10 Things to Bring From Home on a Cruise to Save Money

Between demand-based pricing and mandatory service gratuities, cruises can be pretty expensive (especially during peak periods).

But thank god most of us can still raid the piggy bank and somehow manage to put together enough money to pay for the trip.

However, it’s still important to limit your spending on board or at least pay attention to the budget. Today’s post will help you do just that with a list of 10 things to bring from home on a cruise!

1. Travel Pharmacy Kit

You’ll find some categories of OTC medication on the cruise, but they’re more expensive than those in drugstores. Think 20% more than the price in CVS or Walgreens.

I recommend bringing at least pain medication, antacids, decongestants, muscle relaxers, and allergy pills.

Oh, and don’t forget to pack something for seasickness, even if you don’t is going to be an issue.

There are ready-made travel kits on the market, but I recommend making your own with the things you need most often.

As you can see, the one in the picture above is quite big, but you can roll it up on itself, and in the end, it takes up little space in your suitcase.

Side Note: If you think you’ll need them, make sure to bring tampons/pads. Some people couldn’t find any onboard and had to post on the cruise’s Facebook group to ask other travelers for help.

2. Second Bottle of Sunscreen

Packing sunscreen for your cruise is a no-brainer, but most first-timers don’t pack enough. If you use it right, you’ll need more than you think, and you really don’t want to buy an overpriced one from the shops onboard.

If you can opt for reef-friendly products. Some destinations have banned SPF chemicals, but during my several cruises, there were never any checks on this aspect.

3. Travel-Size Laundry Detergent

Your cruise will likely have a laundry service.

However, if you want to save money, bring a bottle of detergent and wash the small items (underwear, shorts, socks, etc.) in the sink. If you have kids, also bring a stain stick to pre-treat any tough spills.

When you’re done, hang your clothes on the retractable clothesline in the shower. If you can’t find it, check the pic in the article about the things that some people can’t find in a cruise cabin.

4. Mini Sewing Kit

Because accidents happen, it’s always a good idea to pack safety pins and a small sewing kit when you’re traveling.

This way, you won’t have to go shopping if your only pair of jeans gets ripped or you lose a button on your shirt.

On some cruise ships, you can request a small kit for free. That is why I have included it in the list of the 10 surprising things your cabin steward can bring you on a cruise.

5. Your Favorite Beverage

Did you know you could bring soda to the cruise? Yes, some cruises allow up to 12 cans/bottles of non-alcoholic beverages per cabin.

And if you’re a big tea drinker, toss a few tea bags in a plastic bag and make your own hot drinks.

If you can’t find a kettle in the cabin, ask your attendant to provide one, or you can use the hot water that is usually always available at the buffet.

6. Refillable Water Bottle

A case of bottled water can cost (in general) around $24. That will quickly add up, especially if you’re traveling as a family.

So, it pays to bring a bottle and fill it up from the dispenser in the buffet. If the bottle is insulated, you could fill it with juice or a cold drink, too.

You can find here the list of drinks that are always free on a cruise ship.

7. Pre-Packaged Snacks

It would be awesome if you could make a couple of sandwiches, put them in a plastic bag, and take them with you on the cruise to save money.

However, the cruise and port officials will likely confiscate the bag. For food safety reasons, food prepared ashore cannot be brought on board.

You’re not out of options, though. For the most part, sealed, shelf-stable snacks are okay. You could pack some chips or protein bars and set them aside for when you’re feeling snackish.

8. Non-Internet-Based Entertainment

Sluggish Wi-Fi packages can cost around $20 per day. You’re better off going offline and bringing non-internet-based entertainment for the cruise.

Board games, card games, and a good book are all obvious picks (and my personal favorites). Some ships also have board games that you can borrow.

But if you really need a daily dose of entertainment media, just download enough movies/shows on your device and watch them offline.

9. Snorkeling Gear

You don’t have to pay ship price for a shore excursion. Wait for port days, get off the ship, grab a taxi, head to the nearest free beach, and enjoy the day.

To save even more money, don’t rent the gear. The odds are that it’s not going to be of good quality, anyway. Plus, you probably don’t want to use something that’s been in someone else’s mouth.

If you really like snorkeling and swimming, just pack a wetsuit, mask, fin, and vest, and you’ll be all set.

Please remember: Check the conditions and avoid snorkeling alone in open waters. A current could carry you away from the shore, and heavy boat traffic can make it very dangerous.

10. A Decent Phone (Or Small Camera)

Rather than pay hundreds of dollars for a photo package, consider bringing a camera (your phone will do if the camera quality is decent) with you.

If you’re with friends, you can take turns photographing each other. You could even ask strangers to snap a couple of pics for you.

Final Thoughts

Are you missing some of these items? If you’re flying in for your cruise, it might be better to stop at the drugstore/supermarket AFTER landing to grab the extra items (toiletries, OTC medications, laundry detergent, etc.).

After all, you don’t want to waste precious carry-on space or get into trouble with TSA.

In addition, remember to check the list of the things people always forget to bring on a cruise and the list of things you should always have in your cruise carry-on bag.