1. A six-pack of towel bands, because nothing is more relaxing than taking a dip in that pool…until you get out to relax and you have no idea where the heck your deck chair is. They will also keep your towel from flapping around (or even blowing away) on especially blustery days.
Promising review: “Another cruise/ beach necessity! Used on most recent cruise. There are so many towels and chairs. These straps helped me find my chair when I got out of the water and didn’t know where my stuff was! Elasticity is great. I had no problem fitting over the chairs. Plus you get six in nice bright visible colors. Would recommend!” —Cristina K.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two color combinations)
2. A crossbody sling bag perfect for shore excursions, dayhikes, tours, and just wandering around (the best part of going to a new city, imho).
Promising reviews: “I wanted a slim bag for travel as I would be walking a lot and this bag for the bill. I’m plus size and the strap is adjustable to fit my chest region perfectly and the bag looks stylish on. Cute bohemian strap and four outside zippered pockets, inside middle pocket has built in card holder w five slots, large zippered pocket has an open pocket inside appropriately sized for a large cell. And there’s a slot zippered on the back perfect for stashing receipts or cash. Love it!” —MLM
“It’s a great bag with sturdy construction. Well enough storage (helps me keep to essentials) and super great for walking around on tours. Used this on a recent international trip where I walked a ton and wanted something lightweight and safe for our passports. I adore it so much I haven’t stopped wearing it since the trip. :)” —ambern
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 13 colors).
3. A pair of cute and comfy Crocs sandals, because did you know that you’re actually likely to walk more each day on a cruise than you would at home? These are also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about them getting hit with a stray splash of pool water.
Promising review: “These are my new favorite shoes! I bought them for my Mexico trip and needless to say I did miles and miles of walking in these and they are so comfortable and lightweight. I would say size up. These are great as they are adjustable,waterproof, and you you can style it with so many different outfits.” —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $41.64+ (available in sizes 3–11 and 21 colors).
4. A Disney Princess card lanyard great if you’re going on a Disney cruise, but works equally well if you’re just going on a regular cruise and just want to rep some Disney Love.
Promising reviews: “We took a Disney Cruise recently and since your room card key not only gets you into your room but also is how you buy anything on the ship, a lanyard is the way to go. The lanyards on this ship were too long and very expensive. I’m so glad we picked up some various Disney styles ahead of time on our cruise. We got lots of compliments and these were much steadier than the ones on the ship!” —Grey Gyrl
“Great quality and comfortable. Went perfectly with our Disney trip and I will be using this same one for many more trips to come.” —Marie
Get it from Amazon for $6.85.
5. Or a two-pack of lanyards with retractable and detachable card holders, so you won’t have to twist, turn, and do squats just to get your card where it needs to go.
Promising review: “Perfect for your next cruise! These were high quality, attractive and a must have for your next cruise. I purchased the turtle design and received several compliments from other passengers. The detachable clip is a must have no matter what kind you end up purchasing because you can just unclip and give it to the bar tender rather than taking the whole thing off or fiddling around trying to take your card out of the card pocket. The pull strings were also convenient and give you the ability to reach far out, but they also made them too long for my young kids to wear. No problem though, you have the option of attaching to the o-ring or the pull string, so it worked great for everyone. The ziplock-like zipper for the card pouch never popped open, keeping the pouch water tight. I fit two cards and two folded dollar bills in it. It can’t fit anything else without the zip popping open.” —Kathy
Get it from Amazon for $10.97+ (available in 18 patterns sets).
6. A USB-powered portable fan perfect for people who love to sleep with a fan on, people who want a little extra help cooling off while they’re relaxing on their deck chair, people who hate the feel of that industrial AC on their skin 24/7…basically, it’s just perfect.
Promising review: “I’ve bought a lot of travel fans before and they’re either too small with no air movements or too big to be practice. This is seriously perfect! It folds flat and is just slightly taller than a coffee cup (see picture). I’m someone who has to have a fan year round pointed at my face to sleep and the lowest setting is perfect. I used the second setting when our room was super stuffy and it cooled me down quick, the third setting is super strong and will be perfect for really hot days. I’m so happy with this little guy I’m considering replacing my current bedside fan with this when I get home!” —Hutchcraft
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors).
7. A tube of Body Glide anti-chafing balm, because between all the walking and the high temps, chafing on your thighs (and other places) is practically guaranteed…unless you have this little gem on hand.
