27 Cruise Travel Hacks Using Ziplock Baggies (& why you should pack them)

27 Cruise Travel Hacks Using Ziplock Baggies (& why you should pack them)

I love a good cruise packing hack, and swear by the cruise essentials that make cruising and traveling easier. However, ziplock baggies shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to packing for a cruise!

This inexpensive item isn’t glamorous, but ziplock baggies can be invaluable on your cruise.

Resealable Ziplock baggies are incredibly versatile and come in various sizes, making them a must-have for any cruise traveler. From organizing clothes to keeping electronics dry, these affordable bags can easily replace pricier travel accessories like waterproof cases, packing cubes, and toiletry bags.

Many cruise travelers rely on them for everything from packing efficiently to dealing with unexpected needs, proving that sometimes the simplest items can be the most useful on a trip! Whether you’re storing snacks or protecting valuables, Ziplock bags offer endless practical solutions without breaking the bank.

27 Ways to Use Resealable Baggies on a Cruise

1. Outfit Packing

Pre-pack daily cruise outfits (shirt, shorts, underwear, and socks) in gallon-sized Ziplock bags. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling with kids or grandkids.

It saves time and reduces chaos when getting ready. You can label the ziplock baggies for greater organization.

2. Swimsuits for Pool Days

Store your family’s swimsuits in gallon-sized Ziplock bags. After a pool or beach day, toss wet swimsuits back into the same bag to keep everything else dry.

3. Change of Clothes for Embarkation Day

Pack a change of clothes in a Ziplock in your embarkation day carry-on bag. Since cabins may not be ready immediately after boarding, having clean clothes handy means you can hit the pool or relax without rummaging through your luggage.

4. Spare Outfit Change for Flights

Keep a spare outfit in a Ziplock for flights or layovers. Spills happen, and having fresh clothes ready, plus a bag to store the dirty ones keeps travel smoother. Plus, in a worst case scenario, if your checked luggage gets lost at least you’ll have a change of clothing.

5. Mini First Aid Kits

Create mini cruise first aid kits with small Ziplocks for band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and medication. They’re perfect for excursions and tuck easily into a backpack or purse for emergencies.

6. Jewelry Storage

Keep necklaces and bracelets from tangling by storing each piece in mini Ziplock bags. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to stay organized, especially on formal nights aboard the cruise.

7. Extra Ziplocks for Buffet Snacks

Bring a few extra Ziplock bags to grab cookies, fruit, or snacks from the cruise buffet. This is great for stashing treats in your cabin for later on to avoid room service fees.

If you’re wondering if you can bring baggies and take food from the buffet or other casual restaurants on a cruise ship, yes you can. It’s best to take items on a plate and then put your cookies, cake, crackers or other snacks at a table (not in line in the buffet).

8. Handwash Items in a Large Ziplock

Hand-washing delicate clothes is easy with a gallon-sized Ziplock. Add soap, water, and the clothes, then shake to clean. Rinse and hang in your cabin, no cruise laundry services needed.

9. Store Dirty Clothes

Pack an extra-large Ziplock to store dirty clothes and bring it home after your trip. This keeps the rest of your clean clothes fresh and makes laundry day at home more manageable.

10. Vacuum Seal Puffer Coats

For cold-weather cruises like Alaska, use vacuum-seal Ziplocks to compress bulky items like puffer coats. It saves tons of space in your luggage and keeps items organized.

11. Use Quart-Sized Ziplocks for TSA Liquids

To comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, pack liquids, gels, and creams (3.4 oz or less) into a quart-sized Ziplock bag. This keeps everything organized and easy to access during security checks, ensuring a smoother travel experience.

12. Makeup Remover Wipes for the Plane

Store makeup remover wipes in a snack-sized Ziplock for easy access during long flights. It’s a simple way to refresh your face without rummaging through your carry-on.

13. Underwear & Socks Organizer

Pack socks and underwear into a separate Ziplock. This keeps everything neat, and the used bags can double as storage for dirty items later.

14. Diaper and Wipes Storage

Pre-pack diapers and wipes in quart-sized Ziplock bags for fast, easy changes. These bags are convenient for traveling light during shore excursions or flights.

15. Waterproof Phone Protector

Use a quart-sized Ziplock bag as a makeshift waterproof case for your phone. It works great by the pool or beach, and you can still use your touchscreen through the plastic.

While I really like my waterproof phone case and lanyard, this can work in a pinch!

16. Emergency Snack Packs

Pack snack-sized Ziplocks with small bites like nuts, crackers, or trail mix. These are great for port days, keeping you fueled between meals, or for kids when they get hungry on the go.

Be sure to check the rules to find out what you can and can’t take off the ship in various ports of call.

17. Spill-Proof Toiletries

Avoid messy leaks by putting toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, or lotion in individual Ziplock bags. Even if they spill, everything else stays dry.

18. Keep Electronics Organized

Keep phone chargers, earphones, and other small tech gear neatly stored in a Ziplock bag. It keeps cords from tangling and makes finding your electronics quick and easy.

19. Sunscreen and Lotion On-the-Go

Use a quart-sized Ziplock to store travel-sized bottles of sunscreen and lotion. It makes reapplication during excursions or poolside easy and keeps spills contained.

20. Store Disinfectant Wipes

Pre-pack wet wipes or disinfectant wipes in small Ziplock bags for in-flight or to use during excursions.

21. Pack Small Games & Cards

Bring small decks of cards or travel-sized games in Ziplocks. They’re perfect for entertainment on sea days or while waiting in port.

22. Store Unfinished Snacks

Use Ziplocks to store half-eaten bags of chips, crackers, or fruit from the buffet. This way, you can enjoy snacks later without worrying about spoilage or mess.

reasons to bring ziplock bags on a cruise — Please PIN to your favorite Pinterest board

23. Grab-and-Go Beach Essentials

Pre-pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and other beach items in a Ziplock. This makes heading out to the pool or shore quicker and keeps everything organized in one place.

24. Organize Souvenirs

Use large Ziplock bags to store small souvenirs like postcards, keychains, or magnets. It prevents them from getting lost or damaged in your luggage.

25. Protect Important Travel Documents

Store travel documents like your passport, cruise tickets, and itineraries in a Ziplock bag. This keeps them safe from spills or rain while traveling to the port.

26. Protect Shoes

Pack shoes in gallon-sized Ziplock bags to keep them from dirtying clothes in your suitcase. This is particularly useful with sandals or sneakers after sandy shore excursions.

27. Bring Extra Baggies in Various Sizes

When packing for a cruise, it’s helpful to bring a variety of sizes of resealable baggies as you never know when you’ll need them!

Here’s a breakdown of which sizes are most useful and why you should bring extra:

Snack-Sized Bags: These are perfect for small items like snacks, jewelry, or single-use toiletries.
Quart-Sized Bags: Ideal for keeping liquids and toiletries organized, especially if you’re flying and need them for TSA regulations.
Gallon-Sized Bags: Great for packing outfits, storing wet swimsuits, or hand-washing small items. They also work well for separating clean clothes from dirty ones.
Extra-Large (2-gallon or larger): Useful for storing bulkier items like shoes, laundry, or packing coats using compression techniques.

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Final Thoughts

While Ziplock baggies aren’t a high tech travel gadget, they are an affordable way to make your cruise packing smoother and more organized. Whether protecting clothes from spills or storing snacks for later, Ziplock baggies are the ultimate (cheap) travel accessory that every cruiser needs!

I always pack a few extra baggies and never regret it!

Happy Cruising!

Ilana

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