Cruise booked? Excited to sail but not sure what to bring? I got you! I just got back from a January 2023 sailing with Celebrity Cruises on the Beyond Cruise Ship. (Which I loved!) I am going to share with you everything I packed to bring on my Celebrity cruise (which includes my favorite cruise and travel items) and a FREE PRINTABLE cruise packing checklist. This cruise packing list will make easy work of packing for your cruise. Keep scrolling for the free and printable cruise checklist, what to pack in your carry on, my favorite cruise items and what not bring on a cruise.
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Thinking of sailing with Celebrity Cruises? Check out our review of the Celebrity Beyond Review.
Table of Contents
Best Items I Brought on my Cruise
Samsonite Freeform Carry On
I hate checking my bags. So I always bring a carry on/personal item. This Samsonite Freeform Carry On suitcase did just the trick. I was able to fit multiple outfits and shoes into this suitcase. It fit easily under the stateroom bed and was a breeze around airports. Practical and reliable!
I love this bag. I mean really love it. It is sleek, affordable and oh so practical. So much space with multiple pockets and two sleeves for water bottles. I love that the trolley sleeve zips closed to have another pocket. Even when stuffed, it fits under the airplane seat. I once used this bag ONLY for a five day trip to Florida. That is how much space it has. And it fit perfectly under the stateroom bed and was easy to carry around on embarkation day. I cannot recommend this bag enough!
These space saver bags have made packing so easy. I can pack as much as I like then roll them up to get the air out. I don’t need to worry about a vacuum or pump to get rid of the air. I have used them on many many trips. They are also great for storing dirty laundry.
This was such a great find for traveling. It can be dressed up and down. On the cruise, I wore it with skirts and jeans. The large fit great! Highly recommend.
This was a great Amazon find for the cruise and travel. It is a soft, warm and versatile sweater. It went well with so many of my outfits. It was perfect for when the ship was a bit chilly inside or breezy/chilly outside. Highly recommend!
Another great versatile option! This was easy to dress up and dress down. It was also small so easy to pack and it is super flattering. I highly recommend this dress for all of your travels.
Check our budget shore excursion guide to Costa Maya.
I am a huge reader when I travel. I was so stubborn and like to travel with physical books. Until I realized how much weight I was carrying and how much space it was taking up. So I bought this Kindle and will never go back! It is the best travel item I have recently bought. (Yes, I know I am late to the party. haha)
Here is our guide to the perfect day on the Cayman Islands.
What I packed: Cruise Packing List
Important Items
Passport/photo ID
Cruise materials and shore excursion materials (if necessary)
Wallet with CASH. I can’t tell you how important that was. I brought cash with me and the cruise staff helped break down large bills.
On a 3 day cruise, most likely an outfit change will happen twice per day. Of course you will need one or two glamorous outfits, for eveningwear . I usually change 3 times a day on a cruise. There are so many events, shows, lounges and restaurants to check out.
On cruises of 6 days or longer, no more than two bags, per person. Each checked bag and carry-on bag should not weigh more than 50 pounds and, when lying flat, bags must not exceed 16 inches high, by 24 inches wide (the length of the bag is not a factor). For security screening purposes, all luggage should be unlocked.
Liquids make up part of your 1-bag hand luggage allowance. You'll need to pack them in containers of no more than 100ml – 3.5 fluid Oz and carry them in a clear, resealable plastic bag up to a maximum size of 20cm x 20cm – 8 inches x 8 inches, or that can hold up to 1 litre.
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival has one of the loosest beverage policies of all cruise lines, allowing each guest to carry on a maximum of 12 sealed 12 oz. cans or cartons of a non-alcoholic beverage (e.g., sodas, juices, milk, or sparkling water) – a policy that most cruise lines have eliminated.
One of the best ways to know how to not over pack for a cruise is to make your clothing versatile. For guys, this may mean pairing a T-shirt with a button down or making one pair of jeans work with two or more different outfits. You can actually find companies who make clothing designed to be worn multiple ways.
You can throw everyone's passports into a single bag, so you show up to the terminal extremely prepared! Plus, they will keep everything dry throughout the cruise, so you don't have to worry about your cash getting a little wet if you go to the beach.
And how much cash should you take on your next cruise? We're here to help you figure it out! Experts say the average cruise passenger spends anywhere from $52 to $89 per day, but the amount you'll spend will, of course, vary based on cruise line, ship, experience and your individual preferences.
If you are wondering what to pack for a Caribbean cruise that lasts 7 days, here are a few guidelines: Swimwear: 3 swimsuits and at least 3 swim cover-ups. Casual Looks: Pack at least 4 pairs of shorts, 5 – 7 t-shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 3 skirts, and a couple of day dresses.
A smart casual dress code refers to a desired style of dress that is more kempt than casual and less flashy than formal. Finding the right balance between comfortable and fashionable is tricky, but most people can likely create a smart casual outfit based on what they already own.
The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences.
You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. Bond with your snorkel guide? Up the tip to $20 or more. Also expecting tips of around $1 to $2 per bag are the porters who collect bags at the pier.
Also, we are allowed our carry-on items like our backpacks when we embark on any ship in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet as long as the dimensions do not exceed 22 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep.
Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.
Just like at airports, sharp objects, knives, guns, ammunition, and weapons of any kind -- including replicas like toy guns -- are not allowed to be brought onboard the ship (but nail clippers and small scissors are fine).
Just like the security screening at an airport, we also screen all luggage our guests bring onboard to ensure everyone's safety. If there is an item in your luggage that is prohibited or is believed to be prohibited, your bag will be taken to a screening location and will be inspected by our Security Team onboard.
Policies vary by cruise line, but there are some commonalities across brands. During the day, the basics are near-universal: Unless at a pool bar or pool restaurant, passengers are generally expected to wear a top, bottoms, and footwear while walking around the ship.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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I love this bag. I mean really love it. It is sleek, affordable and oh so practical. So much space with multiple pockets and two sleeves for water bottles. I love that the trolley sleeve zips closed to have another pocket. Even when stuffed, it fits under the airplane seat. I once used this bag ONLY for a five day trip to Florida. That is how much space it has. And it fit perfectly under the stateroom bed and was easy to carry around on embarkation day. I cannot recommend this bag enough!
These space saver bags have made packing so easy. I can pack as much as I like then roll them up to get the air out. I don’t need to worry about a vacuum or pump to get rid of the air. I have used them on many many trips. They are also great for storing dirty laundry.
This was a great Amazon find for the cruise and travel. It is a soft, warm and versatile sweater. It went well with so many of my outfits. It was perfect for when the ship was a bit chilly inside or breezy/chilly outside. Highly recommend!
So I bought this Kindle and will never go back! It is the best travel item I have recently bought. (Yes, I know I am late to the party. haha)