It can be difficult to pack for a cruise, but I always make sure to bring a first aid kit with essential health items for the entire family.
There is a saying: “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” I have adopted this motto while traveling.
Remember to bring a travel first aid kit. It’s not just a suggestion—it’s essential. Our family has encountered too many unexpected health situations to consider traveling without it. This practical measure empowers us to handle unforeseen health issues, ensuring a worry-free journey.
I usually keep my first aid kit with our travel items. When preparing for another trip, I replenish and check the expiration dates. If you travel infrequently, keeping a first aid kit might not be practical due to potential waste. In that situation, consider packing one before your next trip.
Pack your first aid kit, as getting essential items on the ship could be challenging. Purchasing items on the ship is expensive, and they may only sometimes be available. Ship shops have limited hours and may be closed when you need them. Keep in mind that shops are closed while the ship is in port. However, some ships have vending machines for essential items. To avoid these potential issues, keeping a list of crucial items nearby when doing your inventory is a good idea.
A cruise ship’s medical center is staffed with doctors and medical personnel ready to provide professional treatment or advice for any health concerns. While this post focuses on being prepared for minor situations requiring first aid or medication, it’s comforting to know that passengers always have access to the medical center for their safety and well-being.
First Aid Essentials for a Cruise
Small wound treatments
It’s common to get minor cuts, scrapes, or blisters on a cruise or any trip. It’s important to bring along a few basic supplies to ensure a minor issue is manageable and does not become more serious.
1. Band-aids
Remember to bring Band-Aids of all shapes and sizes, including waterproof ones. A variety pack should cover all your needs. Don’t forget to keep a few with you, especially if you’re wearing new sandals or flip-flops to the beach. I always need a few bandages for blisters. New shoes or walking more than usual always seem to cause them. I bring some that are specifically made for blisters, and that stay on in the water.
2. Antibiotic Ointment
Antibiotic ointment is essential to have while traveling. It quickly heals small cuts, prevents infections, and is a must-have for excursions or in your cruise cabin.
3. Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone can be helpful for swelling and bug bites, so it’s definitely worth bringing some along, just in case.
4. Gauze and Alcohol Wipes
Some small gauze and alcohol wipes can be useful for scrapes, or any time you need to disinfect, especially if you’re on a shore excursion or off the ship.
5. First Aid Kit
Remember to bring a mini first aid kit on your cruise – it’s a great idea! You can also use it for road trips or future cruises, and even at home. Mini travel kits can be found at the dollar store, or you can put one together using your own supplies. Ziplock bags work well for keeping items clean and dry.
Medications and Pharmaceutical Products
When traveling with medication, I always keep it in its original bottles or packaging. You don’t want to run into any problems while visiting another country or encounter security issues at any point during your trip.
6. Pain Relief Medication
Bring along some of your preferred pain medications such as Advil, Tylenol, or a trusted brand.
7. Cold Medicine/Sinus Medication
It’s an awful feeling to get a cold while on vacation. Bringing cold medicine to help alleviate symptoms will be so helpful. Something like Advil Cold and Sinus Congestion or its equivalent is probably what you need. Remember to bring the non-drowsy kind so you can still function and have a good time.
If you’re cruising with your children, make sure to bring children’s medicine like Children’s Advil and other medications that you trust and use at home. Don’t forget to get the “just in case” stuff, like cold and cough medicines.
8. Cough and Sore Throat Medication
A good cough suppressant as well as some cough drops, will be helpful if you start to get sick while on a cruise. Cough drops and throat lozenges are a must; with sea air, bring some along in different flavors
9. Prescription Medication
It may go without saying but make sure your regular (or less regular) prescription medications are on your cruise packing list. There may be medications you don’t use daily, but they are important to have with you just in case. So, do make sure these are packed in you carry on.
Tip: Cruise lines recommend that you bring at least 14 days of extra medication as a precaution.
10. Coldsore/Fever Blister Medication
If you’re prone to fever blisters due to the sun or stress, having some cold sore/fever blister medication can feel like a lifesaver. It’s a good addition to your first aid kit for your cruise.
11. Eye Drops
Whether from the sun, salt water, chlorine, late nights and more, having a small bottle of eye drops handy can really help if you develop red and itchy eyes on your cruise.
If you have contacts make sure that you bring something that is safe for those as well.
12. Ear drops
If you are prone to “swimmer’s ear,” pack some ear drops too.
First Aid Tools
13. Tweezers
Tweezers don’t seem necessary until you or your child gets a splinter. Then, just throw them in there and forget about them.
14. Thermometer
A thermometer should be part of your first aid kit, but having one on hand is necessary if you have kids.
