I'm a travel planner who's been on over 26 cruises. Here are 10 things I always pack and 2 I never bring

"Cruise-ship rooms are typically air-conditioned, but they can get a little warm when everyone's in there sleeping. So, I always bring a small portable fan to set up on my side table. It helps keep me cool at night and brings some white noise into the room. Make sure it's battery-operated, as there are usually limited outlets in a cabin. Pro tip: Your local camping-goods store is a great place to find these fans."

"Most cruise rooms have limited outlets. Cruise cabins typically have limited outlets and USB ports, which may not be enough to charge all of your family's electronics. Most cruise lines don't allow travelers to bring power strips on board because they can pose a safety hazard. However, I like to bring a single outlet adapter with USB ports so I can charge everything we need without overloading the cabin's electrical system."

"You have to take your room key out quite a bit on a cruise, and I've found the easiest way to carry it is on a lanyard. You can keep it around your neck or in your bag for easy access. If you forgot to bring a lanyard, you can always buy one on board. In my experience, a lot of the surfaces in a cruise room are magnetic."

"Magnetic hooks are one of my favorite ways to maximize space on a cruise. Cabins typically have tons of magnetic surfaces where I can stick these hook"

Cruise cabins are usually air-conditioned but can feel warm at night, so a small battery-operated portable fan can provide cooling and white noise. Cabin counter space and available outlets are limited, and many cruise lines restrict power strips due to safety concerns. A single outlet adapter with multiple USB ports helps charge family electronics without overloading the cabin’s electrical system. Room keys are used frequently, so carrying the key on a lanyard keeps it accessible. If a lanyard is forgotten, it can be purchased onboard. Many cabin surfaces are magnetic, making magnetic hooks useful for maximizing storage and organization.

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