necessary in most cases. Cruise ships have free, purified water on board, and often iced tea, lemonade, and basic coffee/tea at no charge.
If you’re picky about water, bring a reusable bottle and refill from the ship’s water stations.
While many lines do let you carry on a limited amount of soft drinks or water, I think it’s a pain to haul them around on embarkation day.
Instead of overpacking beverages, consider buying a soda package or just using what’s provided; you’ll save suitcase space and a lot of effort.
Some people say that drink packages are too expensive. This isn’t always true, especially if you follow these tips to save money.
Stroller (for Young Kids)
If you’re traveling with little ones, you might not need to pack that big stroller.
If you only plan to use a stroller in port, and not much on the ship, consider renting one on board.
Some cruise lines offer stroller rentals for a reasonable fee, so you don’t have to cram yours into your cabin.
For example, Carnival ships have umbrella strollers available to rent so you can use them on shore excursions.
Packing Smart for a Carefree Cruise
The last thing I wanna say is that packing light for a cruise comes with big benefits: your cabin will feel more spacious, you’ll have less to lug around, and unpacking/packing will be a breeze.
If you avoid all the unnecessary items we’ve seen above, you can focus on the essentials and maybe even have room left over for souvenirs on the way home.
To avoid mistakes, check the list of the 20 Cruise Essentials You Should Always Bring on a Cruise and avoid the 7 Cruise Packing Mistakes Everyone Makes.