Travel Tips

What to Pack for a Transatlantic Cruise With Kids (Full List!)

Packing for an extended cruise with five kids – including young ones, tweens, and teens – is no small feat! I’ll be upfront with you. My schedule was so packed and busy before our recent transatlantic cruise that I delegated a lot of the packing to the kids and grandparents, and we left without some items I wished we had!  Don’t make my mistake and wish you had some essentials that got left at home.

I honestly hate packing, so I usually procrastinate doing it.  However, I feel much better once it’s tackled!  Grab some color-coded packing cubes, and get to it!

With a little planning and some mom-tested tips, we can make sure everyone has what they need for smooth sailing (pun totally intended). Whether it’s prepping for onboard activities or exploring exotic ports, I’ve got you covered with this fun, practical guide.  In a rush?  Scroll directly to the printable list!

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Clothing To Pack on Your Transatlantic Cruise With Kids

Let’s face it – kids keep laundromats and laundry services in business. You will very likely need to do some laundry on the ship, especially if your trip is longer than five days.  Kids are messy, and, with unlimited ice cream at the buffet, you’re going to incur some stains.

Laundry costs a pretty penny on a cruise, so prepare and budget for this.  We also washed some of our workout clothes (that were getting sweaty every day in the gym) in the shower and hung them to dry.  Pack smartly to keep everyone comfy and stylish for all the fun activities on board.

For the Little Ones:

• Casual Outfits: Bring enough for about 5-7 days (because toddlers and spills go hand in hand). Think leggings, t-shirts, comfy dresses, and layers for the change in temps from day to night.
• Swimwear: 2 swimsuits each because they’ll live in them by the pool and splash zones.  I always want one to be available while the other is drying.
  • Swim diapers are an option, but most cruises don’t allow kids in swim diapers, so this may be a waste.  Swim while the little ones are napping or in the kids club (if they offer a baby option).
• Formal Wear: Cruise dining nights can be fancy! A cute dress or little button-up shirt makes them photo-ready (and you’ll cherish those pictures later).  I keep my formal dresses just for cruising!  It’s socially acceptable to go ALL OUT on a cruise, but all levels are acceptable, including jeans and a t-shirt if your littles are not feeling it.
• Pajamas: Temperatures in your cabin are easily controlled, so go for the favorites.
• Jacket or Sweater: Evenings on deck can get chilly – layer up those kiddos.
• Shoes:
  • Sneakers for running around the ship or shore excursions.
  • Sandals for poolside.
  • Water shoes for splash zones or beach excursions.
• Sun Hats: Protect those little faces from the sun with cute caps or wide-brimmed hats.

For the Teens:

• Daywear: They’ll want outfits for selfies and TikTok dances, so let them pack their favorites. Suggest layering pieces for changing temps.
• Swimwear: Teens love the pool and hot tubs, too, so bring at least two.
• Evening Attire: A sharp outfit for formal nights or dinners with the family.
• Comfy Clothes: Think sweatshirts, joggers, or anything for lounging around.
• Shoes:
  • Casual sneakers.
  • Flip-flops.
  • Maybe “trendy” shoes for the onboard teen club.

For Mom and Dad:

• Day-to-Night Outfits: Versatile pieces are key – sundresses, chinos, and light layers work wonders.
• Formal Wear: Pack something that makes you feel fabulous for those dressy dinners. (Mom tip: bring something wrinkle-resistant!)
• Shoes:
  • Walking shoes for exploring ports.
  • Sandals for casual wear.
  • Heels or dress shoes for formal nights.  I bought two pairs of heels.

Toiletries for Your Cruise

With five kids, you need a bathroom survival kit.  Since I’m not skimping on packing space on a cruise, I don’t mind packing some full-size toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo.

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste (maybe pack an extra – someone always forgets theirs).
• Kid-friendly shampoo and body wash.
• Sunscreen – lots of it! The reef-safe kind for excursions.  This is difficult to find on the ship.
• After-sun lotion for any accidental overexposure.
• Hairbrushes, combs, and detangling spray (because long hair and sea breezes are a tangle factory).
• Diapers/pull-ups and wipes (never underestimate the power of wipes!).  Always pack more than you expect to use and keep several in your day pack (not your checked luggage).
• Travel-sized laundry detergent for surprise spills and accidents.  Or just use the cruise soap!
• Lotion for dry skin after hot tub nights.

