The best games to bring on a cruise are small, quick to learn and hard to blow away: a waterproof deck of cards, UNO, Monopoly Deal, a travel dice game and one or two clever card games such as Sea Salt and Paper or Love Letter. Pick games by where you will play them, whether that is your balcony, a busy pool deck or a quiet lounge on a sea day.
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Below are 15 games to bring on a cruise, grouped by situation, plus what the ship usually provides and how to pack games so they survive the trip.
Games to Bring on a Cruise at a Glance
| Game | Players | Best for | Pack size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof playing cards | 1+ | Anywhere, especially outdoors | |
| UNO (or UNO Splash) | 2-10 | Families, mixed ages | |
| Monopoly Deal | 2-5 | Families and groups | |
| Sea Salt and Paper | 2-4 | Adults, couples | |
| Love Letter | 2-6 | Couples, small groups | |
| Codenames Duet | 2 | Couples | Small box |
| Hive Pocket | 2 | Couples, balcony | Pouch |
| Magnetic travel chess and draughts | 2 | Quiet adults, older kids | Slim case |
| The Crew | 2-5 | Sea days, card fans | Small box |
| Dobble (Spot It!) | 2-8 | Kids, quick rounds | Tin |
| Bananagrams | 1-8 | Word lovers, families | Pouch |
| Exploding Kittens | 2-5 | Teens, groups | Small box |
| Phase 10 | 2-6 | Long sea days | |
| Farkle or travel Yahtzee | 2+ | Bar and buffet tables | |
| Rummikub travel edition | 2-4 | Families, all ages | Small case |
Best Games for Couples on a Balcony or in the Cabin
Cabin desks and balcony tables are small, so two-player games with few pieces work best. These are good games to bring on a cruise for couples.
1. Codenames Duet
A co-operative word-guessing game for two. You work together to find your secret agents using one-word clues. It packs in a small box, takes about 15 minutes, and works well over a pre-dinner drink.
2. Hive Pocket
An abstract strategy game with chunky tiles and no board, which makes it ideal for a balcony. The heavy pieces will not blow away, and it plays in around 20 minutes.
3. Love Letter
Just 16 to 21 cards (depending on the edition), simple rules and lots of bluffing. It works for two, but is even better with a few more players at a bar table.
4. Magnetic travel chess and draughts
A folding magnetic set lets you leave a game mid-move and pick it up after an excursion. Draughts is called checkers in the US; most travel sets include both games.
5. Sea Salt and Paper
A fast set-collection card game with an ocean theme, which suits a cruise. It is easy to learn but has enough decisions to keep adults interested, and it fits in a pocket.
Best Family Games to Bring on a Cruise With Kids
Family games need short rules, quick turns and a way for younger players to win now and then. If you are still choosing a ship, our guide to the best cruise ships for kids and families covers what different lines offer younger cruisers.
6. UNO (or UNO Splash)
Almost everyone knows the rules, so you can start a game with cousins or new friends in minutes. UNO Splash uses water-resistant cards and comes with a clip for a beach or pool bag.
7. Dobble (Spot It! in the US)
A fast spot-the-match game in a small tin. Rounds last a minute or two, which makes it perfect while waiting for dinner or for a show to start. Kids are often faster than adults.
8. Monopoly Deal
All the fun of property trading, with none of the board or the three-hour games. A round takes around 15 minutes, and the cards take up very little room in a bag.
9. Rummikub travel edition
A tile game that suits grandparents and grandchildren alike. Look for a compact travel version with a zip case, as the full set is heavy.
10. Bananagrams
A speedy crossword-building game in a soft fabric pouch. There is no board, so it packs well, and it can be simplified for younger readers.
Best Games for Groups at the Pool, Bar or Buffet
Public tables are often shared and breezy, so pick games that are loud, quick and easy to drop if the table is needed.
11. Exploding Kittens
A party card game of luck and sabotage, popular with teens and adults. Turns are quick and it is easy to teach to new friends you meet on board.
