Planning what to bring on your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation? This Royal Caribbean cruise packing list is packed with useful items. Additionally, it includes small reminders, such as downloading the Royal Caribbean app ahead of time, remembering that you’re allowed to bring wine on board, and other cruise-specific rules or perks that you might overlook.
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While many essentials overlap across cruises, we’ve noticed a few items and policies that make Royal worth packing a little differently for. This list focuses on gear, tech, and cruise-specific tips—not swimsuits or cruise outfits, because you already know to pack those. Over time, we’ve figured out what’s actually helpful and what we skip. Below, I’m sharing the go-to items we pack for Royal Caribbean sailings, plus a few cruise-specific notes.
Pre-Cruise & Travel Day Essentials
1. Download the Royal Caribbean App
Before boarding, make sure the Royal Caribbean app is downloaded on your phone. You’ll need it for checking daily schedules, making dining reservations, viewing port times, and accessing your cruise card digitally on some ships.
2. Passport or Government ID
This one is important. We always travel with our passports and keep them handy in our carry-on bag during embarkation. Double-check expiration dates early; I had to expedite mine once before a Mediterranean sailing.
U.S. citizens cruising from and returning to a U.S. port on a closed-loop cruise with Royal Caribbean allow you to sail with a government-issued photo ID and an original, state-certified birth certificate. Royal Caribbean highly recommends traveling with a passport.
3. Printed Luggage Tags
Royal Caribbean requires you to print your own luggage tags in advance. We always slide them into plastic tag holders with steel loops to keep them from tearing off in transit. You can also just staple them around the handlebars of our suitcase.
Tip: Inside the suitcase, I also slip in a printed sheet with our names, email addresses, and cruise details, just in case the outer tag gets lost or damaged in transit. It’s a simple backup that could make a big difference if your luggage gets separated.
4. AirTags or Luggage Trackers
We always travel with AirTags. If our luggage gets delayed by the airline or temporarily misplaced at the cruise port, we can easily track it. We check them throughout the journey just for peace of mind.
Cabin Organization & Tech
5. Travel Adapter for European Outlet
Since late 2024, Royal Caribbean has banned multiple electrical plug inputs, even if they are not surge protectors. You won’t be allowed to use multi-plug adapters or extension cords on board.
That said, cabins still include one European-style outlet in addition to U.S. ones. We bring a compact universal travel adapter to convert it into an extra U.S. plug. It’s an easy and cruise-compliant way to get more charging flexibility without breaking the rules. You won’t be allowed to use multi-plug adapters or extension cords on board.
6. USB Charging Station
We always bring a compact USB-only charger—it’s one of those go-to items we pack every time. Older ships especially don’t have enough USB ports. With Royal Caribbean’s updated outlet policy in late 2024, which bans items with multiple electrical plugs, this is the safest and most convenient way to keep all our devices charged.
7. Over-the-Door Toiletry Organizer
Our go-to organizer saves the limited counter space in the cabin bathroom. We love our BAGSMART one, and it fits most of our shared toiletries. I still pack my makeup and skincare separately. My skincare routine lives in Cadence containers; they’re compact, leakproof, and easy to line up in the bathroom or stash in a drawer.
8. Magnetic Hooks
The walls are made of steel, so magnetic hooks are surprisingly useful, and it is one of my go-to cruise items. We use them to hang up wet swimsuits in the shower, lanyards, hats, and even documents. Some cruisers also use them to rig a clothesline or hang a lightweight curtain to divide the room for privacy.
9. Travel Nightlight
It gets pitch-dark in the cabin at night. Some of the newer cabins are starting to feature motion-sensing night lights or low-ambient lighting built in, but this’s not guaranteed. After stubbing my toe during a 2 a.m. bathroom trip on a previous cruise, I started packing a couple of small tea lights or a travel nightlight, just in case.
You can usually grab tea lights at the dollar store.
10. Packing Cubes
I never cruise or travel without them. Packing cubes compress clothing, allowing you to fit more into your suitcase, keep everything organized, and make unpacking from cabin drawers quick and painless. Aside from hanging a few key pieces, we leave everything else in its cube and place it right onto the shelf or into a drawer.
