Maybe you’re getting ready to go on your first contract on a cruise ship, or perhaps you’ve been doing this for a while and are a bit of a disaster zone when it comes to packing. (I myself am a bit of a disaster zone when it comes to this task, but that’s mainly because I feel the urge to take tea breaks every half an hour.) Either way, if you’re wondering what to pack when working on a cruise ship, you have come to the right place, pals!
My crew packing list includes items you might not have thought about, which will be useful for almost all crew members. However each job role on board will have specific individual requirements. My own job as a singer in the theatre requires me to bring a tonne of stage outfits and heels, rehearsal clothes and private clothes with me- at least one of my cases is always a very sequinned affair. (I once got stopped at security because I was carrying a dress made out of actual metal).
What I’m getting at, pals, is- if there’s something you’re really not sure about, check with somebody on board in your department.
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The majority of cruise ship companies charge crew for wifi on board, and it can also be really handy to have data on land when you’re exploring. My normal phone company’s roaming charges are extortionate, so I always use an esim instead. They’re super easy to use, and way more convenient than searching for local sim cards in each new country, as the data just gets automatically added to your phone without the need for a physical card. The cheapest I’ve found so far is airalo; and I now use the airalo app wherever I can as it’s an actual lifesaver.
What’s the best luggage for crew to take on board a cruise ship?
Suitcases
Luggage allowance varies from crew member to crew member, depending on what job and position you have on board, and what company you work for. As a singer with Aida, I’m allowed to bring two 23kg suitcases (although as long as they collectively total less than 46kg, I’ve never run into any problems.)
When it comes to choosing the best luggage to bring with you on board, think practically. Space is limited! If you’re allowed two suitcases, you should definitely make sure you can store one inside the other, and if you’re not sure about how much storage space there will be under the beds (where 99% of crew will store their unpacked cases), a soft case might be a safer choice.
After my first contract on a cruise ship, I treated myself to some hard case luggage which I knew would fit, as I wanted something durable enough to withstand the constant travelling. I’ve since upgraded to this hard case from Antler, which is pricey but comes with a lifetime warranty. And I bloody love it.
Carry-on luggage
Always check which airline you’re flying with so that you know the hand luggage allowance. Normally I take a carry-on bag, plus a small backpack. (With contracts lasting at least six months, I want to make the most of my packing, know what I’m saying?) However, some airlines are changing their policies, so double check just to avoid any surprise charges at the airport.
I love travelling with my backpack from vegan brand Kula which my sisters bought for me. I mean, guys- it looks like it’s made from paper, but it’s completely waterproof! And there are so many pockets!
For a carry-on bag I normally use a weekender bag which can sit on top of one of my other cases.
What to pack when working on a cruise ship: the carry on
First things first, because it’s been drilled into me since the dawn of my days as a seafarer:
Always pack all of your documents in your carry on luggage.
Not just your passport, but also your medical certificates, every single one of your safety training certificates and your contract. You will absolutely point blank be refused entry to the ship without these, so if you pack your documents in your suitcases and it goes missing, you’re screwed. I also always keep electrical copies of all of the above, on my phone. Just in case.
I pack all of my electronics and chargers in my carry-on, incuding camera and lenses, laptop and ipad- as well as a few days change of underwear and clothes, and a small bag of toiletries. To avoid the faff of using the plastic bags for liquids in the airport, I pack all of my toiletries into a clear makeup bag like this one. That way I can just put the clear makeup bag through security as it is, instead of scattering mascara and toothpaste across the airport floor as I try and stuff it all into a disposable version.
What to pack when working on a cruise ship: the essentials you might not have thought of
Universal travel adaptor
One of the best items I have ever bought- not just as a crew member, but as someone who travels frequently- is a universal travel adaptor, which not only works across the whole wide world, but also has USB ports which mean you can charge up to five devices at once.
(Or this adaptor has a mixture of USB A and USB C ports, if your phone’s a more updated one.)
Hair dryer
I am a strong advocate for hair driers, and unless you’re staying in a passenger cabin, you will definitely not be provided with one on board! On some ships I’ve worked on, it’s not allowed to even eat in crew mess if you have wet hair- so the reality is, a hair dryer will make your life much easier. To save on your luggage weight allowance, get a compact travel hairdryer like this one.
Shower filter
It may (or may not) surprise you to learn that tap water on board a cruise ship is not the greatest. Running water on a cruise ship is treated with chlorine, and the physical effects of washing in chlorine for six to nine months at a time can be really, really frustrating! Chlorine can dry out your skin, hair and scalp- so I recommend getting a shower filter to help combat this. Here’s the one I use on board.
Hair masks and face masks
I also always bring plenty of hair masks and face masks on board with me. In addition to the chlorinated water, the air conditioning can really dry out my skin and hair, so masks are life savers.
Enough basic toiletries to last a while
Basic toiletries like toothpaste, shower gel and sanitary products should be available for crew to buy on board, and you will hopefully have time to go outside and buy anything else you need on land. But the availability of your favourite products will depend very much on where your ship is cruising, so make sure you pack at least a small supply to take with you!
For example: I’ve always found women’s shaving foam really hard to find in France and Spain- they’re just not big lady-shavers over there, apparently. And I have never in all my days found the hair dye I use in the Caribbean- which makes sense, duh- but I try to stock up on those items that are essential to me, to avoid getting caught short in the middle of the actual ocean.
