What to pack, and what to leave at home

Cruise staterooms are efficiently designed, but closet space is finite. Most first-time cruisers overpack outfits they never touch, yet forget the few small essentials that make life on board seamless.

In your embarkation carry-on

Remember: your large checked luggage may not arrive outside your stateroom door until 5:00 or 6:00 pm. Keep these essentials with you in a backpack or tote:

Official travel identification (passports, REAL IDs, birth certificates) and printed boarding passes
All prescription medications in their original pharmacy-labeled bottles
Cell phones, charging cables, and an external battery pack
Swimsuits, flip-flops, and sunglasses so you can enjoy the pool deck immediately after boarding
A lightweight layer or cardigan, as indoor ship air conditioning is notoriously chilly
Cash in small denominations ($1, $5, and $10 bills) for curbside porters, tour drivers, and shore taxis

Clothing by destination

Warm-weather Caribbean, Bahamas & Mexico

Daytime: Lightweight cotton or linen shirts, shorts, sundresses, swimsuits (bring at least two so one can dry), and UV rash guards.
Excursions: Sturdy water shoes with traction for tender boats and rocky coral beaches (like Cozumel or Key West).
Sun protection: Broad-spectrum reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed sun hat.

Cool-weather Alaska & Pacific Northwest

The three-layer system: 1. Base layer: Moisture-wicking thermal or athletic top. 2. Middle layer: Warm fleece pullover, wool sweater, or packable down jacket. 3. Outer layer: 100% waterproof, windproof hooded rain jacket (breathable Gore-Tex or similar).
Footwear: Broken-in waterproof hiking sneakers or trail shoes with substantial grip.
Accessories: A knit beanie, lightweight gloves, and a compact pair of binoculars for whale watching and glacier viewing.

Evening attire: casual to formal nights

Most 7-night sailings feature two "Dressy" or "Formal / Chic" evenings. Men typically wear a dark suit, blazer and slacks, or a collared button-down shirt; women wear cocktail dresses, dress pantsuits, or elegant sundresses.

If dressing up is not your style, you can skip formal dining entirely and enjoy the identical dinner menu served casually in the Lido marketplace without any dress code.

Power, outlets and magnetic hooks

Outlets: Most modern cruise ships provide a combination of standard American 110V 3-prong grounded outlets and European 220V 2-pin round sockets. Bringing a compact European-to-U.S. plug adapter doubles your usable charging spots.
Magnetic hooks: Stateroom walls and ceilings are solid steel. Heavy-duty magnetic hooks (rated 25+ lbs) stick directly to the walls, creating instant hanging storage for sun hats, day packs, lanyards, and damp jackets.

Strictly prohibited items (confiscated at security)

Terminal security scans every piece of checked and carry-on luggage. The following items are confiscated and held until the end of the cruise:

Clothes irons, steamers, and heating elements: Major fire hazards at sea. Ships provide self-service laundry rooms with irons or professional pressing services.
Surge-protected power strips: Ship electrical systems have floating neutrals; surge protectors can overheat and cause fires. Only bring non-surge multi-plug adapters or multi-port USB hubs.
Cannabis and CBD products: Marijuana, edibles, and CBD oils remain illegal under U.S. Federal Maritime Law and in foreign ports of call. Boarding with them results in denied boarding, fines, and potential arrest.
Candles, incense, and heating pads: Any open flame or high-draw heat appliance.
Weapons, pocket knives with blades over 2.5 inches, and pepper spray.