11. Laundry Bag
We always travel with a foldable laundry bag. It keeps our dirty clothes separate, and when it’s time to repack, we just stuff the whole thing in our suitcase. I’ve had this one for years.
12. Portable Fan
Some people can’t sleep without a fan, and once we brought a small portable one, we saw why. It helps with air circulation in the cabin, adds a layer of background noise, and muffles other sounds from the hallway or nearby cabins. It might sound like an extra item, but it’s earned a permanent spot on our packing list.
13. Travel Vanity Mirror
Cruise cabins aren’t all that spacious. If you’re traveling with more than one person and you’re all getting ready for the day or dinner, you’ll need to take turns using the bathroom. If someone’s in the bathroom and I need to do makeup, this mirror saves time. I bring a lighted one that folds flat in my bag.
14. Portable Charger
You want to always travel with a portable charger… It’s a travel essential. Using your phone to take photos and videos, in port or on the ship, it sucks up the battery life, and that’s when the portable charger comes in. You want to have access to one that’s already charged, that charges fast, and is reliable. Make sure to take it with you when you leave the ship in port.
Drink Items & Beverages You Can Pack
15. Coffee Tumbler
We are coffee drinkers, and if you are too, you may want to bring a coffee tumbler with you. While we love our specialty coffee, it can seriously add up without a beverage package. My husband brings his tumbler, so he doesn’t need to go back five times to refill those small mugs they give you. It keeps the coffee hot and reduces spills when walking around the ship, unless you have a beverage package that includes it.
16. Reusable Water Bottle
Bottled water is NOT free on Royal Caribbean, unless you have a beverage package that includes it. If we don’t bring our own, we bring a reusable water bottle and fill it with ice and filtered water from the buffet every day before heading out.
17. You Can Bring Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Royal Caribbean allows you to bring a pack of bottled water or other non-alcoholic drinks—up to 12 sealed bottles or cans (no larger than 17 oz each) per stateroom—on embarkation day. This has to be carried on with you, not in your checked luggage.
18. Bottled Wine (Yes, You Can Bring It)
Royal Caribbean allows each adult guest to bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne onboard on embarkation day. It must be packed in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. We usually pack ours with bubble wrap in a backpack and enjoy it during sailaway or before dinner. No corkage fee if you drink it in your cabin – just don’t forget the bottle opener.
Toiletries, Health & Safety
19. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must. Buying sunscreen on the ship can get expensive, and the choices are limited. Purchase your favorite sunscreen and pack it in your suitcase ahead of time. Look for reef-friendly sunscreen.
20. Bug Spray or Wipes
This depends on where we’re cruising, but if mosquitoes love you, don’t skip it. The Caribbean ports are known for their mosquitoes, so you’ll be happy to be prepared. This spray works great, but wipes are easier to pack and are handy.
21. Sea-Bands or Motion Sickness Options
Pack a few motion sickness remedies so you’re prepared. Bonine works well and doesn’t cause drowsiness like Dramamine; you’ll want to add that to your first-aid kit. Sea-Bands and motion sickness patches are great extras to keep on hand. Ginger pills are a helpful natural option, and green apples—available at the buffet—can also do the trick.
22. Mini First Aid Kit & Medications
Our first aid and medication kit includes everything from Tylenol and Advil to allergy and cold medications, as well as bandages and anti-nausea tablets. Also, some travel packs of Liquid IV for a daily dose of electrolytes. We keep it packed and ready before every trip we take and refill it as needed.
23. Aloe Vera or After-Sun Gel
Even with sunscreen, we’ve had sunburns sneak up on us, especially after a full day at CocoCay. Pack some aloe gel or after-sun lotion just in case. Our favorite is Maui Vera.
24. SPF Lip Balm
Lip Balm with SPF is one of those small items that’s easy to forget—I did once, and couldn’t find a single one onboard for purchase. I always pack at least two: one stays with me on cruise days, and the other accompanies me on shore excursions.
