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What to pack for a cruise

Make packing for ports and days onboard a (sea) breeze with our handy checklist.
Whether you start weeks in advance or leave it until the last minute, packing for any holiday can leave you questioning if you did pack your phone charger, a spare pair of sunnies or that bottle of insect repellent you thought was in the back of the bathroom cupboard. Enter our stress-free cruise packing list – it’s full of handy hints for first-time cruisers, plus a lowdown on the must-haves onboard. Happy packing!

Is there a dress code onboard?

Our ships have a dress code, but you can easily break it down into beachwear, casual and smart. The first is a come-as-you-are affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, but please wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Casual does what it says on the tin – we’re talking tops and shorts or a sundress. Then you’ve got smart, which is when you’ll need to dress up a little. You can wear shirts or polo shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, skirts or dresses, smart trainers, shoes or sandals, but we ask that you leave sportswear, flip-flops and non-tailored shorts in your cabin. If you want to add a jacket or a tie, feel free – or you can save your best for our Dress to Impress nights.
A group of friends laughing and smiling together at a bar.

Tips for first-time cruisers

New to cruising? No problem – we’ve got you covered with the need to know before you board, with some top tips from Marella Cruises’ Hotel Operations Manager, Sue Stewart.

  1. Spread your stuff between two suitcases - If you’re travelling as a pair, it’s a good idea to split your items across two suitcases so you don't forget essentials like phone chargers, plug adapters (sockets onboard our ships will either be European or a US two-pin plug, so we’d recommend bringing adaptors for both) and toiletries. Psst! Remember to pack anything you need on the flight, like medicines, passports and electronics in your hand luggage.
  2. Bring a reusable water bottle - You’ll find plenty of water stations dotted around the ship, so bring your fave reusable water bottle from home and grab a cup of H2O whenever you fancy.
  3. Don’t forget your lip balm -  Fresh sea air can sometimes leave your lips dry and chapped. A daily application of lip balm will help protect your pout.
  4. Pack some motion sickness bands -  The sea can sometimes be choppy, so it’s a good idea to bring motion sickness bands if you’re not used to sailing.

Three re-useable water bottles with a "Seas the day" logo.

Destination dressing

Shore days are the perfect time to explore top destinations like Barbados, Montenegro and Italy, to name just a few. Whether you sign up for a walking tour or tick off the port at your own pace, wearing comfortable shoes is ideal. The weather can change quickly in some places, so take a raincoat and warm jacket when leaving the ship. Psst! If you plan to visit a religious building while the ship docks in port, pack something to cover your legs, shoulders and hair.

Find out more about our shore excursions.
A woman walking through a jungle.

Will I need to bring towels?

Leave your beach towel at home! Both pool and bath towels are provided. If you need more during your stay, ask your friendly Cabin Steward.
Pool towels arranged on a cabin bed.

Do I need to pack a hairdryer?

We’ve got you covered there, too. Every cabin has a hairdryer, but you may want to bring a small travel iron.

Will I need to bring toiletries?

There’s a small shower gel in your cabin, so you’ll need to bring everything else to keep squeaky clean. Don’t fancy lugging the bathroom cabinet with you? We hear you. Head to our onboard shop – it has everything from hairbrushes to tweezers, toothpaste to painkillers.
A woman pulling her suitcase off an airport conveyor belt.

Paying for things onboard

Our ships are cash free, meaning you don’t need to carry any money onboard. Everything is priced in sterling and charged to your cabin account, which you settle at the end of your cruise in cash, by debit or credit card. If you decide to settle your bill in cash, we’ll ask for a deposit – up to £200 per cabin per week. You won’t need cash for tips or service charges either, as we’ve included them in the price of your cruise. You don’t have to tip any of our crew – unless you really want to.

Exploring ashore or booking an excursion? You’ll need some cash. If you’re visiting lots of destinations on your cruise and need multiple currencies, stop by our onboard currency exchange desk to get cash changed up. Or sign up for one of our Multi-Currency Travel Money Mastercard®. You can load up to 12 currencies and manage your money on the TUI Travel Money app – how cool is that?

Find out more about our Multi-Currency Travel Money Mastercard®.
Two prosecco glasses on a table.

Anything else I need?

Don’t forget to bring your passport! Boarding the ship is just like boarding a plane, so you’ll go through security scanning just as you would at the airport. It’s best to keep your passport handy, as you’ll need to show it each time you get off the ship to visit a port.
A woman walking onto a cruise ship.
Ready to go?

Check out our cruise deals for some holiday inspo. Need a bespoke packing list? Customise your own holiday checklist to make packing for your next adventure easy.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Laura Wilkinson

Last updated: 09.09.2026

Holiday Type

Destination

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