Do not pack your documents in your suitcase or you will not be allowed to board the ship. Keep passports and cruise tickets in a backpack or a purse that you will keep with you when you board the ship. It is a good idea to buy an RFID blocking case for your passport. The RFID protection holder can block unwanted RFID scanners, includes RFID blocking technology to prevent unauthorized access to personal information, designed to block readers from scanning your passport information. They are available in a lot of fun colors too. From Amazon $7.99

KAOBAN $7.99

Women’s/Men’s Passport Holder Cover Wallet Rfid Blocking Card

This is a must have in today’s electronic world. Older ships have one plug in the bathroom for shavers and another plug by the desk area, the new ships or ones that have been refurbished now have USB ports near the bed. This power strip will charge both of our phones, my Kindle, and both of our Apple watches, it’s a true lifesaver for us that need our electronics. It supports 7 electric devices simultaneously, like cell phones, Pad, laptops, lamp, cameras and other devices. This desktop Power Strip with 3 Outlet 4 USB Ports 4.5A, Flat Plug and 5 ft Long Braided Extension Cords for Cruise Ship is only $11.99 on Amazon.

A MUST have, I wish I thought of these years ago and I wish they worked in all cabins on all ships! These magnetic hooks come in large and small sizes and help keep everything organized and neat in the small cruise cabins. We keep the big ones by the cabin door and hang our lanyards on with our cruise key, as well as hats, small bags, and anything we don’t want to forget before walking out the door. The small ones we keep by the beds. They are great for your electric cords to hang on them instead of having them on the floor where you can trip. I always have one by my bed with my glasses hanging on them and another one for my pj’s and robe, they are very strong. If you use a CPAP machine it’s great to hold the cord up and not get it all tangled. The only hard part is all the choices, going on Amazon and picking out hooks you like best, you can even have a choice of colors and different size packs. The larger stronger ones will hold a large cane and I use it to hang fun decorations I bring for the cabin.

Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty, 130 lb Strong Magnet with Super Neodymium Extra Strength on Amazon 4 for $10.99

Pack of 10 smaller ones on Amazon $14.99

If you have ever been in a tiny little bathroom cabin and think about all you eat on a cruise you will know why this is so important, I need not say more, don’t forget a really nice soft smell, as the cabin bathrooms are small you don’t want anything overpowering. We love this Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray as it is small and enough for longer cruises. On Amazon in Original Citrus, Travel Size 10 mL – Lemon, Bergamot and Lemongrass, 0.34 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) $4.99

These are important if you are flying to your cruise and especially flying home. While you might be under the weight limit for your flight going, think about on the way home after buying all those souvenirs, especially if you are buying liquor bottles in port or on the ship and it can’t go in your carry on, the have to be packed. It’s also a good idea to bring a spare battery as it drains fast if you forget to turn it off after use. Lots of choices of colors and brands.

travel inspira Luggage Scale, Portable Digital Hanging Baggage Scale for Travel, Suitcase Weight Scale with Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds, Battery Included – Red On sale at Amazon for $9.99 Available in Black, Blue, Silver, and Green

Another secret to keeping a clean cabin are laundry bags. We each keep one under our beds and fill them up as clothes become dirty. On some ships we are lucky enough to get free laundry service due to our club status, like Princess and Carnival which is the best amenity. I transfer the dirty clothes from this bag to the ones they supply and then send them out for cleaning. On cruise lines where we don’t receive the free service, we have them filled up at the end of the cruise and just pack them in suitcases to wash when we get home. It takes less room and it’s so easy to just throw everything into the washer once home.

