A few smart purchases before your cruise can save you money, hassle and cabin frustration once you’re onboard. Some of the best cruise travel gadgets and accessories are heavily discounted right now, but only for a limited time.
These are the Amazon Prime Day deals I’d be looking at before they disappear.
I’ve tried to pick out products that you can order on either side of the pond but some items in the sale aren’t available to be shipped to the UK. I’ve flagged where that’s the case.
1. Cruise Essentials Kit
If you’re new to cruising and don’t want to spend hours researching what to pack, a cruise essentials kit like this can be a surprisingly good starting point. It bundles together several of the accessories that experienced cruisers often recommend, including luggage tag holders, lanyards, towel clips and waterproof phone pouches.
Buying everything separately can quickly add up, so these kits can offer decent value if you’re starting from scratch. It also makes a great gift for someone taking their first cruise.
2. Towel Bands
A windy sea day can quickly turn your neatly arranged sun lounger into a mess, with towels slipping, bunching up or ending up on the deck. These stretchy towel bands keep everything securely in place and take up hardly any room in your suitcase.
I used to use towel clips, but they’re unneccesarily bulky and these are so much easier to pop in your bag!
The bright colours make it easier to spot your chair too, which can save a lot of wandering around the pool deck looking for where you left your towel.
3. Cruise Lanyards
On most cruises, your cabin card is your room key, onboard payment method and ID all rolled into one. You’ll be pulling it out dozens of times a day, whether you’re unlocking your cabin door, ordering a drink or heading on and off the ship.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll lose it multiple times per day!
A retractable lanyard keeps it close at hand without having to dig through pockets or bags every few minutes. It’s also super handy if you spend time in swimsuits and coverups with no pockets, as it saves stuffing your cruise card down your bra, which apparently, is frowned upon.
Read more: Cruise Passengers Slammed for Storing Cruise Cards in Bras – Am I Being Called Out?
4. Luggage Tag Holders
I absolutely swear by these.
Cruise luggage tags are often just folded pieces of paper, and they often get torn off or damaged before your suitcase reaches your cabin – expecially if you’re flying or if its raining.
These waterproof holders keep your tags protected and securely attached throughout the journey. They’re inexpensive, reusable and one of those little cruise accessories that you’ll use on every sailing for years to come.
Also worth noting – these are the wide ones so they work for every cruise line. Some others are narrow so if your cruise line gives you wide tags, they won’t fit.
5. Magnetic Hooks
If you’ve never cruised with magnetic hooks before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Most cruise cabin walls and ceilings are metal, which means these little hooks instantly create extra storage space for hats, lanyards, swimwear, bags and all those bits and pieces that otherwise end up cluttering every surface.
Cruise cabins are cleverly designed, but they’re rarely generous when it comes to storage. A few magnetic hooks can make the room feel far more organised, especially if you’re travelling as a family and sharing one cabin between several people.
6. Waterproof Phone Case
Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, heading to a water park or taking a beach excursion, there are plenty of times on a cruise when your phone is never far from water. A waterproof pouch gives you peace of mind while still letting you take photos, check messages and keep your essentials close at hand.
I particularly like the extra storage pocket on this one, which is handy for cash, cards or your cabin keycard. It’s one of those things that you might not need every day, but when you do need it, you’ll be very glad you packed it.
7. Beach Bag
If you’ve ever tried carrying towels, sunscreen, water bottles, books and everyone’s random bits and pieces to the pool deck, you’ll know how quickly things get out of hand. A large mesh beach bag like this keeps everything together in one place while making it easy to find what you need without digging through a bottomless tote.
The mesh design is perfect for cruises because wet swimwear and towels can dry more easily, and any sand from beach excursions tends to fall straight through rather than coming back onboard with you. It folds down flat when you’re packing too, so it takes up very little suitcase space for something you’ll probably use every day of your holiday.
8. Waterproof Bum Bag/Fanny Pack
If you’re heading ashore for a beach day, water park or boat trip, keeping your valuables safe can be a real headache. This waterproof pouch is large enough to hold much more than just your phone, giving you somewhere secure for your cash, cards, passport, cabin key and other essentials while you’re out exploring.
I particularly like that it can be worn in different ways, making it feel more like a practical day bag than just a waterproof case. It’s the kind of thing you might only use on a few days of your cruise, but those are often the days when protecting your valuables matters most.
9. Cruise Magnets
Cruise cabin doors all look remarkably similar after a long day onboard, which is why so many experienced cruisers decorate theirs. A set of magnets like these makes your cabin much easier to spot and adds a bit of personality at the same time.
There are loads of different designs available, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, family reunion, retirement, graduation or just getting excited about your holiday. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to make your cabin feel a little more special and avoid those awkward moments when you accidentally try to open somebody else’s door.
