10 Things You Should Not Pack For A Cruise

Want to know what to NOT pack for a cruise?

In the past you’ve heard us talk about what to bring on a cruise, but in this episode we are going to talk about 10 things you shouldn’t pack for a cruise. If you’re looking to improve your cruise packing strategy, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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Packing for a cruise can get a little confusing

There’s tons of information out there that can lead you to believe you need everything that will fit in your suitcase, but you really don’t. As cruise ships get more high-tech, and stateroom designs get better and better, you’ll probably find you need less stuff to keep you comfy on the high seas. We often get questions about what you, can and can’t take on a cruise ship.

Similarly we get questions about how to pack for a cruise the right way. It’s easy to make mistakes when you pack for a cruise, and we’ve learned some things the hard way. Our goal at here at CruiseTipsTV is to make cruising easier for everyone. So, here’s our list of 10 things you can leave behind. 

1. Leave your blow dryer at home. Unless you have very long hair, or a particular affinity for your blow dryer, you’ll probably find the one in your cabin to be sufficient. Most cruise ships these days come with in-room dryers that will do the trick, even if they aren’t perfect. 
2. You’ll be provided with beach towels on the ship- don’t pack them. All of the mass market cruise lines these days offer beach towels that you can use on the ship, and on shore days. Just be sure not to take them  home with you at the end of the cruise or leave them behind on shore days, or you’ll be charged.
3. This may surprise you since we’ve packed this one many times. It’s a power strip. Many cruise lines are prohibiting the use of power strips these days, so ditch the strip and go with a usb charging hub instead, like this one (GARY INSERT LINK HERE). Of course, if you need an extension cord for a C-pap machine or other necessity, give your cruise line a call to see what they recommend you pack, or what they can provide for you. 
4. This fourth thing is something we used to swear by, but we just don’t use them any more. Overdoor shoe hangers were trendy for a while in the cruise world, but now cruisers are reporting to us that sometimes the hangers don’t fit the doors. Also, some cruise lines have policies against using them, so use your best judgment on this one. 
5. How about Food? Sure, grabbing some packaged snacks for the flight or drive to your cruise is a GREAT idea, but one of the best things about cruising is that you’ll have lots of food options on your cruise. Don’t waste your suitcase space on snacks unless there’s something you can’t live without for the duration of your cruise. Some cruise lines and ports actually prohibit certain types of food, like fruits, vegetables and meat, so leave the food at home. As I mentioned, we’re not suggesting you avoid snacks for your journey TO the cruise ship. In fact, we always pack nuts, jerky, and other protein packed snacks for our kid (and my hangry tendencies), because as we ALL know, airline food is SO pricey!
6. The last thing we recommend you should leave at home is your valuables. High value items like jewelry and watches might just add stress to your relaxing cruise vacation. Some people like to pop these items in the safe when they aren’t using them, but aside from our wedding rings, we prefer to leave our valuables at home, especially when traveling to unfamiliar places.
7. Bar soap is another thing you should leave at home. If you’re really particular about the brand you use, then you may want to ignore this one, but generally speaking you should let the cruise line handle the soap. On the other hand, when we drive to port we’ll often take some foam pump soap. It’s just a nice little luxury.
8. Too many shoes. Yes, I struggle with this one, but too many shoes are the antithesis of smart packing. They are bulking, heavy, and you probably just don’t need them.
9. Beer or other booze should also be left at home. Check your cruise line’s alcohol policy first, but you may be able to bring a bottle of wine or two. As a rule though, most other alcohol should be left home.
10. If it gets hot, it’s not something to pack for a cruise. We are talking about things like irons or steamers. Flat irons for hair are often an exception, but for the most part, if it has a heating element, it’s a cruise no no.

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