15 Essential Items for Your Ultimate Hawaiian Cruise Packing List

Packing for a Hawaiian cruise? No worries!

We’ve compiled a handy list covering everything you.

You’ll have a fantastic time soaking up the sun, enjoying the sea, and exploring the beautiful islands. We’ve got you sorted from must-have clothing to essentials for fun on the water!

1. Snorkeling Gear and Accessories

Snorkeling gear, including essential items like blue fins, a snorkel, and a mask, lies on a sandy beach. The background features clear blue water, scattered rocks, and a distant shoreline under a clear sky—perfect for your Hawaiian cruise packing list.

Are you packing for a Hawaiian cruise? Don’t forget your snorkeling gear! A good mask, snorkel, and fins will make your underwater experience unforgettable, allowing you to see vibrant marine life up close.

2. Beach and Water Activities Essentials

Two blue and white inflatable rings sit on a sandy beach under a blue and pink beach umbrella—essential items for any Hawaiian cruise. Below the rings are a blue towel and red towel, with flip-flops beside them. The ocean waves are visible in the background, completing this idyllic scene.

Don’t forget your umbrellas and towels when packing for beach days in Hawaii. Inflatable floats can add a splash of fun while you relax in the water. Sunglasses and sunscreen are must-haves to keep you safe and stylish under the sun!

3. Travel Documents and Health Items

A clear travel pouch with various documents like a passport and vaccination cards, with palm trees in the background.

Packing your travel documents and health items is key for a smooth trip to Hawaii. Make sure to grab your passport, vaccination cards, and any necessary prescriptions. Keeping everything organized in a travel pouch can save you time and hassle while you enjoy the beautiful islands.

4. Sun Protection and Skincare Products

A round woven basket on a beach towel holds essential items for a day in the sun: a bottle of sunscreen, a tube of sunscreen, and pink sunglasses. Perfect companions for relaxing on the shore, dreaming of your next Hawaiian cruise, with sand visible in the background.

When you’re packing for a Hawaiian cruise, don’t forget your sun protection essentials. A good sunscreen with high SPF is a must to keep your skin safe from those strong rays. Also, toss in some soothing aloe vera gel to help with sunburns and refresh your skin!

5. Essential Clothing for Tropical Weather

A person with short hair stands on a beach facing the ocean, wearing a dark dress with leaf patterns and holding a light jacket—perfect for a Hawaiian cruise. The waves gently lap at their feet under a cloudy sky.

Packing for a Hawaiian cruise means embracing the island vibe. Grab your favorite swimsuits, like bright bikinis or fun board shorts, to soak up the sun. Don’t forget a light cover-up for those breezy evenings on deck!

6. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

A bottle of reef-safe sunscreen sits on a neatly made bed with white linens, an essential item for any Hawaiian cruise. The room features a large window offering a stunning view of the ocean, perfect for inspiring your packing list.


Since Hawaii has strict sunscreen regulations to protect its coral reefs, bring a reef-safe sunscreen that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. It keeps your skin protected while preserving marine life.

7. Water Shoes for Rocky Shores

A person stands on a rocky beach, stepping into shallow water during their Hawaiian cruise. The landscape features a clear blue sky, distant mountains, and a stretch of green vegetation along the coastline. Don't forget your essential items to fully enjoy this breathtaking experience.


Some of Hawaii’s beaches have rocky areas or lava rock formations, so a pair of water shoes will protect your feet while exploring tide pools, waterfalls, or snorkeling in more rugged spots.

8. Light Rain Jacket or Poncho

A person wearing a blue jacket and sunglasses stands beside a blue car in a parking lot, checking off essential items from their packing list. Tall buildings rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky, possibly dreaming of an upcoming Hawaiian cruise.


Hawaii’s tropical climate means occasional rain showers, especially on islands like Kauai. A lightweight, packable rain jacket or poncho will keep you dry without taking up too much space in your bag.

9. Insulated Reusable Water Bottle

A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and carrying a metal water bottle stands on a dirt path, gazing at a distant waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. An essential item, a blue towel for their Hawaiian cruise, is visible in the backpack they are wearing.


Staying hydrated is essential in Hawaii’s warm climate. A good insulated water bottle keeps your drinks cold all day, whether you’re hiking to a waterfall or lounging by the pool.

10. Small Backpack or Crossbody Bag for Excursions

A person with long hair walks along a sandy beach near the ocean, reminiscent of a dream Hawaiian cruise. They are wearing a dress and carrying essential items in their bag. The sky is partly cloudy, and gentle waves roll in the background.


For shore excursions, a lightweight backpack or crossbody bag is perfect for carrying essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, and a camera while exploring Hawaii’s breathtaking landscapes.

11. Hiking Gear for Adventure

A person stands on a rocky terrain near lush green plants and trees, donning essential items like a wide-brimmed hat, gray long-sleeve shirt, beige vest, and gray pants. In the background of this Hawaiian cruise scene, the ocean shimmers under a blue sky.


If you plan on exploring Hawaii’s lush trails and volcano parks, pack moisture-wicking socks, comfortable hiking shoes, and a hat for sun protection. Lightweight activewear is also a good idea for humid conditions.

12. GoPro or Waterproof Camera

A woman strolls along a dock with boats in the background, embracing the vibe of her Hawaiian cruise. She's dressed in a blue blouse and beige skirt, with a camera—the perfect addition to her packing list—hanging around her neck.


With stunning waterfalls, vibrant coral reefs, and breathtaking cliffs, a waterproof camera or GoPro lets you capture all the beauty of Hawaii’s land and sea adventures.

13. Bug Spray for Evenings

A bottle of essential insect repellent sits on a round table on a ship's deck, surrounded by wicker chairs and a potted plant. Through the glass panels, the ocean stretches out beneath a partly cloudy sky—a perfect scene for a Bahamas cruise informed by smart packing tips.


Mosquitoes can be an issue near tropical forests, waterfalls, and even some beachside areas in the evenings. A travel-sized bug spray will help keep those bites at bay.

14. Tropical-Print Cover-Up or Sarong

A woman in a colorful, tropical-patterned dress relaxes on a lounge chair on a cruise ship deck, an essential item for her Hawaiian cruise. Her head is slightly tilted back, eyes closed. In the background, several people in swimwear gather around a pool under a partly cloudy sky.


A breezy sarong or lightweight cover-up is perfect for transitioning from the pool to lunch or walking along the beach. It adds a stylish touch while keeping you cool and comfortable.

15. Aloha Shirt or Tropical Dress for Luau Nights

A person wearing a yellow and green patterned shirt is smiling at the camera, capturing memories from their Hawaiian cruise. The background features people in colorful attire and tiki torches, echoing a festive or tropical setting—truly essential items for paradise enjoyment.


A Hawaiian cruise wouldn’t be complete without attending a luau! Pack a fun aloha shirt, a breezy tropical dress, or a floral maxi skirt to embrace the island spirit and enjoy an authentic Hawaiian evening.