12. Farkle or travel Yahtzee
Dice games need only a handful of dice and a score pad. Use a small cup or tray so dice do not roll off the table when the ship moves.
Best Card Games for Sea Days and Quiet Adults
On a long sea day, you have time for something deeper. These card games for a cruise reward a few hours in a quiet lounge or card room.
13. The Crew
A co-operative trick-taking game played over many short missions. It is perfect for keen card players and can fill an afternoon. It also has a two-player variant.
14. Phase 10
A rummy-style card game where everyone works through ten phases. A full game takes a while, which suits a lazy sea day.
15. A waterproof deck of playing cards
The most useful item on this list. One deck covers rummy, gin, cribbage (with a travel board), hearts, solitaire and dozens more. Plastic cards cope with damp air, sun cream and the odd spilled cocktail.
What the Ship Already Provides
Before you fill a suitcase, it helps to know what is on board. Many ships have a library or card room, and lines such as Carnival and P&O Cruises say they offer board games for guests at no extra cost. What you find varies a lot by ship, and popular titles can be in use or missing pieces, so treat the ship’s supply as a bonus rather than a plan.
Most ships also run organised games such as trivia quizzes, bingo (often with a fee), deck games and family game shows. Check the daily programme or the cruise line’s app on board. For more ideas, see our list of fun things to do on a cruise ship.
Travel Games for a Cruise: Packing Tips
- Ditch the box. Move cards and pieces into zip bags or a small pouch and cut the rules down to a photo on your phone.
- Choose wind-proof games. Light cards and small tokens blow away on open decks. Heavy tiles, magnetic sets and plastic cards are safer outside.
- Go waterproof by the pool. Paper cards warp in humid air and near water. Plastic or water-resistant decks last much longer.
- Limit big board games. A large family board game such as Clue (Cluedo in the UK) or Monopoly takes up space better used for clothes. Look for travel or card editions instead.
- Bring a small tray or cup for dice. It stops dice from escaping when the ship rolls.
- Pack a pen and a small notebook. Many games need scoring, and the ship may not have paper to spare.
For more ways to save suitcase space, read our cruise packing tips.
Rules to Know Before You Play
Standard card, dice and board games are allowed on cruise ships. Two points are worth knowing:
- No playing for money outside the casino. Lines such as Carnival have said publicly that gambling is only allowed in the casino. Play for points, matchsticks or sweets instead.
- Check the prohibited items list. Cruise lines update their lists regularly. Ordinary games are not affected, but items such as amplified speakers may be restricted, so check before packing a party game that relies on one.
Before you pack, check our list of items commonly confiscated at cruise security, because many lines hold banned items until the end of the sailing.
FAQs
What games should I bring on a cruise?
Bring small, light games that play well on a little table: a deck of cards (waterproof if you will be outdoors), UNO, Monopoly Deal, a compact dice game, and one or two newer card games such as Sea Salt and Paper or Love Letter. Big boxed board games are usually not worth the suitcase space.
Do cruise ships have board games you can borrow?
Many do. Lines such as Carnival and P&O Cruises say their libraries or games areas stock board games for guests, and card rooms are common on mid-size and larger ships. The choice is often limited and pieces can go missing, so bring a favourite or two of your own.
Can you play cards for money on a cruise ship?
Generally not outside the casino. Carnival, for example, has said that gambling is only allowed in the casino and that groups playing cards or dice for cash elsewhere will be stopped. Playing for fun, points or sweets is fine.
What are good games to bring on a cruise for couples?
Two-player favourites that pack small include Codenames Duet, Hive Pocket, Love Letter, cribbage with a deck of cards, and a magnetic travel chess set. All of them fit on a balcony table.
Are games allowed in carry-on luggage for a cruise?
Yes. Ordinary card, dice and board games are fine in cruise luggage. Just check your cruise line’s prohibited items list for anything unusual, such as items with blades or amplified speakers, before you pack.
