I’m a Travel Writer and Mom of 2, and This Is What I’ll Repack for Our Next Family Cruise—From $7 (2024)

I’m a mom of two teens and a travel writer, and I’ve taken my family on cruises many times. But, one type of cruise we’d never taken was an expedition cruise, so we recently boarded the National Geographic Venture for a whale-watching cruise and spent seven days hiking, snorkeling, and experiencing nature.

The trip was unlike any we’d taken before—filled with outdoorsy activities and plenty of adventure—and I found that we didn’t need some of the things we packed, like nice outfits for dinner or a hair straightener. However, we did bring a few key items that I’m definitely repacking next time.

From a portable charger with a built-in charging cord to lightweight sun-protective clothes to a ”life-changing” motion sickness relief wristband, these nine travel writer-approved cruise picks start at $7.

Citicr Portable Charger

My family owns multiple portable chargers, but this one stands out with the charging cord that’s built right into it, meaning there’s one less thing we need to remember to pack. The portable charger plugs right into a wall outlet to charge it up, and then it can power a smartphone two to three times over. On long days of whale-watching and other excursions, we were glad to have a few of these tucked into our bags to recharge our phones for taking pictures.

“This thing is quite literally a grab-and-go product,” said one Amazon shopper. “It has both a lightning and a USB-C cord attached [that can be] tucked away for safety when not in use.”

Columbia PFG Bahama Long Sleeve Shirt

Very early on in our trip, my family noticed both the guests and crew members wearing Columbia long-sleeved shirts on just about every excursion. After picking one up in the ship’s gift shop, I now know why: These UPF 50 button-down shirts guard against sun damage, yet are made of lightweight fabric that keeps you cool as it protects you from the sun’s rays. It comes in women’s sizes, men’s sizes, and kids’ sizes.

The “comfortable, breathable, and stylish” shirt is one reviewer’s “favorite outdoor shirt,” while another buyer chimed in that they “love these shirts for camping, hiking, and wearing on trips when the weather is warm,” adding that it’s easy to layer another shirt underneath in cooler conditions.

Teva Original Universal Sandal

In addition to those Columbia sun shirts, we noticed lots of the ship’s crew wearing Teva sandals, a shoe I hadn’t seen since my teenage years in the ‘90s. Still, I immediately realized why Tevas are the crew’s choice of footwear: They stay on better than most sandals due to the ankle strap, and they’re waterproof to boot. When I arrived home, I ordered my own pair of Tevas for my next vacation, and as it turns out, lots of travelers are still wearing Tevas.

“These are the only sandals I travel with and I replace them whenever they wear out,” said one Zappos customer. “They are great for walking and adjust to my feet in all types of conditions. I use them for hiking, swimming, walking, and whatever life throws at me.” The sandals come in women’s sizes, men’s sizes, and kids’ sizes.

Reliefband Motion Sickness Wristband

An absolute must-have for an expedition cruise (or any cruise, really), this motion sickness wristband provided relief for both of my kids, and I plan to buy more for future cruises. The drug-free Reliefband prevents nausea by releasing a pattern of pulses that stimulate the median nerve and help alleviate motion sickness.

Amazon shoppers shared that the “life-changing” band performed great on sailing trips, cruises, planes, amusem*nt park rides, car trips, after surgery, and even during morning sickness with pregnancy.

Famboy Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch

My kids are teenagers, so asking them to leave the ship without their phones in tow wasn’t really an option. Since I knew many of our planned excursions would take us in and around the water, I purchased this multi-pack of waterproof phone pouches. (We opted for the four-pack, but there are other quantities to choose from, too.)

Each pouch in the pack is a different color, so it was easy to keep up with which protective pouch belonged to each of us, and the lanyards allowed us to keep our hands free on our adventures. It was a relief to know everyone’s phone was safe from water damage, and I wholeheartedly agree with the Amazon reviewer who called these pouches a “must-buy for vacation.”

Old Navy High-Waisted Power Soft Shorts

My daughter and I brought all kinds of bottoms on our trip, from jeans to leggings, but the item we both wished we’d packed more of were these high-waisted athletic shorts from Old Navy. Made of soft, moisture-wicking fabric, these pull-on, elastic-waist shorts were supremely comfortable for our daily adventures. When we arrived home from our trip, I ordered several more pairs in new colors so I have them to take along next time.

I’m not alone in wanting them in every color: One Old Navy shopper shared that they “bought [them] in every color available,” while another customer praised “the high waist and the deep pockets.” There are similar options for every member of the family, including women’s sizes, girls’ sizes (on sale for just $7!), boys’ sizes, and men’s sizes.

Inogih Foldable Sun Hat

Space is limited when packing for any cruise, leaving floppy, straw sun hats off the table. Still, I wanted some sun protection, so I packed these foldable sun hats that took up very little space in our suitcases. The UV-protectant hat comes in a variety of colors and even has a spot in the back to stick a ponytail through, lessening the risk of it flying off on windy days.

“The brim is wide enough to provide adequate protection from the sun,” wrote one Amazon purchaser, who added, “The material is light so I don't overheat.”

Gin Gins Apple Chewy Ginger Candy

Many times on our voyage, we encountered windy weather and rocky seas. In fact, the Venture crew kept these ginger candies readily available for guests in the ship’s lounge. We always travel with Gin Gins when there’s a potential for motion sickness, so I brought some along as well. One Amazon customer said these candies ​​“solve most tummy aches” and are great for those with a “sweet tooth,” and my family agrees.

Ocatoma Unisex Beanie Hat

On windy and chilly days during our expedition cruise, we were happy to have these soft hats on hand to help keep us warm. The affordable beanie comes in over a dozen colors, so all four of us found one we liked, and though it only comes in one size, the elastic provides plenty of stretch.

The beanie has received more than 1,700 five-star ratings on Amazon, with shoppers calling it “soft and comfortable” with “good quality, good stretch, and nice lining.”

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