We Retired on a Cruise Ship—These Are 13 Game-changing Items We Recommend Taking on Every Cruise, From $7

Travel + Leisure

30-06-2025

Retirement doesn't have to mean slowing down. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. If you're craving adventure in your third act or looking to escape that 9 to 5 grind, you're not alone. More and more people are discovering that cruises aren't just vacations anymore; they're a lifestyle. With back-to-back itineraries, repositioning cruises, and even full-time cruise residencies now available, setting sail for long periods of time is becoming an increasingly popular (and surprisingly affordable) option.
If you're planning on cruising into your golden years or want to finally take that dream cruise, it's important to know that cruise life means living smart in a compact space, without sacrificing the comforts of home. The right gear can make all the difference. If you're ready to embrace life at sea, a few clever tricks from travelers who are living on cruises full-time can make all the difference. From space-saving hacks like compression bags and magnetic hooks to managing laundry on board, these cruise-goer-approved travel accessories transform the smallest cabin into a functional, comfortable home base for smooth, long-term sailing.
If there's one skill you learn the value of quickly in life at sea, it's how precious space is—whether that's in your luggage or your cabin. According to Cole Sjoholm, who has been living the nomadic lifestyle since early 2023, mastering the art of compression packing is the No. 1 tip for stress-free cruise life. 'I swear by these compression bags,' he told Travel + Leisure . 'But the trick is not to overpack them. I pack just a few items in each, which makes them easier to compress, keeps clothes less wrinkled, and helps me see what's inside at a glance.'
With a pack of 24 bags in a variety of sizes, the Cozy Essential Compression Bag set ensures you'll have room to spare in your stateroom. If you're hoping to keep luggage to a minimum, one reviewer was happy to report that they were 'able to pack a week's worth of clothes in my carry-on with these.'
We'll say it again for the people in the back: smart packing can make all the difference when you're living life on the go, so finding ways to stay organized is key. Packing cubes might seem small, but they're game changers. This eight-piece Bagail set on Amazon is a great choice. It's lightweight, durable, and comes in a variety of colors. And at just $18, it's a steal—especially since some users said they've used them for years with 'zero problems."
In another review, a cruise goer wrote, "I used every cube to stay organized while cruising for three weeks," adding that the largest cube "held all of my pants, slacks, and even a bulky sweater." Chiming in, another traveler shared that they were able to "toss them into the overhead cabinets in our cruise cabin. It was so easy-peasy to pull down a cube when I needed something without making a mess of a pile of folded clothes."
Anyone who has cruised knows the importance of a good daypack. On your first day on board, you'll want a place to store a change of clothes for the pool or dinner since you won't have your luggage for several hours, and you'll want a reliable and comfortable bag for shore excursions, too.
Tim and Kathi Hudson, a couple that has been embracing the global nomad lifestyle since 2023, say the Osprey Ultralight backpack is their 'favorite light-layer, multi-use everyday pack' for all of their adventures at sea, in the air, and on land. Whether you're looking for a carry-on that fits under the seat on your flight or a backpack that can hold up to wild shore adventures, this backpack will check the box.
Cruisers know that not only is space limited, but so are outlets, and cruise ships are really strict about electrical items in the cabin (in other words, don't bring that extension cord!). One way to hack the limited outlets is to bring a converter with multiple USB or USB-C ports, like Tessan's popular version. Additionally, it has a universal AC outlet that converts plugs of the U.S., EU, U.K., and AU.
The Hudsons, who have been on six different American cruise lines, said, 'This is our favorite adaptor because it gives you so many USB and C connections and works all over the world.' Just don't forget to unplug all those cords before you leave the cabin (or a friendly crew member just might do it for you).
When you're living life on the go, it's important to make sure you have a fully charged phone. This is particularly true on a cruise, where you'll be refreshing the cruise's app to stay up to date and make reservations (you'll also need a full battery to go exploring when the ship docks). Instead of worrying about using one of those precious outlets, bring along the Iniu rechargeable power bank.
