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Packing for any trip requires some planning, but a cruise holiday is a unique challenge. First, ship cabins are usually smaller than most hotel rooms, so storage space may be limited. Most importantly, once your voyage begins, you may not be able to buy accidentally forgotten items; some stores in other countries/regions are closed on Sundays and holidays (or lunchtime), and their products may be different from what you are used to. Cruise ship retail stores also close when they call at the port, and many of them—especially on smaller ships—have limited inventory at first.

Although you don’t want to pack everything in the bathroom or closet at home, it’s good to have what you need before boarding. To help you decide what to bring, US News has compiled this list to pack for your next voyage. Some can simplify and organize your packaging experience, while others can be conveniently used on ships or in ports. Once you have stored these items safely in your luggage, you can enjoy your cruise trip-relax, have fun and visit the world one port at a time. (Note: Certain cruises may be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For the latest information on COVID-19 rules and requirements, please visit the CDC website and the website of each cruise company.)

Some cruise companies hold themed sailings or parties on specific nights, and passengers can dress up to participate. It is best to consult with the cruise company before departure so that you can be prepared when the evening celebration starts. If you are sailing on a Disney cruise ship, please bring your pirate equipment; fun activities are held on board, such as pirate party nights, pirate themed dinners and "Pirates of the Caribbean" show. Pack your platform boots, shiny dresses, bell bottoms, and halter tops for the series' 1970s-style "Love Ship" disco deck party on Princess Cruises’ "Love Ship" themed cruise ship.

If you are going to the Caribbean or other warm weather destinations, you will need a hat to protect your face from the sun. This $30 FURTALK packable straw hat (available on Amazon) is a fashionable women's choice, with a wider brim and UPF 50 sun protection. This hat is also adjustable and has a detachable chin strap. You can fold it into your suitcase, so there is no need to wear it on the plane. Men can consider Henschel's Aussie Packable Breezer Safari Sun Hat; it costs about $40.

These convenient storage bags have clear pockets so you can quickly find your toiletries, cosmetics, jewelry and other small items-without having to dig through multiple drawers or narrow cabin closets. You can even bring one to organize your shoes and maximize the use of space. Organizers are great for storing items in small areas (such as cruise ship cabins and bathrooms), and they help separate your items from other people traveling with you. Choose from various organizers in various colors, designs, and sizes on Amazon for around $20.

Bring a notebook as a travel diary during the trip. It is interesting to look back at the memories of the best meal or cocktail you enjoyed on the ship or at the port of call. You may also want to write down detailed information about the places you have been to or the activities or events that took place on the ship. Although smart devices can easily record the same information (and take photos), it is very special to have a book that you can pick up and read after the holidays. Public-Supply sells 5×8-inch paperback notebooks in various colors. Prices range from US$12 to US$16 each, and 25% of the company’s net income is used to benefit public school classrooms.

If you plan to do a lot of cruises, foot comfort is the key, it goes without saying. Even if you have never disembarked, you still have to walk a lot between the bow and the stern. In addition to your flip-flops, you can also bring a pair of more stable shoes to explore the port and enjoy active boat activities, such as walking along a jogging track, riding a roller coaster, or galloping on a race track. When boarding a slippery boat and entering the port (if your boat cannot be docked directly), open-toed shoes or sandals with straps are also safer than fragile flip-flops. Ecco's Yucatan sandals are available in a variety of colors and can be used by men and women (prices on the Ecco website are approximately US$135 and US$130, respectively). Due to the non-slip design of the shoes, Naot's Arataki (closed open-toed slingbacks) is another great choice for women walking on European cobblestone streets. On Naot's website, Arataki shoes sell for approximately $180.

[Ready to plan a cruise? Find the most valuable voyage on GoToSea, a service of US News. ]

Like some hotel rooms, cruise ship cabins can feel dry—especially in colder months. Portable humidifiers can help relieve dry skin and create a better sleep and breathing environment. The small GENIANI portable USB-powered humidifier (approximately $25 on Amazon) weighs only about half a pound, so it can fit neatly in your checked or carry-on luggage. The quiet machine has two fog settings and an automatic shut-off option, plus a night light to help you view the environment around the cabin in the dark.

You need to bring a light beach bag for a day trip on the beach, visit the private island of a cruise ship or spend the afternoon in the swimming pool. This lightweight oversized mesh beach tote bag with nine pockets (approximately $15 on Amazon) is a great choice for carrying sunscreen, flip-flops, books, smartphones, water bottles, swimsuit blouses and more. If you want to go to the streets instead of the waves, you may need to choose a backpack. The Pacsafe Metrosafe L3S350 anti-theft travel backpack has many internal and external storage options. There is even a pocket with RFID technology to protect your ID and credit card information from contactless magnetic wave transactions. The backpack is also large enough to hold a sizable camera, sweater, iPad, and other items you need for the day. It weighs about 1.5 pounds and sells for about $90 on Amazon. For lighter backpacks, consider purchasing Amazon Basics Ultralight Portable Packable Day Pack. This option costs less than $20, can be folded into a neat little cube, and can be easily put away when not in use.