Medical Kit for Your Transatlantic Cruise

Inevitably, you’ll need some medication on a cruise. From colds to bruised knees, it’s good to think through all scenarios.  Have some medication you need from time to time? Pack it.  And keep it on your carry-on, not your checked bags.

• Motion sickness remedies (Sea bands, ginger chews, or kid-safe Dramamine.  For adults, motion sickness patches are great).  You might need these on the ship, but they also come in handy for shore excursions.
• Prescription meds for anyone who needs them.
• Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers for splinters or cuts.
• Fever/pain reducers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen for kids and adults).
• Thermometer (because kids love getting sick at the worst times).
• Antihistamines for allergies.
• Anti-itch cream for bug bites or skin irritation.

Entertainment Items To Pack for Your Cruise

Sea days can feel long without some distractions. If the kids make good friends in the kids club, this may all be a waste as they will want to spend every minute there.  However, this is hit or miss depending on the staff and the other passengers.  Here’s what to bring to keep everyone entertained:

• For the Littles:
  • Coloring books, crayons, and stickers.
  • Small toys (think cars, dolls, or building blocks).
  • Their favorite stuffed animal or blankie.
• For the Tweens and Teens:
  • Tablets loaded with movies, shows, and games (don’t forget headphones!).  Wifi on the ship is not good and expensive.
  • Books or e-readers.
  • A deck of cards or compact board games for family game nights.
    • Some of our favorites include:
      • Cover Your Assets
      • Five Crowns
      • Nertz
      • Travel magnetic chessboard
      • Jenga (our teens turned this into a truth or dare game each night with new friends).
• Family Fun:
  • Travel-friendly games like Uno or Bananagrams.
  • Everyone’s favorite playlists and the Bluetooth speaker for dance parties in the cabin.  The speaker can also come in handy for a beach day.

Baby and Toddler Essentials for a Long-Term Cruise

If you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow, kuddos to you.  Babies are not the most fun on cruises, unless a baby club is an option.  Rooms can be tight with a crib (our baby, Grace, slept in a closet on her first cruise!), they often cannot go into the pool, and entertainment can be tough outside of the kids club.  However, we are believers that kids should never hold you back from exploring!  Make the most of it, and plan ahead:

• Lightweight stroller (easy to fold and carry).
• Baby carrier for excursions.
• Portable crib or pack-and-play (check if the cruise line provides one).
• Bottles, sippy cups, bibs, and utensils.
• Baby food or formula (bring extra, just in case. Like several days extra. You might have a flight issue at the end of your cruise and be stuck somewhere).
• More diapers and wipes than you think you’ll need.  These are not fun to try and find on your shore days, but that is a backup if needed.  Babies use diapers worldwide!
• White noise maker.  We started our kids on white noise from birth, and it makes travel easier as they feel at home no matter where we are.  This allows you to possibly watch a movie in bed once the baby goes to sleep in your cabin.  
  • Pro Tip: Having another adult with you who can “cabin sit” at night is wonderful.  There is lots of night entertainment on cruises, and going to your cabin at 7 pm for the rest of the night can be a bummer.  Consider trading off nights with family or friends who travel with you.

Tech and Accessories To Pack on Your Cruise

Tech can make your cruise smoother and more fun:

• Power strip with USB ports (check cruise regulations first).  Alternatively, we love the multi-port travel adapter! I can charge lots of teen phones at the same time.
• Waterproof phone cases for pool days and shore excursions.
• Noise-canceling headphones (a gift for your sanity).
• Portable chargers for everyone’s gadgets on long days out.
• Walkie-talkies (great for keeping in touch with older kids on larger ships).
• Camera or GoPro for family memories. 

Cruise Essential Travel Documents

Keep these organized and ready:

• Passports and visas (if required).  We have seven passports and love this passport organizer.
• Cruise boarding documents.  You may not need this, as they all use an app.  However, printing luggage tags in advance will save you time at check-in.
  • Pay attention to checking in on the app.  It can be tricky, as you’ll need updated photos for everyone, and I had trouble getting them sized correctly.  It took a couple of hours to get this done.
• Vaccination records (if needed).  I only carry these if we are going somewhere with unique vaccination needs, like parts of Africa, South America, and Asia.  Otherwise, a digital copy of this is more than enough.
• Travel insurance info. Not sure which insurance to get for your trip?  Read more here.  We always recommend travel insurance for more peace of mind.
• Printed itineraries and excursion confirmations if you prefer hard copies.
• Waterproof pouch for documents and cash.  A travel purse is a great option for all these essentials.
• Lanyards for cruise cards (bonus: retractable ones for kids).  You may or may not want the kids holding their cruise cards (these are essential for getting on and off the ship, but can be reprinted at customer service if lost.  We gave the teens their cards to hold (as access to their room), but always kept the younger kids’ cards with us.  They were not able to check in and out of the kids club without us, so there was no need for them to keep their cards.

