Our Top Recommended Cruising Essentials: Must-Have Items for a Smooth Sailing Experience
Preparing for a cruise can be both exciting and overwhelming, but having the right essential cruising items can make all the difference. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or embarking on your first voyage, packing the right products ensures you’re comfortable, well-equipped, and ready to enjoy every moment at sea.
Below, we’ve curated a list of our top recommended cruising essentials—products we’ve personally used, tested, and wholeheartedly recommend to fellow cruisers. These items are not just convenient; they’re vital for a smooth and stress-free cruising experience. From must-have travel accessories to items that’ll keep you relaxed and organized throughout your cruise, these essential cruising items will help you get the most out of your time onboard.
We understand that every cruiser has different needs, so we’ve focused on versatile products that can suit a variety of travel styles. Whether you’re cruising for a week-long getaway or an extended journey, these products will help ensure you’re prepared for everything the cruise life throws your way.
And the best part? We only list recommended cruising essentials that we’ve actually purchased and used ourselves, so you can trust these recommendations are coming from real-world experience. As we continue our cruising adventures, we’ll be adding more of our favorite finds, so make sure to check back here regularly to discover new cruising essentials that we think you’ll love.
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Cruise Luggage Tag Holders x 6
These are an excellent way of attaching your luggage labels to your suitcase to stop them getting wet or torn off by mistake. Simply fold your label so both sides are visible, slide them in and there is a zip-lock at the top to keep them dry. You then simply attach them to your suitcase handle via the Stainless Steel Wire for a safe and secure fit. There are two different sizes available dependant on which cruise line you are sailing with, the 9 x 20 size fits P&O labels perfectly – https://amzn.to/421iHIO

Magnetic Hooks for Cruise Cabin Walls
These are particularly useful on older ships like P&O Azura, where there aren’t many hooks provided to hang things on, apart from the wardrobe (which actually is a huge size and in my opinion much better than P&O Iona’s wardrobe!). These are really cheap and you get a pack of either 4/6/10 or 20 and they do stick really well to the walls of the cabin. They claim to hold up to 10Kg which is astonishing! – https://amzn.to/43pRCBm

Motion Sickness Patches
These are like a herbal remedy that really worked for us. We always make sure we take a box, just in case. You simply stick one behind your ear or if it’s particularly bad, you can put a second patch on your naval area. Just a word of warning, after showering make sure you replace the patch as otherwise you may get skin irritation from the damp patch. – https://amzn.to/3QR1wV7

Cruise Card Lanyards
This is a pair of cruise card lanyards, perfect for carrying your cruise card with you. The plastic card wallet is ziplock so will keep your card dry. They also feature a removable retractable cord so that you can extend to reach your door lock without having to remove them. Priced at less than £6 a pair they are excellent value – https://amzn.to/4iMdo7c