Top 8 Cruising Accessories of 2025
I’ve put together my favorite cruising accessories over the years after many frustrations with inferior products made in china. Here are the best!
““The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself””
If it does not say gorilla hooks, do not buy it!
8. The Original “Gorilla Hooks”
Storage can be a major concern for cruise ship staterooms. These little but super powerful magnetic hooks can be an amazing way to create more storage room and an economical price point.
I personally hang clothes, jewelry, wet towels and even robes. I tend to take about 20 of these with me, but trust me, you can never have enough of these things! I hang a few above the shower for wet towels and clothes, a few near the closet to hang some extra shirts and belts and the rest next to the mirror for necklaces and other Jewelry. You can find the original ones HERE.
7. Universal TagSavers:
Okay, so I’ve been on over 80 cruises and in my first 10 trips I lost my luggage twice. Most cruise lines have you print out your own luggage tags on paper and then staple them to your bag (slaps head) crazy right? I highly recommend buying durable PVC luggage tags with a metal (not plastic) fastener. You can find the ones I recommend HERE.
6. Rechargeable Battery Operated Smart Light:
Most people don’t tell you how dark ship staterooms can get. They also don’t tell you that most cruise ship staterooms don’t have nightlights. THIS simple, bright and inexpensive LED nightlight is a must have if you don’t want to break a toe in the middle of the night.
THIS one is special, not only do you not have to rely on a constant power source which is hard to come by one cruise ships, but this also magnetically attaches to cruise ship stateroom walls and ceilings which is pure genius for the savvy Cruiser.
I recommend 2 nightlights per cabin. One for the bathroom and one for the main cabin area. This will save a lot of stubbed toes and unnecessary expletives in the middle of the night.
5. Waterproof BackPack
Whether you’re going to the pool or off the ship on an excursion, I highly recommend a Waterproof backpack for obvious reasons. HERE’S a company that specializes in waterproof backpacks for the purpose of cruising. They are also priced very fairly for the large size and ease of use!
4. Waterproof cell phone cases:
This is a newer item to make it to my list but they are gaining in popularity by the minute. In fact, once I get on the ship I put my phone inside it and never take it out. This way the phone stays protected and completely waterproof the whole time.
I would stay away from the cheap Amazon ones (they leak) and grab THESE super durable ones.
3. Shark Bands:
These amazing bad boys are a staple of any cruisers must have list. These towel bands secure your towel to your beach chair and there are a few reasons why it is needed on cruise ships.
Pool decks (and beaches) can get very windy. These towel bands do a great job of holding your towel in place. I like to think of them as a much improved “towel clip” They are less bulky and do a much better job securing towels in place.
Shark bands are exclusively available HERE.
2. The Original Cruise Fan, Magnetic Cruise Ship Approved Portable Travel Fan
This Item is brand new for the list and is one of the most innovative products that I’ve seen in a long time and you can pick one up HERE.
Convenience is key and this fan allows cruisers to attach the fan magnetically to most cruise ship walls and ceilings
Here is a cruise ship-approved, portable solution at an affordable price.
IMPORTANT: This is one of the very few Cruise Ship approved Fans that are allowed for use on board. Don't be fooled by others, this is a very high quality, well built fan that in compliance with SOLAS Standards.
Lasts All Night! Stick it to. the wall or ceiling of any cruise ship.
1. SHIP-EEZ Seasickness Medicine
SHIP-EEZ Sea sickness patches have been around and proven for over 20 years, in fact, they are specifically formulated for cruise ships and cost significantly less than prescriptions patches that doctors prescribe.
The best part of these patches is that they are all natural so you won’t be feeling the side effects like blurred vision that other OTC medications come with. You can pick up a box of these directly from the SHIP-EEZ Website or on Amazon if you need in same day.
The rule of thumb, as per their website, is one box per person ages 3 & up per 7 night cruise.