Promising review: “Life changing. Reapplied about 3x/day while walking roughly 20,000 steps in shorts at Universal Studios with zero chafing. Compact and easy to reapply when hitting the bathroom. This product has opened up so many opportunities for me as I can now wear shorts/skirts every day in the summer. All I can say is thank you!” —KB
Get it from Target for $7.99+ (available in two sizes)
8. A pair of linen palazzo pants that are on-trend enough to wear to dinner but are comfy enough to wear while you lie around the pool or to walk around in for a day of sightseeing. And, double-duty products save some suitcase space, and these are like… triple-duty. And yes, they have pockets!
Promising review: “I purchased these pants for a tropical vacation. I loved the fit so much I wore them almost everyday. I wore them as a swimsuit cover up and even for dinner out. I purchased the black, blue, white and green. The white are lined. And I purchased two pair for my 19 year old daughter. We are both 5’3” and around 160 pounds. We purchased the large.” —Frosty
Get them from Amazon for $35.99 (available in sizes S–XXL and 23 colors).
9. A package of herbal seasickness patches for folks who love the ocean, but find that the ocean does not always love them back. Reviewers say they apply one behind the ear or on their abdomen, and can finally focus on the fun (instead of the waves).
Promising review: “Oh my good lord! I have always had such bad seasickness and my entire family including all my in-laws are big boat people so I’ve always just SUFFERED and vomited constantly so as to not miss out on family time. THESE ARE LIFE CHANGING. BUY THEM IMMEDIATELY. They work SO well and they stay on! We went on a snorkeling trip that we had to take a boat to and not only did they stay on for the snorkeling, they also stayed on for the extra swimming around time! I gave one to my dad and one to my mother in law as well to test out since they have very mild seasickness and they agreed that these patches are GLORIOUS. RUN don’t walk to these!!!!! I will be buying a million more!” —Isabella D.
“This product is the best thing since sliced bread. I used this on my cruise and it made it perfect. Prescription strength without needing the script. Love it!” —Jazzy4real
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 count packages).
10. A hanging toiletry bag because sometimes, those cruise bathrooms are teeny. A hanging bag with mesh pockets lets you see all your many serums, lotions, and liquid eyeliners without having them laid out all over your microscopic sink area.
Target
Promising review: “I bought this for a recent trip and so glad I did. I’ve used it several times already. I’m able to fit all my toiletries and make up in it. I love that it has a hook because it makes it easier to get ready in the morning by hanging it on a towel rack or hook in the bathroom.” —Jamie
Get it from Target for $12.99.
11. A floppy straw hat to keep the sun off your gorgeous face. The sun where you’re traveling might be stronger than what you’re used to, so you’ll definitely want to stay on top of your sun protection game.
Target
Promising review: “I love this hat! The wider brim is perfect for shading my shoulders on a sunny day. I find I wear this not just at the beach but lounging in the backyard. It’s ideal for reading too as it perfectly shades what your looking at. Hats are usually too small for my head but this one comes in two sizes. The larger size is perfect. It’s great quality and looks great for the price. This will be my go to shade hat for years to come.” —Jess
Get it from Target for $25 (available in sizes S—XL and two colors)
12. A set of magnetic hooks, so you’ll have plenty of room to hang your bag, hoodie or wet bathing suit inside the cabin.
Promising review: “We stuck these all over our cruise cabin and hung our clothes and towels up to dry. We also bought a clothesline, but this was way more effective. One of the best purchases we made for cruising.” —Erica H.
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in five styles and eight colors).
13. A bathing suit cover-up that can double as a dress, to minimize the number of trips back to your cabin for a costume change.
Amazon
Promising reviews: “I got this for a cruise that we went on and I thought it was so cute! The material was super light weight and I didn’t get hot. I loved the color, it is true to the picture shown. I would for sure buy this again in another color. I am 5′ 6 and the length was great also!” —Kambree Mann
“Prettiest cover up ever! I absolutely love this cover-up! The lace crochet detail at the neckline is lovely, the color is beautiful and the fabric is soft and comfortable. In fact, this cover-up is so pretty it really could be worn as a casual summer dress. On a scale of 1-5, I give it a 10+++!!!!” —Cyndy
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in women’s sizes M–3X and 15 colors).
14. A lightweight water bottle, because who wants to spend any of your time in port looking for a place to buy some water?
