What To Pack With You for a Cruise and What To Leave at Home

March 18, 2024 6 min read

Setting sail on a cruise vacation feels like hitting the jackpot, where every day brings a new horizon and, every night, a sky full of stars to dine under. At FUNBOY, we're all about amplifying that joy, making each moment memorable and downright iconic with our stylish vacation essentials.

Think of us as your cruise's best accessory, the cherry on top of your vacation sundae. From the moment you step aboard to the last sunset you snap, we're here to ensure that your cruise is sprinkled with fun, laughter, and unparalleled style.

So, let’s discuss how to pack like a pro, ensuring your suitcase is as ready for adventure as you are.

What Are the Essential Packing Tips for a Cruise Vacation?

The key to gearing up for a cruise vacation is packing smart. This involves curating a collection that's as versatile as it is fun and vibrant.

First, let's talk essentials — those non-negotiables that will ensure your days are spent soaking up the sun rather than hunting down a forgotten charger.

Travel Documents and Essentials

Top of the list, without a doubt, are your travel documents. Passports, visas, credit cards, and cruise tickets are your golden tickets to the high seas. Don't forget to snap digital copies!

Wardrobe Wisdom

Whether you're basking in the Caribbean sun or exploring the rugged beauty of Alaska, your wardrobe needs to keep up.

Here are some tips to help you dress for success and make a stylish splash onboard:

Effortless Chic: Opt for versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched easily. Pack lightweight fabrics, like breezy sundresses, breathable shorts, and stylish swimwear.
Layer Up: The weather can change while you're at sea. Pack a light jacket or cardigan for cooler evenings, and don't forget a chic cover-up for poolside lounging.
Shoes for Every Occasion: Bring comfortable walking shoes for onshore excursions, flip-flops or water shoes for pool and beach days, and dress shoes for evening events.
Accessories are Key: Elevate your looks with statement accessories — hats, totes, sunglasses, scarves, and jewelry — that add a touch of personality to your outfits.
Swimwear Variety: Pack a few swimsuits to suit different moods and activities. Whether a classic one-piece or a trendy bikini, have options for ultimate poolside confidence.
Formal Attire: Check your cruise's dress code for formal nights in the dining room. Bring dressier outfits for these special occasions — think cocktail dresses, dress shirts, and slacks.

The goal is to feel stylish and comfortable throughout your cruise vacation. Mix and match your wardrobe to create a range of stylish outfits that reflect your personal taste and make you feel fabulous on deck.

Tech Savvy

Chargers and adapters are nearly as important as your boarding pass. A power strip can be a cabin game-changer, giving all your gadgets a charging hub. Just be sure to check your cruise line's guidelines — safety first, after all.

Toiletry Tactics

When it comes to toiletries, grab only the essentials to keep you looking and feeling fresh from the first wave to the last dance under the stars.

Here’s the lineup:

Sunscreen and Aloe: The dynamic duo for those sunny days and accidental sun kisses.
Motion Sickness Remedies: Keep these close — smooth seas never made a skilled sailor, but they sure can make a queasy one.
First-Aid Kit: For all those unexpected twists and turns life throws you. This may include band-aids, gauze pads, and thermometers.
Personal Care Essentials: Toothbrush, toothpaste, conditioner, skincare items including lotion or moisturizer, shaving cream, and lip balm with SPF. Because even on a cruise, the selfie game doesn't take a vacation.
Haircare Must-Haves: Keep those locks rocking with your favorite shampoo and products.

The FUNBOY Touch

No cruise deck is complete without a FUNBOY float, easily tucked into your suitcase and ready to splash at any port of call. You can float in the middle of paradise on your own luxurious inflatable — now that's a vacation highlight reel waiting to happen!

What Should You Leave at Home?

As you prepare to hop aboard your cruise, remember that what you leave behind is just as important as what you pack. Avoiding overpacking saves you from lugging around extra weight and leaves room for those special souvenirs you'll want to bring back.

