I Packed All the Cruise “Must-Haves” Here’s What I Actually Used

If you’ve spent any amount of time on CruiseTok, Pinterest, Facebook cruise groups, or basically anywhere else on the internet, you’ve probably seen approximately 700 lists of things you absolutely NEED to bring on a cruise.

My names Jessica and I’m an over packer. 🙋‍♀️

So naturally, I packed a bunch of them.

Some were fantastic. Some never left their packaging. Some I would bring again every single time. And some got a free vacation while taking up valuable space in my luggage.

For context: we drove to the cruise port, so I had the luxury of packing without an airline standing over me judging the weight of my suitcase. If you’re flying, you’re going to want to be considerably more ruthless than I was.

Here’s what actually happened.

🧲 Magnetic Hooks PACK THEM

Verdict: Absolutely worth it.

Cruise cabin walls are magnetic, and these were actually as useful as everyone says they are.

We used them, they kept things off the limited surfaces in the room, and I would absolutely pack them again.

For once, the internet was right.

🏖️ Towel Clips LEAVE THEM

Verdict: Nope.

You know those clips everyone tells you to bring to keep your towel attached to your chair?

Mine are still in the package they came in.

They had a lovely cruise.

💩 Poo Spray FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PACK IT

Verdict: Godsend.

You’re sharing a very small cabin.

With a very small bathroom.

There is nowhere for anyone to go.

I’m not elaborating further.

Pack the spray.

💇‍♀️ Hair Styling Tools BE REALISTIC WITH YOURSELF

Verdict: Who has time?

Did I pack hair tools with visions of doing my hair every day?

Of course.

Did vacation-me have the same ambitions as packing-at-home-me?

Absolutely not.

Unless you KNOW you’re going to style your hair, save yourself the space.

👗 Wrinkle Release Spray EH

Verdict: Wouldn’t bother next time.

Everyone recommends this because you can’t just bring whatever you want onboard to deal with wrinkles.

Except mine didn’t really do much.

Maybe I expected too much. Maybe my clothes were particularly committed to being wrinkled.

Either way, this isn’t making my must-pack list again.

🚪 Door Magnets CUTE, BUT THERE’S A CATCH

Verdict: Bring them, but don’t get emotionally attached.

Decorating your cabin door is fun and makes finding your room easier.

However…

People move them.

And then suddenly your cute little magnet is living three hallways away on somebody else’s door.

So yes, bring door magnets if you want. Just don’t bring anything sentimental, expensive, or something you’d be upset about losing.

Consider your magnets members of a free-range community.

🌙 Night Light DIDN’T USE IT

Verdict: Good idea in theory.

I brought a night light thinking it would be perfect for navigating a dark cabin without turning on every light and temporarily blinding everyone at 2 a.m.

The problem?

Outlets are valuable real estate in a cruise cabin.

There weren’t enough available for me to justify sacrificing one to the night light.

It stayed packed.

🧳 Packing Cubes APPARENTLY I’M NOT A PACKING CUBE PERSON

Verdict: Eh.

People LOVE packing cubes.

I wanted to love packing cubes.

I do not love packing cubes.

They weren’t terrible. They just didn’t revolutionize my life the way the internet promised they would.

If you’re already a packing cube person, carry on. If you’re not, you don’t need to buy an elaborate 14-piece organizational system just because TikTok told you to.

👜 Beach Bag SURPRISINGLY USEFUL

Verdict: Pack it.

Obviously useful for pool and port days.

But its greatest moment?

The trip home.

When all the things I purchased somehow no longer fit into the luggage that had fit everything perfectly on the way there.

Suddenly the beach bag became the I Have Made Financial Decisions Bag™.

She served us well.

🎟️ Lanyards YES

Verdict: Just yes.

I know.

They’re not sexy.

You may feel mildly like you’re attending a corporate convention.

I don’t care.

Having your cruise card easily accessible without digging through your bag every five minutes is worth it.

Lanyard supremacy.

💄 Makeup HA.

Verdict: Know thyself.

I packed it.

That’s about all I have to say about that.

If you’re someone who does a full face every day on vacation, obviously bring it.

If you’re someone who imagines herself becoming that person on vacation…

Hello. Welcome. I’ve been expecting you.

💊 Random Medications PACK THEM

Verdict: Absolutely worth the space.

Pain reliever. Stomach medicine. Motion sickness medicine. Bandages. Whatever little pharmacy of random things makes sense for you.

Can you buy some of this stuff onboard?

Yes.

Do you want to pay cruise-ship prices for something you already had sitting in your bathroom cabinet at home?

No.

This is firmly in the better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it category.

🩲 The Extra Underwear OBVIOUSLY PACK IT

Verdict: Did I need it? No. But WHAT IF I DID?

You know exactly what I’m talking about.

Five-day trip?

Better pack approximately 14 pairs of underwear.

Did disaster strike?

No.

Was I prepared?

Absolutely.

I will not be changing this behavior.

So…What Would I Pack Next Time?

The biggest thing I learned is that you probably need way less than you think you do.

Cruise packing lists can make it seem like you need to arrive at the terminal equipped for every possible scenario known to mankind.

You don’t.

Next time, I’m taking the things that genuinely made our lives easier, skipping the things I packed because somebody on the internet told me they were a “must-have,” and leaving a little more room in my luggage.

Because apparently I WILL find things to buy.

And yes.

I’m still packing the extra underwear.

-Jessica