My Grandparents Have Been on 50+ Cruises, and These Are the 16 Smart Travel Essentials They Always Pack (2025)

If anyone knows how to cruise in style, it’s my grandparents, Harvey and Trudi Feinman. With more than 50 cruise trips under their belts, they’ve seen it all—from the emerald cliffs of Ireland to fireworks over the Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve. They’ve explored Europe’s most charming ports, sailed through the Caribbean and Mediterranean, loving the ease of getting around by a ship as they’ve grown older. When I asked what keeps them going back to the open seas, my grandpa didn’t hesitate: “Where else can I go to so many different places without having to pack and unpack?” For him, it’s all about the flexibility it offers. Whether you’re after a romantic getaway, family trip, or even a party cruise, there’s always an activity onboard to curate an itinerary of your own.

After decades of sailing, my grandparents have mastered the art of packing. From handy gadgets to comfortable wardrobe staples, their go-to picks are as seasoned as their passports. So, I asked my grandparents to share exactly what they never cruise without. Shop all of their tried-and-true essentials below, starting at just $6.

Tessan Universal Travel Adapter

"I always pack a universal charging station first," Harvey told me. "Visiting foreign countries with different plugs and voltages can be tricky without a converter." He laughed as he shared a story about the time he learned that lesson the hard way: "We nearly blew up a hotel in Belgium," he joked. "Well, maybe not blew it up—but we did manage to cause a power outage for the entire building by using just an adapter." Now, he swears by the Tessan charging station, which has multiple plugs and USB ports, along with a compact design that easily fits in any carry-on.

Tekson Travel Bottles

"Since the TSA forces us to keep our carry-on liquid contents below 3 ounces, I purchased a bunch of 2-ounce clear bottles and transferred enough for the trip into them," Harvey said. "I’m always concerned if I pack a large bottle in my luggage, no matter how many ziplock bags I use, that when I open it, there will be shaving oil on all my clothes. The little bottles have been a great solution." No leaks, no mess, and everything stays organized. Pack your favorite shampoo, body wash, or facial cleanser on the go instead of buying travel-sized products.

Skechers Men’s Max Cushioning Premier 2.0 Advantageous Slip-in Sneakers

“One of the happiest moments in the past few years has been the continued popularity and various uses for sneakers, rather than traditional shoes,” he told me. “Wearing sneakers with a sports jacket is no longer frowned upon, but seen as stylish—and oh-so-comfortable.” These exact Skechers give him the support he needs for long days of exploring ports and strolling the deck. He loves the versatility, as these can be worn to the pool, while sightseeing during the day, or out to dinner at night.

Coofandy Men’s Classic Casual Dress Pants

"The climate is always the No. 1 concern when packing clothing," Harvey explained. As a self-described conservative dresser who focuses on packing for a couple’s experience, he sticks to a simple strategy: "I always bring three to four colors of pants: navy, black, gray, and tan. And then I choose nighttime attire to complement each color." He recently found a budget-friendly pair on Amazon that fits the bill. "I can wear these at night and dress them up with a flexible sports jacket, which I just roll into a ball for packing and it unfolds without a single wrinkle," he added. He recommends packing versatile pants in different shades to make outfit planning a breeze, and luckily, the Coofandy Dress Pants come in 11 colors to mix and match.

L Lohas LED Night Light

This is one of those under-the-radar essentials you don’t think about until you really need it. Cruise cabins can get pitch black at night, which is a recipe for stubbed toes (or worse). “When it’s dark in the cabin, and there’s one step up to the bathroom, we can plug the night light in to prevent a fall,” Harvey said. It’s a small item that makes a big difference. Trudi chimed in and said they’re great for “those midnight trips to the bathroom.”

Greg Norman Crewneck T-shirt

When I asked him for his go-to travel shirt, Harvey confidently said, “It’s the Greg Norman T-shirt. I’ve recently purchased six in different colors. It was a no-brainer since Amazon charges no shipping and offers quick delivery.” These have become a daily staple, easy to pair with casual or dressed-up cruise attire. They are so high-quality that Harvey says they have lasted him years.