Promising review: “Love this bottle for travel! After a business trip, and a trip to the Amazon using this bottle, I’m really pleased with my choice. Insulated bottles are just too large and heavy for travel unless you really need the cold feature. I wanted a light weight option that holds a good amount and WON’T leak in a bag with expensive devices. This passed the test and was good even in the jungle where it was in my bag, not in the sun, so I didn’t care if it wasn’t super cold. I just needed the hydration and enough water to last on a several hour excursion.” —Linsey G.
Get it from Amazon for $11.73+ (available in three sizes and six colors).
15. A long-lasting, water-resistant sunscreen so you can avoid joining the Vacation Sunburn Club.
Promising review: “I ordered this for a Caribbean cruise I went on and it worked very well. I have fair skin so I burn easily. A little bit of this goes a long way. Typically I hate wearing sunscreen due to the way it feels and smells, but this absorbs into your skin well and does not leave a greasy residue feeling behind. It protected me my entire trip and even after getting into the water I was still protected.” —Cody
“Amazing. Seriously. I have extremely sensitive skin and this sun screen worked wonders for me. It smells amazing, lasts quite long, and does its job well. Not a single spot of tan on my skin. All my friends and family members were asking to use it on vacation, because it works so well!!” —LittleHazard
Get it from Amazon for $8.19+ (available in SPF 30 and SPF 70).
16. A pair of chunky cat-eye sunglasses, because there’s gonna be nonstop sunshine on deck (if you’re lucky).
Target
Promising review: “Just had them for so long. They have been stepped on. Dirty and thrown against the wall and more. They are so sturdy and just I love these sunglasses so much. They are my favorite. Definitely worth it. They are awesome.” —Crystal
Get it from Target for $15 (available in eight colors).
17. A set of TSA-approved silicone jars, to pack moisturizers, gels, and other things that are tough to get in those big traditional travel bottles.
Promising review: “Took these on our Alaska cruise last month. I used one for pills, one for hair gel, one for face cream and one for lotion. NO problem, no spill, no leaking. They hold a lot more than I actually needed for my 8 day vacation. So easy to travel with in a makeup bag.” —L.H. Reese
Get a set of four from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six color combinations).
18. A one-piece bathing suit with a high waist, stomach cutout, and built-in bra, so no need to fiddle with removable pads (the literal worst).
Promising review: “I ordered for our cruise and got so many compliments on this bathing suit. The colors are great together and I felt really pretty in it. I also chased my toddler around in it with no problem.” —Amazon customer
Get it from Amazon for $32.39+ (available in women’s sizes XS–XXL and 18 Plus–22Plus and 22 color combinations).
19. A waterproof phone pouch, because between pools, beaches, and plentiful drinks, there is liquid phone danger E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E.
Promising review: “Good material and excellent protection. Kept my iPhone 12, IDs, Credit Card and money on our port days at beaches. Light weight material. Recommended as a must item for cruise. Twin pack was good for my wife and myself.” —Rafiq Panjwani
“This waterproof phone case is like a trusty sidekick, protecting my precious device from the perils of water, sand, and sunscreen. First off, the seal on this pouch is no joke. I tested it by submerging my phone in water (with a slight heart attack), and it came out completely dry. It fits a variety of phone sizes, which is great since I tend to upgrade my phone like I’m collecting Pokémon. The clear windows on both sides make it easy to take photos and use the touchscreen without having to remove the phone. It’s perfect for snapping underwater selfies, capturing sandy beach moments, or even just keeping my phone safe from spilled drinks (because let’s face it, accidents happen). It’s saved my phone from countless watery disasters and let me focus on having fun in the sun without worrying about tech tragedies. Highly recommend!” —Alexandra
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 14 colors and in two and four packs).
20. A portable power strip, so you’re not caught short if your cabin barely has any outlets. The strip has three outlets, four USB ports, and a 6-inch cord, so you’ll never end up in an awkward situation where the only place to charge your phone is in the bathroom.
Promising review: “If you cruise, this is essential. Compact, easy to carry, and does not take up too much space in your cabin. We have many items to plug in, so we used this every day on our cruise.” —Deborah Hall
Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in two colors and four cord lengths).
21. An “In My Cruise Era” T-shirt, because it’s kind of like getting the band’s T-shirt to wear to the concert, imho.
StarSellerPlace/ Etsy
StarSellerPlace makes customized makes customized tees for Disney, bridal showers, and other occasions.
