I have been to 56 countries and more than 600 cities, so I know how to pack for a trip. But some recent cruising caused me to purchase 8 travel items just for a cruise. I will quickly share with you the essentials of what to bring and not bring the next time you take to the high seas.

First, some ground rules. Not all cruises are created equal. Obviously, you will need to pack differently for a Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Mexican cruise than the journey to Alaska or Iceland. There will be differences between a budget cruise on a large Carnival ship versus a smaller, luxury experience on Seabourn. I have sailed on everything from Royal Caribbean and Disney to Windstar, and there are travel essentials that apply pretty much to all cruises. Here is my short list:

1. Desk fan, charged via USB

This is one of the best buys for less than $25. Unlike an upscale hotel room, your cabin on a ship, while air-conditioned, may not have a lot of air flow. Solution: a small, lightweight, variable-speed fan. The battery-operated one I bought on Amazon could be charged via USB and easily run all night on a charge, saving a precious outlet (see below). It kept the air moving at night and even provided a little white noise.

2. Power strip without surge protection, plus power bank

Cruise ships have a unique situation. First, for whatever reason, there is a lack of outlets for today’s electronic needs. My new Carnival ship had two outlets and two USB ports, but they were across the cabin from the bed. The luxury Seabourn Odyssey features just two outlets, also not that handy. Second, regular power strips with surge protection are not allowed. If you are a couple traveling with laptops, cell phones, iPads, iWatches, etc., you will need more outlets. An inexpensive power strip without surge protection does the job. Of course, don’t forget your portable power bank for ultimate mobility, both in the stateroom and on all-day excursions.

3. Manual watch

Speaking of iWatches, they are smart enough to change time zones automatically. Unfortunately, sometimes the critically important ship time does not match the real time of your port. One solution is to bring an inexpensive watch you can set manually. You won’t miss the ship at the end of the day. An added benefit is not having to worry about someone stealing your watch. I have a friend who had his Rolex ripped off his wrist in Rio. Only later would the thief discover the Rolex was a $20 fake!

4. Waterproof phone holder

Speaking of protecting your electronics, many cruise excursions risk getting your smart phone wet. There can be unforeseen hazards, like the need to step off a tender into deep water or that sudden rainstorm from out of nowhere in Alaska. Fortunately, peace of mind is just a $4 purchase away. With my waterproof phone holder from JoJo, I was able to take photos and video without ever removing the phone from its protective plastic pouch.

5. Binoculars

Traveling on a cruise ship affords the advantage of being able to see wildlife, but often at a distance. These days you can bring portable, waterproof, high-powered binoculars that enable upscale viewing on a budget. I bought a pair on Amazon for less than $40. Is that a whale? Is that a bald eagle? Why, yes!

6. A bottle of wine

I have journeyed all over the world secure in the knowledge that TSA will confiscate a 750ml bottle of wine in my carry-on. Cruising is a different animal. If you are traveling on a ship that is not all-inclusive, you really ought to consider bringing a bottle of your favorite wine onboard. It is actually encouraged. Don’t forget the corkscrew, if needed.

7. Touchscreen gloves

If you are on a cold-weather cruise, science has invented the perfect answer for cold hands and an iPhone camera – touchscreen gloves. The ones I bought on Amazon for less than $7 also have little grips, so the phone doesn’t slip while you try to video that whale breaching.

8. Items to add to your “drug store”

I am a big proponent of carrying small quantities of medicine and first aid while traveling. I write all about it here: Why carry a drug store in a Ziploc bag? Cruising calls for a few items you wouldn’t necessarily carry elsewhere:

• Poo-pourri. A small bottle of this stuff actually works for the confined bathroom that may not be well-ventilated.
• Something for motion sickness. It is a legitimate issue with multiple solutions, from Dramamine to wrist bands.
• Flushable wet wipes. A package of these has more uses than the obvious.

What you don’t need to bring

I perused a lot of essentials lists before cruising, some with 40 or more items. I don’t think cruising requires so much that is different from other travel. So, skip these:

• Hair dryer. They are built-in.
• Night light. Some lists recommend buying a night light. I just use my phone.
• Alarm clock. I just use my phone.
• Alcohol. Wine, yes. Booze and beer, no.
• Weed. No matter the laws of your state or country, you are in international waters now.
• Magnetic hooks. Yes, the walls of your stateroom may be metal. You also have a closet and drawers. There should be plenty of space to hang things.

Do you agree with my list? Do you have your own suggestions to help others? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.