16+ Things I Never Leave Out of My Cruise Carry-On Bag
When you board a cruise ship, you’ll usually hand your larger luggage to the porters at the terminal. You may not see it again until later that day, sometimes even after sailaway. That’s why it’s important to pack a cruise carry-on bag with everything you’ll need on embarkation day, including anything you can’t afford to be without.
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I typically fly in the day before a cruise, so I use the same backpack or duffel bag I traveled with. I just swap out a few of my travel essentials and add sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a change of clothes. That way, I can head to the pool or freshen up without waiting for my suitcase.
Here’s what I always pack in my cruise carry-on bag and what I recommend keeping with you rather than putting in your checked luggage.
1. Passport, ID, and Boarding Documents
Keep your passport or other required ID, cruise boarding passes, wallet, and other important travel documents in your carry-on bag. You’ll need some of these at check-in, so make sure they’re easy to reach.
I like to keep everything organized in a travel folder, along with any reservation confirmations I might need. I also save boarding pass screenshots and digital copies of important documents on my phone in case I can’t access the cruise line’s app.
Always double-check your cruise line’s identification requirements before sailing, including any visas or additional documents required for your itinerary
2. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
Keep your prescription medications and essential over-the-counter medicines in your cruise carry-on bag, including anything you take for seasickness. You never know when your checked luggage will arrive, so don’t risk being without medication you may need.
I keep mine organized in a pill organizer, which makes it easier to find what I need. I also recommend packing enough medication for your entire cruise, plus a little extra in case of travel delays.
3. Mobile Phone
Keep your mobile phone with you on embarkation day. You’ll use it to access your cruise line’s app, pull up boarding documents, and take photos and videos as you explore the ship. I also recommend downloading the cruise line’s app and completing any required online check-in before arriving at the port.
4. Portable Charger and Charging Cable
I never travel without a portable charger and charging cable. Between taking photos, recording videos, and using the cruise line’s app, my phone battery can drain pretty quickly. I’d rather explore the ship than leave my phone charging in the cabin, so I always keep a portable charger in my cruise carry-on bag.
5. Electronics and Valuables
I keep my electronics and valuables in my cruise carry-on bag, not in my checked luggage. That includes my camera, Kindle, headphones, jewelry, and anything expensive or difficult to replace. I’d rather keep these items with me than risk having them lost, stolen, or damaged while my luggage is being handled.
6. Swimsuit and Pool Essentials
If you want to head straight to the pool after boarding, pack your swimsuit in your cruise carry-on bag. You can even wear it under your clothes that morning so you’re ready to go. I’m usually busy exploring the ship on embarkation day, but I like having my swimsuit with me in case I change my mind and decide to hit the pool.
7. Change of Clothes
I like to pack a change of clothes and an extra set of underwear in my cruise carry-on bag, just in case my luggage is delayed. Sometimes suitcases don’t arrive until after sailaway, and I want to have something fresh to change into before dinner if needed. And don’t forget extra underwear. If your luggage goes missing, you probably won’t find that in the ship’s gift shop.
8. Sunscreen
Pack sunscreen in your cruise carry-on bag so you have it as soon as you board. I usually apply it before leaving the hotel, but I bring it along to reapply while exploring the outdoor decks or spending time by the pool.
9. Skincare Essentials
I pack my facial skincare essentials and hand lotion in my cruise carry-on bag rather than my checked luggage. I use my Cadence travel containers to save space, and they hold enough product to last me over a week.
You can also throw in travel-sized deodorant or a small hairbrush if you like having those with you. I try to keep my bag light while still having my everyday essentials in case my luggage is delayed or lost.
10. Toothbrush and Toothpaste
I like to keep my toothbrush and toothpaste with me, not packed away in my checked luggage. I can brush my teeth after lunch, freshen up before dinner, or get ready for bed if my suitcase hasn’t arrived. And if my luggage gets lost, I won’t have to worry about finding a toothbrush and toothpaste onboard.
