Cruiseships

Biggest Packing Regrets on My Cruise, Travelers Share

Packing for a cruise is a extra intentional endeavor than packing for a weekend journey to New York Metropolis or Walt Disney World. 

When touring on a cruise, you will need to pack the necessities rigorously, contemplating each the onboard actions and shore excursions in port. 

That mentioned, cruise cabins have restricted storage. It is simpler to pack greater than you assume you will want, simply to expire of house when settling into your stateroom. 

One consumer requested what skilled vacationers regretted packing for his or her cruise on Reddit. The put up obtained over 200 feedback, with many saying that they’d second ideas about how a lot clothes they introduced. 

Different solutions ranged from frequent home items like steamers to lanyards and soda. This is a round-up of essentially the most regretted gadgets packed for a cruise trip. 

Too many garments

Many cruisers shared that they regretted bringing too many garments. Whereas planning trip outfits is enjoyable, making an attempt to pack a number of outfits for every day may be demanding. 

“I packed ~12 outfits and 4 swimsuits + coverups for a 7night/8day cruise and I may have packed lower than half of that,” wrote ResolutionStunning42. 

As a substitute, they wished they’d targeted on bringing a couple of nicer outfits, a couple of snug outfits, swimsuits, and a single cover-up. 

luckyvacaythrowaway added that they’d not have introduced garments they felt insecure in at house, since they did not find yourself sporting any of them. 

In case you carry too many garments, your cabin can rapidly develop into a cluttered nightmare, making it tougher to search out the shirt you actually need to put on for White Night time. 

Sneakers

On an analogous notice, plenty of vacationers thought they’d packed too many sneakers. Not solely do sneakers take up plenty of invaluable baggage house, however it’s tougher to arrange them within the stateroom. 

“[I] now attempt to solely pack two pairs and I put on my bulkiest pair on the airplane/ship (sneakers). I then pack a pair of flip flops or water sneakers for the pool and spa areas,” shared 317ant. 

Additionally they carry a pair of sandals that may be dressed up or down, relying on the event. 

Uncomfortable sneakers are additionally a no-go. Though you is perhaps okay working again to the room mid-evening to alter, your ft will thanks for bringing footwear that may deal with lengthy days ashore and evenings working from exercise to exercise. 

Field of tissues

Cruise cabins are stocked with the fundamentals, together with hand cleaning soap and tissues. As such, one traveler regretted bringing their very own field of tissues. 

HawaiianShirtsOR wrote, “It simply took up suitcase house unnecessarily. I do not know why I assumed there would not be tissues in my cabin.”

Usually, the tissues may be discovered tucked into one of many dressers or self-importance drawers. It’s also possible to ask your cabin steward if you cannot discover them or want extras. 

Physique wash and shampoo

Cruise cabins are outfitted with primary toiletries, together with cleaning soap, shampoo, and physique wash. On Royal Caribbean ships, normal staterooms have a shampoo-body wash hybrid. 

As such, Intelligent_Ad_1385 argues that vacationers should not have to pack physique wash or shampoo.

Bringing your individual bottles takes up baggage house and provides pointless weight, particularly if you happen to pack full-sized merchandise. 

That mentioned, many cruisers disagree with them, saying that private hygiene merchandise are important. 

“I might advocate bringing shampoo and conditioner 100%, that cleaning soap is tremendous harsh, it really works [perfectly] on the physique however it can strip all of the moisture out of your hair,” wrote iamadesert. 

Furthermore, Royal Caribbean cabins should not have any conditioner. In case you neglect, you will have to go to the onboard outlets and pay for an overpriced journey bottle. 

Haircare merchandise

On an analogous notice, one passenger shared that they regretted bringing their haircare merchandise. 

“My hair was by no means carried out. I did want my [leave-in] conditioner so I may get the comb by my hair, however a curling iron and different merchandise have been laughable to me! It is so windy and humid generally! I will by no means carry them once more,” acknowledged GoldengirlSkye. 

This comes down to non-public desire, although. Some cruisers take pleasure in styling their hair on trip and could not think about leaving house with out essential merchandise or instruments, particularly these with textured hair. 

