Essential Cruise Gear Items for 2024

Jun 24, 2024 | CRUISE TIPS, MONEY SAVING IDEAS | 0 comments

Essential Cruise Gear

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The Essential Cruise Gear List for 2024

Here at About Luxury Cruising, we love cruises, and we want you to love them too.

If you plan on going on a cruise soon, in our experience, you’ll need certain travel essentials and gadgets to make your cruise vacation as enjoyable, comfortable, and smooth sailing as possible!

This article shares the most popular cruise travel essentials without which you won’t want to leave home.

The choice of items you might need for your cruise is very personal. Always plan on the basis that you need to take the stress out of travelling and which cruise gadgets and accessories would make things most convenient while you’re cruising. For tips on other essential cruise gear items, you might like to visit the Cruise Collection wiki.

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Apple Air Tags

With so many horror stories about lost luggage lately, Apple AirTags are a must-have for any traveller—especially cruisers who are flying to their ports of embarkation. Simply pop one into each piece of luggage, and you can track its whereabouts using your iPhone and a Bluetooth connection. With a pack of these handy gadgets, you’ll be better equipped to find your missing bags than the airlines themselves.

In a world where tales of lost luggage haunt travellers’ nightmares, Apple AirTags emerge as indispensable tools for the modern traveller — especially for cruisers jetting off to their embarkation ports. All you need to do is insert one AirTag into each bag, and harness the power of your iPhone and Bluetooth connectivity to monitor their journey. Armed with a set of these ingenious devices, you’ll wield a tracking prowess that surpasses even the airlines themselves, ensuring peace of mind on every adventure. We wouldn’t travel anywhere without these itemsof cruise gear.

Sale
Apple AirTag 4 pack
Apple AirTag 4 pack
Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app; Simple one-tap setup instantly connects AirTag with your iPhone or iPad
$74.98 Amazon Prime

Power Strip (non surge protected)

Cruise ship cabins are known for their small size and limited power outlets. To solve this, bring a Power Strip to plug in more devices at once. Make sure it doesn’t have a surge protector, as those are banned on cruise ships and will be confiscated if found. You might get it back at the end of your trip, but it won’t fix the outlet shortage issue. Here’s the Power Strip we use for our cruises, perfect for cabin use.

Related: Can you take Power Strips on Cruise Ships?

Check the Price & see Amazon reviews here ➜

Motion Sickness Patches

For those of you who are worried about getting seasick and are looking for a natural remedy, these little patches may be the answer. Having tried many different remedies — from homoeopathic pills and sea bands to Dramamine (which can have some side effects) these new motion sickness patches work like a charm.

Check the Price & see Amazon reviews here ➜

Related: How to prevent Seasickness on a Cruise

MQ Motion Sickness Patch,20 Count,Non Drowsy Sea Sickness Patches Behind Ear for Cruise Ship Travel, Waterproof Car Sick Patches Fast Acting & Long Last 72H
MQ Motion Sickness Patch,20 Count,Non Drowsy Sea Sickness Patches Behind Ear for Cruise Ship Travel, Waterproof Car Sick Patches Fast Acting & Long Last 72H
SAFE AND EFFECTIVE - 100% Natural Herb, without side effects and causing drowsiness; SIMPLE TO USE - The motion patch can be used behind the ear or on the navel
$8.99 Amazon Prime

Quick Dry Travel Towel

Cruise lines all say they provide towels, and mostly they do — but sometimes they can be scarce around the pool. They’re also bulky and too big to carry on shore excursions to the beach.

With your own Quick Dry travel towel, you will never be caught short and can enjoy that beach break without worrying about securing a towel. This one is light as a feather and compact, plus it dries ten times faster than traditional cotton towels, so you won’t have to lug wet towels around after a long day ashore.

Related Post: Secret Ways to Save on Shore Excursions

Check the Price & see Amazon reviews here ➜

Sand Resistant Beach Bag/Tote

There are so many things to love about cruising, and one of our favourites is island hopping. On a cruise, you can savour each destination and choose the ones you like for your return visit. Many destinations offer a beach retreat for a day of sun, seas and sangria, in which case you’ll want a sand-proof bag.

This lovely bag is perfect for snacks, water, carrying swimsuits, a change of clothes, etc. it keeps your drinks nice and cold as it features an insulated cooler at the bottom. It is also lightweight and highly compact.

Check out the Star Ratings and read reviews on Amazon ➜

Packing Cubes

Organization is vital when packing for a cruise, as your stateroom will be small unless you can afford the owner’s suite! Packing Cubes are relatively inexpensive and are perfect for first-timers to try; they are lightweight, hold more than one would think and keep items sorted.

They help you stay somewhat organized despite unpredictable storage situations during a trip, making packing a breeze. For us, a selection of cube sizes works. They are sturdy but look deceptively flimsy—check out these of Amazon’s Best Sellers. ➜

Travel Bottles for Toiletries

A set of small bottles perfect for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and more applications. These beauties are leak-proof, TSA Airline Carry-on Approved, and feature a 3-layer leak-proof design that prevents liquid leakage or spillage and protects your luggage and clothes. The ingenious Opal shape ensures that no liquids remain in the corner of the bottles and helps you to get the last drop out without wasting any of the contents.

