On most cruises you hand over your big suitcases at the port and they're delivered to your cabin later that day, sometimes not until the evening. Everything you need until then goes in one bag you carry on board.
First: check your cruise line's rules
Bag size limits for boarding, prohibited items and how luggage is delivered are set by each cruise line. Read your line's boarding or "what to pack" page before you leave. Don't rely on a general list for this part.
Keep with you, always
- ☐ Passport or the travel documents your cruise requires, and your boarding pass or app
- ☐ Credit card and some cash
- ☐ Any medicines you take, in their original packaging
- ☐ Glasses or contact lenses
- ☐ Phone, charger and power bank
- ☐ Valuables and jewelry (never in the checked suitcase)
For the first afternoon on board
- ☐ Swimwear and a cover-up, if you want the pool before your bags arrive
- ☐ Sunscreen and sunglasses
- ☐ A light layer (dining rooms and theaters can be cool)
- ☐ A change of clothes for dinner, in case your luggage is late
Small things that help
- ☐ Refillable water bottle (check your line's rules for drinks)
- ☐ A pen (some ports still use paper forms)
- ☐ Basic toiletries in a small bag, so you can freshen up before your suitcase comes
When your luggage arrives
Unpack straight away and slide the empty cases under the bed. Our cruise cabin packing guide covers using the small closet and bathroom.
From Less2Lug: our Hanging Toiletry Bag has a swivel hook for a towel rail or door hook and closes to about 9.4 × 5.9 × 3.9 in (manufacturer's figures). Free US shipping; delivery in 8–14 business days.