Cruise Packing List: The Complete UK Guide

This is the list we would use ourselves for a typical 5–7 or 8–14 night cruise from the UK or a fly-cruise from a UK airport. It is written to be scanned: tick things off as you go, then use the free packing planner if you want a version tailored to your destination, month, cruise length and plans.

The short version

If you only remember ten things, make them these:

1. Passport – valid for every country on the itinerary.
2. Cruise documents – on your phone and printed.
3. Travel insurance that explicitly covers cruising and medical treatment at sea.
4. Medication – in your hand luggage, in original packaging, with a few days’ spare.
5. Payment card for your onboard account.
6. Comfortable walking shoes you have already broken in.
7. Smart-casual evening clothes, plus formal wear if your line has formal nights.
8. A layer for air-conditioned theatres and breezy decks.
9. Travel adapter or multi-port USB charger (not an extension lead).
10. An embarkation-day bag with everything you need before your suitcases arrive.

Travel documents and entry checks

The short answer: every traveller needs a valid passport, and you need to check the entry requirements for every country on the itinerary – not just the port you sail from. What applies depends on your passport and nationality, residence status, the ports visited and any countries you fly through, so no single list fits everyone.

Documents to carry

• Passport for each traveller, including children
• Cruise booking confirmation or e-documents
• Cruise check-in completed and boarding pass ready
• Cruise luggage labels, printed and attached
• Travel insurance documents and the 24-hour emergency assistance number
• Flight booking and airline boarding passes, or train and parking bookings
• UK GHIC or EHIC, if you’re eligible, for EU itineraries
• Any visa or electronic travel authorisation your route requires
• Debit or credit card, plus a little local currency
• Secure copies of your passport, insurance and bookings, stored separately from the originals

Checks to make before you travel

• Passport validity for every country. Schengen countries – including Spain, Italy, Greece and Norway – set rules on both the issue date and the expiry date of non-EU passports. Other countries may require several months’ validity.
• Entry requirements for every country and territory, using GOV.UK foreign travel advice.
• Transit rules for any country you fly through. The US, for example, requires an ESTA or a visa even to transit.
• Your cruise line’s own boarding-document requirements, which can go beyond government rules.
• Travel insurance cover for cruise travel, your whole itinerary, medical treatment abroad and at sea, and your planned activities.
• Returning to the UK. British and Irish citizens don’t need a UK ETA. Other travellers in your group should check what they need on GOV.UK.
• Children’s documents. Some countries, airlines and cruise lines may ask for evidence of consent when a child travels with one parent or another adult. GOV.UK explains when it may be needed.

Systems such as the US ESTA, Canada’s eTA and the EU Entry/Exit System apply only to some travellers and some routes. The summary table at the end of this guide explains each one and links to the official source.

GHIC: a UK GHIC can help with state healthcare if you are taken to hospital ashore in the EU. It is not a replacement for travel insurance: according to the NHS Business Services Authority, it does not cover any treatment on board a cruise ship, even when the ship is docked.

How much clothing to pack

Most people overpack clothes and underpack the practical bits. Cabins are compact, and many ships have launderettes or a laundry service.

Daytime clothing

• T-shirts, shirts or blouses
• Shorts, skirts or lightweight trousers (warm destinations)
• Trousers or jeans (cooler destinations and evenings)
• A cardigan, jumper or light jacket
• Swimwear – two sets, so one can dry
• Pool cover-up
• Sleepwear
• Underwear and socks, plus spares
• Activewear if you plan to use the gym or join active excursions

Evening clothing

Most evenings on most ships are smart casual: think chinos and a collared shirt, a summer dress, or smart trousers and a nice top. Many lines also hold formal or “elegant” nights. What counts as formal varies a lot – our formal night guide explains the differences.

• Smart-casual outfits for most evenings
• Formal outfit(s), if your line has formal nights
• Evening shoes
• Accessories that change the look of one outfit

Footwear

• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes – the most important item on this list
• Sandals or flip-flops for the pool deck
• Evening shoes
• Waterproof shoes or boots for Northern Europe and Alaska
• Trainers if you plan to use the gym or running track

Shoes are heavy and bulky, so aim for three or four pairs that each do more than one job.

