What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag (And What You Really Don’t Need)

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Your suitcase is checked. You’ve made it through the cruise terminal. And finally, you’re walking onto the ship.

There’s just one problem.

Your checked luggage may not arrive at your stateroom for several hours.

That’s why what you put in your cruise carry-on bag matters.

But you really do not need to carry half your suitcase around the ship with you.

After two decades of cruising I have definitely learned that less is better on embarkation day. You could be carrying this bag around for several hours before your stateroom is ready.

That is why I have a set up that is very easy to manouvre around the ship, but has plenty of space to carry the things that I need. It has a sleeve so you can easily put it on top of a wheeled carry on so that moving around the ship or airport is easy.

These are the things I actually think are worth having with you — everything I recommend I have tested and use myself.

I travel everywhere with my Osprey backpack – I use it for the Disney parks too.

It is idea because it is the right size for most airlines as a personal item too.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

1. Your Passport and Cruise Documents

This is the one thing you absolutely cannot get wrong.

Never put your passport, identification or required cruise documents in your checked luggage.

Keep them somewhere in your carry-on where you can reach them easily.

I learned this lesson years ago when I got to the cruise check-in desk and couldn’t immediately find my passport.

I knew I had it.

At least, I thought I had it.

Those few minutes of searching felt considerably longer!

Now my passport and important documents always have their own designated place in my bag.

2. An Owala Water Bottle

I have tried more than my fair share of water bottles over the years – and now have found one I absolutely love.

If I were buying one water bottle for travel right now, this is the one I would choose.

I love the Owala FreeSip for cruising. And I particularly love this one as it is from the Disney Princess range ( I have Belle too).

You can drink through the built-in straw or tip the bottle and drink normally. The lid locks, it has a carry loop, and the insulated stainless-steel version keeps your water cold.

And keeping water cold matters more than you might think when you’re walking around Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay or a Caribbean port in the middle of the day.

I had never really tested just how long it kept drinks cold for but when I filled it half full of ice in San Diego airport lounge and kept filling it with water for the journey, I realised that it was still keeping it cold about 20 hours later.

SHOP OWALA

There are several sizes, but I think the 24 oz is a particularly good travel size for me.

It’s large enough to be useful without becoming something else you have to lug around all day.

There are 32 oz and 40 oz available too, as well as kids sizes and coffee cups.

This is one of those things that isn’t just a “cruise essential” either. I use it all day to keep in check how much water I am drinking every day. It have brought it on my trip to Europe with me and use it every day at home.

3. Portable Phone Charger

Your phone gets a serious workout on embarkation day.

You are checking the cruise app, taking photos, messaging everyone in your party, filming the ship and probably taking considerably more pictures than you planned.

And your charging cable isn’t much use if your stateroom isn’t available yet.

A small portable charger is one of the things I almost always have with me when I travel.

I particularly like the compact versions that don’t require you to carry another long cable around.

SHOP MY PORTABLE CHARGER PICK

Just remember that if you are flying to your cruise, power banks containing lithium batteries generally need to travel in your carry-on rather than your checked luggage.

4. Apple AirTag

I have AirTags in every bag I travel with.

Put it inside your checked suitcase before you hand your luggage over.

I have AirTags in my luggage whenever I travel. You can trace your bag using you iPhone to see it’s exact location.

They are particularly reassuring when you fly because you can see whether your suitcase made it to your destination.

I just flew into Heathrow and my husbands bag was the last one out on the carousel, but it saved me some anxious moments of knowing whether or not if it had made it over The Atlantic as I could see where it was!

They’re also surprisingly useful on embarkation day.

Your cruise line will be moving thousands of suitcases around the ship. Being able to see that your bag has made it onboard can be reassuring while you’re waiting for it to appear outside your stateroom.

SHOP APPLE AIRTAGS

If you travel regularly, I think the four-pack makes much more sense than buying them individually.

5. Sunscreen

This is an easy one to forget.

You board the ship, have lunch and decide to head straight to the pool.

Your sunscreen?

Sitting somewhere inside your checked suitcase.

I became obssessed with the Caudalie brand after a trip to Paris.

Well over 1,500 chemicals commonly or legally allowed in US skincare that you will not find on store shelves in France.

SHOP CAUDALIE

I would also put sunglasses in the bag rather than your checked luggage.

6. Swimsuit

Want to use the pool as soon as you board?

Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on.

Embarkation afternoon can actually be a great time to explore the pools because plenty of passengers haven’t thought to do this.

You don’t need an entire change of clothing.

A swimsuit and perhaps a lightweight cover-up are usually enough.

7. Waterproof Phone Pouch

This is one of those inexpensive cruise purchases that can end up being surprisingly useful.

A waterproof phone pouch is useful around the pool, at the beach and on port days when you don’t want to leave your phone unattended.

Some designs also have room for a card or a little cash.

SHOP WATERPROOF PHONE POUCHES

Even if you don’t plan on taking your phone into the water, I like having some protection from splashes, sand and the inevitable wet pool towel.

8. Essential Medication

Never put medication that you need in your checked luggage.

Keep prescription medication with you.

I also usually carry a very small selection of basic medication I might need during the first day.

I really like this soft case for medication – it has 14 different leaves and I also use it to put jewelry in. I just prefer it to the hard cases as it is lighter and you can fit more in.

CHECK CURRENT PRICING

You don’t need to bring an entire pharmacy in your carry-on.

I have a separate guide to putting together a cruise first aid kit if you want a more complete list.

LINK TO CRUISE FIRST AID KIT ARTICLE

9. Wine — If Your Cruise Line Allows It

This is an important one because some cruise lines that allow passengers to bring wine onboard require it to be carried on rather than packed in checked luggage.

Always check the current alcohol policy for your particular cruise line before you sail. Disney Cruise Line allows each adult aged 21 and over to bring one bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer.

If I am taking wine, I use protective wine sleeves.

They don’t take up much room and I’d much rather spend a few dollars on one than discover a bottle of red wine has broken inside my bag.

SHOP WINE BOTTLE PROTECTORS

Disney cruisers can also read my complete guide here:

RELATED: Can You Bring Alcohol on a Disney Cruise?

10. A Few Small Personal Items

Finally, add the things you would be annoyed to be without for several hours.

For me, that means things like:

• Lip balm
• Reading glasses
• Sunglasses
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• A small amount of makeup
• Earbuds
• Portable Charger

Notice what isn’t on that list.

I’m not carrying an enormous toiletry bag, three changes of clothes, packing cubes, a full first aid kit and half the contents of my suitcase around the ship.

The aim is to make embarkation day easier, not give yourself another suitcase to drag around.

My Cruise Carry-On Essentials

If you want the short version, this is what I would pack:

Must Have

Passport and travel documents
Medication
Phone
Wallet/credit cards

Worth Buying

Owala FreeSip water bottle
Portable charger
Apple AirTags
Waterproof phone pouch
Sunscreen
Wine bottle protectors if bringing wine

Pack From Home

Swimsuit
Sunglasses
Small toiletries
Earbuds
A lightweight change of clothing if you want one

That’s really about it.

Your checked suitcase should be doing most of the work.

Shop My Cruise Essentials

I’ve put the cruise products I actually recommend together in my EverythingMouse Amazon Storefront so you don’t have to search through hundreds of supposedly “must-have cruise essentials.”

SHOP MY CRUISE ESSENTIALS ON AMAZON

Because after dozens of cruises, one of the biggest things I’ve learned about packing is this:

You probably need considerably less than you think.