Optional: hammam towel or quick-drying towel
No you do not need to bring your own towels if you’re crew on a cruise ship! The company has a duty to provide these. If you’re going somewhere tropical, however, you might like to bring a beach towel.
I bought a hammam towel while we were docked in Corfu, and I love it. It doesn’t just look downright lovely, but it’s also lightweight and takes up far less space than a normal beach towel. Here’s a similar one you can buy beforehand, or wait until you can explore outside the ship.
I also love these striped fast-drying towels from Dock & Bay. They roll up super-small in a handy bag, are made of 100% recycled materials which crucially dry quickly and don’t pick up sand, and they come in a rainbow of different colours. I used a plain one when I spent three months backpacking back in the days, and this lovely striped design is next on my list.
Laundry bag
So many new crew members don’t bring one of these on board, but you should bring a bag with you to transport your laundry to the washing machines. I’ve used the same trusty old Star Wars themed bag-for-life, since my very first contract, but of course you can use whichever bag you see fit.
Small mesh laundry bag
A smaller mesh laundry bag is also incredibly useful, although not vital, for popping your underwear or socks into. If you’re late back to the crew laundry and don’t remove your washing as soon as it’s done, it’s very normal for someone to remove your load and put it in a drier or on an empty surface. So having a mesh bag is great for preventing things from getting lost, as well as keeping things organised. This set of four mesh bags is great.
Colour catchers
Walking back and forth to the laundry room can be a mission, especially if you’re working on a very big ship. The struggle for empty washing machines is also real.
The answer to your laundry problems? Colour catchers.
Throw a colour catcher into the machine and you can put a rainbow of colours in the at once without worrying that the colours will all run into each other. They are amazing. And I also swear by dryer sheets; throw a couple of these in the tumble dryer to make sure your clothes smell even fresher than fresh. It’s the little things.
Multivitamins
In fact, any vitamins at all. It can be really hard to stay healthy on a cruise ship; sometimes crew food is excellent and sometimes it is questionable at best. Multivitamins can help you through these nutrient-lacking times.
Medication
If you take regular medication or contraceptive pills, come prepared! Bring enough to last your whole contract, plus two months more.
Although there’s a hospital on board, the level of medical care can be up and down. I always bring very basic things like painkillers, tiger balm, and nasal spray with me when I board a ship.
Cabin decor
Some would argue that these items aren’t necessities, but I think that if you’re going to be sleeping in what is essentially a large tin box for six whole months, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t try to make it cute.
Battery operated string lights
String lights (or fairy lights, whichever name you’d prefer), are only allowed on board if they’re battery operated. Plug-in lights are a big no because they’re a fire hazard. These lights are downright lovely, and these lights come with clips to peg your photos up with.
Magnets
All the walls of your cabin will likely be magnetic, so if you’re not opting for the lights with photo clips, bring a few magnets along. (And start collecting them in some of the ports you visit.) In fact, even if you are opting for the clippy-lights, I would still say: bring some magnets.
Magnetic hooks are also incredible; I only discovered these for the first time this year, but they’re great for storing jewellery or trailing lights across. Highly recommend.
Clothes and shoes
The majority of crew members will be provided with a uniform, but regardless of whether you wear a uniform or not, it goes without saying that you’ll still want some outfits of your own!
And I’m telling you now: however many outfits you think you’ll need, you definitely need less. This is something I still haven’t quite mastered, to tell you the truth.
Check with your cruise company to make sure that whatever clothes you bring on board meet their dress code for crew. Rules differ between companies, but as well as my normal outfits I always bring at least one hoodie to throw on to eat in crew mess (because exposed shoulders are FORBIDDEN), and make sure that if I want to wear sandals on board that they have a slingback. (Backless shoes are a safety hazard and we will get reprimanded on the spot if we get caught by the wrong person in a flip-flop.)
When deciding what to bring, bear in mind that the washing machines and dryers on ships are industrial strength. I’ve had a few items of clothing ruined, either by vigorous machines or by other crew members putting wet washing in the dryer before I could come and collect it. The fewer delicate items, the better.
And lastly, it should go without saying that you should make your outfits climate, and occasion appropriate. Even if your cruise line is very casual, a few cocktail or smart-casual outfits are a good idea for special occasions. And even if you’ll be travelling somewhere super hot like the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean, air conditioning on board can still be very chilly.
When it comes to underwear and socks, bring more than seven days worth, just in case you don’t have time to do washing as much as you’d like to.
What are you not allowed to bring on a cruise ship?
There is a big old list of items you’re not allowed to bring on board a cruise ship, whether you’re a crew member or a passenger.
Firstly the fire hazards: irons, kettles, string lights which plug into the wall, candles and actual full on fireworks. These are all a no-go area.
Open or fresh food is also not allowed, because it can attract vermin. So bring a few of your favourite snacks with you- crisps, nuts, chocolate, etc- but only if they’re in sealed packaging. And alas- for crew members, no alcohol is allowed to be brought on board at all. Smuggle it on if you dare, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
There are more obvious forbidden items, like drugs and actual weapons (also drones, for some reason), but I feel like most people are smart enough to realise bringing drugs or weapons on to their new cruise ship job might get them sent home ASAP.
In most instances- aside from the fresh food- security will sort just confiscate the forbidden item, and then give it back to you when you disembark.
Godspeed dear crew member!
Alright, that’s a bit dramatic. But you get what I’m saying. If you’re wondering what to pack when working on a cruise ship because you are off on your first contract, then good luck!
And if there’s something you think I’ve left off the list, let me know. I’m always on the lookout for new necessities.