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We are always ready for sail away with these cruise oriented travel accessories.
Cruises are one of my personal favorite vacations, and honestly I'd be plenty happy just being on board without anything extra, but there are a few accessories that can really elevate the cruise experience. We've put together the following list of cruise travel accessories that can really help you to get the most out of your cruise vacation. Ranging from decorative items, to items to help with packing, to ideas for combatting motion sickness, we really hope that some of this accessories can help you have the time of your life on your next cruise.
These were one of the first vacation specific products that we ever personally purchased. The typical luggage tags that the cruise line provides you are paper stickers, much like the bag tags you get at an airport for a flight. On one of our early cruises, our bag never made it to our room, and when we went to guest services we found it with the undeliverable luggage. The paper tag was ripped, wet, and unreadable. We immediately bought this set of tag holders. Made of clear, durable, waterproof plastic you don't have to worry about the tag becoming unreadable. The metal loop to attach the holder to your luggage is rust resistant, prevents your luggage tag from being ripped off, and comes with an easy open/easy close fastener. We never take a cruise without these.
Many cruisers love to dress to impress on ship formal nights, but clothes are prone to wrinkling when being packed up in a suitcase. Traditional travel steamers are a great option usually, but most cruise lines ban them as a potential fire risk if left unattended. The InstaSteam kit, on the other hand, is the world's only cruise ship approved, non-electric travel steamer. InstaSteam pods are small and convenient to pack and travel with, and only require some water to start the steaming process. Each pod is sufficient to steam 2-3 outfits, removing odors and wrinkles in just a few minutes.
Our devices are arguably the most important items we travel with. They are a means of communication, navigation, and research. They can be used to make payments, take pictures, and keep people entertained. With all of this use it's just a matter of time before you run into a low battery with no outlet nearby. A power bank is practically a necessity, and this option is one of the best out there. Anker is a well established and respected brand of mobile power solutions, and this portable charger has an extra large capacity of 26,800 mAh, enough to fully charge 6 modern smartphones. It has 3 high speed output ports to charge 3 devices simultaneously, and has 2 input ports to quickly recharge itself when you do reach an outlet. It also includes Anker's exclusive PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies to speed up charging without risking damage to your device's battery.
If you are planning on spending time in the water, whether SCUBA, snorkeling, or SeaTrek then an underwater camera is a must have. The world underwater is a treasure trove of unique and amazing sights, and you really need a camera that will do justice to your pictures. The Olympus TG series has consistently been rated one of the top brands for underwater cameras, and the new TG-6 is no exception. Waterproof to 50 feet as well as dust, shock, crush, and freeze proof, the Olympus TG-6 will not disappoint. This compact camera is easy to use underwater and on land, and comes with 5 different underwater shooting modes, including a new underwater macro and microscope shooting options. There are some cheaper options, but for vibrant and memorable underwater photographs, this is one purchase that we recommend sticking with the established brands.
When travelling, saving space is the name of the game, and these silicone travel cups fold down to roughly a half inch tall. Made of food grade silicone, these cups can be used for either food or drinks, and are temperature safe for both frozen and hot beverages. Perfect for carrying around your cup of morning coffee. Each cup has a capacity of around 9 ounces when fully expanded and comes with a metal carabiner clip to easily clip onto luggage or keyrings.
This is probably one of the most innovative and intriguing travel accessories that I have ever seen, and I really think it may be a game changer when it comes to packing. This luggage insert expands into a three tier wardrobe, and then collapses down into a packing cube that easily fits inside of standard luggage. Once you reach your destination just take out the insert, expand it back to it's full size and hang up. All of your clothes will be in their proper places, waiting for you to just grab and go. This is also particularly helpful when preparing for a trip. Set it up in your room a week before you go and gradually pack up the clothes you will need. You can tell at a glance what has been packed and what you still need, and once you are ready all you need to do is flatten, fasten, and put it in your suitcase.
While I absolutely love cruising, one of the biggest issues I have on board is the lack of power outlets. While some of the newer and larger ships have started adding more outlets and even some USB ports, many of the ships currently sailing may only have one US style outlet and one European style outlet. In today’s always connected society, one outlet just doesn’t cut it, so people have started using power strips to expand their outlets. Unfortunately, due to fire hazards, typical power strips with extension cords or surge protectors are not allowed on cruise ships, and will be confiscated prior to boarding. This power strip, however, has no extension cord and no surge protector, making it 100% cruise ship approved. With three additional outlets plus two USB ports, you can run up to five devices off of a single outlet, and this has become an absolute must for us on all of our cruises. I combine this power strip with a universal travel power adapter to convert the European style outlet, and we are set!
One thing that a lot of cruisers may not realize is that your cruise cabin door, walls and ceiling are all metal, and therefore magnetic. Space is at a premium in most cruise cabins, so these magnetic hooks can be a real life saver. Put one on the bathroom door to hold wet swimsuits, and one on the back of the cabin door to hold your room key lanyards. Use them on the walls to decorate your cabin, or to hang up a privacy curtain.These hooks are both versatile and strong, able to hold up to 55 pounds of downward force, while still being easy for you to remove without damaging the walls when the cruise is over.
