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Looking for the best cruise essentials from Amazon that every first time cruiser to seasoned cruiser should have? These are the top tested and approved cruise essentials you definitely need to know about.
Going on a cruise whether it is the first time or your 20th cruise is super exciting and if you’re like me, you’re doing all of the research to make sure you have everything you need and will make your vacation easy and enjoyable. As a seasoned cruiser myself I am sharing with your my top cruise essentials I personally use and reccommend to all of my friends and family when they ask what they need.
You are going to learn about several cruise essentials to pack and cruise accessories such as: cruise motion sickness medicine, cruise lanyards, cruise luggage tages, cruise magnetic hooks and more.
After learning about these cruise essentials you are going to feel like a seasoned cruiser yourself and be prepared for whatever you may need on your vacation.
This post is all about the best cruise essentials every traveler should know about.
Best Cruise Essentials
1. Motion Sickness Medicine
One important cruise essential you may need and I highly reccommend to everyone, even if they’ve been on a cruise before is motion sickness medication. I have linked the top option above but do have several other options I do personally use in my Amazon Storefront list “Vacation/Cruise Must Haves” linked here.
You may not need this but you would 100% rather have it and not need it than need it and not have options.
Yes, the ships do have one type of medication on board but it might not fit your needs so I like to include top versions like Bonnie and Dramaine but also some natural options (good for taking while having a drink package).
I have personally tried all of these as someone who has dealt with motion sickness all my life and these are the best options out there.
Best places to get motion sickness medication:
-Amazon
-Grocery stores (HEB, Walmart, Publix, etc)
-Convience stores (Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc)
2. Cruise Lanyard
Cruise lanyards are super convient and a great way to keep track of your cruise card! You don’t want to lose your cruise card as it is used as your room key, you need it to get on and off the ship, use a drink package, make purchases etc. For these reasons you want to easy access and a cruise lanyard is the most common way to do this.
I would definitely recommend getting one of these, especially if you’re going in a group or with family to help everyone keep track of their card. You can get different colors or designs personalized to each cruiser!
Pro tip: Get the magnetic hooks mentioned later in this post and hang up your cruise lanyard at the front of your room so you never forget it or lose it.
3. Cruise Extension Cord
It is a common complaint on cruises that there are not enough outlets or none close to the beds so having an extension cord or a multi plug is vital to many people.
One important tip is to have a cruise extension cord that is allowed by the cruise lines.
If you don’t pick the correct one it will be confiscated. That is why I have linked an option that is cruise line approved and you should have no issues with.
4. Cruise Luggage Tags
This cruise accessory is one some will argue is not needed. It’s true, you don’t have to have this. The porters at the front of the terminal can put a paper tag on your bags.
However, I highly recommend getting cruise luggage tags that you put the paper print out in.
The reasons behind it are the paper ones are easily torn off and they wouldn’t know whose bag it is. It also protects the very important information from weather.
You don’t have to buy multiple luggage tags for different cruise lines, you can get one that fits most depending on how you fold the paper but if you want one for a specific cruise line I have a couple of different options in my Amazon Storefront in “Vacation/Cruise Must Haves” linked here.
5. First Aid Kit
1. You may have to pay for medical attention which is not ideal for everyone.
2. They may not have what you need or be able to give you simple things like Benadryl post pandemic without being seen by a doctor.
I cannot recommend enough that you bring a first aid kit that you can use on the ship, shore excursions, if someone has a reaction or gets sick. It’s commonly overlooked but definitely a must have cruise item.
6. 3 In 1 Fan
This cruise essential is insanely practical and functional! This cruise product is a fan, phone charger and a flashlight all in one.
This cruise product is a great addition to any bag because it is compact.
Whether you are on the ship having fun outside of your room & your phone is dying or on a shore excursion and need a small fan because it’s insanely hot, this product is a must have.
7. Water Proof Phone Case
This water proof phone case is a best seller and is loved by so many. It is a cost efficient way to protect your phone on the pool deck, out at the beach or on a shore excursion.
Yes, it is not top of the line and expensive but it works so well for exactly what you need it for.
I’ve never had any issues with it leaking and everyone I know raves about this easily accessible product.
It comes in a few different colors to choose from to find your perfect option to keep your phone safe.
