Confessions of a Cruise Addict: My "Must-Have" Packing List (and the stuff you'll REALLY need) 🚢

Cruising with Lynnie
Jul 21, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Planning your next cruise? Forget the fancy clothes and embrace the practical essentials that will truly make your cruise unforgettable (and less stressful)! Here's what this Port Canaveral local is packing: 👇

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Magnetic Hooks: Extra hanging space is essential for small cruise cabins. Use it for wet swimsuits, lanyards, hats or souvenirs. We have 85 lb hooks and they will not hold a wet beach towel. The stronger the hooks the heavier the items they can hold.

Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer or Shower Caddy: This is a secret weapon against cluttered counters. Use it for toiletries, sunscreen, snacks, and other easily accessible items. I prefer the smaller ones because it's usually just two of us cruising, but if you have larger families you may want to opt for a larger one or multiples. Use your magnet hooks to hang this organizer on the wall.

Lanyard for Your Sail & Sign Card: To avoid searching for your keycard, keep it handy for easy access on the ship. I prefer the lanyards that have the detaching clip. TIP: On Carnival, the cards have a small hole in the corner. I add a key ring to my lanyard to hold the card.

A Good Book (or three!): 📚🎧 Kindle Unlimited lets you borrow up to 20 titles at a time, Including ebooks and audiobooks, so you'll never run out of reading material on your next cruise!

Reusable Insulated Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and reduce waste. Fill it with water, juice, or your favorite beverage to keep your drinks cool throughout the day. The 24 oz Owala is our go-to because of it's size, making it easy to throw in a backpack on port days.

A Pack of Over-the-Counter Meds: Bring pain relievers, seasickness remedies, and stomach settlers to avoid high prices on the ship. I bring a clear bag like this one full of all our medications, including our go-to remedies (Bonine, ginger chews and liquid Pepto).

From natural ginger to fast-acting patches, view my curated list of seasickness relief HERE ⬅️

Wrinkle Release Spray: Freshen up outfits quickly without ironing. This stuff works so good i even use it at home.

Portable Charger and Multi-Port USB Adapter: Maximize charging power for all your devices, as outlets are limited in cabins.

Magnetic Travel Fan: The walls on the ship are metal. This fan pivots and magnetically hangs from the stateroom ceilings and walls. This is a great space-saver if your are a fan sleeper or want a little extra circulation in your cruise cabin!

Bonus "Nice-to-Haves" for the Pro Cruiser:

Hammock Float and mini-Inflator for Beach Days: These are so nice to have when you want to spend a day floating in the turquoise water in the Caribbean!

Compression Packing Cubes: First i bought packing cubes, then i tried compression packing cubes. These are a game-changer! They help me fit so much more in my suitcase then i usually just throw them into the closet and live out of them for the duration of our cruise. These are the ones i have but there are many options on Amazon.

Laundry Bag: Keep dirty clothes contained to prevent them from cluttering your cabin. You can also use your magnetic hooks for this one and hang it on the wall but i'd recommend buying the stronger (130lb) hooks.