25. Anti-Chafe Balm
I pack anti-chafe balm for every cruise, especially since I have thick thighs, and all the walking on board and at port can cause uncomfortable chafing if I wear shorts, dresses, or swimsuits. Between the heat and humidity, it’s one of those little things that makes a big difference in how comfortable you feel day to day.
26. Hand Sanitizer & Wipes
While Royal Caribbean has sanitizer stations throughout the ship, we still bring our own for use when we’re off the ship or when one isn’t nearby. It’s a simple habit that helps prevent the spread of germs and makes sure we’re not adding to the cruise myth that every ship is a hotbed for norovirus. Most sailings are fine when people stay clean and mindful.
Port Day & CocoCay Must-Haves
27. Snorkel Set
If you plan on snorkeling at CocoCay or any other port, packing your own snorkel set can be more comfortable—and more affordable—than renting. It’s especially worth it if you know you’ll use it more than once. Some people prefer their own mouthpiece and mask fit. Hubby never leaves home without his.
28. Water Shoes
CocoCay has rocky spots near the shoreline, and we’ve also used water shoes at many beaches throughout the Caribbean where the sand is not fine enough. There are multiple choices for water shoes. Lately, I’ve been using Tevas at the beach.
29. Sun Hat
A lightweight, packable sun hat is worth bringing for CocoCay and other warm-weather ports. It offers extra shade on the beach or while walking around in the sun and helps protect your face and scalp beyond just sunscreen.
30. Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch accompanies us on every beach day or water-based excursion. I’ve used mine while kayaking, snorkeling on a boat, and even at the pool. It’s easy to pack, inexpensive, doesn’t take up space, and gives me peace of mind that my phone stays dry when things get splashy.
31. Packable Beach Towel
Royal Caribbean does provide towels, but I sometimes bring a packable microfiber towels to save space in my beach bag or use as an extra towel. Optional.
32. Towel Bands & Clips
The pool deck on the ship can get windy at sea—and at CocoCay. Our go-to is towel bands—they’re compact, easy to pack, and slip right over your lounger to keep towels from flying off. That said, we’ve found towel clips handy too, especially for hanging wet swimsuits or securing things inside the cabin. Our Ready-to-Cruise pack has both, and we always end up using them.
33. Beach Bag or Packable Backpack
You need a place to carry all your port day essentials, such as sunscreen, water, a towel, snacks, and maybe a dry set of clothes. Depending on what we are doing in port, we will take our packable backpack and a beach bag between us.
Random But Useful Extras
34. Downy Wrinkle Release Spray
Royal Caribbean doesn’t allow clothing irons or steamers onboard, so Downy Wrinkle Release is an easy workaround. A few spritzes and a gentle tug help smooth out wrinkles from packed clothes, no heat needed. Sometimes I spray and hang items in the bathroom while the hot shower is running, and the steam from it helps loosen the clothing as well. It’s a simple trick that saves us from showing up to dinner in a crumpled outfit.
35. Ziplock Bags
There are a variety of reasons you’ll be glad you packed some ziplock bags—both quart-sized and gallon-sized. We use them for storing snacks, packing a wet swimsuit, or protecting small electronics and phones from sand and water at the beach.
36. Tide Detergent Packets
We always pack a couple of travel-sized Tide detergent packets. They’re perfect for rinsing out swimsuits or doing a quick wash in the sink if you want to avoid laundry fees—or just don’t want to send your clothes out.
37. Tide-To-Go Pen
I don’t cruise without a Tide-To-Go Pen. Between coffee drips, ice cream smudges, and mystery stains that seem to appear out of nowhere, it’s saved more than one outfit mid-cruise.
38. Pack Something for Theme Nights (Optional)
Royal Caribbean usually includes a couple of theme nights on sailings that are four nights or longer, but not every cruise will have them—and which ones show up can vary. You’ll see them listed in the Cruise Compass under “Tonight’s Attire,” but they’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. It’s a good idea to do a little research ahead of time to see what’s typical for your specific itinerary or ship.
The most common theme nights are:
- Dress Your Best (formal night)
- White Night
- Caribbean or Tropical Night
- Decade Night (usually 70s or 80s)
If you enjoy getting into the spirit, pack one or two outfits just in case. Totally optional, but fun to be ready.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
