🛳️§ Cruise essentials

You've booked the cruise. Here's what's left to pack.

The kit our cruise guide recommends, organized by what you'll actually need: cabin power, organizers, insurance, port-day connectivity, and the comfort upgrades worth the bag space. Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no cost to you.

§ 03 · Protect the trip

Cover what the cruise line won't.

A missed port, a lost bag, a medical evacuation off a ship — the three things cruise fares don't cover. Insure the trip you already paid for.

§ 05 · Comfort & health

Sea days, done right.

The upgrades that make a long sailing better — and the over-the-counter basics that save a rough first day at sea.

§ Skip these

What you don't need.

  • Surge-protected power strips — banned on every cruise line, confiscated at embarkation.
  • Voltage converters — modern phones, laptops and tablets are all dual-voltage; you only need a plug adapter.
  • Cruise card holders and lanyards — your cruise line gives you one for free at check-in.
  • Bulky adapter-plus-converter combo units — the converter half is dead weight you'll never use.
§ Still researching?

Read the full cruise outlet guide before you pack.

Cruise outlet guide →All guides