Steamer

Cruise traces have a protracted checklist of prohibited gadgets that visitors usually are not permitted to carry aboard their ships. Many gadgets are frequent sense, like firearms, explosives, and unlawful medication. Others, nevertheless, may be simply ignored in the course of the packing course of. 

Sadly, one cruiser discovered the onerous manner that on a regular basis home items may be flagged in the course of the check-in course of. 

No-Tank-1826 mentioned, “We packed a journey steamer and received a notice in our checked baggage that it was confiscated, 🤪 and we may choose it up from safety after the cruise.”

Learn extra: 5 issues you’ll be able to’t carry on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025

Wrinkle-release spray

Since steamers (and irons) aren’t allowed on Royal Caribbean ships, many cruisers choose to carry wrinkle-release spray. As well-liked as it might be, maestra612 claimed that they ended up leaving it untouched of their cabin throughout their crusing. 

In case you do not need to fear about discovering wrinkle-release spray earlier than your cruise, I’ve discovered that hanging the wrinkled garment in query to hold within the toilet whereas showering works fairly properly. 

The steam from the bathe relaxes the fibers. Typically talking, many wrinkles will clean out by the point you are clear, however it is not a fool-proof substitute for an iron or steamer. 

Pop-up laundry hamper

Many cruise content material creators advocate bringing a pop-up laundry hamper. Nonetheless, a number of cruisers remorse listening to that recommendation. 

little_blu_eyez is one in every of them. Of their eyes, the pop-up hamper took up an excessive amount of flooring house. As a substitute, they began utilizing packing cubes. 

“I absolutely unpack after I get onboard,” they mentioned, “As I put on garments I pack them again into the dice.”

By the final night time, they’re already midway packed and may spend extra time having fun with the ship, somewhat than scrambling to fold every part neatly again into their suitcase. 

Alternatively, Due_Warthog725 suggests bringing a trash bag for soiled garments.

Books

Many passengers love discovering a snug lounge chair and diving into their latest e book. Others, nevertheless, would somewhat spend their trip profiting from the ship’s facilities. 

East_Celebration6706 commented that they took a e book on their cruise, however they didn’t open it as soon as — there have been too many different actions on the ship!

On an analogous notice, if you’re planning on bringing books on board, you could need to put money into a Kindle. Somewhat than bringing cumbersome hardcover or paperback books with you, you’ll be able to obtain a number of titles onto a single, light-weight gadget. 

Professional tip: obtain quite a lot of books earlier than you board, particularly if you happen to aren’t planning on buying Royal’s Wi-Fi bundle. 

“Be sure to obtain any books you assume you may wish to learn earlier than you go since I believe it might be very onerous to do on board,” suggested tylersmom1919. 

Laptop computer

Trip is a time to chill and loosen up. Nonetheless, if you happen to carry a laptop computer with you, you could really feel obligated to test in on how issues are going on the workplace. 

That is what occurred to thinkdeep. Bringing a laptop computer meant that they weren’t in a position to absolutely disconnect throughout their hard-earned trip. 

Magnetic hooks

There are tons of articles on the market about the way to maximize cabin storage (Royal Caribbean Weblog is responsible of getting a couple of). Whereas we’re massive followers of magnetic hooks, they have not been a house run for everybody. 

Based on zzrryll, they by no means wanted the hooks that “folks insist on shilling.” To be honest, newer ships are likely to have smarter storage choices, from additional hooks to intelligent shelving. 

As such, the takeaway from zrryll’s remark is that earlier than packing beneficial storage equipment, analysis your cruise cabin. You might discover that your particular stateroom has greater than sufficient storage without having to carry additional hooks. 

Over-the-door shoe organizer

Like magnetic hooks, some vacationers have discovered the over-the-door shoe organizer hack to be overrated. 

“All of it appears so extreme. By no means as soon as I’ve wanted an over the door hanging organizer with 3 million pockets,” mentioned dawson33944, a Diamond cruiser inside Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society. 

IslandGyrl2 added, “The shoe organizer is a touch you’ve got over-packed; it simply brings your muddle out into the open, and it makes a clunk-clunk each time you open the door.”

Learn extra: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Fan

Followers may be nice equipment within the heat Caribbean or Mediterranean — no person needs to overheat whereas making an attempt to take pleasure in one of many ports of name. Generally, they are often helpful within the staterooms, too. 