8. Cruise Towel Clips
Cruise towel clips are helpful in so many ways.
They’re great to use on the pool deck of a cruise ship to help your towel not blow away in the wind and also for the same reason on a beach shore excursion.
Cruise towel clips are also a great way to be able to identify your things in a sea of the same cruise towels. They come in tons of colors and themes.
9. Tide To Go Pen
A Tide to go pen is a cruise product many don’t think to pack but comes in handy when you’ll need it most.
Let’s be honest, most people on a cruise will take advantage of the all inclusive food. That being said, you may have a couple accidents where you end up staining your clothes.
In a pinch you definitely need a tide to go pen so you don’t have to pay for laundry services on the ship and don’t ruin your clothes in the process letting the stain set in.
10. Liquid IV
Going on a cruise for most implies an unlimited drink package.
With that drink package a must have cruise product is to bring an electrolyte supplement.
Liquid IV is insanely popular, it has over 97,000 reviews on Amazon.
I have to put out there to be real with you guys that I do not like this product. Why is it on my recommendations page you may ask?
I polled tons of friends and family and they all swear by this product, they like the taste and convenience so with all of that information + the thousands of positive reviews, I am obviously the unpopular opinion.
Therefore I believe it is a good option for people to keep their electrolytes balanced and help those cruise drink package hangovers.
11. Comfortable Slides
Comfortable shoes for a cruise is something I try to preach to everyone I know. It really is so important.
You’re going to be doing a lot more walking than you think you would. For this reason you 100% need comfy shoes for the ship and even shore excursions.
I have these slides in the color shown above and have seen them for years on cruise ships all over.
They’re lightweight, extremely comfortable, great with water and affordable. Run, don’t walk to buy these.
12. Magnetic Hooks
Having magnetic hooks in your room on a cruise help so much with organization.
Pro tip: get ones that can hold more than 25 lbs. if you get the ones that are cheaper and hold less weight they’re going to fall off of the wall.
The walls in your cruise room are magnetic so these hooks are great, especially for families to keep things organized.
Key uses for magnetic hooks:
– Hang up your cruise card
– Hang up wet swimsuits
– Hang wet towels
– Hang hats
– Hang extra clothes
There is room for all of these things in your room but depending on how many people you have in your room and/or how much stuff you bring, these can really help you stay organized.
13. Sunscreen Bottles
While it is important to use actual sunscreen on your cruise and I have linked my favorite here. These bottles are for something else entirely.
Let me preface this by saying I’m not condoning this and am not responsible for anything that happens if you do decide to buy and use these (some cruise lines will just take them away but it’s always a possibility that they will deny you boarding and you would miss your trip, although I’ve heard that is a rare punishment) but I have personally used these exact bottles and have never had an issue.
Pro tip: put them in your checked bag & make sure you use the seals.
14. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are an essential for a lot of people and are a great cruise product to stay organized.
It’s easy to overpack when going on a cruise and packing cubes help you fit more items than you normally could in your bags.
They also are great for organizing, keeping different types of clothes separate or also separating by each person in your group.
You can also use them once on the ship to store your dirty clothes.
15. Backpack Or Beach Bag For Shore Excursions
When going on a cruise you need to bring a small bag on when you embark that has the essentials in it that can also work when you go on shore excursions.
A backpack is a larger option that can hold important documents, drinks, shoes, swim suits, sunscreen etc.
You could also use a beach bag to hold the same items etc if you would like a smaller option.
16. Aloe
Aloe is a must have cruise essential for the majority of cruises that most people leave at home.
Aloe is potentially available on ships and in ports but it is never a guarantee so you should definitely bring a bottle just in case for yourself or anyone in your group who may have a little too much sun.
It’s very easy to get a sun burn on cruises, a lot of times you’re closer to the equator than you are in your day to day life.
17. Pill Organizer
A pill organizer is a great way to consolidate your medications and also keep them separated and organized for your trip.
Even if you don’t take medications for your health normally, an organizer would be a good option for medicines you bring on the ship for the just in case such as motion sickness medication, Benadryl, cold medicine etc.
This post was all about the cruise essentials from Amazon you need to be prepared and organzied for your next cruise.
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