Hi everyone! I feel like I always get ahead of myself, and skip over some blogs that I was hoping to cover. I mean, do you blame me? We’ve done so much exploring that I want to tell you about. My husband and I went on our first cruise back in July. We did a four day cruise to Ensenada with Royal Caribbean. I wrote an extensive blog about our cruise. If you missed that blog, check out the review of the navigator of the seas as a first time cruiser blog!
Packing for a cruise can be a little difficult, especially for people that haven’t cruised before. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, so packing was hard. Thankfully, a few of my friends are cruise experts (thanks Abby and Lauren), so I got the lowdown. Make sure to look at the cruise’s dress code before you start filling that suitcase! Let’s break it down! I’m hoping to create some sort of checklist in the future! On my Instagram, you’ll find a highlight labeled “travel/nursing favorites”. Follow me and see lots of travel necessities.
1. Suitcase/luggage:
Most cruise lines don’t have rules on how much luggage, or how heavy the luggage can be. Typically the barrier is, if you are flying or driving to the port. When you arrive at the terminal, you will hand your luggage over to the porter. Therefore, you will need the next few items to keep yourself organized, and to enjoy your time when you are at port.
2. Backpack/beach bag:
The porter will be bringing your luggage to your room later on that day. Therefore, it’s essential to have a bag that contains items that you’ll need for the rest of the day before arriving in your cabin. A backpack or beach bag works great for this. On our cruise, Nick and I both bought a backpack and a beach bag. This was only because we arrived in Los Angeles the day before, and wanted to have it on the plane. We handed our backpacks over to the porter, and kept the beach bag for the rest of the day. The beach bag contained sunscreen, bathing suits, bathing suit coverup, hats, sunglasses, wallet/money, sea bands, and OTC medications. It prevented us to have to go back to the room often.
3. Packing cubes
Packing cubes are essential to get organized while packing, but are also a great tool when you unpack your luggage in your cabin. Nick and I put the cubes in the closet shelves. This helped with speeding up the process of unpacking, so you can go enjoy your time on the ship!
4. Daytime Clothing
When I packed for our first cruise, I was so naive. My friends had told me that the only thing you’ll need during the day was a bathing suit and coverup. Meanwhile, I packed outfits for everyday. I always say it’s better to be safe than sorry. How many outfits should you pack? As a person that packs frequently, I packed outfits for everyday, plus a return outfit. Typically think about changing twice a day. These daytime outfits should consist of things like shorts, tshirts, sundresses, and sandals.Also, remember to pack outfits for all the onboard activities. For example, we signed up to ice skate, but couldn’t because we both didn’t have pants. This all goes for both men and women.
5. Evening Clothing
The first step of packing evening clothes is to look at the dress code of the boat. Cruises are becoming more casual, but they do have some rules. The cruise websites typically include the dress code. This is Royal Caribbean’s dress code:
When you’re onboard, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire you’ll see, grouped by item.
Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcome for breakfast and lunch.
Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcome.
Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.
Formal nights
Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing, and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.
3/4/5 night cruises – 1 formal night*
6 and 7 night cruises – 2 formal nights*
8 to 10 night cruises – 2 formal nights*
11 to 14 night cruises – 3 formal nights*
15 + night cruises – 3 or 4 formal nights*
*The number of formal nights is at the ship’s discretion and can vary by itinerary.
Main Dining Room/Specialty Dining Venues
Bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue, and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room, or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.
Casino Dress Code
Shirt and shoes are always required. Cover-ups should be worn over bathing attire.
After reading the dress code rules, pack accordingly for the number of nights you’ll be on the boat. I wore a lot of sundresses and sandals and Nick did a lot of khaki shorts and short sleeved button up dress shirts. Check out some of our favorite outfits from the trip on the last blog!
6. Bathing suits and coverups
I definitely overpacked bathing suits for both Nick and I. Did we need a different bathing suit everyday? Why yes, I did. Check out some of my favorites!
7. Portable phone charger
This is absolutely a necessity. The plug situation in the cabins is not great. Therefore, you most likely won’t charge your phone overnight like you typically do. Well most of us… If anyone knows me, my phone is dead. Currently awaiting a ride from my husband at work, as i write this with almost a dead phone. Thank goodness for the portable phone charger! If you are in the market for a new one, we really like the one we have! Check out my Instagram highlight of travel/nursing favorites.
8. Reusable water bottle
This is probably something that you knew was something on your list. It’s also a great way to hydrate on the boat with all the drinks!
9 USB outlet expander
The cabins have outlets in the rooms. Only issue is that it only has a minimal amount of plugs. This would help with giving more options (so you can charge your phone and watch at the same time)
10. Metal magnetic hooks
You can find metal magnetic hooks online on amazon. These are super helpful in the room. Metal magnetic hooks can attach to the walls and help hang wet bathing suits. This was just a thing that I found helpful with keeping our room organized. If you are in need of the metal magnetic hooks, check out my Instagram highlight, “travel/nursing favorites”
11. Toiletries
The cruise line will provide you with basic items. A lot of people prefer to bring their own. Some toiletries I would recommend are; shampoo and conditioner, soap, makeup, skin care products, deodorant, etc. The cabin will provide shampoo,conditioner, and soap, but it wasn’t the best quality. See the packing list at the end for a more detailed list of toiletries.
