My Favorite Things to Pack for a Tropical Cruise (and the Best Gifts for Cruisers)
- Renee Ward
- Dec 16, 2025
- 5 min read
Summer travel is calling! Whether you're sailing through the Caribbean, heading to Europe, or planning a sun-soaked family getaway, packing smart can make or break your trip. As a luxury travel advisor and frequent flyer (and cruiser!), I’ve tested my share of travel gear. Below, you’ll find my curated list of must-pack essentials—from tech gadgets and organization tools to tropical cruise must-haves you may not have thought of.
So grab your sunscreen and passport—let’s get you packed for a stress-free summer adventure.
🌴 Tropical Cruise Must-Haves
These items are cruise-cabin and island-excursion game-changers.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen Protect your skin—and the planet. Many Caribbean and tropical destinations now require reef-safe sunscreen to preserve marine ecosystems.🛍️ Shop reef-safe sunscreen on Amazon
Dry Bag or Waterproof Pouch Essential for beach days, snorkeling excursions, or kayaking trips. Keeps your gear dry and sand-free.🛍️ Shop dry bags on Amazon
Sun Hat with UV Protection Stay cool and shaded with a packable sun hat. Look for one that folds flat and offers UPF protection.🛍️ Shop sun hats on Amazon
Swimsuit Cover-Up or Caftan Lightweight and breathable, a stylish cover-up easily transitions from the pool deck to casual dining.🛍️ Shop swimsuit cover-ups on Amazon
Magnetic Hooks for Cruise Cabins Did you know cruise cabin walls are usually metal? These magnetic hooks help you keep the room organized by hanging swimsuits, hats, bags, or lanyards.🛍️ Shop magnetic cruise hooks on Amazon
Reusable Cruise Luggage Tag Holders Many cruise lines ask or allow you to print your own luggage tags, but these protect them from tearing off. 🛍️ Shop cruise luggage tag holders on Amazon
Cruise Lanyard with Waterproof ID Holder For cruise cards (on lines that don't already provide a lanyard or digital key) is your key to everything—keep it handy with a waterproof lanyard.🛍️ Shop cruise lanyards on Amazon
Motion Sickness Bands or Natural Remedies Be ready just in case. Even if you don't usually get seasick, a rough patch at sea can sneak up on anyone.🛍️ Shop Sea-Bands or ginger tablets on Amazon
Flip Flops & Water Shoes Flip flops for poolside comfort, and water shoes for rocky shorelines or waterfall hikes.🛍️ Shop flip flops | Shop water shoes
✈️ Tried-and-True Travel Essentials for Any Trip
These favorites work year-round, but they’re especially useful when you’re hopping planes, trains, and cruise terminals in summer heat.
💡 Smart Travel Gear
Apple AirTag (4-Pack or Single) Track your luggage, purse, or kids' backpacks with precision. Works with the Find My app.🛍️ Shop Apple AirTags on Amazon
Digital Luggage Scale Avoid overweight baggage fees with this compact digital scale.🛍️ Shop luggage scales on Amazon
Portable Phone Charger A summer must for long excursion days, airport delays, or beach picnics.🛍️ Shop portable chargers on Amazon
Meta Smart Glasses - Take quick photos, videos, and even on-the-go live translation in multiple languages. These are a game-changer! Just take them off if your head if you're swimming! 🛍️ Shop Meta glasses on Amazon
Noise-Cancelling Headphones Block out cabin noise or poolside chaos with crystal-clear sound.🛍️ Shop noise-cancelling headphones on Amazon
Travel Pillow or Inflatable Neck Support A supportive pillow makes long flights or bus transfers bearable.🛍️ Shop travel pillows on Amazon
Jet Lag Remedy (Homeopathic Travel Aid) like Jetzone and No-Jet-Lag. They help support immune function and ease your body's transition across time zones.🛍️ Shop jet lag remedies on Amazon
🎒 Packing Tools & Organizers
Space Saver Compression Bags (No Vacuum Needed!) These roll-up bags compress your clothes and save space in hot-weather destinations where linen and flowy clothes take up room.🛍️ Shop compression bags on Amazon
22-Inch Carry-On Luggage with USB Charging Port Designed for organized travel. Look for one with a laptop sleeve and built-in USB charging.🛍️ Shop carry-on luggage on Amazon
Anti-Theft Backpack Stylish, secure, and ideal for busy cities or crowded cruise terminals.🛍️ Shop anti-theft backpacks on Amazon
Lewis N. Clark RFID Neck Wallet Great for carrying your passport, credit cards, and cash discreetly.🛍️ Shop neck wallets on Amazon
Makeup Bag That Opens Flat Water-resistant and space-saving, this design is easy to access in small hotel or cruise bathrooms.🛍️ Shop makeup bags on Amazon
Hanging Toiletry Organizer Saves precious counter space and keeps everything within reach.🛍️ Shop hanging toiletry bags on Amazon
🛏️ Comfort & Wellness Musts
Cooling Towel or Mini Fan Beat the heat during tropical excursions, city tours, or theme park days.🛍️ Shop cooling towels | Shop handheld fans
Portable Disposable Soap Sheets Perfect for outdoor excursions or public restrooms that run out of soap.🛍️ Shop soap sheets on Amazon
Bug Repellent Wipes or Spray Stay bite-free while exploring lush or humid destinations.🛍️ Shop bug repellent on Amazon
Collapsible Water Bottle Eco-friendly, lightweight, and space-saving. My Vapur bottle has lasted years without leaking!🛍️ Shop collapsible water bottles on Amazon
Emergen-C Immune+ with Vitamin D & Zinc - Boost your immune system while traveling. 🛍️ Emergen-C Tablets on Amazon
Medication Cooler Bag - If you need to keep medication cold, this insulated cooler is highly recommended by a diabetes educator. 🛍️ Medication Cooler on Amazon
💇🏻♀️ Beauty & Grooming Travel Favorites
Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray No time to iron? This will smooth the wrinkles and is small enough for TSA! 🛍️ Shop Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray on Amazon
Fine Mist Spray Bottle for Body, Hair, and Clothing Wrinkles! Besides beauty use, we discovered that this fine mist of plain water on clothing wrinkles didn't drench the fabric, but helped release the wrinkles! 🛍️ Shop Travel Size Fine Mist Empty Spray Bottles
Travel Toiletry Kit with Leak-Proof Bottles TSA-approved bottles for your favorite shampoo, face wash, and lotion.🛍️ Shop toiletry kits on Amazon
2-in-1 Contact Lens and Eyeglasses Case Compact and organized—includes a built-in mirror, tweezers, and solution container.🛍️ Shop 2-in-1 lens case on Amazon
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Hair Dryer Small but mighty! This dual-voltage hair dryer fits in any carry-on and handles humidity.🛍️ Shop BaBylissPRO dryer on Amazon
Wet/Dry Laundry Bag Keep dirty or damp swimsuits away from clean clothes.🛍️ Shop wet bags on Amazon
🧳 Final Tips for Summer Packing
Pack light, but layer smart—a cruise dining room might be chilly, even in July.
Always bring a reusable water bottle—hydration is key, especially in the sun.
Don't forget small comforts like lip balm with SPF, aloe gel, or foldable beach totes.
Wherever you go this summer—whether you’re chasing waterfalls, watching sunsets at sea, or strolling a historic old town—I hope these essentials make your travels smoother and more memorable.
Need help planning your tropical escape or summer cruise? Reach out to me at Forward Points + Travel for luxury travel planning and help using your points for flights. I’d love to help you travel smarter, lighter, and in style.
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