If you are cruising with others, this magnetic dry erase board can be a great way to leave quick messages. Just hang up on the outside of your stateroom door and you are good to go! Kids can leave notes telling their parents where they'll be, tell your travel party where to meet for dinner, or leave notes for your stateroom attendant. We love this style of board since it is sleeker and more portable than a traditional mounted board. The sheet can be rolled up or packed away completely flat, taking up almost no space in your luggage.
When travelling we tend to need a lot of different documents. Passports, IDs, room keys, boarding passes, and booking confirmations just to name a few. If you are travelling with your family, this list can grow exponentially. This travel document organizer has a total of 21 pouches, including space for 6 passports, 4 cards, a pen, a memory card, cash, coins, and letter sized documents. The organizer is also water resistant and RFID blocking to keep your important documents safe and protected. If you don't need the large version, they also make a medium sized organizer that can hold up to 3 passports.
My husband and I both suffer from motion sickness, and typically would take Dramamine, but the drowsiness that comes with Dramamine is not ideal for an active vacation. After a few really rough trips where we had to decide between feeling sick or feeling sleepy, we decided to try Motioneaze. I will admit, I was extremely skeptical at first. All you need to do is put a drop of the oil behind each ear, there are no drugs. I couldn't believe that it would have any effect, but we were absolutely amazed with how well it worked. If you suffer from motion sickness, I'd definitely recommend giving Motioneaze a fair try.
Counter space is often at a premium in hotels and cruise ship cabins, and there may not be convenient room to place a toiletry bag. This style of bag is one that I personally use regularly, and absolutely love. The bag opens up and has a hanger attached, so you can just hang the bag from the bathroom door or shower rod. It does not take up any extra space in the bathroom, and everything is kept organized and easy to find. The bag has a number of pouches and pockets to ensure that you can always quickly find whatever you are looking for in your bag.
Whether you are hanging out at the beach, the pool, or your balcony, chances are you will be lounging in a beach chair. But what to do with your towels or cover ups when you decide to hop in the water? If you just leave them laying on the chair, any errant gust of wind can send them flying. You could weigh them down with your shoes, but who wants all that sand and dirt all over their towel? That’s where towel clips like these come in. Designed to fit around the edges of beach chairs and loungers, these clips clamp your towel, clothes, or bag in place and keep them there. On a cruise, these also make an excellent way to hang out your swimsuits to dry on the balcony. While we personally love the designed styles of these clips, there are cheaper, simpler designs available as well.
If you have never used packing cubes, let me just say that they are a complete game changer. You will no longer need to play tetris with your luggage, squeezing rolled up socks into any nook and cranny where they will fit, making it impossible to find what you need without unpacking the entire bag. Keep all of your clothes and other essentials organized in these lightweight and waterproof packing cubes, which perfectly and snugly fit within your suitcase. Get a different color set for every member of the family, and quickly know exactly where everything is. They are also great when you are staying somewhere longterm, as you can just remove the cubes and put them straight into a dresser drawer. No more worrying about your clean clothes resting directly in a drawer that has been used before. This set also comes with a bonus laundry bag and shoe bag to keep your clean clothes protected longer.
When travelling nothing is more premium than space. Between airline baggage fees and accommodations with limited storage space, packing everything you need into as little space as possible is a necessity. Traditional vacuum storage bags require a vacuum, which is fine for packing up before leaving home but less ideal for repacking at the end of your trip. Many travel oriented vacuum bags tell you to just roll them up or sit on them, but in my experience those still leave quite a bit of air in the bag. This set, however, comes with a free hand pump to quickly and efficiently remove all of the air, minimizing the space that each bag takes up. This kit has a variety of bags in four different sizes, making it perfect no matter what you are trying to pack.
Between the waves and the sun, the many different ports, and the unique design of cruise ships, the opportunities for great photos are abundant on a cruise. Getting a good angle, or fitting your entire group into a picture can be a challenge, though, and you don't want to risk missing the opportunity to capture a once in a lifetime memory. The original Selfie Stick was extremely popular, but the newer models that have been innovated since open up an entirely new world. This version includes an expandable telescoping selfie stick that is extremely compact and portable, while it can also open up into a self-standing tripod and includes a wireless remote. The remote fits snugly on the handle of the selfie stick so you can easily take a picture with the stick fully extended, or it can be removed if you are using the tripod mode.
Motion sickness is the bane of many travellers, and there are a lot of remedies out there. While I personally use a combination of Dramamine and Motioneaze, I have heard a lot of positive comments about acupressure wristbands, and Sea-Band is the best known brand. The main benefits of the Sea-Bands are that they are completely drug free, so you don't have to worry about side effects or interactions with other medications. They are also a “set and forget" solution for motion sickness; you don't have to worry about when you last took a pill or what to do if you run out of the medicine, oil, or ginger chews. While a lot of people are skeptical, a two group study at the Kirkhof School of Nursing, Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI concluded that the bands are indeed effective at reducing nausea.