15. Mini Scissors
Remember to bring a small pair of scissors, similar to tweezers, as you might need them when you least expect it. They are small and easy to throw into your makeup bag.
Stomach and Digestive Issues
Whether it’s due to eating or drinking too much or just having a bit of traveler’s stomach, they can be so useful. We’ve even found that if a touch of ship movement is bothering us, a chewable antacid has brought such relief.
16. Antacids
Tums, Rolaids, or Pepto Bismol can be helpful for nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
17. Imodium (diarrhea medication)
You can get an upset stomach for a variety of reasons. If you get a bit of a traveler’s stomach, bring along some Imodium.
18. Re-hydrating tablets
If you’ve felt ill or gotten too much sun, rehydrating tablets/packets can help you feel like yourself again. Basically, this replenishes your electrolytes (it’s amazing what we lose in energy when our electrolytes are off).
19. Laxatives
Sometimes, when traveling or our eating habits are different, we can become constipated and bloated. It will be hard to find this on the ship, so bring some Dulcolax with you just in case.
Sun safety and preventing sunburn on a cruise
20. Sunscreen
Having a high SPF and good-quality sunscreen is a must, especially if you’re on a Caribbean cruise. Make sure that you check the expiration dates on your sunscreen and pack more then you think you’ll need. Between the temperatures and humidity, you’ll be applying much more than you would think.
If you are cruising in the Caribbean or Bahamas, it’s a good idea to bring reef-safe sunscreen.
21. Aloe Vera Gel
If you get too much sun, be prepared with a good after-sun cream that provides relief and moisture.
22. Lip Balm
If you’re in the sun, apply good moisturizing lip balm to your lips.
Bug Bites
23. Mosquito Repellent
If you’re doing excursions in rainforests or jungles, or even depending on the port, you may encounter insects and mosquitoes. In that case, ensure you have some Mosquito Repellent Spray. You can even spray your clothes and shoes to avoid getting bitten or stung.
25. After-bite
After Bite is effective and convenient. It is smaller than a calamine bottle. We often keep one in our handy first-aid kit.
I am famous for getting bites when no one else gets bit; this Bug Bite Thing is a great addition to your medical bag.
Allergic Reactions
26. Benadryl
It’s essential to be aware that allergic reactions can occur unexpectedly. If you or your child has known allergies, you will likely have medication, such as an Epipen, and know what to do in case of an allergic reaction. However, it’s also important to remember that people can have unforeseen allergic reactions or sensitivities, whether from trying a new food or using a new skincare product. Symptoms like swelling and hives can appear. It’s a good idea to have Benadryl or a similar medication available, as it can be very effective if taken as soon as possible. We always make sure to carry some with us.
Seasickness Medications
Multiple methods exist for managing seasickness while on a cruise, and it’s a good idea to have some of these items with you.
27. Motion Sickness Patches (behind the ear)
Motion sickness patches, placed behind the ear, are a recommended treatment for those prone to motion sickness. However, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects, so be sure to check them.
28. Seabands
This is a popular choice due to its natural, reusable properties and the positive results it has produced.
29. Seasickness Medications
I highly recommend including seasickness medications in your cruise first aid kit. Even though we don’t usually get seasick, I always like to be prepared just in case. Both Dramamine and Bonine work well for many cruisers. I am more sensitive to motion sickness and find Bonine works best for me without causing drowsiness.
30. Ginger
Ginger candies are a natural remedy for mild nausea. I always bring some on my cruises and have been known to share a few with my new cruise friends. We love them!
Stay Healthy on a Cruise
Hand Sanitizer
Remember to bring a small hand sanitizer bottle everywhere, especially when you leave the ship for an excursion or shopping. You come into contact with money and other surfaces, so hand sanitizer is essential until you can wash your hands with soap and water back on the ship.
Travel Tip: Create portable mini-first aid packs (with ziplock baggies)
I always make sure to include ziplock baggies on my cruise packing list. I pack a few with basic first-aid supplies to keep in my tote or beach bag for excursions. Our cabin has a larger cruise first aid kit filled with various products and medications, but it stays there unless we need anything. The smaller mini first aid emergency kit contains just a few basics such as waterproof bandaids, Neosporin, alcohol wipes, Tums or Pepto-Bismol, and pain relievers. This kit can be personalized to your needs. We always keep one packed in our shore excursion bag, ready to go! We have discussed the essential products to include in your cruise first aid kit. It’s important to note that the ship’s stores are pretty small and have limited products. Additionally, the prices will likely double or more than what you would pay back home. Look at the list and determine which items are most necessary for you and your loved ones on this cruise.