With over 12,000 five-star ratings, this best-selling portable charger is a great option with its slim design that makes it easy to pack in a bag or your pocket, and it holds enough power to charge an iPhone "multiple times," according to one cruisegoer. They continued, "I bought this charger for a week-long cruise so that I could take it with me on excursions, and it was fantastic." The traveler also added, "And the funny thing is, on the cruise ship, my phone charged faster with this battery bank versus charging from the wall socket."
Let's just be honest; you're going to get wet while you're living at sea. Maybe you'll plan a snorkel excursion or get caught in an off-season storm—or, you just want to use your phone while you're soaking in the hot tub. Either way, you don't want your valuables to get drenched. Many cruisers like to bring along some sort of waterproof storage, but these Venterior waist pouches will not only keep your items dry; they're also a convenient way to keep your hands free, unlike other popular lanyard options. If you're looking for on-the-go waterproof bags, these are a great option, according to seasoned cruise retirees.
In their review, a cruiser recalled, "I wanted to make sure I had passports or ship IDs as well as credit cards and cash and my cell phone all in a safe place. If we lost some of those things, we weren't getting back on the ship…This worked like a charm!"
The Hudsons, who spend about 70 percent of their time at sea but often return to visit their children across the country, think of the ship as home and their cabin as their bedroom. Small additions like magnets can help make the cabin feel cozy, help travelers feel close to loved ones afar, and serve as helpful tools for keeping organized.
'These handy hooks extend your storage area,' the Hudsons explained. 'It's a great place for hats, bags, and drying things.' If you're trying to stretch your cabin space, bringing a set of magnetic hooks is an easy way to do just that. This pack of 10 will give you plenty of additional space, plus they can each hold up to 30 pounds of weight, making them a great option for storing wet clothes, bags, and more.
According to Sjoholm, who now lives exclusively on cruise ships, it's also helpful to have magnets around the cabin to help personalize your space with photos or cards, while keeping limited counter space clear of clutter. 'Ship cabins can feel generic,' Sjoholm began. 'So bring a few magnets to hang up pictures of friends and family. They can also help keep daily planners and invites off the desk.'
Another great way to expand your space is to pack a strategically designed toiletry bag with tons of space, organizational pockets, and hanging capabilities (pair it with the magnetic hook above, and you don't need to worry about cluttered bathroom vanities). Let's just say the reviews on this Bagsmart option speak for themselves.
One shopper said: 'It's super lightweight but surprisingly spacious—I can fit full-size shampoo and conditioner bottles, all my go-to makeup products, and even my hairbrush and styling tools with room to spare."
You might feel like you're running out of space quickly in your cabin, but don't let that be the case for your photo storage. Whether you're bringing along a professional camera or snapping selfies on your cell phone, having a portable SSD will ensure you don't end up deleting precious memories from your device. This top-rated option from SanDisk is great because it's compatible with Apple and non-Apple products, water-resistant, and has 2 terabytes (TB) of memory, which, as the Hudsons put it for T+L, is 'a ton for a little drive.'
While cruise ships do have laundry services, the cost will add up quickly, and it might take longer than you'd like to get your clothes back. If you're in a pinch, the Hudsons say you can pack some easy, compact laundry solutions like these SinkSuds travel laundry detergent sheets to do a quick load in your cabin; they're designed for small, quick laundry loads, and they are TSA-compliant. They're perfect for any kind of trip, but especially great for living on a cruise ship.
"I would definitely recommend these to any cruisers or anyone who has to go somewhere where they are unable to do laundry," a cruisegoer said, noting that they relied on them for a nine-day excursion. "They smell good and they clean well."
Whether you're looking for a place to hang all that laundry or to dry your swimsuits after a day in the water, this Amazon-loved portable clothesline is a great solution. Several travelers suggested hanging it in your shower to eliminate clutter in the cabin. If your goal is to save some money during retirement, this is a quick and easy way to save the cost and time of cruise laundry services.
Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.