Cutter & Buck Quarter-zip Pullover

“My wife and I have two different thermostats,” he joked. “I am always cold when she’s warm, so I must always take sweatshirts or wind shirts.” For chilly days onboard, he turns to lightweight layers like this Cutter & Buck Quarter-zip, which works well for breezy afternoons at sea. The quarter-zip comes in many colors and is versatile enough to throw on over any outfit.

Tommy Bahama Half-zip Sweatshirt

While wind shirts are his go-to during the day, Harvey likes to have something cozier for evenings onboard. "My closet has many colors of Tommy Bahama sweats," he told me, praising the comfort and quality. The half-zip style is his favorite for casual nights on the ship. He also pointed out it’s easy to underestimate the weather in certain destinations. "When you’re in Hawaii, you think you only need warm-weather clothes—but if you take a trip up Haleakalā, which is over 10,000 feet high, it can be around 30 degrees Fahrenheit at sunrise," he said, admitting he froze the first time he visited. His advice? Always toss a sweatshirt in your suitcase, just in case.

The Art of Shaving Travel Kit

For Harvey, a good shave is non-negotiable, even at sea. He’s been loyal to The Art of Shaving for years, ever since they had mall storefronts. “I love the pre-shave oil (the best), shaving cream, and aftershave balm,” he told me. With sensitive skin, he swears by the alcohol-free balm for a smooth finish. “The balm is much more comfortable and gives a much smoother ‘feel’ than alcohol-laced aftershave products,” he added. He also packs a lightweight Gillette razor with blades that promise, in his words, “the best shave ever.”

Nivea SPF 50 Sun Lotion

Sun protection is always top of mind for my grandparents, especially for long days by the pool or while exploring tropical ports. Harvey is the official keeper of the essentials: “I always have a travel ‘kit’ with the essentials for both my wife and myself,” he said. “I am the carrier of the toothbrushes, toothpaste, and cotton ear swabs.” He stocks two levels of sunscreen—SPF 50 to start, and then SPF 30 once they’ve built up a bit of a base tan.

Allclair Nausea Relief Inhaler

Cruises are a dream—until the waves get choppy. My grandma swears by this holistic inhaler as a backup plan when seasickness strikes. “Some people get seasick, usually when the sea is rough,” Trudi pointed out. "This is a more natural route instead of Bonine or Dramamine—we bring it as an emergency.” It’s small enough to slip into your day bag, just in case you need a quick, natural remedy between ports or onboard.

Handhold Steamer

Wrinkles happen, no matter how carefully you pack. A handheld steamer is a must for keeping clothes looking fresh on board, especially for formal nights or dinners at the captain’s table. Compact and easy to use, Trudi says it heats up quickly to smooth out your outfit and head to dinner wrinkle-free, so you no longer have to wait on the ship’s laundry services.

Fomin Antibacterial Paper Soap Sheets

Toilet Seat Covers

Clean bathrooms aren’t always a given while you’re exploring new ports. Trudi loves to keep these pocket-friendly soap sheets and a pack of disposable toilet seat covers in her bag whenever they step off the ship. “When you go off the ships and you go onto the port, one never knows what facilities will be near your touring stops,” she explained. Both are compact, hygienic lifesavers when you’re on the go and facing less-than-ideal restrooms. Just add water to the soap sheets for a quick lather, and use the seat covers for extra peace of mind.

Crocs Women’s Kadee II Strappy Sandals

The pool deck may be a sun-soaked paradise, but it can also feel like walking on hot coals. Trudi loves to bring along “pool shoes” to wear on the boat. “Going to the deck gets very hot from lounge chair to pool—so it’s essential to bring pool shoes to ensure your feet don’t burn,” she said. Lightweight, easy to slip on and off, and waterproof, the Crocs Kadee II Strappy Sandals are ideal for sunny sea days. Plus, they’re so stylish and will go with all your cruise ‘fits.

Purell Singles Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel

Trudi always makes sure to pack hand sanitizer, especially since there are so many people on the ship, making it easy for germs to spread. Slip these single-use Purell packets into a pocket or beach bag while out exploring ports or relaxing by the pool. "No need to carry around a bulky bottle of sanitizer," she said. "Just tear one open, and you’re good to go." It's a simple way to keep clean without the extra bulk for peace of mind.

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