5 Things You’ll Never Need on a Cruise (But You’ll Definitely Pack Anyway)
Ah, cruise packing—the great art of convincing yourself you need 47 outfit changes for a 7-day vacation and that, yes, your curling wand and emergency poncho deserve a place in your suitcase. But while sunscreen and swimsuits are a no-brainer, there are a few items that sneak into your luggage with the quiet confidence of a seasoned over-packer… only to spend the entire cruise untouched in the bottom of your suitcase like a shameful secret.
Let’s unpack the top 5 things you absolutely won’t need on a cruise—yet will probably bring anyway. (Hey, no judgment. We’ve all been there.)
1. A Full-Blown First Aid Kit That Could Rival a Field Hospital
We get it—you’re prepared. But unless you plan to open a triage tent on the Lido Deck, you probably don’t need 86 Band-Aids, burn cream, antihistamines, motion sickness patches, antacids, blister pads, gauze, tweezers, scissors, and an EpiPen for your friend’s cousin who once had a nut allergy.
Will you use any of it? No.
Will it take up 30% of your carry-on? Yes.
Meanwhile, the cruise ship has an actual medical center. So maybe just pack the basics and leave the battlefield surgery to the professionals.
2. Six Pairs of Fancy Shoes
You’ve got heels for dinner, wedges for the wine tasting, flats for the port excursion, sandals for the beach, sneakers for the gym (that you won’t go to), and boots… for reasons you can’t explain.
Spoiler: You’ll wear flip-flops 90% of the time and that one pair of comfy evening shoes for the rest. But sure, let those other five pairs enjoy the view from the bottom of your suitcase.
Bonus: the cruise ship doesn’t judge your footwear. Come to formal night in Crocs if you want. You do you.
3. A Hair Dryer That Could Power a Small Village
Your salon-grade hair dryer is a thing of beauty. It has buttons you don’t understand, diffusers you don’t use, and a cool setting that still feels like a jet engine.
But guess what? Cruise ships already provide a hair dryer in your cabin. Sure, it may be underpowered and look like it was manufactured in 1994, but it gets the job done. And it doesn’t weigh 14 pounds or eat up half your suitcase space.
So unless you plan to do a full-blown wedding updo on Deck 11, maybe leave the turbine at home.
4. A Novel You’ve Been Meaning to Read Since 2007
Ah yes, the 700-page literary classic you packed with dreams of reading poolside, sipping cocktails, and finally becoming the well-read version of yourself.
Reality check: You’ll read three paragraphs before falling asleep, getting distracted by a seagull, or hearing the ice cream machine call your name. You’ll carry that book to five countries and bring it home unread—again.
Maybe bring a magazine instead. Or just accept that your cruise reading material will be limited to the daily activity schedule and the dessert menu.
5. Workout Clothes
You brought sneakers, leggings, sports bras, and two workout tops “just in case” you wake up early and feel like hitting the gym. Cute.
Listen, the ship’s gym is great. Really. But you’ll be hitting the buffet more often than the elliptical. And unless you’re chasing down a rogue beach towel in a windstorm, that’s the most cardio you’re getting.
On the bright side, stretchy leggings double as post-dinner pants. So at least they won’t go totally to waste.
Final Thoughts: You’ll Still Pack It All (and That’s Okay)
Will you overpack? Yes. Will you lug unnecessary items halfway around the globe only to ignore them completely? Also yes.
But that’s part of the cruise experience: packing with optimism, vacationing with abandon, and coming home with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes, unopened books, and untouched first-aid items.
And hey—there’s always next time.