6 Things You Shouldn't Bother Packing For A Cruise, According To Travel Experts

As a travel writer and all-around wanderluster, I've spent decades traveling professionally and personally, logging countless flights, hotel stays, road trips, and train travels around the world—but I've never yet been on a cruise. That's about to change because I'm gearing up to embark on my very first cruise aboard Crystal Serenity , and I've quickly learned that packing for a voyage at sea comes with its own set of rules.

As I'm packing for nine nights sailing, I've realized many of my usual travel instincts don't necessarily apply. Unlike some traditional bounce-around vacations, a cruise ship is essentially an inclusive floating resort, complete with restaurants, entertainment, laundry services, toiletries, and countless other amenities already onboard. So rather than relying on my usual packing wisdom, I asked seasoned cruise experts what first-time cruisers consistently bring—but rarely end up needing—in the hopes of streamlining my own luggage. Here are their rules for what not to pack.

1. Don't overdo it on formalwear

If you're anything like me, one of the biggest cruise packing questions is what to wear at dinner. Images of glam, even black-tie, formal nights have been synonymous with cruising for decades, so it's easy to assume you'll need a separate wardrobe of cocktail dresses, sport coats, ties, or even evening gowns and tuxedos.

Not so fast, experts say. "Many first-time cruisers assume they need an entirely separate wardrobe for formal nights, but cruising today is much more relaxed and destination-focused," says Simon Blacoe, vice president of hotel operations for Azamara Cruises . "Unless you enjoy dressing up, there's no need to pack multiple cocktail dresses or jackets. Comfortable, smart-casual clothing that can transition from a day ashore to dinner onboard is often all you need."

That doesn't mean every cruise line is casual, though. My upcoming sailing on Crystal is known for being one of the more elegant luxury lines still at sea, so I'll absolutely be packing a few dressier outfits. The key, experts say, is checking your specific cruise line's dress code rather than assuming every evening requires a brand-new formal look.

Beyond formalwear, cruise veterans also recommend resisting the urge to overpack in general. Peter Hodge, founder of Hello Cruise , says first-time cruisers often plan for every possible scenario instead of the most likely ones, filling their suitcases with far more clothing than they'll actually wear. With laundry and pressing services available on many ships (including mine, I note)—and self-service laundry on some lines—you can comfortably rewear favorite pieces throughout your trip. 

Christina Schlegel, owner of Bluetail Travel , even recommends skipping bulky jeans when possible, since they take up valuable suitcase space and often aren't as versatile onboard as lighter mix-and-match travel pieces. (The elegant cruise line Crystal prohibits jeans after 6 p.m., so any other pants I'd choose would have way more all-day versatility.)

2. Curate your shoes carefully

Shoes are one of the quickest ways to overpack—and also importantly, one of the heaviest. (I've learned this lesson the hard way!)

Hodge recommends keeping things simple: one comfortable pair for walking in port, one nicer pair for evenings, and sandals or flip-flops for the pool deck. Everything beyond that may spend the entire voyage tucked away in the closet.

The less you bring, the more space you'll have in your cabin—which may be extremely limited, with far smaller accommodations than hotel-goers are used to—not to mention in your suitcase for souvenirs on the trip home.

3. Ditch the full-size toiletries and hair dryer (with exceptions)

Many cruise cabins already come stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and a hair dryer, making full-size bottles and bulky styling tools unnecessary for most travelers.

Teresa Tennant, senior vice president of Cruise Specialists , notes that many luxury lines even stock recognizable premium brands in the stateroom, while Miles Cooke, founder of GET.cruises , recommends bringing travel-size versions of your favorite products rather than lugging around large bottles that can leak and take up valuable space.

Of course, your mileage will vary, and you know what you need for your specific routine. This is one piece of advice I'll only partially follow: Because I wear my naturally curly hair curly, I almost always travel with my own hair dryer—I can never count on a hotel or cruise ship to have a diffuser attachment. But if your hair routine is a little less equipment-dependent than mine, experts say the hair dryer already waiting in your cabin will likely do the job just fine.

4. You won't need a beach towel

Nearly every cruise expert I spoke with mentioned this one. Beach towels are bulky, slow to dry, and take up valuable suitcase space. Fortunately, most cruise lines provide towels for lounging by the pool, as well as for shore excursions and beach days, so there's little reason to dedicate room in your luggage to one.

5. Leave your valuable jewelry at home

The whole point of a cruise vacation is to relax. So, rather than bringing irreplaceable family heirlooms or your most expensive jewelry, experts recommend packing simpler accessories you won't worry about wearing to dinner, around the ship, or on shore excursions. Salt air, beaches, pools, and active sightseeing all increase the chances that valuable pieces could be damaged or misplaced, and you'll likely find yourself reaching for the same favorite accessories all week anyway.

6. Check what your cruise line already provides

Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned while preparing for my first cruise is that it's worth spending a few minutes reviewing your cruise line's amenities in detail before you ever start packing (and referencing it as you go).

Depending on the ship, you may find libraries stocked with books and games, digital daily schedules and deck maps through the cruise line's app, filtered water refill stations, umbrellas, beach totes, or even specialty equipment for certain excursions already waiting onboard. The exact offerings vary by cruise line and itinerary, but a little research ahead of time can help you avoid packing things you'll never end up using—and leave extra room in your suitcase for the treasures you bring home from your favorite ports instead.

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