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My family and I travel with a laundry bag on every trip we take. It makes it easy to have the kids throw all their dirty clothes in one spot. When we are unpacking at home, it’s easy to see where all the dirty clothes are located. Additionally, you may need extra items if you plan to swim on embarkation day.
I recently took my first cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world.
It’s important to note that you DO NOT need to pack beach towels. The cruise lines should allow you to take a towel from the ship to use on any shore excursions provided you bring it back. For more information about our packing list items, including links to the specific brands we use, you can check out the information below.
Packing Cubes
We like to print our list so that we can easily mark off each item as we pack. You can find our free printable cruise packing list here or by clicking on the image below. You’ll notice that the items are organized into sections in this printable cruise packing list. The free printable comes in PDF format and is a great cruise planning tool. If you’re planning an upcoming cruise vacation, you’re probably working on a list of things to pack for your trip.
Cruise Carry-on Bag
Make sure to pack the basics, too, including your toothbrush, moisturizer, razor, deodorant, brush, contacts, shampoo, conditioner, medications and shaving cream. Pack full-sized versions of each so you don't need to replace them as often. Here are a few must-have items that will ensure you're ready from the minute you step onboard. Cruises are known for their all-inclusive atmosphere, and they really do a good job of providing anything you could need aboard the ship in my experience. However, that doesn’t mean you should leave your reusable water bottle behind.

This is a growing category that I have added to my packing list. With more and more apps, I have to give more thought to what I need to have on my phone for travel, what I consider e-packing. For evening events, the dress code varies, but cruisers are less formal than they use to be. Many guests wear "smart casual" for formal night; Royal Caribbean's website explains the dress code to help with packing for evening wear. While some items can be purchased onboard, it is a good idea to have a ready made first aid kit for easy access during the cruise.
Mesh Laundry Bag
16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog
16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions.
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you’re heading into the forest, like going zip-lining or river tubing, bring along insect repellent. If you do get a bit too much Caribbean sun, you’ll be happy to have non-sticky aloe vera after-sun gel that will ease a sunburn. While sold on the cruise ship, it will be more expensive than planning ahead. A lanyard holds your cruise card both on the ship and in port, keeping your hands free. Here’s a list of the most essential items to pack for your cruise.
Garment Bag
There is a detailed list of prohibited items on Royal Caribbean's website, and among many are items that heat up, which can cause a fire hazard on the ship. Anything that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of guests and crew are prohibited. Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the two permitted bottles on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship.
Final Thoughts on What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise
These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard for enjoyment once home. With your family and all their stuff in a cruise cabin, it is a good idea to think about some organizational and storage techniques. Magnetic hooks and an over the door organizer, as well as ziploc bags for convenient storage, are all good options. There are no self-service laundry facilities onboard but washing, pressing, and dry-cleaning services are offered (prices vary per item).
My goal when packing shoes for a cruise is to limit myself to just a few comfortable pairs, which means versatility is key. While these sandals are a newer style, Dolce Vita is one of my go-to brands for cute but comfortable footwear, so I feel confident ordering them for my trip. Plus, these sandals feature a cushioned platform bottom for added support and a strap on the back, meaning my feet won’t slide around while walking around the ship. If you haven’t discovered the joy of packing an extension cord yet, trust me it’ll feel like an unexpected luxury on your next trip.
Surge protectors and extension cords are not allowed, but my family and I use this power strip to provide extra outlets when needed. Depending on where you choose to eat on the ship, you can typically dress in a smart casual manner. My husband usually wears golf attire (polo and pants), and my daughters and I wear casual dresses for dinner in the dining room. Keep Anything for the First Day in Your Carry-OnYou don’t have to check any bags at the port if you don’t want.
They’re made from a cotton-linen blend and feature a high-rise fit, two front pockets, and a full-length relaxed design. Along with a good suitcase and carry on bag, a garment bag is a must-have if you’re bringing dressy clothes or formal wear on your cruise. Here’s full cruise carry on packing list, and I will include it at the bottom of this post as well. Do you need cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more? Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. If you print the cruise packing checklist and refer to this post for explanations, you should be able to make a shopping list of cruise essentials.
Since comfort and versatility are a must on my cruise packing list, it was a no-brainer that I added a pair of linen pants from Chartou to the list. I can easily style the pants over my swimsuit or with a crisp white button-down shirt and a sweater draped over the shoulders for a preppy coastal feel. The drawstring pants come in eight colors including beige, blue, green, white, and black, and sizes XS to 2XL.
Long Pants and SocksIf you’re planning to go ice skating on ships like Allure, Symphony and Wonder of the Seas (and many more!), you’ll want to wear pants and socks. Socks are also good to have in case you want to hit up spots like the rock climbing wall and the zip line on board. Small Bag or Tote Bag With EssentialsYou’ll want to get in on the action as soon as you set foot on your ship. There are experiences and activities you can start enjoying right away—from waterslides to hanging 10 on the FlowRider surf simulator. Having a tote bag with a few essentials (like a swimsuit, sunscreen and shades) means you’ll be ready to dive in once you board.
Pack all the medication you’ll need while on your trip, both prescription and non-prescription. For There will be a medical facility and shop on board any Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll have access to your specific medications. This bag can also be used on port days to take items you”ll need when off the ship, as well as carry souvenirs. Make sure your carry-on bag has the items you’ll need most, like a swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen. It should also have all of your boarding and personal documents like your ID and passport, as well as anything valuable like cash, medications, jewelry, your phone and laptop, etc. The first thing you’ll want is a small bag that can be easily carried.
In the post below, we have organized cruise necessities into several categories. You’ll find packing checklists for your boarding day carry-on bag, cruise essentials (including outfit planning), beach must haves, tips for cabin organization, and baby necessities. When it comes to clothing, focus on the cruise essentials to pack first, such as swimsuits, hats and sunglasses. Then follow some tried and true rules of packing for a round-the-world trip. Then, add in some evening wear, like suits or dresses, accessories and any destination-specific clothes, such as a sarong. Make sure you're including items that are breathable, easy to layer, easy to wash and easy to pack.
It covers everything that you might need to bring, all broken down into easy sections. It’s not saying you have to bring everything on the list, but it offers up a lot of ideas that you’ll want to consider. Something many travelers don’t realize is that the night before the cruise ends, your checked luggage will be collected. You won’t have access to them that final night, so you’ll need to keep a few items out of your suitcase such as pajamas, an outfit for the disembarkment, and your toiletries.
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