Cruise Packing List: Essential First Aid Kit

If you’re heading on a cruise you definitely need to be prepared with some essentials. I have an entire cruise packing list with my essential first aid items (and everything else too!). Some people have told me that I’m a little bit too prepared, but I don’t think that’s possible when you’re traveling. When you’re on a cruise, it can be difficult to find what you need, or you have to pay a lot more for the items you want. But, there’s a solution! Buy these essentials before your trip – on sale, if possible – and take them with you! Here is my cruise packing list of essential first aid kit items.

Cruise Packing List – Essential First Aid Kit Items

Take a look at the list below to see each of the items and why I like to bring them.

Hand Sanitizer & Antibacterial Wipes:

There are a lot of germs on a cruise ship. People cough into their hands and then touch serving spoons at the buffet, elevator buttons, etc. This is very basic, but proper hand-washing is essential. Use the wipes to wipe down surfaces, wash your hands or share with others. Same for the hand sanitizer – keep that with you and use it always!

Tums:

Let’s be real here… you’re on a cruise with endless buffets, all you can drink packages, and 3-course dinners. At some point, someone in your group is bound to get a stomach ache. Tums are an easy way to combat an upset stomach and carry on having fun.

Pepto Bismol & Immodium:

Similar to my point above, you may eat something that really upsets your stomach (if you know what I mean). These are essentials for my cruise packing list. If you think these items plus the Tums is overkill, then I’d suggest just bringing these two. Either way, having an upset stomach on a cruise is not a fun experience, so be prepared!

Allergy Medication:

If you have seasonal allergies, or just want to be prepared when visiting a new country – allergy medication is essential. I’ve had a few allergic reactions over the years while traveling, and since then I always carry some allergy medication.

Solarcaine:

I bring this to deal with cuts, scrapes, burns, heat rash etc. I prefer Solarcaine, but there are other brands out there. You could also use aloe vera or something similar.

Motion Sickness Medication:

I have a few items I bring to manage my motion sickness while cruising. If you’ve ever experience motion sickness, you know why these are essential items on my cruise packing list. I like the Transderm patches, some sort of daily motions sickness pills, and ginger Gravol. There are many options out there – so do what works for you!

Bug Repellent:

Nothing is worse than getting eaten alive by mosquitoes and scratching the rest of your vacation. For tropical destinations that may have more bugs, I usually take some Off or other bug repellent to keep those pesky insects at bay.

After-Bite & Hydro-cortisol Cream:

And if you do end up getting bitten by something, taking some after-bite and hyrdo-cortisol cream will help alleviate the itching.

First Aid Kit:

I take a small first aid kit with me on all my travels. It has band-aids, gauze, alcohol wipes, and a small tube of Polysporin. From blisters to cuts and scrapes – it’s best to be prepared with a small kit of the essentials.

Cold & Sinus and Pain Medication:

I always take an Advil or Tylenol cold and sinus medication, along with some regular Advil or Tylenol for pain (headaches etc.). Something about flying sometimes gives me or my husband cold-like symptoms, so this helps us feel better so we can enjoy the cruise.

Cough Drops:

Traveling to get to the cruise often leaves my throat feeling dry and scratchy. Dry air on the plane and often dry air in the cruise cabin mean I usually need some cough drops. They also help if you’ve had a really fun and loud night of singing and dancing… so you can rest your voice for more fun the next night.

Cruise Packing List Summary

And that’s my cruise packing list for essential first aid items. I also carry regular toiletries when I travel, like shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen etc. but these are truly my “first aid/medical” items. Let me know what you bring that’s not on this list in the comments below! You can also check out some of my other packing lists here.