A day at sea is the best time to relax and unwind by reading a book you have always wanted to read. Find a beach chair in the shaded area of ​​the pool deck, or grab a latte or a cup of tea and settle down in a quiet indoor corner. Be sure to pack your books, Kindle, or other e-readers in your carry-on bag for easy access.

Passport and vaccine card carrier

Nowadays, cruisers may need more than a passport to fly and board cruise ships, so it’s best to stay organized and put everything in a neat package. This slim TIGARI passport and vaccine clip combination has a clear slot that can be used to hold the COVID-19 vaccination card issued by the CDC. It is made of artificial leather, comes in a variety of colors (including tropical options such as lavender and blue-green), and sells for about $10 on Amazon.

Even if you are not traveling in summer, or hanging out by the pool or on the beach, you might be surprised that you get so much sunshine on a cruise ship. If you want to limit the number of toiletries you carry, choose sunscreen, which doubles as a light moisturizer during the day. There are many options, but La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sun Cream (SPF 60) is highly praised by dermatologists. The fragrance-free and oil-free formula does not contain parabens and oxybenzone. You can buy sunscreen on the company's website for approximately $30 or at many pharmacies and retailers, including Ulta and Target. The company also produces mineral-colored facial sunscreens with SPF 50 protection.

For safety reasons, travel ships and irons are prohibited on most ships, so it is best to bring a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray in travel size. If you mix one or two sprays with shower steam, you should be able to smooth out some wrinkles on your clothes.

If you are prone to (or think you might be prone to) motion sickness on a cruise, then you need to invest in a pair of Sea-Bands. These soft wristbands use acupoint massage to prevent and reduce nausea and vomiting on board. They are a reusable, non-toxic alternative anti-nausea drug (such as Drama Ming). You can buy Sea-Bands on Amazon or popular pharmacies.

[Read: Tips for finding cheap cruise deals. ]

After a long day at the port, there is no better way to recharge than enjoy a good night’s sleep. While the rolling waves may make some passengers fall asleep peacefully, others may need complete silence to fall asleep. QuietOn 3 active noise reduction earplugs can block snoring spouses and late night parties returning to the cabin. They may also come in handy during afternoon naps. Purchase these earplugs (approximately US$270) on the QuietOn website.

Packing cubes is one of the best ways to organize your clothes, especially when you are going on a long voyage or traveling through various climates. You can store your shirts, pants and sweaters separately so you can easily find what you need. The cube is also great for putting accessories such as travel bags and scarves in one place, so when you are in a hurry to prepare, you don't need to go through the drawers. After dressing, put the dirty clothes in one or two cubes and separate them from the clean items. Amazon has a variety of packaging cubes to choose from, with many different colors, designs and sizes, most of which range from $15 to $25. Some suits even come with shoe boxes, laundry bags and cosmetic bucket bags.

All electrical equipment seems to be equipped with different wires, plugs and accessories, so it is very important to organize them for ease of use. The BAGSMART electronic product storage bag can store all your cables, plugs, SD cards and headphones in a compact zippered bag, which can be easily placed in your carry-on luggage. Despite its small size, it can still accommodate larger items, such as charging cables for small laptops, such as those used for MacBook Air. With this accessory, all your gadget accessories and wires will take up less space on your cabin table or bedside table. The storage bag is available on Amazon, and the price is about $20.

A well-made and versatile travel bag may become one of your favorite travel items. On airplanes, as well as in cold cruise ship restaurants, bars, and theaters, wraps can keep you warm. When walking along the deck at night or attending a late night deck party, the temperature will drop, the sea breeze will blow, and they are easy to put on. These items change any look you wear and are very suitable as accessories. If you want to splurge on cashmere wraps, consider Mer Sea's The Luxy Wrap. It comes in soft colors such as taupe and rose, and it sells for about $200. For a more affordable option, Coolibar's lightweight Sanibel Everyday Beach Shawl comes in a variety of colors and striped patterns and costs about $30.

Digital luggage scales have more expensive options, but the compact Etekcity scale — about $10 on Amazon — can weigh up to 110 pounds of luggage without any problems. This convenient weight scale allows you to remind you in advance before heading to the airport, so you can avoid overweight charges, which will increase quickly once you start adding souvenirs to your luggage. Each airline has its own weight and size restrictions on checked luggage and carry-on luggage, so please make sure you understand the relevant regulations before heading to the airport.