Promising review: “Relaxed fit, well crafted, soft material. Can’t wait to wear on boarding day!” —allana riccio
Get it from StarSellerPlace on Etsy for $9.90+ (originally $18+; available in women’s sizes S–3X, plus kids sizes, two styles, and 19 colors).
22. A light suitcase, so you can pack like there’s no bag weight limit (that’s the travel version of dancing like no one is watching).
Promising review: “Great product for the price, love the TSA locks, stow-ability of the smaller suitcases into the larger suitcases for storage, and interior tie downs and see-through pockets. Lightweight so can pack more clothes without going over the 50 lb limit of most airlines. Smaller than my previous luggage set but not by much. The wheels have amazingly held up over the two vacations, I was dreading the possibility of having to drag the luggage due to a broken wheel which never happened. Love the color. Bought a second set.” —Castle Doe
Get it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in three sizes, five colors, and as a five piece set).
23. A set of compression packing cubes because they’ll keep your stuff organized, make things less wrinkled, and might even help you travel with just a carry-on (~the dream~).
Promising review: “We purchased a few sets of these compression cubes for an international/cruise trip. We were able to get about a week’s worth of clothing, plus a few evening/dinner clothing pieces packed in our carry-ons. These worked really well and I was surprised at how well they prevented wrinkles too. We had our suitcases packed the weekend before our trip, so our clothes were sitting compressed in our suitcases that entire time. After we flew to our destination and unpacked a week later, our clothes didn’t look wrinkly at all. They worked really well and I plan to use these going forward for all trips. Definitely recommend!!” —Gina Q.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 28 colors, and sets of two, four, and six).
24. A cute romper that will keep you cool, protect you from thigh chafe, and, most importantly, take the guesswork out of pulling an outfit together. (Save that decision-making energy for the dessert buffet, my friend.)
Promising reviews: “Romper is so cute. Wore it on a cruise, it’s very flow-y at the bottom. Shoulder straps are perfect and not too tight. Got lots of compliments!” —Amazon customer
“By far my favorite dress. Sexy and stylish, light weight you feel like your wearing nothing, even in black you will never feel like your overheating. Fits true to size, I’ve had mine for about three months now and wear it all the time, I’ve washed it probably 30 times or more and the color and material stay just as they did the day I bought it. Actually thinking of buying another one, just can’t decide on the color.” —Jamie Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in women’s sizes S–XL and 35 colors/ prints).
25. A battery-powered motion sensor night-light that probably sounds less than essential, but hear me out — in tight and unfamiliar quarters like your cabin, your odds of stubbing your toe or tripping on a late-night bathroom run are much higher than at home. This can give your room a gentle glow just while you’re moving around. Your toes (and cabin mate) will thank you.
Promising review: “I never write reviews on Amazon. However, in this case, the accolades are warranted. I am a light-sensitive sleeper. My roomies need to be able to get to the bathroom without stubbing a toe. On a cruise, this also involves stepping over the bulkhead. Not easy when you are half asleep and can’t see it.
We had hoped the light would affix to the wall with the magnet–this ship did not make that doable. So instead, we set it on one of the shelves just inside the door. The thing could tell when we stepped up to the door and had just enough light to allow my cabin mate to get into the bathroom and shut the door without waking me up. It was amazing. I cannot recommend this little light enough. It will become a standard item I pack when I travel and will have to negotiate to a bathroom.” —Renee L. Beard
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
26. A set of silicone bottle covers, so you don’t have to live through yet another Spilled Shampoo Inside My Suitcase ordeal on vacation.
Promising review: “Simple and easy! I bought these for a recent girls cruise and ended up sharing them. They work wonderfully and are reusable. I encourage anyone who travels to get some and try them out. No spills!!!” —Vicky Sanders
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in six sets).
27. A travel-sized bottle of Poo-Pourri for anyone who is sharing a a cabin. Your cabin mate will appreciate it…just trust me, they will.
28. A mesh beach bag with nine pockets, so you’ll have a place for everything you need to have a fun day on the deck/sand. Plus, there’s an inner pocket for things you would like to keep far away from sand, like your phone.
Promising review: “I needed something compact to take on a cruise and this bag worked perfectly! I was able to carry two snorkeling sets, four towels along with all the sunscreen and other essentials with no problem. I love all the outside pockets and it also has an interior solid material pocket where I could keep our phones and my kindle and not have to worry about sand.” —kmpix
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 15 colors/prints).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