10. Foldable Travel Pillow
Whether you’re flying to join your cruise or facing a long journey home afterwards, a good neck pillow can make a huge difference. Trying to sleep upright on a plane is difficult enough without waking up every few minutes with a stiff neck and aching shoulders.
I like that this set also includes an eye mask and ear plugs, turning it into a complete travel sleep kit. If you’re booking a fly cruise, this is one of those purchases that can improve the holiday before you’ve even stepped onboard the ship.
11. Travel Pill Organiser
If you take regular medication, keeping it organised while travelling can save a lot of stress. A compact pill organiser like this helps you keep everything in one place, making it much easier to keep track of what you’ve taken and what you still need throughout your trip.
It’s also handy for vitamins, supplements or any over-the-counter meds you want to take with you, like simple painkillers or seasickness tablets. Small enough to slip into a handbag, backpack or cabin safe, it’s one of those practical travel items that you probably won’t think much about – until the day you really need it.
12. Water Shoes
A comfortable pair of pool shoes is one of those cruise essentials that many people forget until they’re already onboard. They’re perfect for walking around the pool deck, heading to the buffet for a quick snack or popping into the gym, spa or public showers without having to put on trainers every time.
They’re also ideal for beach days and water-based shore excursions where you want something that dries quickly and protects your feet. Lightweight, easy to pack and surprisingly versatile, these are the sort of shoes that often end up being worn every single day of a cruise.
13. Matching Hawaiian Outfits
Matching cruise outfits definitely aren’t for everyone, but if they make you smile, that’s all that really matters. Cruise holidays are one of the few times when people happily lean into a bit of fun, whether that’s matching Hawaiian shirts, coordinated tropical prints or themed outfits for sailaway parties and sea days.
They also make for some fantastic holiday photos that you’ll look back on for years. If you’ve ever secretly wanted to try matching outfits but never had the right occasion, a cruise might just be the perfect excuse.
14. Casual Jumpsuit
Cruise holidays are all about packing outfits that look good without taking up half your suitcase, and that’s where a jumpsuit can really earn its place. Easy to throw on, comfortable in warm weather and versatile enough for everything from a casual lunch to an evening drink, it’s one of those pieces that works harder than most items in your wardrobe.
And yes, it has pockets – which always feels like a bonus. If you’re trying to pack lighter without sacrificing outfit options, a jumpsuit like this can replace several separate items while still looking effortlessly put together.
Cruise Prime Day Bargains With US-Shipping Only
15. Travel Hangers
Cruise cabins usually come with some hangers, but in my experience there’s never quite enough if you’re trying to dry swimwear, organise outfits for the week or share a cabin with several people. Usually you can ask your cabin steward for more, but maybe you feel awkward about it, or you want even more than they can find.
These foldable travel hangers weigh next to nothing and take up hardly any room in your luggage. They’re particularly useful for drying swimsuits, cover-ups and other items that you don’t want to throw straight into a drawer. They’re one of those simple travel accessories that can make life onboard a little bit easier without adding any noticeable weight to your suitcase.
16. Suitcase Organiser & Hanger
If you love being organised when you travel, this might be one of the most useful products on the list. Instead of unpacking everything into drawers when you board, you can simply lift the organiser out of your suitcase and hang it up, giving you instant access to your clothes and accessories.
It’s particularly handy in cruise cabins where storage space can be limited and shared between several people. Knowing exactly where everything is from day one can save a surprising amount of time and help keep your cabin looking tidy throughout the cruise.
17. Luggage Straps
Anyone who’s tried juggling a suitcase, hand luggage, a backpack and a coffee through an airport will understand the appeal of this. These simple straps allow you to secure smaller bags to your main suitcase, making it much easier to move around without constantly readjusting everything.
They’re particularly useful for fly cruises, where you’re often navigating airports, transfers and cruise terminals all in the same day. It’s a small travel accessory, but anything that makes getting from home to the ship a little less stressful gets my vote.
18. Tide Stain Remover Pen
Cruises and buffets are wonderful. White clothing and buffets, on the other hand, can sometimes be a risky combination. Whether it’s a splash of coffee at breakfast, a drip of sauce at lunch or a cocktail mishap before dinner, stains have an annoying habit of appearing at the worst possible moment.
So, a stain remover pen is worth packing. It’s tiny, takes up virtually no space and can help save an outfit before a stain has a chance to properly set in. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do, you’ll be very glad it’s in your bag.
Final Word
Amazon Prime Day can be a great opportunity to save money on cruise essentials, but try not to get too carried away buying things you’ll never actually use! My advice is simple: focus on products that solve a real problem, make your holiday easier or are things you’d planned to buy anyway.
A few of the items on this list have become regular fixtures in my cruise suitcase, while others are the sort of things I wish I’d discovered sooner. If you spot a good deal on something you’ll genuinely use, Prime Day can be one of the cheapest times of the year to stock up before your next cruise.
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Source link