Toiletries

Most cabins provide basic shampoo, shower gel, towels and a hairdryer, but what’s supplied varies by line and cabin grade.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Deodorant
• Skincare, make-up and any favourite hair products
• Razor
• Sun cream and after-sun
• Contact lenses, solution and a spare pair of glasses
• A hanging toiletry bag – bathroom shelf space is limited

If you’re flying, check your departure airport’s current liquids rules on GOV.UK before you pack your hand luggage – limits have changed at several UK airports.

Medication and health

These are practical reminders, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about your own needs.

• Enough of your regular medicines for the whole trip, plus a few days’ spare, in original packaging where possible
• A copy of your prescription and a list of your medicines and doses
• Check the rules for your medicines in each country – some are controlled abroad (GOV.UK)
• Your usual pain relief and indigestion remedies
• Travel sickness remedies, if you are prone to it (ask a pharmacist which suits you)
• Plasters and blister plasters
• Insect repellent for warm destinations

Norovirus can spread quickly in any crowded setting. The NHS notes that alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus, so washing your hands with soap and water is the most important habit. Hand cream helps with all that washing.

Electronics

• Phone and charging cable
• Travel adapter – sockets vary by ship
• Multi-port USB charger
• Power bank, if your cruise line allows it
• Headphones
• E-reader or tablet with films and books downloaded

Two things catch UK travellers out:

• Extension leads and power strips are banned by some lines and allowed with conditions by others – for example, only without surge protection. Cabins can have fewer sockets than hotel rooms, especially on older ships, while many newer cabins add USB sockets. A single multi-port USB plug is the usual workaround, but check your line’s prohibited-items policy before you buy any charging accessory. See what not to pack for official examples.
• Mobile roaming at sea can be very expensive. When the ship is out of range of land networks, your phone may connect to a maritime network that isn’t covered by your normal roaming deal. Check with your network, or keep your phone in aeroplane mode at sea.

Cruise cabin essentials

A few small items make a compact cabin much easier to live in. See the full cabin essentials guide for what is worth bringing and what is already provided.

• Magnetic hooks (many cabin walls are metal)
• Over-the-door organiser
• Ship card lanyard or card holder – you use the card constantly, for your cabin door, onboard purchases and, on many lines, getting on and off the ship
• Reusable water bottle
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs and an eye mask
• Laundry bag

Your embarkation-day bag

Checked luggage may take several hours to reach your cabin after embarkation. Keep medication, travel documents, swimwear, sun cream and anything children may need immediately in a small carry-on bag.

Timings vary by ship and sailing. Royal Caribbean says luggage may arrive after the ship has sailed, P&O Cruises advises keeping the essentials you’ll need for the first few hours in your hand luggage, and Princess recommends carrying medication in your carry-on so it is easy to reach during embarkation. A small day bag lets you start enjoying the ship straight away instead of waiting for your suitcase.

• Passports, cruise boarding documents and insurance details
• All prescription medication, including anything you need during the day
• Wallet and the card for your onboard account
• Phone, charging cable and a power bank if your line permits one
• Valuables, jewellery, cameras and anything fragile
• Swimwear, if you want to use the pool on day one
• Sun cream and sunglasses, or a warm layer for sailaway in cooler places
• A lightweight change of clothes
• Basic toiletries

Travelling with children? Add a change of clothes for each child, their swimwear and sun protection, any medicines they need during the day, nappies and wipes or feeding essentials if they use them, and a comfort item or something to keep them busy in the terminal.