With thoughts towards the environment a lot of cruise lines and restaurants are starting to phase out traditional plastic straws, either eliminating straws completely or replacing them with paper straws that fall apart and, frankly, don't work very well. Metal straws are a popular alternative, but for me they add a metallic taste and hurt my teeth, so I strongly prefer these bamboo versions. Food safe and easy to clean, this package includes 12 straws and a wire cleaning brush, and doesn't have any weird taste when enjoying your beverage. While we prefer the bamboo option, you can also go with silicone straws which to tend to last a little longer than bamboo, although they are not biodegradable.
I am an avid reader, and I was a little hesitant to make the switch over to e-books, but now I am a full convert. On a weeklong vacation I could easily read through anywhere from 3 to 5 books, and there's just no easy way to pack that much reading material. An e-reader, on the other hand, is lightweight, portable, and can hold hundreds of books without a problem. Even better, the Kindle Oasis e-reader was designed from the ground up to be a perfect vacation e-reader. IPX8 waterproof with a warmly lit e-ink screen, you can easily read indoors, outside, in the tub, in the pool, or on the beach. Unlike some of the smaller Kindles, the Oasis has dedicated page turn buttons on the side of the device, which is perfect for turning the page with wet hands. The newer versions can even pair with wireless bluetooth headphones for listening to podcasts or audiobooks.
If you are anything like me, vacation is a time to let loose and indulge. Go ahead, have that extra helping of dessert. Eat another dinner roll. Get another cocktail. Things are great until the end of the trip is looming and guilt starts to creep in. There may be no need to feel guilty, though, if you actually see just how much exercise you got while on vacation. I use my Fitbit extensively when travelling, and I'm always amazed at just how many steps I take each day. The newer models also include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress management features, and after seeing just how much better you sleep on vacation, you may want to book another one right away! Since the Fitbit is water resistant, you don't even need to take it off for trips to the beach, pool, or hottub, so get those steps in and have an extra slice of cake with dinner.
Stateroom doors on cruise ships are metal, which means that it is super easy to decorate your room with magnetic decorations. If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or any other special occasion, the cruise lines would be more than willing to decorate your room for $50 or more, but why not save that money for more celebratory drinks and buy your own decorations? Any magnet decor will work, and it's a small touch that's sure to put smiles on the faces of everybody who walks past your door.
Lanyards are an item that frequent cruisers often say is the most valuable cruising accessory, while first time cruisers often never even think about them. Your cruise card is everything onboard a ship. It's your room key, your identification, your pass on and off the ship, and your means of making purchases. Losing your card is basically like losing your credit card, drivers license, and house keys all at the same time, so it's very important to keep it protected, and with you at all times. A lanyard is one of the best ways to do this, and we love this set that comes with an adjustable strap, quick release clasp, and a retractable, water-proof, card holder. While punching a hole in your card used to be a popular alternative, with the newer RFID cards that most cruise lines use, this style of lanyard is a much better investment.
Staying in touch while on a cruise ship can be a challenge. Cell service doesn't work out at sea, and on board, internet access is often charged on a per device, per day basis. Walkie talkies can be a great alternative to be able to stay in touch with your party throughout the cruise. This four pack of two way radios has a long range to be able to reach other members of your sailing party anywhere on the ship. Depending on local communication laws, you can also use them when in port, although the range in urban areas is only roughly 1.5 miles.
This may seem like an odd choice of item to recommend for a cruise, but it is a popular one for a very specific reason. Most cruise lines do not allow passengers to bring their own drinks on board, but will allow up to two sealed bottles of wine. If you aren't a big wine drinker, however, this perk does not really give you any benefit. While we do not condone circumventing cruise line rules, some passengers may choose to fill an empty wine bottle with another drink of their choice, and then use a kit such as this one to properly seal the bottle prior to boarding. Just don't forget to bring along a TSA compliant corkscrew to get the bottle open again.
First and foremost, it is important to know that bringing your own alcohol on board a cruise ship is not allowed, and we do not support breaking the rules. If, however, you are going to try and sneak a drink onboard, then you will want to be as cautious as possible. The original rum runner flasks are a tried and true method, but if you want a bit of extra security, why not try these fake shampoo and conditioner bottles? Fill with your drink of choice using the included funnel, seal with the security seal and lid, and then pack with the rest of your toiletries in your checked bag. That all being said, this is one thing we will take the convenience of an unlimited alcohol package anyday.
Would you buy it?
So, what did you think? Have any of our picks been added to your shopping list for your next cruise? Do you already use any of the items we picked out while cruising? We would love to hear about your experiences or any other travel accessories you can recommend for our next cruise.
