The 15 Best Cruise Essentials to Shop During Amazon Prime Day, Picked by a Former Crew Member

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

I spent years sailing the world on cruise ships as a dancer. I have ported in over 45 countries, crossed the equator on several occasions, and was even aboard a vessel for its World Cruise. After experiencing life aboard, I can tell you exactly what's worth packing—and there's no better time to stock up on cruise essentials than during Amazon Prime Day, when some of these simple yet valuable items go on sale.
There are a lot of cruise ship packing lists out there, and they can vary depending on where you're sailing and what the weather will be like. But some items will always come in handy, no matter where your itinerary takes you. From space-saving hacks to gear that keeps you cool, these Amazon Prime Day deals will help you pack smarter and cruise in comfort. Shop top deals starting at just $5.
Packing cubes may not be essential, but they will make for a tidier stateroom. You'll find unpacking a lot faster when your clothes are organized into categories, like beachwear, resortwear, formalwear, and shoes. Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.
You don't want to be stuck ashore with a dead phone and no way to navigate back to the ship. Always have a portable power bank in your bag when leaving the ship so you can recharge important tech that will help you get back to the gangway on time.
Whether you're cruising to the beach or on a misty Norwegian fjord, your tech will probably be exposed to wet conditions. Keep it safe from moisture and sand with a waterproof phone pouch that firmly seals and locks out water. This belt bag two-pack features an adjustable waist strap and a touchscreen-friendly clear front so you can use your phone without removing it from the bag.
It's easy to get overheated on a cruise (I've seen it happen), whether out on the deck or ashore on an excursion. If you know you're sensitive to the heat, then pack and prepare for the weather with items like this cooling towel. It claims to cool up to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under one minute and can stay cool for up to two hours. One shopper bought several of these cooling towels for a group trip to Mexico, saying, 'They really work!'
Cruise ship cabins are small and have limited storage space. That storage can quickly run out if you're sharing your cabin with several people. To keep a tidy cabin and create extra storage for yourself, pack magnetic hooks in your luggage (away from your electronics). Cruise ship walls are typically made of metal and are magnetic, which means you can put these by your door and hang your purse, shopping bags, or jacket so they don't clutter up valuable counter space.
Don't get sunburnt on your first day on the ship and then have to hide from the sun for the remainder of your vacation. Always start your day with a generous spray or lathering of sunscreen, even when you're just staying on the ship. You're not just exposed to direct sunlight, but also the sunlight bouncing off the water.
Cruise ship decks can be slippery, especially if you're doing an equator crossing (if you know you know—there's often soap and whipped cream involved with this ship ritual). Deck stewards should mark when a deck has just been cleaned and may be wet, but that doesn't mean that weather and other environmental factors won't create slick surfaces. Look for footwear with white or neutral rubber soles and plenty of grip and traction points, like these breathable boat shoes. These shoes can also double as water shoes, so you can take them on a shore excursion where you'll need quick-dry footwear.
Many cruise buffets and dining rooms will have dress codes where you can't walk in wearing a bikini and flip-flops. To avoid making trips back to your room to change, keep this versatile shirt dress in your bag. It works as a bathing suit cover-up and as a nice dress that can be elevated with heels and some jewelry.
Never leave the ship without a refillable water bottle. You don't want to get dehydrated, and you don't want to buy overpriced single-use water bottles. A refillable bottle is essential if you're cruising through Europe and the Mediterranean, where you'll find restaurants sometimes charge you for water, unless you explicitly ask for tap water. It's common for European squares to have public water fountains, too, which are perfectly safe to drink from and are great for refilling your bottle for free. I prefer water bottles with a protected mouthpiece so I don't have to worry about it staying sanitized.
If you're an avid cruiser, chances are you love that immaculate vista of open water. However, the oceans are in trouble and are constantly polluted with plastic, particularly single-use plastic bags, which is a huge problem. I recommend packing your own reusable bags on your trip so you don't add more plastic to the waste bin. Tuck these packable, eco-friendly bags into your shore backpack so you have them for shopping, as many European stores have banned single-use bags.
Just like sunscreen, a wide-brim sun hat should always be in your bag. This sun hat allows your head to breathe while still providing ample coverage of your face and shoulders. Plus, it's rollable and packable, so you don't have to worry about crushing it in transit.
Yes, you can bring the ship's towels ashore, but they're usually made of terry cloth and collect beach sand like a magnet, bringing it all back to your room to dump on the floor and make a mess. This quick-dry, sand-free beach towel is a nice alternative to the ship's thick towels and rolls up into a tiny, easy-to-pack pouch. Your room steward will thank you, too.
If cruise ship captains could have it their way, they'd schedule perfect weather every day for all of their passengers—but that's not how Mother Nature works. There's bound to be at least one day on your cruise with less than ideal weather. Don't let it spoil your adventures, though. Pack a rain poncho so you can still go out and explore if you want to. Umbrellas are great, but high winds can wreck an umbrella in a hurry.
Phone. Wallet. Keys. The same refrain we repeat when leaving our house applies to your stateroom on a cruise ship, too. A phone case with a built-in crossbody strap and wallet to hold your room key is your answer to never misplacing your essentials on the ship. Plus, this makes it easier to join in on a dance party without asking someone to watch your purse. And you'll never have to worry about your phone slipping from your hands, off the promenade deck, and into the sea when it's strapped to your body. I'm eyeing the stylish, Oprah-loved Bandolier Hailey Crossbody Phone Case, on sale this week for Amazon Prime Day.
Visits to the ship's medical center can be pricey and lengthy (there's often just one doctor available at a time for thousands of passengers, and the wait can get long). What's more, some travel insurance companies don't cover visits to ship infirmaries. If you or a family member gets a minor cut or scrape while onboard or ashore, it's easier to remedy it yourself if you have the basics at hand, such as this 120-piece mini first aid kit. I'd also recommend adding an electrolyte drink mix to this kit. In the event you catch a stomach bug, you'll be quarantined to your room, and dehydration is something you'll want to stay on top of to recover faster.
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