Cruises are fun. Cruises are also a floating mall with a loyalty program.
If you don’t pack a few boring little things, the ship and the ports will happily sell them to you for 4x the price. And somehow you’ll be paying $26 for sunscreen like you personally invented the sun.
We learned this the expensive way so you don’t have to.
This list is pure money. Not “cute cabin hacks.” Not “bring a door magnet.” This is the stuff that keeps your total cost down and your stress low.
What this list will save you from:
- Paying port prices for basics (hello, $26 sunscreen).
- Buying the same stuff onboard for 3x because “convenience.”
- ATM fees and random emergency purchases that add up fast.
- Losing time in port hunting for things you should’ve packed.
Trust note: We link what we actually use and would buy again. If we don’t love it, it’s not here. Some links may be affiliate links – it doesn’t cost you extra.
1) Refillable water bottle (insulated if you can)
Ports love charging you for basic hydration. It’s the easiest “small leak” in your budget.
- On the ship: fill it at the buffet or water stations.
- In port: skip the $4-$8 “I’m thirsty and trapped” bottles.
Insulated is the move if you’re a pool-deck person. Warm water in the sun is a crime.
2) Motion sickness meds + barf bags
Everyone thinks they’re immune until the ocean says, “Cute.”
Bring:
- Bonine or Dramamine (pick your team)
- Ginger chews (good for nausea and hangovers too)
- Sea-Bands if you like non-med options
- A few disposable barf bags
Barf bags sound dramatic until you’re on day 2 with a rolling sea and you realize your cabin trash can is not designed for a crisis.
Small. Cheap. Dignity-saving.
3) Mini pharmacy kit
Because the ship shop charges like it’s the last CVS on Earth.
Pack:
- Pain reliever (Tylenol/Advil)
- Antacids (trust us)
- Band-Aids + blister pads
- Allergy meds
- Hydrocortisone/after-bite
- Imodium (unsexy, essential)
You don’t need a full pharmacy. You need a “handle it fast so you don’t overpay” kit.
4) Reef-safe sunscreen + after-sun
If you forget sunscreen, you’ll pay resort prices in port or cruise prices onboard. Both are rude. We have absolutely paid $26 for sunscreen in a pinch. Learn from our pain.
Also, some destinations and excursions care about reef-safe. Don’t be the person panic-buying whatever random bottle is left at a tourist shop.
Bring:
- Sunscreen you actually like applying
- After-sun or aloe (because sunburn makes everything more expensive and miserable)
5) Non-surge power strip (cruise-approved)
Cabins are outlet-poor on purpose. It’s not an accident. It’s a strategy.
Bring a cruise-approved power strip that is non-surge (no surge protection). If it says surge anywhere on the packaging, it may get confiscated.
This saves you money because you’re not buying random overpriced chargers, adapters, or “forgot my battery pack” fixes in port.
6) Waterproof phone holder
This one saves money in two ways:
- You’re not panic-buying a “waterproof phone case” in port for $25 that barely fits.
- You’re not replacing a phone because you got brave near water.
Pool days, beach days, tender boats, excursions – the phone holder keeps your phone dry and your brain calm.
7) Small cash stash (small bills)
Ship ATMs and port ATMs are convenience traps.
Bring mostly:
- $1s, $5s, $10s, $20s
Use it for:
- Tips (porters, drivers, guides)
- Taxis and shuttles
- Beach chairs, lockers, small shops
- Emergency “we just need water” moments
Money move: split it up. A little in your day bag, the rest in the safe.
8) Pads + tampons (even if you’re “not due”)
Your body loves picking cruise week to be petty.
Bring what you actually use, in the amount you’d want if you got surprised early. Buying onboard is overpriced. Buying in port is a scavenger hunt.
Throw a couple in your day bag too. It’s just smart.
9) Electrolyte packets + after-hangover support
This is the sneaky money saver because it prevents the “I feel awful so I’m buying everything” spiral.
Heat + walking + pool + cocktails = dehydration. Then you’re buying overpriced drinks and snacks trying to feel normal again.
Bring:
- Electrolyte packets
- Ginger chews (again, they pull double duty)
- Optional: whatever basic morning-after support you tolerate (keep it simple)
This also helps on port days when you’re sweating and pretending you’re fine.
10) Port-day snacks that actually hold you over
The ship feeds you. You’re not packing snacks because you think the cruise is stingy.
You’re packing snacks for port days when you’re:
- Stuck in a long excursion
- Back on the ship between meals
- In a tourist area where everything costs more because you’re trapped and hungry
Bring a few:
- Protein bars
- Nuts or jerky
- Gum or mints
This stops the “I’m hungry so I’m buying something dumb” cycle in ports, on shuttles, and on the way back to the ship.
Quick packing list (save this):
- Refillable water bottle (insulated)
- Motion sickness meds + barf bags
- Mini pharmacy kit
- Reef-safe sunscreen + after-sun
- Non-surge power strip (cruise-approved)
- Waterproof phone holder
- Small cash stash (small bills)
- Pads + tampons
- Electrolyte packets + after-hangover support
- Port-day snacks (protein bars, nuts, jerky, gum/mints)
The money rule
The cruise is going to sell you convenience.
You bring convenience.
That’s the whole game.
If you want the no-fluff version of this – with the exact “spend here, save here” calls, what to book early, what to skip, and the traps that get almost everyone – grab our digital guide:
Cruise Guide for Money Lovers
Short. Straight to the point. Built to save you money on your next booking and onboard.
Want the essentials we actually pack (the stuff that prevents panic-buys)?
Visit the Ship Shop – The Good Stuff Only.
For more money-saving moves, real ship reviews, and what’s actually worth it:
Follow Cruise Side by Side and subscribe to Cruise smarter – inbox edition.
Short emails. Real tips.