On Amazon for $10.99 for both NICOGENA Wash Me Laundry Bag 2 packs, 28×40 inches Rips & Tears Resistant Large Dirty Clothes Storage Bag, Machine Washable, Heavy Duty Laundry Hamper Liner Sky Blue & Gray

These bands come in different size packets depending how many people you need them for. They are motion sickness bands/acupressure nausea wristband for sea sickness naturally, they is no medication in them. Here’s how they work:

Wear the round anti nausea button and insert it between the two inner wrist ribs. In order to restore balance in the body, wristbands work by applying pressure to the acupuncture points on each wrist using a white bottom. The bands take two to five minutes to start working, but they work best when worn by both hands at once, but to be effective, the acupressure wristbands must be tight enough. I haven’t needed them as after over 100 cruises I don’t often get seasick. However I have learned to bring them as you never know what can happen on a cruise. We hit bad weather last year in the Baltic and our ship was being tossed around like it was a toy boat. The Captain said the North Sea is known to have strong currents and called it an extratropical cyclone. After we passed an iceberg I was glad I had brought ours as that was a sign it wasn’t letting up anytime soon. They do sell them in the ships gift stores but of course you will pay a lot more than buying them at home.

At Amazon get a 6 pack for $6.59, enough for everyone in your party.

When I travel with anyone they know if they get a cold, tummy ache, sunburn, a headache, need a Tylenol, or a band aid all they have to do is ask me. I literally take a small drugstore with me as I believe in being prepared. Never forget your prescription medicine you take daily or over the counter medicines you might need. In most Countries it is hard to fill prescription drugs. You can buy some over the counter items on the ship at the gift shop but they have a very small section, and it’s pretty costly.

I always take sample sizes of tooth ache medicine, Kaopectate for stomach aches, eye drops, (if you will be in the Ocean the salt water might bother your eyes), Blistex, cough drops and cold medicine. I also take individual size make up wipes and face cleaners, individual packs of Tide to wash something in the sink, bug bite, of course toothpaste and a toothbrush with a cover to protect it.

Also something that sound simple that you couldn’t possibly forget, a comb and/or brush! We went on a cruise one time and I had changed purses to carry a small bag. When I unpacked in the cabin I had forgotten my brush but no problem I always keep a small one in my purse, Oh no I didn’t have it, what to do. I went to the gift store and they had none, she said try Customer Service, none. Ayr said don’t despair I have an idea for the 2 days until we get to a port to buy you one. He left the cabin and when he returned Ayr produced Ariel’s dinglehopper! Brilliant, it was just perfect, hey it worked for Ariel_)

2 Pieces Motion Sensor Night Lights LED Cordless Puck Lights Small Wall Lights with Rotating Base for Cruise Cabin, White Light (Battery Operated) What’s great about these is they don’t keep you awake like a night lite, as they are sensor based the light only turns on when you walk into the bathroom. We love these lights such a great invention, you can use one at home.

On Amazon $21 for both

If you are planning on a beach day there are a few products that you will need to pack. If you are sailing to the Caribbean be sure to bring water shoes as it isn’t always smooth on the bottom of the water at times you will have lots of rocks. A waterproof cell phone case is great for taking pictures with your phone, a snorkel mask if you have one of your own and plan on snorkeling, a beach bag to carry everything to the beach and back to the ship. You will be able to take the beach towels from the ship (remember to return them or you will be charged) You want to of course pack some swimsuits, a cover up, sun glasses, and a hat with UV protection against the direct sun. But most of all don’t forget the sun screen and the anti burn spray. If you aren’t one to spend lots of time in the sun at home and you are now in the Caribbean or the French Riviera, or a Greek island where the sun is very strong be prepared to burn so protect yourself with the highest SPF while also waterproof. What’s nice about bringing first aid spray is it’s something you can also use for minor cuts or scraps besides sun burn. Some people prefer Aloe Vera for sunburn relief and that also comes in an easy spray bottle to pack.

Mr Pen 2-Pack Waterproof Phone Pouch for 7-inch screen comes for all size phones On Amazon 2 pack $4.99

Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch, 4 Pack Waterproof Phone Case Dry Bag with Neck Strap Luminous Ornament for Water Games Protect iPhone 14 13 12 11 SE Pro Max Plus Galaxy S22 S21 Google Note up to 8″ On Amazon 4 Pack $10.99

HSELL Womens UV Protection Wide Brim Sun Hats Cooling Mesh Ponytail Hole Cap Foldable Travel Outdoor Hat On Amazon $10.99 lots of different colors and even a ponytail hole.