10 Must-Have Cruise Essentials for 2025
(That Experienced Cruisers Swear By)
Video Below
Video Below
By Jenny Simon - Cruise Muse
Planning your next cruise and wondering what to pack? After three decades of painting ocean scenes for collectors around the world — and now spending much of my time chasing waves from the deck of cruise ships — I’ve learned which cruise essentials truly matter.
Here are my Top 10 Cruise Essentials for 2025, tested on dozens of sailings and guaranteed to make your voyage smoother, lighter, and way more enjoyable.
(Stick around for #10 — it’s the secret lifesaver nobody ever talks about!)
Free Downloadable Checklist of 30+ Cruise Essentials Here
1. A Reusable Tumbler
Hydration is key when you’re out at sea!
Whether you bring your own or grab one onboard, a tumbler that “lives” in your suitcase ensures you never forget it. I refill mine all day at the buffet and around the pool.
💡 Perfect for cruisers who skip the drink package.
👉 Shop my artsy tumblers here.
Here are my Top 10 Cruise Essentials for 2025, tested on dozens of sailings and guaranteed to make your voyage smoother, lighter, and way more enjoyable.
(Stick around for #10 — it’s the secret lifesaver nobody ever talks about!)
Free Downloadable Checklist of 30+ Cruise Essentials Here
1. A Reusable Tumbler
Hydration is key when you’re out at sea!
Whether you bring your own or grab one onboard, a tumbler that “lives” in your suitcase ensures you never forget it. I refill mine all day at the buffet and around the pool.
💡 Perfect for cruisers who skip the drink package.
👉 Shop my artsy tumblers here.
SHOP JENNY SIMON ARTSY TUMBLERS
2. Clear Luggage Tags (for Every Cruise Line)
Forget stapled paper tags — these waterproof luggage tag holders are a small upgrade that make a huge difference. They protect your tags from rain and rough handling while keeping your bags identifiable.
🎒 Clear Luggage Tags for your cruise line here.
Forget stapled paper tags — these waterproof luggage tag holders are a small upgrade that make a huge difference. They protect your tags from rain and rough handling while keeping your bags identifiable.
🎒 Clear Luggage Tags for your cruise line here.
3. Cruise-Approved Power Strip
Most cruise cabins only have one or two outlets, often far from the bed. A non-surge-protected power strip keeps your phone, camera, and hair tools charged safely — and it’s allowed onboard.
⚡ Shop cruise-approved power strips.
Most cruise cabins only have one or two outlets, often far from the bed. A non-surge-protected power strip keeps your phone, camera, and hair tools charged safely — and it’s allowed onboard.
⚡ Shop cruise-approved power strips.
4. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
My recent discovery — and now, my must-pack! Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, watching movies, or drowning out hallway noise, these headphones create your personal peace bubble at sea.
🎧 Compact, foldable, and totally worth it.
6. Spare Sunglasses
Don’t learn the hard way like I did! I once left my sunglasses in the dining room and spent two days squinting. A backup pair costs nothing compared to the headache of losing your only one.
🕶️ Keep a second pair permanently packed in your cruise suitcase.
My recent discovery — and now, my must-pack! Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, watching movies, or drowning out hallway noise, these headphones create your personal peace bubble at sea.
🎧 Compact, foldable, and totally worth it.
6. Spare Sunglasses
Don’t learn the hard way like I did! I once left my sunglasses in the dining room and spent two days squinting. A backup pair costs nothing compared to the headache of losing your only one.
🕶️ Keep a second pair permanently packed in your cruise suitcase.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SHOP MY CRUISE OUTFIT
7. Wax Ear Plugs
Even the calmest cabins can get noisy. Wax earplugs mold perfectly to your ear and block sounds from doors, engines, or party neighbors. I never cruise without them.
😴 These are my go-to earplugs for quiet sleep.
Even the calmest cabins can get noisy. Wax earplugs mold perfectly to your ear and block sounds from doors, engines, or party neighbors. I never cruise without them.
😴 These are my go-to earplugs for quiet sleep.
5. Roll-Up Hat
This hat deserves its own award. It rolls up, fits in any beach bag, and still holds its shape. Mine has been “living” in my suitcase for years and goes everywhere with me — even into the water!
☀️ Shop my favorite roll-up travel hat.
This hat deserves its own award. It rolls up, fits in any beach bag, and still holds its shape. Mine has been “living” in my suitcase for years and goes everywhere with me — even into the water!
☀️ Shop my favorite roll-up travel hat.
8. Beach Bag
A foldable beach bag makes every port day easier. Use it for towels, sunscreen, or souvenirs — then let it “live” in your suitcase between trips.
👜 This is one of my favorite beach bag on Amazon
OR
👜 I even designed my own line of artsy beach bags — see them here!
A foldable beach bag makes every port day easier. Use it for towels, sunscreen, or souvenirs — then let it “live” in your suitcase between trips.
👜 This is one of my favorite beach bag on Amazon
OR
👜 I even designed my own line of artsy beach bags — see them here!
9. Masks & Ziploc Bags
After catching a cold on a Christmas cruise, I learned my lesson — always pack a few masks. Pair them with Ziploc bags (great for swimsuits, snacks, or wet clothes) and you’ll be ready for anything.
😷 Tiny items, huge payoff.
After catching a cold on a Christmas cruise, I learned my lesson — always pack a few masks. Pair them with Ziploc bags (great for swimsuits, snacks, or wet clothes) and you’ll be ready for anything.
😷 Tiny items, huge payoff.
Bonus: My Sugar Scrub Quick side note — I’ve been making a handmade sugar scrub for five years, and it’s finally on Amazon! It’s made with organic coconut oil, lavender, and sugar crystals, leaving your skin glowing, soft, and smooth. Perfect for a little self-care while you’re relaxing on your cruise.
Nr. 10 The Secret Nobody Talks About: Ice / Heat Pack!
Yes — a simple reusable ice pack might just save your cruise. Keep one in your cabin fridge, filled with ice or water for sore muscles or fill it with warm water for tummy aches.
💧 It’s light, foldable, and endlessly useful.
Yes — a simple reusable ice pack might just save your cruise. Keep one in your cabin fridge, filled with ice or water for sore muscles or fill it with warm water for tummy aches.
💧 It’s light, foldable, and endlessly useful.
Bonus: Cruise in Style with Wearable Art
While filming my latest video, I wore one of my designs — inspired by my painting “Blast”, featuring red, white, and blue stars and stripes. You can find more wearable art on my website — perfect for elegant dinners at sea.
👗 Explore my art-inspired cruise fashion.
While filming my latest video, I wore one of my designs — inspired by my painting “Blast”, featuring red, white, and blue stars and stripes. You can find more wearable art on my website — perfect for elegant dinners at sea.
👗 Explore my art-inspired cruise fashion.
Final Thoughts
These 10 cruise essentials aren’t just packing items — they’re part of an easier, happier cruise lifestyle. Pack them once, let them live in your suitcase, and they’ll be waiting for your next voyage — just like the sea always waits for us.
Until next time, smooth seas and happy sailing!🌞
These 10 cruise essentials aren’t just packing items — they’re part of an easier, happier cruise lifestyle. Pack them once, let them live in your suitcase, and they’ll be waiting for your next voyage — just like the sea always waits for us.
Until next time, smooth seas and happy sailing!🌞
Ready to set sail? Get your free 30+ CRUISE ESSENTIALS checklists below!
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Have you tried any of these tips on your cruises? Or do you have your own money-saving tricks? Share them in the comments — I’d love to hear!