12. Sea bands
I purchased ours on amazon. Check them out in our amazon storefront. Honestly, I was told we should get this. I really thought it was full of baloney, but they did help a lot.
13. Medication /First aid Kit
Of course, a nurse would suggest this! Obviously you can buy these things onboard, but they are expensive, and a waste of your time. I would suggest buying a mini first aid kit (can find at target and walmart) and some OTC medications. Some medications that we packed were tylenol, ibuprofen, dramamine, Meclizine, tums, and pepto bismol. I know you are probably reading this and thinking you don’t need something for sea sickness, would you rather have the medication, or buy it onboard.
14. Travel Sized Hand sanitizers
There was a decent amount of hand sanitizers spread throughout the boat. Honestly, this is something we always carry. It was helpful to have one that attaches to the outside of my purse and the beach bag. We’d be sitting by the pool, wanting to grab drinks and food at the pool. Also, it was helpful if we went to the casino. Honestly, who wants to get sick mid cruise? Not me.
15. Liquid IV/Pedialyte
If you read my previous blogs from Nebraska, I talk about how my husband got dehydrated, and was in the emergency room because he didn’t drink enough. If you can’t see me rolling my eyes, I am. We brought liquid IV and pedialyte packets with us to help mix with our water, between the nice cocktails at the pool. Honestly, I really hate the taste of these products, so I just doubled my water.
16. Tumbler
The pools provide cups and paper straws. I don’t know about you, but I hate a soggy straw. This item was not necessary, but definitely a perk. It kept the cocktails cold and drank from a metal straw. We went on a cruise to celebrate my husband’s birthday, so we got a tumbler made online from amazon.
17. Wrinkle free spray
If you take a look at the items that aren’t allowed/needed, an iron and steamer are not allowed on board. Therefore, wrinkle free spray can be helpful in this situation.
18. Sunscreen
FYI, this is so expensive on the boat, and I know it’s a heavy item when flying. We decided to stop somewhere in Los Angeles for sunscreen before we got onboard. This just helped us not waste money on it onboard.
19. Sunglasses
Enough said, right!
20. Book/Kindle
What do you like to do when you lay by the pool? Are you a sleeper, talker, listening to music, or reading a good book? We both brought a book on the boat, honestly we never got time to read them. I guess that’s a good thing and a bad thing. If you need a suggestion for a good read, check out Nurse Hadley’s new book!
21. Poo-pourr
This is the only way to survive a small cabin with my husband.
22. Tide to go
This is a necessity for my husband apparently. I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve had to go buy a tide to go stick in a hurry. It’s nice to just keep in your bag on the cruise, in case you have an Nickie (oopsie)
23. Passport and documents to board
Obviously these things are super important. Some cruises were requiring covid vaccines, so when we got married I bought my husband this booklet on etsy. We use it all the time (obviously with travel nursing). It helps keep things organized. Check out this shop on Etsy to find it!
24. Waterproof phone case lanyard
I refused to wear a lanyard around my neck. I just feel like it’s so weird and I’d never use it again. I ended up purchasing these waterproof carrying cases for our phones, which we also put our room key inside. It was helpful for the cruise and can also be used on a boat or beach day.
25. Waterproof underwater camera/ Camera
My husband gave me a waterproof camera for my birthday last year. We used it in Mexico and we brought it on the cruise. I was a little disappointed when the employees said it couldn’t come on the slide.
26. Hat
Honestly, I am not a hat girl, but I’m glad I brought one onboard. I suggest bringing it and if you don’t use it, fine.
27. Cash and credit card
If you purchase the drink package, you don’t need a lot of money on board, except for tips and activities.
28. Electronic organizer
This contains apple watch charger, phone charger, charger for your extra portable phone charger.
Honestly, this organizer helps us make sure we aren’t forgetting to pack anything. Sometimes I wish our organizer was a tiny bit bigger, as we have a lot of cords. This organizer does fit a lot and is great and compact for a cruise!
Now I feel like we need to touch on a list of things that aren’t allowed, or you probably won’t need on the cruise.
29. Things that aren’t needed/Allowed
- Beer, hard liquor and spirits
- Marijuana (even if medical products), CBD Oil / CBD Products
- Irons and steamers
- Kettle, coffee maker or hot plate
- Candles
- Any other device that produces heat
- Baby Monitors
- Extension cords
- Perishable foods and meats
- Hookahs and water hookah pipes
- Weapons including pepper spray
- Toy gun replicas
- Hoverboards
- HAM radios
Hopefully this will help you pack for your cruise. For more information about the cruise we went too, check out my blog on our Royal Caribbean cruise to Ensenada. Stay up to date on our Alaska journey, cruise tips and tricks, day trips, travel tips, and suggestions, and of course Flicks_withnick movie reviews online. Give us a follow on Instagram or subscribe to this blog.
TravelingbeebryantRN & Flicks_withNick 
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