Cruise Accessories Must Haves
A short list, mostly from your own closet or a thrift store.
Get Free Cruise QuotesCruise Accessories Must Haves, on a Flea-Market Budget
Search for cruise accessories must haves and you will find endless lists of gadgets. Most travelers need only a handful, and almost all of them can be bought secondhand, borrowed or found around the house. Here is our short list, chosen for usefulness rather than novelty.
| Item | Why it helps | Budget tip |
|---|---|---|
| Lanyard or card holder | Your key card is also your ID and charge card on most ships. | Any lanyard works; many people already have one. |
| Magnetic hooks | Steel cabin walls make extra hanging space. | Inexpensive in hardware stores. |
| USB charger with several ports | Cabins often have few outlets. | Use one you own; check your line’s rules on power strips. |
| Reusable water bottle | Refill at water stations and carry ashore. | Bring one from home. |
| Over-the-door organizer | Holds sunscreen, toiletries and small items in a small cabin. | A shoe organizer does the same job. |
| Small day bag | For port days and the pool. | A folding tote or old backpack is fine. |
| Motion-sickness remedies | Calm seas are common, but not guaranteed. | Ask your pharmacist or doctor what suits you. |
What You Can Buy Secondhand
- Luggage: good used suitcases are common at thrift stores and online. Check zips, wheels and handles.
- Formal night outfits: thrift and consignment shops are full of cocktail dresses and suits worn once.
- Snorkel gear: buy new masks and mouthpieces for hygiene, but fins can be secondhand.
- Rain jackets and layers: essential for Alaska and Northern Europe, and easy to find used.
- Binoculars: a used pair is ideal for whale watching and scenic cruising.
What Not to Bring
Before you buy anything new for a cruise, check what the ship provides: most cabins already have a hair dryer, basic toiletries and hangers, and most lines lend towels for the pool and beach.
Every line publishes a prohibited items list, and it is worth reading before you shop. Common items on those lists include candles and incense, irons and steamers, surge protectors, drones (on many lines, or only with restrictions) and certain kinds of alcohol beyond any allowance. Items that break the rules are usually held until the end of the cruise. For a full packing list by destination and season, our sister site Cruising Checklist has printable checklists, so we do not repeat them here.
Must-Have Questions
Can I bring a power strip on a cruise?
Surge-protected power strips are prohibited by the major lines, and some, including Royal Caribbean, also bar multi-outlet strips with AC sockets. Rules change, so check your line’s prohibited items list before you pack one.
Do magnetic hooks work in cruise cabins?
On most ships the cabin walls and ceilings are steel, so magnetic hooks and clips are a popular way to hang lanyards, hats and day bags. Use them gently so they do not scratch the finish.
Packed and Ready to Go?
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