11. Lip Balm with SPF
A lip balm with SPF is something I don’t travel without, particularly on a cruise. Spending time on the open decks, where you’re exposed to the sun and wind, can leave your lips dry and sunburned. I keep one in my cruise carry-on bag so I can reapply it throughout the day.
12. Sunglasses
Don’t forget your sunglasses. Between exploring the outdoor decks, watching sailaway, and the sun’s glare reflecting off the water, you’ll want them within reach. I keep mine in my cruise carry-on bag so I can grab them whenever I head outside.
13. Reusable Water Bottle
Pack a reusable water bottle so you can refill it throughout your cruise without buying bottled water, especially if it’s not included in your drink package. You can get water at the buffet using a clean cup to fill your bottle, or ask a bar for some. I hate forgetting mine because I drink a lot of water.
14. Lanyard, Cruise Card Holder, or Crossbody Bag
You’ll want somewhere to keep your cruise card once you receive it. My husband likes a lanyard, but I prefer a small crossbody bag to keep my card, phone, and a few other things.
I pack my crossbody in my cruise carry-on bag and switch to it once we’re allowed to drop our bags off in the cabin. It’s much easier than carrying around my backpack all day.
15. Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
I keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in my cruise carry-on bag so they’re within reach when I need them. I usually pack Wet Ones, and I make my own hand sanitizer spray in a small travel bottle using alcohol and a few drops of lavender oil. They’re nice to have after touching handrails, elevator buttons, or other frequently touched surfaces around the ship.
16. Eyeglass and Contact Lens Essentials
Since I wear glasses, I always pack an eyeglass cleaning cloth in my cruise carry-on bag. I hate having smudged lenses, and it’s something I reach for throughout the day. If you wear contact lenses, keep your solution, lens case, and a spare pair of glasses with you, too, rather than packing everything in your checked luggage.
Packing Tip: Use packing cubes or small travel pouches to organize your cruise carry-on bag. I like keeping smaller items together so I don’t have to dig through everything to find what I need.
Bonus Tip: Bringing Beverages Onboard
Some cruise lines allow you to bring bottled water, soft drinks, wine, or champagne onboard, but each has its own rules about what you can bring and how much. If you’re planning to bring beverages, check your cruise line’s policy before packing. Some require you to carry them onboard rather than placing them in your checked luggage.
Bringing your own drinks can also save you some money if you don’t have a drink package.
Cruising with a baby or toddler? Pack a separate embarkation day bag with diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, snacks, and a change of clothes. Bring enough for the day, plus a little extra in case your checked luggage is delayed.
What Kind of Bag Is Best for a Cruise Carry-On?
A backpack or duffel bag works well as a cruise carry-on. What matters is choosing something you’re comfortable carrying around until you can drop it off in your cabin.
For me, it depends on the cruise and itinerary. Since I typically fly in the day before, I use the same bag I traveled with and swap out a few things before heading to the port. I use my backpack most often because I can carry it on my back and keep my hands free.
But I also love my duffel bags. They’re easier to pack, and I can slide them over my rolling suitcase handle when traveling. I rotate between my Away Weekender Bag and Monos duffels, depending on the trip. My husband loves his Away The Commuter Backpack.
Cruise Carry-On Bag FAQs
You Can Bring a Rolling Carry-On Suitcase Onto a Cruise Ship
You can usually bring a small rolling suitcase onboard instead of checking it with the porters, as long as it fits through the terminal’s security screening equipment. Size requirements can vary, so check with your cruise line before sailing. Remember, your cabin may not be ready when you board, so you’ll have to keep the suitcase with you until you can drop it off. That’s one reason I prefer a backpack or duffel bag.
You Can Pack Full-Size Toiletries in Your Cruise Embarkation Day Bag
Cruise terminal security generally doesn’t have the same 3.4-ounce liquid restrictions as airport security, so you can usually bring full-size toiletries onboard. However, for your embarkation day bag, I’d stick to what you might need before your checked luggage arrives, such as sunscreen, toothpaste, and your everyday skincare products. If you’re flying to your cruise with only a carry-on, you’ll still need to follow airport security liquid limits.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
