Packing list for your cruise: the must-haves on board
Whether it's a short river cruise or a longer trip abroad - the right packing list helps you to travel relaxed and well prepared. Here are our suggestions for the essential items that should find a place in your suitcase:
Important documents & papers
To ensure that your journey gets off to a smooth start, you should definitely pack these documents, as you will need them both on arrival and departure - and often also for excursions ashore:
- Identity card or passport (also for children, depending on the route)
- Visa, if required
- Booking confirmation and boarding ticket
- Flight tickets (if you are travelling by plane)
- Health insurance card and health insurance abroad
- Vaccination certificate or digital proof
- Driving licence (for rental car excursions)
- Credit card, EC card and some cash
- Digital and printed copies of important documents
Hand luggage - what you need on arrival
Pack everything you need during your journey or immediately after boarding in your hand baggage. Make sure you strike a good balance between essentials and comfort, as it shouldn't be too heavy:
- Personal medication
- Toiletries (travel sizes)
- Electronics: smartphone, headphones, power bank, book or e-reader
- A fresh outfit and underwear
- Important documents and valuables (camera, jewellery etc.)
- For small children: Nappy bag
Tip: Pack swimwear and a light jacket in your hand baggage for the first day - sometimes the main baggage arrives in the cabin a little later.
Clothing & shoes
From casual to elegant - on a cruise you need versatile clothing for relaxed hours, sporting activities and stylish evenings:
- T-shirts, shorts, airy blouses, jumpers or cardigans for cooler evenings
- Evening wear (e.g. shirt, dress, trousers)
- Swimwear for the pool, spa and beach
- Sportswear for fitness activities on board
- Wind and rain jacket - also recommended in the south due to the wind
- Sun protection: sunglasses, headgear, UV clothing
You will need these shoes for your cruise:
- Comfortable everyday shoes or trainers
- Sandals or flip-flops for the pool and beach
- Elegant shoes for the evening programme
- Sturdy shoes for active shore excursions
Toiletries & toiletry bag
You want to feel good on the high seas too - so your daily care products are essential. In a well-organised toiletry bag, you can quickly find what you need and save yourself unnecessary rummaging. It's best to organise your toiletries in a hanging toiletry bag - this saves space:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
- Shampoo, shower gel, conditioner
- Sun cream, after-sun, insect repellent
- Deodorant, razor, nail care
- Menstrual products
- Make-up and remover
- Contact lenses and accessories
First-aid kit - prepared for all eventualities
Whether seasickness, sunburn or minor injuries - with a well-stocked first-aid kit, you'll be well looked after on a cruise:
- Personal medication (preferably in your hand luggage)
- Tablets for seasickness, fever, diarrhoea
- Painkillers and ointment
- Plasters, blister plasters and disinfectants
- Sunscreen & after-sun cream
- Insect repellent and gel against bites
- Clinical thermometer, tick tweezers (for destinations with nature excursions)
Technology & useful accessories
Whether for entertainment, to capture your favourite travel moments or simply to charge your devices - a bit of technology is essential at sea:
- Smartphone, chargers, power bank
- Camera or GoPro for souvenir photos
- E-reader or tablet for relaxed reading hours
- Adapter or multiple plugs (depending on destination)
- Umbrella (without tip), travel detergent, plastic bags for dirty laundry
- Backpack for shore excursions
Tip: Plan a little more of your regularly required medication and keep everything safe for children - especially when travelling as a family.
Climate-dependent packing: cruise tips for every region
Your luggage will also vary depending on your destination: a cruise through the Mediterranean or the Caribbean has different requirements than a route through northern Europe. To make sure you don't forget anything important, you'll find practical additions to your basic equipment here.
Sunny cruise: what you need for the south
If your route takes you to the sunny south, these items are a must in your luggage:
- UV-protective clothing for excursions & pool days
- Beach towel or quick-drying travel towel
- Lightweight towel or scarf for shoulder protection or sun protection
- Bag for pool toys or beach utensils
- Bathing shoes for hot floors or stony beaches
- Sun protection with a particularly high SPF
Tip: Even in warm regions, it can be windy on deck - so a light jacket is still a good idea.
For cool routes: Your packing list for the north
Weatherproof clothing is essential on routes through Scandinavia, the Baltic States or around Great Britain:
- Thermal underwear for cool days and nights
- Hat, scarf, gloves - depending on the season
- Rainproof jacket & trousers for excursions
- Sturdy, water-repellent shoes
- Onion-look clothing (shirts, jumpers, softshells)
- Sunglasses - also important in northern regions
Tip: Look out for breathable materials - they keep you warm without making you sweat.
Children on board: how to pack properly for the whole family
If you're travelling with children, you'll need a more extensive packing list - after all, you want to be prepared for all eventualities. Here you will find the most important items that should be in your kids suitcase:
- A change of clothes, nappies, wet wipes
- Sun protection suitable for children, sun hat
- Toys, books, cuddly toys for travelling
- Baby accessories such as bibs, sleeping bag or dummy
- Compact first-aid kit with child-friendly medication (e.g. fever syrup, nasal spray, plasters)
Tip: A small children's rucksack for excursions makes the little ones proud - and lightens the load on your bag.
River cruises - what you should bear in mind
In principle, the same packing logic applies to river cruises as to ocean cruises. However, there are differences in the cabin facilities:
- Find out in advance whether bathrobes, care products or hair dryers are available
- Pack to save space - cabins are often a little more compact
- Comfortable clothes for sightseeing and excursions
- Sturdy shoes for cobblestones and walks
Tip: As river cruises often pass through several cities, it's worth having a particularly well-organised daypack.
You don't need these things on board
Not everything that seems practical really needs to be on board. Many things are already provided on cruise ships - and some are even prohibited. With a well-thought-out selection, you can avoid unnecessary clutter and have more space for what you really need:
- Towels and shower gel are often available in the bathroom
- Electrical appliances such as kettles, hairdryers and irons are prohibited
- Too many items of clothing - prefer well thought-out outfits
Special tips for AIDA cruises
On cruises, you can expect not only relaxation and discoveries, but also special programme items and procedures on board. You should keep these extras in mind when planning so that you are fully prepared:
- Pack white clothing for the "White Night"
- Fun accessories for theme parties on board
- Have your credit card set up for on-board billing
- Book shore excursions spontaneously
- Tipping is usually included, but can be added individually
Conclusion: set sail well prepared
With a well-planned packing list, your cruise will not only be stress-free, but also really relaxed. Especially if you are embarking for the first time, well thought-out preparation will help you to avoid the typical packing mistakes - such as packing too much, too little or not enough. But even experienced cruise fans know this: The better your luggage is organised, the more you can concentrate on the experience.
Whether you're relaxing on deck, discovering exciting places on land or simply enjoying the comfort on board, with the right equipment you'll be prepared for any situation. And best of all, you can look forward to the journey instead of worrying about your luggage.
So: go through the packing list, pack smart - and then it's time to cast off for your cruise full of highlights!
