Cruise Packing Mistakes: Useless Items You Should Never Bring on a Cruise

Packing for a cruise is one of those things that feels exciting… until you realise half the stuff you brought never even leaves your suitcase. Most of us are guilty of overpacking, and some items turn out to be completely pointless once you’re onboard.

So I asked the real experts – my Facebook community! Hundreds of cruisers shared the most useless things they’ve ever packed, and the answers were both helpful and hilarious.

Here are the top items you definitely don’t need to bring on your next cruise.

1. Half of the Suitcase 

One of the most common replies from cruisers wasn’t about a specific item, but was about how much they overpacked.

People often say to pack for your cruise and then remove a third, but some were saying that half of their suitcase didn’t get used!

While I know it’s tempting to make sure you’re covered for every eventuality, remember that most cruise ships have a laundry service onboard. On many ships, you can do laundry for free.

So maybe cut down on all those extra swimsuits – leave some room for souvenirs!

2. Gym Wear 

A couple of cruise passengers have talked about packing gym wear, only to never touch it once they’re onboard. I’ll admit, I’ve done that too!

Most cruise ships have a gym and a running track, and some offer fitness classes. But think about how likely you are to use them if the option of relaxing by the pool is there instead.

I do pack running gear for most cruises, and enjoy a few laps of a running track with the fantastic ocean views. But it requires some dedication to set my alarm for 7 am on holiday, and that’s not for everyone.

3. Telescope 

One past cruise guest talked about bringing a telescope onboard, and I can understand the appeal. Being out in the middle of the ocean with a star-filled sky, there would definitely be some spectacular views to be had.

However, they said they were too busy to even use it, and I imagine a good telescope takes up quite a bit of room in your suitcase!

Some luxury cruise lines have their own telescopes you could use, if you’re a really keen stargazer.

4. Books

This one’s interesting because when I asked on Facebook for some good tips for first-time cruisers, a couple of people suggested taking a good book because it’s the perfect thing to enjoy during downtime.

But when I asked about useless things packed, others said that taking a pile of books is pointless because there’s just so much to do when you’re on board. I’ll admit I usually take a book, but I’ve never actually finished one!

It might be worth having one book, especially if you need to fly to meet your ship and want something for on the plane or while you’re sitting in the terminal.

Most cruise ships have libraries onboard, so you could just borrow a few books from there and save on the weight in your suitcase.

5. Inappropriate Clothing

A lot of people talked about how they didn’t really plan for their cruise itinerary when it came to packing clothes.

Some packed light summer wear for cruises to Norway, where it was too cold to really enjoy it. But at the same time, others said they wish they had packed lighter clothes for their own Norway cruise, because they hadn’t checked and seen that it was an unusually warm season.

Before you sail, check the climate and weather forecast, and base your packing on that. I know it won’t be perfect but it’ll give you a good idea of what you’re more likely to wear.

And be aware that some countries have strict rules on what you’re allowed to wear. For example, it’s forbidden to wear camo-print in many places in the Caribbean.

You can read more on that here: 9 Things You Should Never Wear On A Cruise.

6. Spanx 

If you’re someone who likes to include Spanx or shapewear in your outfits, maybe think again when you’re cruising.

After all, you’re likely going to want to indulge in the restaurants, and the last thing you need is something that’s super-tight-fitting when you just want to be in your comfiest clothes.

Instead, pack a few looser-fitting items, especially to wear towards the end of your cruise. On a cruise I mostly wear floaty dresses like these from Mandy’s Heaven so I can eat as much as I want without feeling squeezed in!

If you prefer floaty pieces that feel good, check my cruise outfit guide.

7. Formal Wear

Formal nights do still exist on many cruise ships, and a lot of people like to get dressed up in their best outfits for a special-feeling night.

But equally, a lot of people don’t, and these days it’s more acceptable than ever to shun the formal night activities and just go relax in the buffet restaurant or other quiet parts of the ship.

If you’re not someone who is too interested in putting on your best suits or dresses, then don’t bother packing them. You’ll still have an amazing time.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Dresses for Formal Night

8. High Heels

A few women mentioned how they packed high heels to wear in the evenings on their cruise, but ended up sticking to their more comfortable flats for the duration.

Remember that, while it is nice to put on a pair of sparkly heels for dinner, you might need those feet to be in their best condition the next day for a long excursion tour. Plus, if you’re cruising in rough seas, then it can be tricky to walk in heels, and possibly even dangerous.

Comfy shoes are always better on a cruise, so don’t prioritise packing those heels unless you really insist on them completing your outfit.