If you like to shop during the holidays, please bring an extra piece of luggage with you to avoid overpacking your main luggage. If you need a bag that can be expanded to many different sizes, the Hanke expandable foldable suitcase (approximately $75 on Amazon) is a good choice. If you can use a soft-sided bag, consider bringing a cheap duffel bag to store dirty clothes and any other items you don’t mind checking in with the airline on your way home.

Credit card and local currency

When cruising internationally, consider stocking a small amount of currency for each country at the port. Depending on where you go, some local markets may only accept domestic currency, not U.S. dollars or credit cards. Travelers who want to buy authentic souvenirs (such as French ground soap in southern France or novelty fish in Bergen, Norway) need to prepare euros or Norwegian kroner respectively. It’s also good to leave cash tips for taxi drivers, tour guides, or waiters; in the European Union, one euro and two euro coins are convenient and appropriate tips. At ports with suppliers that accept credit cards, be sure to bring Visa or Mastercard, because some stores and restaurants do not accept American Express.

[Read: The ins and outs of choosing a cruise ship cabin. ]

During the coronavirus pandemic, hand sanitizer has become a necessity, but it is well known that certain products can dry out the skin or leave an unpleasant smell. By Humankind makes a moisturizing hand sanitizer made with 65% alcohol. It still meets the CDC standards, but it is less dry than other hand sanitizers. The compact 2.4 fluid ounce aluminum bottle is designed to eliminate disposable plastic waste and is equipped with a reusable pump cap. The moisturizing formula is made of hyaluronic acid and is also vegan and gluten-free. Each order includes three bottles. You can choose from eucalyptus, grapefruit or unflavored options-or choose a variety of packaging to try all three. The price of the By Humankind disinfectant kit is about $15, plus a $1 pump fee. You can buy the product on the company's website.

A surprising fact: cruise ship cabin walls are made of metal, which means you can optimize your storage space by hanging some items on magnetic wall hooks. If you travel to colder climates, the hook is perfect for hanging heavy coats or boots. You can also use them for wet gear on an expedition ship, or dry your swimsuit after a few days at the beach or swimming pool. Buy a set of magnetic hooks on Amazon for about $10.

A pill organizer may be your preferred way to travel with your daily medication, but it is best to pack your personal medication in a bottle (especially on international cruise ships). Although TSA staff is unlikely to stop you with unknown pills, it is best to prepare your prescription. To make traveling easier, please consider asking your pharmacist for a small bottle that is suitable for carry-on. You also need to bring extra medicine for at least two weeks. In your checked baggage, consider putting other ointments, creams or over-the-counter medicines you may need in a small plastic bag in case it is not easily available at the port or on the ship. These items may include products such as Neosporin, Cortizone 10, Aquaphor or Claritin.

The cruise ship cabin has basic toiletries, including body lotion, but if you have been in the sun, you may still need an extra dose of moisturizer. Sun Bum produces an after-sun cooling lotion that you can order online from its website, or buy it at pharmacies or online retailers such as Target or Amazon. The price is about $10. This soothing lotion contains vitamin E, aloe vera and cocoa butter to cool and moisturize the skin. This scent is reminiscent of piña colada-perfect for tropical vacations.

International travel adapter or converter

The power sockets and voltage strengths of the cabins of cruise ships with international home ports may be different from what you are used to in the United States. If you buy a reliable travel adapter with Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States compatible options, you should have all of yours The bases are covered in travel around the world. BESTEK's universal travel adapter (available on Amazon for about $40) has a direct EU plug, adapter, and converter that can change the voltage as needed. It can also charge up to seven devices at once, making your smartphone, camera, computer, and other electronic devices readily available.

Cruise ships usually provide the opportunity to be more dressed up than at home. Therefore, you may want to pack sun skirts, long skirts, flowy tops or slacks, and beautiful jackets. Since many of these fabrics are prone to wrinkles, consider buying a garment bag. The Delsey Hyperglide spinning garment bag (approximately US$200) allows passengers to hang their clothes on a clamping system, fasten them with folding rods, and then move them directly into the ship's cabin closet. The clothing bag can also hold several pairs of shoes, as well as folded clothes such as shorts, T-shirts, golf shirts and lightweight sweaters. If you pack properly, in addition to your carry-on bag, you can also use this as your only suitcase. However, most cabins have storage space for two to three suitcases, so if you choose to bring another checked bag, the clothing bag can still be placed under the bed.

You may also be interested in this:

— A must-have for the next trip

— Top river cruise company

— Cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts: which is better?

— Ranking of the best cruise companies

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Cruise Ship Packing List: The 25 most worthwhile items on the cruise ship first appeared on usnews.com

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