Here are a few items to consider leaving at home to make your cruise experience as carefree as possible:

Bulky Towels

Save the space in your suitcase — cruise ships and many excursions provide beach towels for your convenience. Plus, this leaves more room for a FUNBOY float which, unlike a bulky towel, adds a bit of fun to your swim.

Excessive Gadgets

While bringing every tech toy you own is tempting, remember that a cruise is a chance to disconnect. Limit yourself to the essentials: A cell phone, camera, and perhaps an e-reader. Most ships offer Wi-Fi, but the sea views are better than screen time.

Large Bottles of Toiletries

Those full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion? Leave them at home. Opt for travel-sized versions or take advantage of the amenities provided in your stateroom. It's all about maximizing space and minimizing hassle.

Valuables You Can't Lose

It's wise to leave expensive jewelry and unnecessary valuables at home. Keep it simple with a few versatile pieces that can dress up any outfit without causing worry.

The Wrong Shoes

While you might be tempted to pack a pair of shoes for every possible occasion, stick to the essentials: A pair of comfortable walking shoes for exploring ports of call, flip-flops for the pool, and a dressier option for formal nights. Space in your suitcase is precious, so choose wisely.

Iron or Steamer

Most cruise lines prohibit these due to safety concerns. Instead, pack wrinkle-resistant clothes, or hang them in the bathroom while you shower to steam out the wrinkles.

What Are Some Packing Strategies?

Packing for a cruise is like crafting the perfect playlist. You need a mix that hits all the right notes.

Here’s how to pack your carry-on and suitcase to ensure a smooth sail:

Roll Your Clothes: Roll your clothes instead of folding them to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. This technique is a game-changer, especially for those t-shirts and casual dresses.
Embrace Versatility in Every Piece: Select garments that can double up for different occasions. A sarong, for example, can be a chic beach wrap by day and a sophisticated shawl by night. This strategy saves space and keeps your cruise wardrobe fresh and exciting.
Packing Cubes Are Your Best Friends: These little lifesavers keep your suitcase organized and compress your clothes, making more room for essentials (like an extra bathing suit or two for spontaneous snorkeling adventures).
Choose Your Carry-On Wisely: In your carry-on bag, pack a change of clothes, your swimsuit, and any essentials you might need immediately upon boarding, just in case your luggage decides to take a little detour.

What About the Last-Minute Checklist?

With the excitement building and departure day nearly here, take a moment for a last-minute check to ensure nothing’s left behind:

Travel Documents: Double-check that you have your passports, tickets, and any other required travel documents. Verifying your shore excursions and dining reservations is also a good idea.
Chargers and Adapters: Ensure you've packed your phone charger, camera charger, and any adapters you might need for the cruise ship's outlets.
Seasickness Prevention: Even if you've never experienced motion sickness, it's better to be prepared. Pack your seasickness bands or medication — better safe than sorry.
Cruise Packing List Review: Give your cruise packing list one final glance to ensure you’ve ticked off everything, from your swimsuits to your formal wear for that glamorous cruise ship evening.
Weather Check: Do a quick check of the forecast for your destinations. Warm weather might call for an extra tank top or two, while an unexpected chill could mean throwing in an extra cozy sweater.

A Final Word

As you zip up your suitcase and take one last look around, ready to hop on your Caribbean cruise, remember: Every item you've packed promises the fun to come. With FUNBOY by your side, you're set to make every moment unforgettable.

Here's to smooth seas, sunny skies, and the kind of memories that only come when you've packed perfectly — with a little help from FUNBOY, where we believe your vacation should be as limitless as your imagination.

Let's sail into the horizon of fun, style, and memories to last forever. Get your hands on our collection of FUNBOY floats, perfect for your next tropical getaway.

Sources:

Aloe Vera for Sunburns: Does It Help? | Cleveland Clinic

Motion Sickness: Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

What to Wear in Hot Weather | Howdy Health

What should I wear at sea? Here's what to know about cruise line dress codes | USA Today