What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise from Galveston

Are you sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Galveston and wondering what you actually need to take with you?
We went on our first Royal Caribbean cruise — a 7-day sailing on Harmony of the Seas — and I learned real quick that packing for a cruise is not like packing for any other trip. Some of the things on this list I was so glad I grabbed. A couple of them I wish somebody had told me about before we ever left home.

So here is my honest list: the must-haves I actually use, what belongs in your carry-on for day one (not buried in your suitcase), and — just as important — what not to pack, because Royal Caribbean will take some of it away at security. If you are sailing from Galveston, I have added the port-day details the generic packing lists leave out

Packing is only one part of getting ready. My Cruises From Galveston guide can also help you plan your pre-cruise stay, avoid common first-time mistakes and choose the right sailing.

Packing for Galveston is a little different. Royal Caribbean sails from Terminal 10 at 1402 Harborside Drive — always go by the terminal printed on your boarding documents.

Most of us drive in and spend the night before on the island, so pack one easy outfit for that night-before dinner, comfortable clothes for walking around Galveston, and something light for embarkation morning. Texas on the coast means heat, humidity, and sun even when the calendar says it should be cooling off, so sunscreen and a swimsuit earn their space in your bag long before anything fancy does.

Day-One Carry-On

What to Pack in Your Day-One Carry-On

Once you hand your checked bags to the porters at Terminal 10, you may not see them again for several hours. Royal Caribbean does not promise a delivery time, and cabins are not always ready the minute you board. So pack your carry-on like your first afternoon depends on it — because it does.

Keep these with you, never in a checked bag:

• Travel documents, ID, and boarding pass — you cannot board without them, and a suitcase mixup should never be able to strand them
• All medications, in their original labeled containers — and bring a few extra days’ worth, just in case travel home runs late
• Swimsuit, cover-up, and sunscreen — so you can be in the pool while your suitcase is still finding your cabin
• A change of clothes — embarkation day in Galveston is warm work
• Phone charger and a small power bank — your phone is your boarding pass, your camera, and your ship app all day
• Valuables and electronics — jewelry, camera, and anything you would hate to lose
• Motion-sickness relief — if you use Sea-Bands or a patch (both are on my list below), day one is when you want them handy, not in a checked bag
• Your wine, if you are bringing it — each guest of drinking age may carry on one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day, and it must ride in your carry-on, not your suitcase

One last carry-on rule from experience: keep it light and keep it small. You will carry it through security, around the ship, and possibly through lunch until your cabin opens. A tote or small backpack beats a second rolling suitcase every time.

Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise is similar to packing for any other cruise line. However, there is one item that sets it apart - the luggage tags.

The RC tags are longer and more narrow compared to others.

Happy travels!

If you are looking to book a Cruise, please go to my cruise quote form!

SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray

I learned real quick just by walking around outside the ship. I burned once, but after that, I made sure to use some sunscreen.

Downy Wrinkle Release Spray

I am so glad I took some of this wrinkle release spray. Realizing even on the second day, this was going to be needed.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

This bag came in handy in the bathroom for small items that I didn't want laying around on the small bathroom counter, mostly all my travel-size items for that week.

Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray

This spray speaks for itself. I have never purchased it before the cruise but for being in a small cabin with a small bathroom, this was a must. Also see: Our Room Sprays

Cruise Ship Door Magnets

These door magnets are not really a must-have, but they are fun to use. These are the ones we actually used. We had three other couples with us, so putting one on each door in different locations makes it easy to find their cabin quickly. We also wrote our names on them.

Retractable Lanyards for ID Badges

Lanyards make it so much easier to carry your sea cards around to use to get in our room and grab a drink.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

We didn't use ours much but is a must have if you need your phone while around the pool or on an excursion.

Cruise Luggage Tags

If you want to use luggage tags instead of stapling your paper tags to your luggage, these are the perfect size for the tags on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Portable Clothesline

I had no idea I would need this, and I am so glad I grabbed one. I washed and dried my bathing suits and hung this across the back of the balcony chairs. It came in handy.

Sea-bands

I had these on hand if needed. I actually used the item below and had these just in case.

Ship-EEZ Sea Sickness Patch

I had never cruised before, so I wasn't sure if I would get seasick. I wore one of these every day just to be sure. This product would be my go-to.

Chair Towel Clips

It was windy quite a bit while on the cruise, and these come in handy to keep your lounge chair towels from blowing away.

Portable Fan

My husband has to have a fan every night, and the fans we had were too big for the small side tables. We did not want to use a floor fan. This was recommended by another cruiser, and I am so glad I grabbed one. It works on USB, battery, and adapter. I recommend getting the adapter for it, because it makes it blow harder — and my husband never complained.

Door Hanging Shoe Organizer

Highly recommended for your shoes, hair dryer, curling iron and even large bottles that you might have (shampoo, hairspray, etc).

Magnetic Hooks

I forgot to order these, but a friend of mine had some and she loaned them to me. I am so glad she did, because they came in handy for my caps, lanyard, and other things.

Some things do not just take up space — Royal Caribbean will take them away at security, hold them until the end of the cruise, or not let them on at all. Leave these at home:

• Clothing iron or garment steamer — both are prohibited, no exceptions. Pack wrinkle-release spray instead, and hang clothes in the bathroom while you shower.
• Extension cord, power strip, or multi-plug outlet — prohibited. Bring your regular phone and device chargers and use the outlets and USB ports in your cabin.
• Candles, incense, or anything with an open flame — plus fireworks, sparklers, and flammable liquids.
• Beer, hard liquor, or boxed wine — the only alcohol you may carry on is one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest of drinking age, on embarkation day only (see the carry-on section above).
• Weapons of any kind — including replicas and parts — and mace or pepper spray.
• Illegal drugs, including marijuana — prohibited even with a medical card or where it is legal at home. Royal’s rule does not bend on this one.
• A full-size hair dryer — not banned, just wasted space. There is already one in your cabin.

And one rule that is not about what you pack, but where: never put medications, documents, or valuables in a checked bag. If it would ruin your cruise to be without it for six hours, it rides in your carryon.

When in doubt about any item, check Royal Caribbean’s prohibited-items page before you sail — ship security has the final say at the terminal.

Galveston Royal Caribbean Packing FAQs

Can I bring wine on a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston?

Yes — one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest of drinking age, on embarkation day only, in your carry-on. Beer, hard liquor, and boxed wine are not allowed, and alcohol bought in port is held and returned at the end of the cruise.

What will Royal Caribbean confiscate at security?

Clothing irons and garment steamers, extension cords and power strips, candles and anything with an open flame, weapons, and illegal drugs including marijuana. Some held items are returned when you disembark; others are not — leave them home and there is nothing to sort out.

When will my checked luggage reach my cabin?

Plan on several hours. Porters take your tagged bags at Terminal 10 and they are delivered through the afternoon, with no promised time — which is exactly why your documents, medications, swimsuit, and charger belong in your carry-on.