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15 Cruise Essentials People Often Forget To Pack (#4 Is Key)

Forgetting these cruise ship necessities could cost you more than a visit to the gift shop.

By Calista Headrick , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Oct. 13, 2026

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You don't want to be caught without your essentials when you're in the middle of the ocean. Forgetting to pack necessities can be even more costly on a cruise than the cost of a vacation, as you'll likely only have the expensive shops onboard.

Being a careless packer can lead to costly, avoidable expenses — even if you have one of the best travel credit cards. To keep you from overspending in the gift shop, here are 15 things that are easy to forget when packing.

Lanyard badge holder

Your badge gets you everywhere on a cruise ship, including inside your cabin.

Rather than trying to keep it constantly in your pocket or purse, investing in a lanyard badge holder that you can wear around your neck or attach to your outfit is a cheap way to avoid the catastrophe of a lockout onboard.

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Desk or handheld fan

Cruise cabins can get a bit stuffy. If you enjoy having a fan on while you sleep, consider packing a slim desk fan for the trip. A handheld fan can also be convenient when hanging out in the cabin or on an excursion on a hot day.

Portable sound machine

If you're a light sleeper, you should invest in a small, portable sound machine so you can snooze like a baby while the waves rock you to sleep.

You may get lucky and not hear a peep from inside your cabin. But there is a chance of sleepless nights from noises from fellow cruisers late at night, which is probably not worth the risk when on vacation.

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Motion sickness medication

You may need Dramamine, an over-the-counter motion sickness medicine, when onboard the cruise. But if you did not pack any in your suitcase, then you should expect a price hike in the ship's gift shops.

Even if you're not prone to motion sickness, it may take some time to adjust to the ship. So you should consider throwing some motion sickness medication of your choice in your toiletry bag.

Travel adaptor

If you'll be traveling abroad on your cruise, particularly if the itinerary includes a few different countries, a universal travel adaptor may come in handy when you're off the ship.

Some travel adaptors also come with USB ports, so you can also charge your devices.

Wrinkle release spray

An often-overlooked vacation staple is a bottle of wrinkle-release spray, which can go a long way in a pinch. Your cabin may not come with an iron or steamer, but wrinkle-release spray can spruce up those outfits you rolled up as tightly as possible to fit in your carry-on.

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Bathing suit cover-up

If you're heading somewhere beachy and tropical, you're probably not going to forget the swimsuit, but cruisers often forget their swimsuit accessories. Remember to bring a bathing suit, cover-up, or swim shirt for those days underneath the sun.

Aqua shoes or flip-flops

On a related note, don't forget the footwear. Some beachgoers like to bring aqua shoes to protect their toes while exploring the ocean. If you prefer to go barefoot, at least bring a pair of flip-flops to get you to and from the ship on beach days.

Toiletry bag

If you want to start traveling more, consider investing in a hanging toiletry bag. These roll-up bags have several pockets inside and a hook at the top, so when you roll them out. You can hang all your bathroom necessities from the bathroom door or the towel rack.

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Sunscreen

Sunscreen is another necessity that will cost you if you need to buy it while onboard. Even if your destination is not a hot one, the sun's rays can be strong when you're out at sea.

Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. They say to use sunblock when spending significant time in the sun (including your ship's decks).

A sun hat or baseball cap

A hat is also an important part of your sun protection toolkit, particularly if you're heading to a sun-filled or tropical destination.

Wide-brim sun hats provide the ideal amount of protection, covering your face, eyes, and sensitive areas like the tops of your ears. But a good old ball cap can also come in handy.

Water bottle

Packing an insulated water bottle is a great way to ensure you stay hydrated while onboard, especially if you nabbed one of those all-inclusive alcohol packages.

An insulated water bottle will keep you from running to the dining hall — or worse, the nearest shop — every time you get thirsty.

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Hair Products

Many cruisers and travelers forget to pack shampoo and conditioner, assuming that wherever they're traveling to, small bottles will be available.

But seasoned travelers will tell you these don't always offer the best quality in hair products, and it's more cost-efficient to buy small plastic bottles and fill them up with your favorite brand than to purchase them while on vacation.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer also tends to get overlooked when cruisers pack their bags, but just a small bottle can go a long way.

Most cruisers plan to eat and drink a lot while onboard, it's part of the allure, so carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer that you can break out before any meal is a must.

Walking shoes

Comfy shoes may not even cross your mind if you're packing for an island getaway, but you'll be doing a good amount of walking even if you never set foot off your cruise ship.

Most cruise ships are, to put it simply, massive. Even getting around to restaurants, spas, pool decks, and other attractions will likely be thousands of steps per day.

Bottom line

Luckily, many of your cruising necessities come in travel-size versions, so they're easy to pack. Make sure to pack these essentials in your suitcase, and do not wait last minute.

For the day-to-day items like shoes and swimwear, there are many popular Amazon hacks to save some coins when budgeting for your trip.

You can find slim desk fans, miniature sound machines, collapsible water bottles, and much more for savvy travelers when shopping online before your next vacation.

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