Updated October 2026 · By TripPack
For a cruise, pack a passport, a small day bag for embarkation day, one or two dressy outfits and a USB charger instead of a power strip. Leave the clothing iron at home: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line both prohibit them. TripPack’s cruise packing list builds the rest for your sailing.
TripPack’s cruise packing list starts from a 7-night cruise and adds what ships need that hotels don’t: formal-night outfits, an embarkation-day bag, motion sickness remedies and a charger that won’t get confiscated. Add your departure port or first port of call above for weather.
What documents do I need for a cruise?
A passport is the safest choice for any cruise. On closed-loop cruises — sailings that start and end at the same US port — US Customs and Border Protection lets US citizens re-enter the US with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID instead. The countries your ship visits may still ask for a passport, though, and if you miss the ship in a foreign port or have to fly home early, US citizens need a passport (or a Trusted Traveler card such as NEXUS) to enter the US by air. Keep documents, boarding pass and luggage tags in your carry-on, not your suitcase.
What goes in the embarkation-day bag?
On boarding day, you hand your big suitcase to porters at the terminal, and it can take hours to reach your cabin. Carry a small day bag with everything you need until then: documents, medications, phone charger, sunscreen, a swimsuit and a change of clothes. That way you can start your vacation at the pool instead of waiting by the door.
What can’t you bring on a cruise?
Each line publishes its own prohibited items list, and the lists differ, especially for power strips. Here is what two of the biggest lines say on their official pages:
| Item | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing irons | Prohibited | Prohibited (items with a heating element) |
| Garment steamers | Prohibited | Not named; check its heating-element rule |
| Power strips, extension cords, multi-plug outlets | Prohibited; certified device and USB chargers allowed | Not covered on its FAQ; check before you sail |
| Candles | Prohibited (open-flame items) | Prohibited |
Banned items found at the terminal are usually held until the end of the cruise. Cabins often have few outlets, so a compact, certified USB charging cube with no surge protector is the easy fix. Rules on bringing wine or other drinks aboard also differ by line.
What should I wear on a cruise?
- Formal or “elegant” nights. Many lines hold one or more on longer sailings. Dress codes range from cocktail attire to suits and gowns, depending on the line.
- Dinner. Main dining rooms usually expect smart casual in the evening. The buffet is casual.
- Days. Swimsuits (two, so one can dry), a cover-up, sandals, a sun hat and a light layer for windy decks and cold AC.
- Shore days. Comfortable walking shoes, water shoes if you’re snorkeling, and a small bag for your key card, ID and cash.
How do I stay well on board?
Even big ships move. If you’re unsure how you’ll feel, pack a motion sickness remedy before you need it, and ask your doctor about options. Hand sanitizer is useful in crowded areas. Sun on the pool deck is strong, so bring more sunscreen than you think, and pack after-sun lotion.
Which cabin hacks actually help?
- Magnetic hooks. Cabin walls on many ships are metal, so magnets give you instant hanging space.
- A lanyard. Your key card is also your room key and onboard payment card.
- Packing cubes. Cabins are small. Cubes slide into drawers and keep things findable.
- Small bills. Royal Caribbean, for example, adds a daily gratuity to your onboard account unless you prepay, but small bills help for porters at the terminal and purchases in port.
Is there laundry on a cruise ship?
Some ships have self-service launderettes; others offer only a paid laundry service. If you’re sailing for more than a week, check what your ship has and toggle “Laundry where I’m staying” above — TripPack will cap your clothes at a week’s worth.
FAQ
Do I need a passport for a cruise?
It’s strongly recommended. On closed-loop cruises from a US port, US citizens can re-enter the US with a birth certificate and photo ID, but they’d need a passport to fly home from a foreign port.
Can I bring a power strip on a cruise?
It depends on the line. Royal Caribbean prohibits power strips, extension cords and multi-plug outlets, but allows certified device and USB chargers. Check your line’s prohibited items list before you pack.
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (closed-loop cruises, air travel) — last modified Jun 17, 2026; checked Oct 16, 2026
- Royal Caribbean: prohibited items onboard policy — checked Oct 16, 2026
- Norwegian Cruise Line: what can’t I bring onboard? — checked Oct 16, 2026
- Royal Caribbean: onboard service gratuities — checked Oct 16, 2026
- TSA: liquids rule (for flying to your port) — checked Oct 16, 2026