Taking a cruise with your baby or toddler? Are you wondering what to pack? Packing for a cruise with a baby is a challenge for sure! You will want to pack light, but not too light! If you are lucky enough to get to your cruise ship without flying, you will not have any restrictions on the number of bags you can bring. But do you really want to deal with a lot of extra luggage? Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring the items you need! Remember though, cruise cabins are typically smaller than hotel rooms. If you bring too much, your stateroom will feel very cramped and crowded. Be selective and only bring what you will absolutely use. Below are our recommendations for the top essential travel baby supplies for your next family vacation at sea. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Protect littles one’s ears while traveling. Some venues onboard can be load. There are sizes for children, babies and toddlers. Heading to a beach destination? A good beach blanket is essential. This one comes with sand anchors and storage pockets too! A good carry on bag is essential. We love to use this one, it has spinner wheels and is easy to maneuver. When boarding the ship, be sure to pack swimsuits, sunscreen, all medicines, valuables and your boarding document including passports in it! If your are flying to the port, it also fits under the seat! Water shoes are an absolute must have item for the entire! Protect everyones feet from rocks, shells, coral, hot sand, etc. Many cruise lines do not have self-service laundry. Kids are messy! Be prepared to do some laundry in your cabin. You can hang a shower curtain from the ceiling using these hooks to create a privacy curtain or use them to hang hats, jackets, blankets extra. Walls and ceilings in ship cabins are magnetic! They are available in lots of fun colors too. This is genius! A refillable roll-on container for sun screen…..why didn’t I think of that? When it comes to strollers, the smaller and lighter the better. If your usual stroller is bulky, you might want to invest in a smaller, more maneuverable umbrella stroller. These take up much less room in your cabin and can also fit under the bed when not in use. Cabin corridors are also narrow and some areas can be crowded. This lightweight stroller weighs just 13 pounds, has four reclining positions, a large seat area and a large storage basket plus anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels Air tags are a must these days. Luggage gets delayed or lost…know where your belongs are! They are also a very good way to find your stroller if it gets moved while traveling….very useful in places like Disney, other amusement parks, malls, etc.! We use a detachable air tag case on the inside of all our luggage. That way we know it won’t get removed or lost. Set your kids up for success on your travel to the ship with this awesome travel tray. It pops up and sits right across their lap, giving them plenty of storage space, a place to draw that won’t damage anything and a handy place to store their tablet for easy viewing. Believe me…you want to use a luggage tag holder on your luggage. After many sailings with torn off or destroyed tags and bags going missing, we finally invested on these and use them every cruise. These are for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean: These are for Carnival: And these work with Princess luggage tags: Excursions are easier when you don’t have to worry about a stroller. This wrap keeps baby close and comfy. Cruise lines have a limited number of pack & plays onboard for passenger use. Ships do not provide padding or sheets. We recommend adding a travel one to your packing list. This way, you know your child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. A portable white noise sound machine creates a soothing environment for your little one. Your little one is going to need changing at some point! Be prepared with this portable changing pad. It comes with handy storage pockets and is waterproof. Diaper bags have come a long way! Dad won’t mind carrying this leather baby diaper bag backpack and it comes with stroller straps too! Diaper bags can be smelly. These odor eliminators work great….smell really good too. There are several different scents to choose from. Most cruise cabins do not have a bath tub and the sinks are very small. An inflatable tub can be very useful! Can be used pool side for some splash time too! A first aid kit is a 100% necessity! Visits to the ships doctor can be expensive and time consuming. Best to be prepared for the bumps and scrapes that are bound to happen. Of course you will want to buy things in port for your friends, family, little one. Many stores are not providing free bags with purchase in an effort to reduce waste. We take reusable grocery bags. Feeding time can be an adventure. Sippy cups, travel bottles, snack cups and baby spoons are very helpful! Lightweight bottles Portable bottle warmer Insulated water bottles for babies and toddlers. Baby spoons Of course, you will need diapers and clothes! Bring at least two clothing changes per day plus sleeping wear. Baby swimsuits and hats to protect those eyes are also important! For the dress up nights onboard, bring something fun for your little one to wear! Diapers onboard are expensive. If not driving to the port, stop at a store and stock up prior to boarding! Get some swim diapers too but be sure to check with your cruise line to see if they are allowed in the pool. If not, ask if they haveContinueContinue reading “Essential Packing Tips for Cruising with Young Children”
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Cruise Packing 101 – what not to forget!
Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Cruise Packing 101 – What Not To Forget This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! Protecting your luggage is one of the easiest ways to travel with greater peace of mind. We always lock our suitcases when flying or boarding a cruise ship, and it’s become a standard part of our travel routine.I recommend using TSA-approved luggage locks. These locks help deter opportunistic theft while still allowing TSA agents to inspect your luggage if necessary during airport security screenings. After the inspection, the lock can be secured again without being damaged or cut off, so your suitcase stays protected throughout your journey.While no lock can completely prevent theft, a TSA-approved luggage lock adds an extra layer of security and helps keep your belongings safe from the airport to the cruise terminal.Pro Tip: Set your combination before your trip and test it a few times to make sure it’s easy to remember. I also recommend using the same combination on all of your luggage locks so you don’t have to remember multiple codes while traveling. Keep these items in your carryon…you will need them to check in at the pier. I find a travel wallet to be very useful. You’ve booked your cruise, reserved your hotel, and confirmed your flights… now comes one of the most important parts of planning your vacation—packing!Having a well-thought-out cruise packing list can make all the difference. Unlike other vacations, you won’t always have easy access to stores once you’re onboard, and many essentials are either difficult to find or much more expensive in port. I’ve learned through experience that it’s always easier (and less stressful) to pack what you need before you leave home.Over the years, I’ve discovered a collection of cruise accessories and travel gadgets that make every sailing easier, more organized, and more enjoyable. From clever space-saving products that maximize your cabin to practical travel essentials that simplify packing, these are the items I never cruise without.Whether you’re setting sail on your very first cruise or you’re a seasoned cruiser looking for a few new ideas, these cruise essentials will help you stay organized, save space, and enjoy a smoother vacation from embarkation day to disembarkation. Packing PASSPORT! and other important travel documents. Keep these items in your carryon…you will need them to check in at the pier. I find a travel wallet to be very useful. Luggage I have a weakness for new luggage…When shopping for luggage, I always recommend choosing a lightweight suitcase with four spinner wheels. Spinner wheels make navigating airports, cruise terminals, and the ship itself much easier—especially if you’re doing self-disembarkation and carrying your own bags off the ship. After all, no one wants to wrestle with a heavy suitcase before their vacation even begins!My current favorite luggage brands are London Fog and Travelpro. Both offer durable, lightweight options that have held up well through countless trips.Pro Tip: If your suitcase is a common color like black, navy, or gray, use a colorful luggage strap or luggage tag to the handle. It’s a simple trick that makes spotting your bag on the airport carousel or in the cruise terminal much easier. Carry on luggage A good carry-on is just as important as your checked luggage. I always travel with an airline-approved carry-on that fits under the seat in front of me. It has plenty of room for everything I don’t want to trust to checked baggage, including a change of clothes, medications, jewelry,electronics and chargers, Important travel documents, and other essentials. Having these items with you means you’ll be prepared even if your checked luggage is delayed or doesn’t arrive until later.If you need a little more packing space, I also love using a convertible garment bag. It holds an impressive amount while keeping dresses, suits, and other nicer clothing protected from wrinkles. It’s available in several colors and patterns, making it both practical and stylish. Cruise Line Luggage Tag Holders Protect your luggage with Reusable Tag Holders There’s nothing worse than boarding your cruise, getting settled into your cabin, and realizing your luggage never arrived outside your door.One of the simplest (and most affordable) cruise essentials I recommend is a set of reusable plastic luggage tag holders. They protect your printed cruise tags from rain, tears, and rough baggage handling, giving them a much better chance of staying attached throughout your journey.After one of our luggage tags was accidentally torn off and our bag went missing, I immediately bought a set. They’ve traveled with us on every cruise since, and I never sail without them.The best part? They’re inexpensive, durable, and can be reused cruise after cruise, making them one of the smartest travel purchases you can make.Below you’ll find Amazon links to luggage tag holders for several major cruise lines.CelebrityMSCCarnivalNorwegian CruisesPrincess CruisesRoyal CaribbeanHolland America Packing cubes I’m officially a packing cubes convert!Packing cubes have completely changed the way I pack for every cruise. Not only do they keep my suitcase neat and organized, but they also make unpacking once I’m onboard incredibly easy. Instead of sorting through loose clothing, I simply move the cubes from my suitcase straight into the cabin drawers or shelves.I recommend buying at least two sets of packing cubes in a variety of sizes and different colors. Color-coding makes it easy to keep each family member’s clothing organized, and the different sizes work perfectly for everything from shirts and pants to undergarments and accessories.I’ve recently started using using compression packing cubes, and I’m officially hooked.On our last trip, my suitcase weighed only 38 pounds,ContinueContinue reading “Cruise Packing 101 – what not to forget!”