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LIOur first family cruise, I packed everything.
Sunscreen. Snacks. Swimsuits. Extra outfits. Toys.
Then day 2 hit:
My son spilled grape juice on his white shirt.
The cabin was pitch black at 2am when my oldest needed the bathroom.
Wet swimsuits were dripping everywhere with nowhere to hang them.
I had 3 suitcases—but I'd packed all the wrong things.
Here's what I pack NOW (and what actually matters):
1. Laundry Detergent Sheets
Because your kid will spill marinara sauce on their only formal night outfit approximately 47 seconds before photos.
It seems ship laundry costs more than the cruise itself.
You will absolutely be hand-washing a shirt at 11pm in a sink with no drain plug.
Bonus - Bring a silicone drain cover. Trust me.
2. Magnetic Hooks
Your cabin has 4 square feet of floor space and zero closets. This is only slightly exaggerated.
But the walls? Metal.
Magnetic hooks turn chaos into organized chaos.
Wet swimsuits, hats, lanyards, backpacks—everything gets a home that isn't "the floor."
3. Motion-Sensor Night Light (battery powered)
Cruise cabins are darker than your soul at 2am when your kid needs the bathroom.
You'll stub your toe, knock over a suitcase, and wake everyone up.
Or you could just pack this. Your choice.
4. Blue Painter's Tape
The cabin AC light will glow like a spaceship.
The smoke detector blinks like a disco.
Your toddler will wake up. Every. Single. Time.
Tape fixes it.
Also great for labeling cups, marking territories, and passive-aggressively claiming counter space.
5. Collapsible Silicone Bucket
Weird? Yes.
Essential? Also yes.
Puke bucket for seasick kids. Soaking bucket for the marinara disaster. Ice bucket for drinks.
It's the Swiss Army knife of cruise parenting.
That's 5 of the 10.
The other 5? Just as clutch. Just as necessary. Just as "why didn't anyone tell me this before?"
Want the full checklist with all 10 items?
Comment CRUISE LIST below and I'll send it to you. 💙
#CruiseTips #FamilyCruise #CruiseHacks #TravelWithKids #CruiseVacation
@lindsyoz
