Ship shops are handy, but they charge resort prices for things you already own. Packing a few extra items is the simplest saving on any cruise.
Bring It From Home
Sun and skin
Reef-friendly sunscreen, after-sun lotion and lip balm. Ship and port shops charge a premium for all three.
Health basics
Seasickness tablets or bands, pain relievers, antacids, plasters and any prescriptions in original packaging.
A refillable bottle
Fill it with the included water at the buffet before going ashore.
Snorkel gear
A mask and snorkel you trust saves rentals at beaches and private islands.
Phone power
Spare cables and a power bank; check your line’s rules first — surge protectors are commonly banned.
Day bag and lanyard
A small waterproof bag for port days and a holder for your cabin card.
Pack to Avoid the Classic Onboard Buys
- Formal night outfit. One smart outfit you already own beats a last-minute buy in the onboard boutique.
- Cold-weather layers. Alaska and northern Europe decks are cold; buying a fleece aboard is a common, expensive surprise.
- Rain gear. A packable jacket saves buying a poncho at the pier.
- Your own camera. Take the photos you want and buy professional ones only if you love them.
- Snacks for port days. A few granola bars bought at home save buying food ashore on a long tour.
- Cash in small bills. Useful for taxis and tips ashore, where card fees and poor exchange rates add up.
Check your line’s list of prohibited items before you pack anything electrical or any drinks. Our sister site Cruising Checklist has full packing lists by region and season.
What Not to Pack
Packing to save also means not paying to carry things you will not use. Airline bag fees are part of the cruise cost if you fly. Ships have hair dryers in most cabins, towels for the pool, and laundry services or self-service launderettes on many ships, so a long cruise does not need a fresh outfit for every day. Pack for half the days and plan one laundry round, and you may avoid a second checked bag altogether.
A Pack-to-Save Habit for Every Cruise
Keep a small “cruise kit” at home between trips: the sunscreen, the seasickness bands, the lanyard, the refillable bottle, the packable rain jacket and the snorkel mask. Restock it after each cruise, and the next one starts with the money-saving items already in the bag. Add a printed list of the ship’s prohibited items for the line you sail most, and you will never have something confiscated at the security belt either.
Traveling with children? Pack their favorite snacks for the flight and the first afternoon, swim diapers if they need them, and a night light for the cabin. All three are either expensive or hard to find once you are aboard.
A last word on gifts and souvenirs: port markets and local shops usually beat the ship’s boutique for anything made in the destination, and the duty-free deals on board are only deals if you were going to buy that item anyway.
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