Snacks and Reusables Good To Pack for a Cruise

Food is plentiful on a cruise, but snacks can be a lifesaver on shore excursions.  You’ll have the option to make some sandwiches to take off board during breakfast (we grabbed some croissants with ham and cheese) or buy food offshore for exorbitant prices.  On the ship, there is no need for extra snacks.  Food is available 24 hours a day, and you can bring food from the buffet to your room (or order room service) at any time.

• Non-perishable snacks like granola bars, crackers, and dried fruit.
• Reusable snack bags to pack stuff from the breakfast buffet
• Reusable water bottles for each family member.  Since we have so many, I like to have a big water bottle we share that I fill with ice and then we grab some water bottles from the ship to refill it during the day.
• Snack containers or baggies.
• Reusable utensils and straws (eco-friendly for the win!).

Common Onboard Activities on Transatlantic Cruises

Cruises are packed with fun for all ages. Here’s what you can expect and how to prep:

Pool Time:

With water slides, splash zones, and hot tubs, your kids will practically live by the pool. Pack swimwear, goggles, and cover-ups or rash guards.

Note that safety is paramount on a cruise (no one wants a medical emergency in the middle of the ocean), so kids are usually not allowed to jump into the pools or roughhouse too much.  There are also a lot of other adults.  We hit the pool and hot tub around 5 pm most days when it was empty from the normal crowds getting ready for dinner.

Kids’ Clubs:

From scavenger hunts to craft sessions, kids’ clubs are a godsend. Pack comfy clothes for them to play in, plus their favorite stuffed animal for nap time.  Label as much as possible!  

Family Shows:

Evening entertainment includes musicals, magic shows, and comedy acts. Bring a cozy sweater for the cool theater and some fidget items for wiggly toddlers.

Sports and Activities:

Think mini-golf, basketball, table tennis, and rock climbing walls. Sneakers are a must for active kids (and parents who join in).

Themed Nights:

Cruises love a good themed party – Hawaiian luau, 80s night, you name it. Check the schedule and pack costumes or fun accessories.

Movies Under the Stars:

Many ships show movies on deck. Pack blankets or sweaters for chilly evenings and some popcorn for a cozy family night.  We loved one of our date movie nights on deck, but it was a bit chilly!  Sundecks can be a bit chilly during the day too (depending on the time of year, we went in November), so a light blanket would have been wonderful.

Excursions at Ports:

For adventurous shore days, bring a backpack with essentials like sunscreen, water bottles, and hats. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves for Your Cruise

A few extras make all the difference:

• Laundry bag for dirty clothes.  Alternatively, use the packing cubes for laundry and easy loading when you get back to a machine.
• Magnetic hooks to maximize cabin space (most walls are magnetic!).
• Door decorations are a fun cruise culture thing!  Bring magnets or decorations for your door.
• Nightlight for the cabin (handy with younger kids).  We love some pre-downloaded series to bring once kids go to bed.  We also like to play cards or, our personal favorite, plan more travel!
• Collapsible beach bag or backpack for excursions.
• Rain ponchos or small umbrellas for surprise showers.
• Items to hide around the ship.  You can read more about this and what we found on our transatlantic cruise!

Mom Tips for Packing Success:

1. Packing Cubes: Organize outfits by child or activity. Trust me, they’re a game-changer.
2. Layer, Layer, Layer: Weather can be unpredictable, so pack items that can mix and match easily.
3. Don’t Overpack: Cruise cabins are small, and you’ll want to save room for souvenirs.
4. Plan Ahead: Check the cruise line’s policies and onboard activities to avoid surprises.

With the right prep, your cruise will be a family adventure to remember. So pack up, get excited, and get ready to make memories that’ll last a lifetime!

Printable List

Happy Travels!

Leslie,

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Additional Reading

Transatlantic Cruising With Kids: What We Learned on a 12-Day Voyage

13 Tips for Cruising With Kids That You Must Know

Taking a Greek Cruise as a Family