🚢 Cruising with Family: 5 Must-Have Items I Wish I Packed Sooner

Family cruises are magical—sunsets at sea, endless buffets, and memories that last a lifetime. They are truly one of the easiest ways to plan a group trip, all you need is a date and a destination. The beauty of a cruise is that it is a buffet of choices and you as the family trip planner have the freedom to let everyone do their own thing. But let me be real: there were a few moments on our Honduras–Mexico–Belize cruise where I thought, “Why didn’t I pack THAT?”

In fact every time I cruise I learn something knew about what I should have brought with me, and what I definitely could have left at home.

Here are the five items I’ll never cruise without again (and you shouldn’t either).

This post contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you decided to purchase any of the items linked below.

1. Waterproof Phone Pouch 📱💦

Between floating in the absolutely clear waters in Honduras and exploring the cenote in Mexico, wondering where to store my phone was a huge concern. Thankfully, I had packed a water proof phone pouch.... my brother not so much, While my phone stayed nice and dry, I also became the default photographer since everyone else had to leave their phones on dry land.

Bonus: you can still take photos through the plastic! The photo quality back in 2018 wasn't too great, but these products have improved 10x fold since then. Honestly, not even just for cruising, if you're going on a trip and water is involved. Pack the pouch. It will save you the cost of a new phone later.

Here are my top recommendations:

Pelican 2 Pack Marine - IP68 Waterproof Phone Pouch

OR

TORRAS IPX8 Waterproof Phone Pouch

2. Motion Sickness Bands 🤢

Even if you think you don’t get seasick, the ocean might surprise you. While most of us were fine for the majority of the cruise, a rough night at sea meant a missed night at the club while I fought off the nausea in my cabin. Also, if you are planning to do an excursion that involves a smaller vessel ( looking at you deep sea fishing), you can feel the motion of the ocean much more prominently and no one wants to be an upchucker on the ocean.

They’re small, cheap, and a total lifesaver. Think of it as essential jewelry. That one thing that makes every outfit POP, so you and everyone else can have a great time.

You can often find them at your local pharmacy, but if you're like me and have no time for errands, check out the link below.

Sea-Band motion sickness wristbands

3. Lanyard ID Holder 🧲

A lot of cruises are moving away from room cards, opting for the more fashionable wearable bracelets. However, I still stand by these. take it from a girl who has been, anti- purse her entire life; you still need somewhere to keep your stuff. Seriously though, bring the lanyard! Keep your cruise card, trip credit card, and cash all in one place and tucked beneath your shirt where it is easily accessible and also harder to pick pocket.

Lanyard I D Card

4. Portable Fan 🌬️

Cabins can get stuffy, especially with multiple family members sharing. You're probably also traveling to a locale with a significantly higher level of humidity than you are used to; add in family members going through - the change, and that is all the reason you need to make sure you have a fan , on hand. A small, USB-powered fan would’ve made nights so much more comfortable. My aunt had one and my mom was seriously jealous the whole trip. Plus, it doubles as white noise for light sleepers.

I have heard that a certain cruise line has banned personal fans so make sure you check your cruise docs to make sure they are allowed on board before throwing them in your luggage. :)

Portable Neck Fan

5. Lightweight Daypack 🎒

Excursions in Honduras and Mexico meant long days off the ship. A foldable daypack would’ve been perfect for carrying sunscreen, water, and souvenirs without weighing me down. To be fair, I did bring a day bag. But it was simple, had one maybe two pockets and made finding things a hassle. I suggest you get something with a bit of organization, so you can keep the toiletries and the souvenirs in their own spaces, and save yourself time digging in your bag like it has and undetectable extension charm on it.

Here are a few options:

4Monster Hiking Backpack

G4Free Packable Lightweight Backpack

Gonex Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack

BONUS: WALKIE TALKIES!!

OMG Y'all. Walkie Talkies. It took us four cruises to discover the genius of walkie talkies. As a large group, spread out amongst several different cabins, and everyone wanting to check out a different ship day activity I don't know why it took us so long to figure out this bit of genius. My aunt was actually the one who suggested we bring a set, and she was right. Not only could we finally communicate across the ship, but it added a whole new level of fun. We are talking code names, side channels, spontaneous meet ups, and cruise ship drama when you accidentally ended up on another groups channel and decided to have a little listen in.

Even if you aren't cruising with a huge group, bring the walkie talkies, Check out the pack we brought along here:

Pxton Long Range Walkie Talkies

✨ Final Thought

Cruising with family is unforgettable—but being prepared makes it even better. These five items would’ve saved me space, stress, and a few “I told you so” moments. If you’re planning your first cruise (or your fifth), pack smart and thank me later.