Suggested read: The Best Shoes For Cruise Holidays With Footwear For Every Occasion

9. Snacks 

I am someone who usually takes snacks on board a cruise, because I like to have something simple to nibble on while I’m in my cabin, and I’ve seen how much the onboard stores charge for things like Pringles. No thanks!

Suggested read: Cruise Passenger Shocked By £9.50 Packet of Crisps

But a few passengers said that there’s no need to pack snacks, and they’re right, really – there is plenty of free food on a cruise for you to enjoy, and you can always bring a plate back to your room from the buffet if you want to relax while you eat.

Having snacks in your suitcase can be handy, especially on cruises that charge a delivery fee for room service, on those days when you just want to be lazy. But they aren’t essential and can be left behind if you’re short on space.

You can always buy snacks in your first port of call and bring them onboard with you.

10. Travel Kettle 

Most of the big cruise lines are aimed primarily at American passengers, rather than Brits, and so many of them don’t include a kettle in your cabin.

We know how much Brits love a cup of tea in the morning, and so some people try to take a travel kettle onboard with them, so that they don’t need to walk to the buffet restaurant or wait for room service to enjoy a fresh brew. Same with coffee, too.

However, cruise lines often don’t permit guests to bring a kettle with them as it could be a fire risk if it hasn’t been safety tested.

It’s usually best to avoid packing one if there’s any doubt, as you might just end up without the kettle and needing to go and retrieve your case from security while they explain why they confiscated it.

Suggested read: The Things You Can & Can’t Take On A Cruise Ship

11. Irons and Steamers

There are other small electrical appliances that some cruise guests have packed, only to then receive a letter from the cruise line telling them that they were confiscated.

Travel irons are common, and clothes steamers aren’t permitted either.

If there are any doubts, you should contact the cruise line in advance to check, but generally try to avoid bringing anything unnecessary that you think could be taken away, since that’s just wasted effort and suitcase space.

Suggested read: How To Iron Clothes On A Cruise

12. Electronic Devices 

Personal electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, are always going to be allowed on a cruise as long as they’re clearly in good condition and not a fire risk.

But do you really need to take them with you?

Cruises are packed with activities, and it’s often better to try and switch off while you’re sailing. At least, that’s the advice of many past cruisers.

I do work on cruises sometimes, so I will usually have my laptop with me. And working on a ship is relaxing, if you get decent WiFi. But if you don’t need your electronics, consider leaving them behind.

13. Sea Sickness Medication 

I would always suggest that you take sea sickness medication with you on a cruise if you’re someone who has suffered from motion sickness before, or you’ve never sailed and you don’t know if you’ll suffer.

Suggested read: Will You Get Seasick On A Cruise? Here’s How To Know

However, one respondent on Facebook did describe it as useless, because they weren’t affected in any way. 

And most people aren’t sick on a cruise. Sea sickness is real, but it only affects a small percentage of people when the ship is in rough waters. It’s not like half the ship is rushing to the bathroom.

So pack if if you might need it, but it’s OK to leave it behind if you handle motion without problems. Plus, there are plenty of natural remedies you can try too, like green apples.

14.  Miscellaneous Unneeded Items

When I asked past cruise guests on Facebook what the most useless items they’d packed for a cruise were, I did get a few jokey suggestions.

One of those was a fishing rod, but some people have actually done this before and tried fishing from their balcony. Guess what – that’s not allowed, and you will be kicked off the ship!

Cruise lines do publish lists of banned items, including some very odd specific things, but as a rule of thumb, if it’s not something you’ll really need, don’t take it with you.

15. Husbands 

Several (!) people who had cruised before made their own joke suggestion of their husbands as the most useless thing they had packed for their cruise!

I do think it’s a little harsh, but if you feel your husband is a bit too useless to enjoy the cruise properly, and they aren’t helping, you can always travel with a friend instead if you prefer!

I’ve cruised with my husband before, with the kids, with my mum, with friends, and I’ve cruised solo – and I’ve always had a great time. You do you. If you want to leave your husband at home, go for it, haha!

Final Word

Hopefully, these tips from past guests have helped you to work out some of the things you can remove from your case the next time you’re packing for a cruise, leaving you with a lighter suitcase for travelling with.

However, make sure you also read the top things that pro cruisers take with them that you won’t have thought of – maybe the suitcase won’t be quite as empty as you thought!

Related Posts

• 43 Best Cruise Packing Tips & Hacks
• Baby & Toddler Cruise Packing List
• 31 Hacks I Learned From Taking 40+ Cruises