Nonetheless, MyRunningAcct didn’t discover their cabin sizzling or stuffy. As such, they ended up not needing the transportable fan that they’d introduced.

RochR0k agreed, including that their stateroom was so chilly they needed to flip off the air-con. 

Formal apparel

It’s no shock that cruises usually are not as formal as they was once. In actual fact, many modern-day cruisers elect to not take part in formal night time. Some cruise traces, together with Norwegian, have successfully gone away with conventional formal nights completely. 

SeaSpeakToMe wrote, “Our first cruise we introduced [one] nicer outfit (not tremendous formal) for formal night time and discovered it’s not our fashion. Now we hit up the buffet or another included meals on formal nights. I can see the attraction, it’s enjoyable to decorate up generally, however it’s not my trip fashion.”

Except formal nights are a should for you, you could be happier packing informal dinner outfits and skipping the eating room altogether. 

Telescope

In case you are cruising to Alaska, binoculars are a should. You do not need to miss the dramatic landscapes or impromptu wildlife sightings. Nonetheless, telescopes are typically thought of overkill on a cruise. 

“I wished to soak up the sights of the ports from the highest deck and see issues up shut and private. Outcomes have been….okay,” shared tubbis9001. 

It additionally did not work properly for stargazing. They might not preserve the telescope secure sufficient to see the moon or stars whereas on the bow. 

Case of water

Royal Caribbean’s base fare consists of choose drinks, akin to faucet water, drip espresso, lemonade, sizzling chocolate, and juice. Nonetheless, bottled water prices additional, together with soda, alcoholic drinks, specialty espresso, and extra. 

Many cruisers who resolve to forego Royal’s expensive drink bundle carry on restricted portions of non-alcoholic drinks, together with one case of water or soda. Whereas it may possibly assist get monetary savings, some cruisers assume hauling on drinks is not well worth the effort. 

“[The water we brought] did not get drunk and I dont assume that horrible in room fridge may even catch up over the entire 5 day cruise in order that they have been nonetheless barely chilled,” mentioned icebox_Lew. 

One other visitor shared a narrative about having their carry-on soda bottles burst open of their bag:

“The soda we purchased was in bottles and I assumed that I had them well-packed to be secure. I used to be unsuitable. A pair clinked collectively and one broke. At the least it was in our carry-on that contained principally swimwear which was very easy to wash.”

The ethical of the story is that if you are going to carry drinks in your Royal Caribbean cruise, guarantee that they’re securely sealed and well-cushioned — the identical goes for wine. 

Lanyards

You are both Workforce Lanyard or Workforce Anti-Lanyard. Personally, I believe lanyards make cruising simpler. Nonetheless, they don’t seem to be essentially the most modern equipment, so I perceive why some could choose to search out extra inventive methods to maintain their cruise card secure. 

One passenger mentioned that they ditched their lanyard after it saved getting tangled. As a substitute, they most well-liked utilizing a fanny pack. 

TollerLuvLJP added, “I found I hate the sensation of getting one thing hanging round my neck. My garments all have pockets, or I carry a bag.”

Not sufficient over-the-counter drugs

Identical to you’ll be able to remorse packing too many garments or pairs of sneakers, you can too remorse not packing sufficient of one thing. 

Being caught in the course of the ocean for days on finish means it’s best to come ready with primary, over-the-counter drugs. 

Cruise ships have medical services onboard, however they lack a full-size pharmacy. Furthermore, whereas the onboard outlets have a restricted provide of remedy, they’re extra overpriced than at your native drugstore. 

goinhungryyeah shared that they want they’d packed extra random over-the-counter remedy for stuff they by no means anticipated. 

Begin with ache relievers, chilly & flu meds, antacids, cough drops, seasickness remedy, Band-Aids, toothache gel, and eye drops. You might discover that you just need to add extra to your checklist. 


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Ryan

Ryan O'Neill is a maritime enthusiast and writer who has a passion for studying and writing about ships and the maritime industry in general. With a deep passion for the sea and all things nautical, Ryan has a plan to unite maritime professionals to share their knowledge and truly connect Sea 2 Shore.

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