Don't Forget These Cruise Must-Haves

Packing for a cruise sounds easy, right? Swimsuits, sunscreen, comfy clothes, and you're good to go. But after sailing on dozens of ships, I can confidently tell you—forgetting the right essentials can lead to frustration... or worse, a $12 bottle of conditioner from the gift shop (ask me how I know ).  

Here’s the thing: While cruise ships do a lot of things incredibly well, they’re not exactly stocked like a Target. If you leave behind something small but important, you may be stuck with limited choices—or a higher-than-you’d-like price tag.

Let’s talk about a few of the most commonly forgotten but necessary items—and how different cruise lines stack up:  

Hairdryers

Always a hot topic. Will you get a full-size blow dryer like you often find on Norwegian? Or a wall-mounted, push-button version like the one on Virgin Voyages? Spoiler alert: It's not always salon-quality. If you’re picky about your hair tools, pack your own travel-friendly dryer (just check the cruise line’s rules on heat tools first!).

Shower Amenities

This varies a lot. Royal Caribbean and Carnival typically offer a combo shampoo/body wash—and that’s just not going to cut it for me. Princess and Virgin Voyages do a better job with separate shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in dispensers, which I really appreciate.

Still, I once forgot my conditioner on Royal Caribbean and paid $12 for a basic bottle onboard. Lesson learned! 

Hand Soap: Bar vs. Bottle

Here’s a sneaky one—hand soap. Most cruise lines still provide bar soap at the sink, which just doesn’t cut it for everyone (I’m in the liquid soap fan club myself ). Some lines, like Virgin Voyages or Celebrity, offer liquid hand soap—but it’s not guaranteed.

So if you’re like me and prefer a pump bottle, toss a small one into your checked bag. Your hands (and your sanity) will thank you later.

Forgot Something?

Royal Caribbean has started to make things easier. On Oasis of the Seas, there’s a vending machine stocked with travel-size sundries, snacks, and even tech items. Handy—but you still can’t count on everything being available. If it’s something you need, bring it with you.

The bottom line? Save space in your suitcase, but not at the expense of your sanity. A little pre-cruise prep can go a long way toward making your vacation smoother and less stressful.

Now it’s your turn—what’s something you’ve forgotten on a trip and wished you hadn’t?

Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your travel oops moments (and maybe help you avoid a repeat!).

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