Cruise Essentials 2025: Must-Have Items for Your Next Adventure

I’ve been on my fair share of cruises—Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean—and each one has its own vibe. Disney was probably my favorite overall (the food, the service, the attention to detail), but with my stepdaughter turning 16 and wanting to be treated “more like an adult,” the days of character breakfasts and Mickey-shaped waffles are probably behind us. Unless we become those Disney adults that go without kids. Hot take: is that weird or not? Let us know!

Anyway, while the cruise line may change, what doesn’t change are the essentials you need to bring to make your trip smoother, comfier, and stress-free. Here’s my list of go-to cruise items for 2025!

Waterproof Phone Pouch

When you’re surrounded by pools, beaches, snorkeling excursions, and rogue splashes from your own kid’s cannonball, a waterproof phone pouch is not optional—it’s survival gear. Sure, phones say they’re water-resistant these days, but I’m not testing that out with a $1,000 device. These pouches let you bring your phone along for all the fun without the stress.

Plus, you’ll be able to snap underwater pics, scroll the weather while floating in the pool, and not worry if your pocket takes a dip.

Water Shoes

Flip-flops are great… until you’re chasing your kid across a slippery dock or trying to hike to that one secret waterfall everyone keeps talking about. Enter: water shoes.

These Simari shoes are lightweight, breathable, and they actually look good (yes, even in photos). The grip is no joke—whether you’re walking on wet rocks or running into the ocean like you’re in a shampoo commercial, your feet will be protected.

Bonus: they dry fast, so you don’t have to carry around swampy shoes all day. A must-have for anyone planning shore excursions or beach days.

Magnetic Hooks & Hanging Toiletry Bag

Cruise cabins are tight. Like, can-barely-turn-around-while-putting-on-sunscreen tight. These magnetic hooks? Total game changers.

I use them to hang hats, wet swimsuits, bags, towels, and even my toiletry bag. Speaking of which, this BagSmart toiletry bag holds everything. Like, if Mary Poppins had a bathroom bag, this would be it. Tons of compartments, TSA-compliant, and it even hangs neatly from a hook, which saves precious counter space.

Trust me: your cabin will look more organized, and no one will keep tripping over your stuff.

Lightweight Sling Backpack

Excursions are amazing—until you’re trying to juggle your passport, sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle, and the random souvenir your kid just had to have.

This sling backpack is compact but fits way more than you think. It’s water-resistant, comfortable, and has enough pockets to keep your stuff organized without turning into a black hole. Great for hands-free exploring, especially when your hands are full of tropical drinks.

Motion Sickness Patches

Listen, I love cruising—but I do not love when the ocean decides to turn into a tilt-a-whirl. If you or your travel buddy gets motion sick, these patches are lifesavers.

Natural ingredients, no drowsiness, and they last 1–3 days. Just slap one on behind your ear before you set sail, and you’re good to go. I always pack a few extra because the moment someone in your group starts to turn green, you become the vacation hero.

GoPro HERO11 Mini

Want to capture every dive, zipline, or buffet-food-photo-op in glorious high-def? The GoPro HERO11 Mini is your best bet. It’s tiny, stabilized like a champ, and shoots 5.3K video. Strap it to your chest, helmet, or selfie stick and relive your best vacation moments without relying on blurry phone clips.

Honestly, it’s also great for underwater shots of your kids cannonballing or your epic snorkeling adventure (or just proof you didn’t totally wipe out trying to paddleboard).

Final Thoughts

Cruising is one of those travel experiences that can be incredibly relaxing—or mildly chaotic—depending on how well you prep. With the right gear, you can focus more on enjoying the sunshine, excursions, and buffet lines instead of stressing about wet phones or cluttered cabins. These essentials have either saved my sanity or made the trip that much better. Pack smart, sail easy, and if you do end up becoming a Disney adult… no judgment here.