What I Wish I’d Packed for Our Last Cruise

Seventeen days, two kids, one incredible adventure. But there were a few things I really wish I’d thrown into the suitcase.

When you’re packing for a cruise to Antarctica, you feel a little like an explorer preparing for a grand expedition. I had layers for days, backup outfits, snacks, cold-weather gear, and enough entertainment options to power a small preschool. But once we were actually on the ship, I realized there were a handful of small but mighty items that would have made life so much easier.

This trip was absolutely magical, but it also came with some solid lessons learned for next time. Here’s what I wish I’d brought and what I absolutely could have left at home.

---

What I Wish I Brought

Power Strip (Cruise Approved)

We spent the entire cruise charging in shifts. Phones, tablets, camera batteries, night lights, noise machines, you name it. A cruise-approved power strip like this Cruise-Approved Power Strip would have made it so much easier to plug everything in at once instead of rotating devices like they were taking turns at daycare.

Magnetic Hooks

Cabin walls are metal, which makes magnetic hooks one of the greatest cruise hacks ever. We could have used so many more of them for jackets, hats, backpacks, lanyards, and all the random things that ended up living in a pile on the floor. These Magnetic Hooks would have made our cabin feel so much more organized.

Laundry Bags

We had a couple of grocery bags as backup but a real laundry bag would have been a dream. These Travel Laundry Bags would have kept everyone’s clothes sorted and ready to take to the laundry or off the ship when we reached port. One bag per person would have been ideal. Lesson learned.

Cruise Door Decorations

We may or may not have gotten lost trying to find our room more than a few times. Cruise ships are basically floating labyrinths. Cute and functional door decorations like these Cruise Door Decor Ducks would have made things so much easier and way more fun. Plus, Parker loves ducks and would have absolutely lit up seeing these on our door.

Extra Pair of Binoculars

We brought one pair for the whole family, which turned every whale sighting into a polite little wrestling match. The kids would have loved having their own pair. These Compact Binoculars for Kids and Adults would have been perfect for wildlife spotting during scenic cruising. Next time, we’re packing extras.

---

The One Thing I’m So Glad We Packed: Sposies

Let’s talk about the quiet hero of this entire cruise. Sposies.
These diaper booster pads saved us again and again throughout the trip.

Here are the exact ones we used:
👉 Sposie Diaper Booster Pads

We used them for long excursion days, stroller naps, chilly deck walks when I wanted extra leak protection, and overnight stretches when I absolutely did not have the energy to deal with a middle-of-the-night laundry situation. They take up hardly any room and stretch your diaper supply so much further. I would bring these again and again without hesitation.

---

What I Could Have Left at Home

Too Many Clothes

I packed like I was preparing for both a polar expedition and a fashion show. The truth is we rotated through the same cozy layers most days. Half the outfits never got worn. Cruises are far more relaxed than you think, especially an Antarctica cruise where warmth always wins.

My Second Pair of Sneakers

I wore my boots constantly and alternated with one pair of walking shoes. The extra pair of sneakers I brought stayed tucked in the suitcase the entire trip. One good pair is more than enough.

Too Many Lovies

Each kid brought an entourage of lovies. So many lovies. They took up way more room than they deserved and we absolutely did not need that many. One or two would have been perfectly fine and far less stressful to keep track of.

Way Too Many Diapers

Parker was still in diapers and I had my usual mom panic that we wouldn’t find diapers anywhere. Spoiler: diapers exist everywhere. We brought way too many and they took up a ridiculous amount of space. Now my strategy is simple. Pack enough for travel days and a small buffer. Buy the rest when we arrive.

One Extra Outfit for Everyone

For some reason I always justify packing an extra outfit for each family member. And every time those extra outfits go unworn. On a cruise, no one is judging. Comfort wins, layers win, and you will absolutely repeat outfits. It’s fine. I promise.

---

Final Thoughts

We didn’t need half the things we packed but a few thoughtful extras would have made our cabin more organized and our days smoother. That’s the beauty of travel. You learn something every time and each trip makes you just a little more prepared for the next one.

If you’re prepping for your own cruise, definitely check out my Top 10 Cruise Essentials post. Those are the items I’ll never sail without again.

Let me know in the comments what you wish you had packed for your last cruise. I love hearing your stories and adding your tips to my list.

---

Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for supporting WanderWithStephanie and helping me continue to create helpful travel content for families.