Your last night bag

Many cruise lines collect checked luggage from outside your cabin on the final evening before disembarkation – Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises both describe this. Procedures vary, so follow your own line’s disembarkation instructions. Keep these out of the cases you hand over:

• Clothes, shoes and underwear for the next morning
• Basic toiletries
• Medication for the night, morning and journey home
• Passports, cruise card and travel documents
• Phone and chargers
• Valuables
• Children’s nightwear and anything they need for the morning

If you’re flying to the ship

• Check your airline baggage allowance – it is usually stricter than the cruise line’s
• Weigh cases with a luggage scale before you leave and before flying home
• Power banks and spare lithium batteries in hand luggage only – the UK Civil Aviation Authority explains the rules
• Medication and a change of clothes in hand luggage – it can double as your embarkation-day bag
• Hand-luggage liquids packed to your airport’s current rules

If you’re sailing from a UK port

Cruising from Southampton, Dover or another UK port avoids airline weight limits, which is why ex-UK cruises tend to be the easiest to pack for. Cruise lines still set their own allowances, though, so check your line’s rules before you fill the boot of the car.

What not to pack

Prohibited-items lists differ between cruise lines, but items that are commonly banned include clothes irons and garment steamers, kettles and other heating appliances, extension leads and surge protectors, candles, and weapons of any kind. Many lines also restrict drones and bringing your own alcohol.

Always check your own cruise line’s current list. Our guide to what not to pack for a cruise links to official policies from several major lines.

Destination-specific lists

The basics stay the same, but the weather changes a lot. Start with the right guide for your trip:

• Mediterranean cruise packing list – sun, heat and covering up for churches
• Norwegian Fjords cruise packing list – layers, waterproofs and light summer nights
• All destinations

Sources

• GOV.UK – foreign travel advice
• Royal Caribbean – when will I get my checked bags?
• Royal Caribbean – disembarking tips
• P&O Cruises – embarkation and disembarkation
• Princess Cruises – pre-cruise FAQs
• GOV.UK – hand luggage restrictions
• GOV.UK – when you do not need a UK ETA
• GOV.UK – taking a child abroad
• GOV.UK – travelling with controlled drugs
• NHS Business Services Authority – GHIC and cruises
• NHS – norovirus
• UK Civil Aviation Authority – what you can pack

Travel authorisations and border checks at a glance

These systems don’t apply to everyone. Whether you need one depends on your passport and nationality, residence status, the ports you visit and any countries you travel through. The table summarises official guidance, last checked on29 September 2026. Rules can change, so check the official source before you travel.

System	What it is	Who it may apply to	Official source
ESTAUnited StatesIn operation	The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is used by eligible Visa Waiver Program travellers visiting or transiting through the United States, including arrivals by cruise ship.	Travellers whose passport is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Others may need a US visa instead. Eligibility depends on nationality and personal circumstances.	US Customs and Border Protection – ESTA
eTACanadaIn operation	Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) is for eligible visa-exempt travellers flying to, or transiting through, a Canadian airport.	Visa-exempt travellers arriving by air. According to Canada.ca, an eTA is not needed when arriving by land or sea, including by cruise ship – but some nationalities need a visitor visa however they arrive.	Canada.ca – check if you need a visa or eTA
UK ETAUnited KingdomIn operation	The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is permission to travel for eligible visitors coming to the UK who do not need a visa.	Not needed by British or Irish citizens, or by people who already have permission to live, work or study in the UK. Other travellers returning to the UK at the end of a cruise should check GOV.UK.	GOV.UK – when you do not need an ETA
EESSchengen areaIn operation	The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been in operation since 12 October 2025. It records non-EU travellers’ entries and exits at Schengen borders, which can include taking fingerprints and a photo. There is no fee and nothing to apply for in advance.	Non-EU travellers on short stays, including British citizens using a UK passport. GOV.UK says cruises that start and finish outside the Schengen area (for example, at a UK port) are usually exempt for day visits, but checks may apply if you board or leave the ship in the Schengen area.	GOV.UK – EU Entry/Exit System
ETIASSchengen areaNot yet in operation	ETIAS, the planned European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is not currently in operation and is not accepting applications. GOV.UK says no action is required from travellers at this point.	When it launches, it is expected to apply to visa-exempt non-EU travellers, including British citizens. No confirmed start date has been published – check the official EU website before you travel, and ignore any site that asks you to apply now.	European Union – ETIAS

Always check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for the entry requirements of every country on your itinerary, and your cruise line’s own boarding-document requirements.