🛳️ This, Not That: Cruise Essentials You’ll Actually Use
Cruising is all about relaxing, exploring, and packing smart. But when it comes to must-have cruise gear, not all products are created equal. Whether it’s your first cruise or you’re a seasoned sailor, making the right purchases can mean the difference between frustration and smooth sailing.
That’s why I put together this list of “Buy This, Not That: Cruise Edition.” These Amazon finds are small upgrades that make a big difference in your cabin experience, beach days, and overall convenience on board.
All items are cruise-friendly, tested, and worth swapping into your packing list.
🪑 1. Buy This: Towel Clips or Bands That Work
Not That: Flimsy Chair Bands
📦
If you've ever returned to your pool lounger to find your towel sliding halfway off or your spot “borrowed,” you get it. Chair bands are supposed to help — but the thin elastic ones don’t stay put in wind.
This option holds your towel securely in place and adds a cute, colorful touch to your beach setup. Ideal for sea days on deck or island excursions.
đź“Ś 2. Buy This: Luggage Tag Holders
Not That: Taped Paper Tags
📦 Shop the Upgrade →
You’ll need to print luggage tags before boarding — but taping them on just doesn’t cut it. Tape rips, tags fall off, and you risk your luggage getting lost.
Instead, get these durable, waterproof luggage tag holders made specifically for cruise line tags (like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, etc.). They clip right onto your bag handles and stay put — no fuss, no reprinting.
🔌 3. Buy This: Cruise-Approved Power Strip (No Surge Protection)
Not That: Standard Power Strip
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Cruise cabins notoriously lack outlets — but you can’t bring just any power strip onboard. Most ships ban surge protectors for safety reasons.
This one is cruise-approved, compact, and gives you 3 outlets + 3 USB ports. A game-changer for charging phones, watches, fans, and curling irons without tripping a breaker (or getting your strip confiscated at security).
🧲 4. Buy This: Strong Magnetic Hooks
Not That: Cheap Lightweight Magnets
📦 Get the Heavy-Duty Set →
Cruise cabin walls are made of metal, which means magnetic accessories are a packing goldmine. But most magnets sold as “cruise cabin essentials” are too weak to hold anything more than a paper.
These heavy-duty magnetic hooks actually hold up towels, toiletry bags, lanyards, hats — you name it. Save counter space and stay organized without sticky hooks or clutter.
🚫 What to Skip: Cruise “Essentials” You Really Don’t Need
Not everything labeled as a “must-have” on cruise packing lists is actually worth the suitcase space (or your money). Here are a few items you’ll see all over TikTok and Amazon — but trust me, you can skip these:
❌ Lanyard Card Holder
You’ll see this on every cruise checklist — but unless you really love wearing a lanyard around your neck 24/7, it’s not necessary. Most cruisers just keep their room key (also your onboard charge card) in a small crossbody or phone pocket.
Better alternative: A slim wallet or adhesive phone cardholder works just as well — without feeling like you're back at summer camp.
❌ Beach Towels
Cruise lines provide towels for both the pool deck and port days — and you can swap them out anytime. Bringing your own bulky beach towel just wastes luggage space and adds extra wet weight when you're packing to go home.
Better use of space: Pack a quick-dry travel towel if you want something lightweight for shore excursions, or just stick to what the cruise provides.
❌ Foldable Hangers
These take up space and offer little benefit. Cruise ships already have hangers in the closet — and unless you’re bringing a lot of wrinkle-prone items, you likely won’t need extras.
Better option: If you really need more hanging storage, invest in a foldable hanging organizer instead — it gives you shelf space without the awkward clinking of a dozen plastic hangers in your suitcase.
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