Food Grade BPA Free Silicone Designed with safety first and convenience a close second.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Portable Handheld Luggage Scale

Let’s face it; we could all use a little help when packing your luggage before a flight. Some people travel lite, while others pack everything, including the kitchen sink. That’s where a portable luggage scale can come in handy. It won’t help you with your packing, but weighing your luggage can help you avoid unpleasant hefty checked baggage charges if your bags are overweight. It will undoubtedly help slim down your packing list.

While selecting the correct portable luggage scale, always check these personal factors, including backlit displays and overall ease of use. We never travel without one!

Check the Price & see Amazon reviews here ➜

Just In Case bag

Cruising is a fantastic opportunity to pick up gifts and souvenirs wherever your ship drops anchor. Also, the onboard boutiques frequently sell popular brands and hand-crafted jewellery. This what we call a “just in case” bag is compact when empty. When full, it is a boon that can carry not only your tax-free bargains like liquor, cosmetics, skincare, clothes, ornaments, photos, art, and exotic souvenirs from your shore excursions. If you are flying to or from your port, it’s a smart way to save on excessive carry-on charges since it counts as a personal item bag. View on Amazon.com

Hanging Toiletries & Cosmetic Bag

Cruise Ships – even the big, stable ones tend to move around a bit, particularly in heavy weather. Sometimes they have limited countertop space in your bathroom. Leaving your toiletries or makeup out and in the living area is not such a smart idea and totally impractical. This hanging toiletry bag makes not only makes packing easier, it also keeps items organised and in place to give you access to what you need. At the end of your cruise, all you need to do is fold it back up and away you go!

Check on Amazon  ➜

Universal Waterproof Phone Case

Between all the idyllic beaches, cruise ship tender boats, shore excursions, and swimming at the ship’s pool, your phone will likely get wetter than you’d probably like. Protect your lifeline with an affordable waterproof phone case. This one has a universal fit, so any phone will be functional underwater, able to take stunning pictures and mini-movies with sound! It’s also sand-proof and scratch-proof, so your camera lenses will be safeguarded. A small investment that could save you thousands. Also, consider getting a wrist float strap so that if you drop your waterproof cellphone case overboard, it will float!

View on Amazon.com ➜

Waterproof Camera

Some Cruises will take you to crystal-clear blue seas and underwater heavens for snorkelers. For these, you need to be prepared with and Underwater cameras to help you create sensational memories of your cruise. We like this particular camera because it costs a fraction of the price of a traditional GoPro but gives great results in 4K. You can now leave your DSLR at home and take advantage of this universal, flexible camera can help you create all those breathtaking moments and memories.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Neck Wallet

Most cruise lines use a key card system for identification, which also acts as your room key. You will need to take this with you when you leave the ship, along with your passport (or equivalent ID), whenever you leave your cruise ship. This convenient little wallet safely stores your keycard, passport, driver’s license, cash, credit cards, and travel documents.

If you happen to get stuck in a traffic jam or your taxi breaks down on the way back to the port, and you miss the ship, you’ll be happy you have your passport with you. Additionally, it will keep everything secure so pickpockets can’t access your valuables whilst you are ashore.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Waterproof Backpack

A waterproof daypack is a seriously non-negotiable item for us when we cruise. It makes sense really, as you are surrounded by water all day. Whether you are on and off the tender boats or on an expedition of a Zodiac, things can quickly get wet. Learn our experience and get yourself a waterproof backpack. Whether boating, snorkelling or just messing about on the water – you will be happy to have it. This one folds up into a tiny storage pouch when not in use.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Round Up

Are you a cruise newbie or a seasoned sea cruiser? We’d love to hear from you! What are the must-have items you recommend for an unforgettable cruise experience? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below and help fellow cruisers make the most of their journey.

Wishing you smooth seas and happy cruising adventures!

Warm regards,

Mike & Anita

P.S. If this post has helped you plan your next cruise, don’t keep it to yourself! Spread the joy by sharing it on Facebook or pinning it for later on Pinterest. You’ll find the share buttons conveniently located at the bottom of this page. Let’s keep the cruising community connected and informed!

Last update on 2024-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Mike & Anita

Welcome all cruise enthusiasts!
We’re Mike & Anita, your spirited guides to cruising the high seas (and Rivers), and we’ve clocked in over 600 days at sea.

This blog is dedicated to all you cruise lovers out there. It is a place to dive into the wonderful world of cruising. Join us on this exciting voyage where we share not just tips but insider secrets and money-saving gems about cruising.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time cruiser, get ready to explore, learn, and soak up the joy of our seafaring adventures. Happy Cruising! 🚢✨

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A passionate cruiser and photographer with more than 600 days at sea, and just a few, but growing number of Luxury River Cruises. Our expereince as hotel inspectors for a prestigous French brand help us uncover all the good things about luxury cruising. All-Inclusive Food and Wine Cruises always attract our attention!
Mike King - About Luxury Cruising Blog

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