More Dollar Store Cruise Hacks (Part 2): 15 Cheap Finds That Solve Real Cruise Problems
You’ve already got the magnetic hooks and the over-the-door organizer. But a cruise throws plenty of other small problems at you. A wet swimsuit with nowhere to go. A wrinkled dinner dress and no iron allowed. A rainy port day with no umbrella that survives the wind.
The good news is that most of these problems have a fix sitting in the aisles of your local dollar store. At Dollar Tree, most items cost $1.25, with some at $1.50 or $1.75 and a few value items at $3 or $5.
This Part 2 list covers 15 more dollar store cruise hacks, plus the “bargains” that will get confiscated at the port.
Quick Answer: The Best Dollar Store Cruise Buys
The most useful dollar store cruise items are zip-top bags, wrinkle-release spray, battery-operated LED tea lights, rain ponchos, binder clips, and a flat sink stopper. Together they cost less than one cocktail onboard.
Skip power strips, extension cords, candles, string lights, and adhesive hooks for your door. These are banned or restricted on many cruise lines.
Dollar Store Cruise Hacks Checklist (Part 2)
| Item | Problem It Solves | Where It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Zip-top bags (mixed sizes) | Wet swimsuits, snacks, phone on the beach | Pool, ports, cabin |
| Wrinkle-release spray | No irons or steamers allowed | Formal night |
| Battery LED tea lights | Candles are banned | Cabin ambience, nightlight |
| Rain ponchos | Wind ruins umbrellas | Rainy ports, Alaska |
| Binder clips | Curtains, towels, chip bags | Balcony, beach, cabin |
| Flat sink stopper | Sink won’t hold water | Hand-washing laundry |
| Pop-up mesh hamper | Dirty clothes everywhere | Cabin floor |
| Small plastic bins | Messy drawers | Drawers, bathroom |
| Mini sewing kit and safety pins | Broken straps and loose hems | Dinner, formal night |
| Lint roller | Fuzz on dark outfits | Formal night |
| Mesh drawstring bag | Sandy beach gear | Port and beach days |
| Small dry-erase board | Kids asking “what’s next?” | Daily schedule |
| Glow sticks | Dark cabins, kid fun | Bedtime, deck parties |
| Blister pads and bandages | Long port-day walks | Shore excursions |
| Magnetic door decor supplies | Finding your cabin | Hallway doors |
Hacks for Your Cabin
1. Zip-Top Bags in Every Size
Zip-top bags are the most versatile thing you can pack. Use gallon bags for wet swimsuits after the pool, so nothing drips in your suitcase.
Use sandwich bags for snacks, sunscreen, and your phone on the beach. Pack a few extra for the trip home, when you’ll have wet clothes and souvenirs to separate.
2. Pop-Up Mesh Hamper
Dirty clothes pile up fast in a small cabin. A collapsible mesh hamper folds flat in your suitcase and pops up in seconds.
It keeps the floor clear and makes packing on the last night much faster.
3. Small Plastic Bins as Drawer Dividers
Cabin drawers are shallow and tend to turn into a jumble by day three. A few small plastic bins keep socks, chargers, and toiletries separated.
They also work in the bathroom to hold small items that would otherwise roll around the tiny counter.
4. Battery-Operated LED Tea Lights
![eLander LED Tea Lights Flameless Candle with Timer, 6 Hours on and 18 Hours Off, 1.4 x 1.3 Inch, Warm White, [12 Pack] (New Warm White)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31VuK5nL51L._SL500_.jpg)
Candles are banned on cruise ships, even the smallest tealight. Battery-operated LED tea lights give you the same cozy glow without breaking the rules.
They also double as a soft nightlight for late-night bathroom trips, especially in dark interior cabins.
5. Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are a cheap way to keep kids entertained at deck parties. They also make a gentle nightlight in a pitch-dark interior cabin.
Pop one in a clear cup on the nightstand, and little ones can see where they are when they wake up.
Hacks for Your Clothes
6. Wrinkle-Release Spray
Clothing irons and steamers are among the most commonly confiscated items at embarkation. They’re treated as a fire hazard.
A small bottle of wrinkle-release spray does most of the job. Spray, smooth with your hands, and hang the outfit in the bathroom while you shower. The steam does the rest.
7. Mini Sewing Kit and Safety Pins
A broken dress strap or a loose hem can ruin a formal night outfit. A mini sewing kit with a few safety pins fixes most wardrobe problems in minutes.
Keep it in your carry-on so it’s ready from day one.
8. Lint Roller
Dark formal night outfits pick up fuzz from towels, carpets, and suitcases. A lint roller makes black dresses and suits look fresh again.
The mini versions fit easily in a cabin drawer or day bag.
9. Flat Sink Stopper
Cruise bathroom sinks often don’t hold water well. A flat, universal sink stopper turns your sink into a tiny laundry tub.
It’s perfect for rinsing swimsuits or hand-washing underwear when you don’t want to pay per-item laundry prices.
Hacks for Port Days
10. Rain Ponchos
Wind makes umbrellas almost useless at many ports, especially in Alaska. Dollar store rain ponchos fold to the size of a deck of cards.
Pack one per person. They also cover your day bag during a sudden downpour on an excursion.
11. Binder Clips
Binder clips are one of the most useful dollar store buys. Clip your beach towel to a deck lounger so it doesn’t blow away.
Use them to hold balcony curtains closed, keep snack bags sealed, or hang the daily schedule on a magnetic hook.
12. Mesh Drawstring Bag
A mesh bag lets sand fall straight through. Use it for beach toys, snorkel gear, and water shoes on port days.
When you’re back on the ship, rinse the whole bag in the shower instead of shaking sand all over the cabin.
13. Blister Pads and Bandages
Port days often involve far more walking than you expect. Cobblestones, hills, and new sandals lead to blisters fast.
A small pack of blister pads and bandages costs very little onboard compared with the ship’s shop.
Hacks for Families
14. Small Dry-Erase Board
Kids ask “what are we doing today?” about fifty times a day. A small dry-erase board stuck to a cabin wall with magnets answers the question.
Write the day’s activities, dinner time, and all-aboard time for port days.
15. Magnetic Door Decor Supplies
Cabin hallways all look the same. A decorated door helps kids find your cabin quickly.
Most major cruise lines allow magnetic door decorations but ban tape, glue, and adhesives. Pick up magnetic sheets, letters, or small magnetic signs, and keep decorations from blocking your room number or peephole.
Dollar Store “Bargains” That Can Get Confiscated
Not everything in the dollar store is cruise-safe. These items are commonly banned or restricted:
- Power strips and extension cords: Royal Caribbean bans all power strips, surge protectors, and multi-plug outlets. Some lines allow non-surge strips, so check your line’s current policy.
- Candles and incense: Banned across cruise lines as a fire hazard.
- String lights as decorations: Often removed because of fire risk.
- Adhesive hooks and tape for doors: Most lines only allow magnets on doors.
- Mini steamers or travel irons: Commonly confiscated at security.
The fix: If your item uses heat, an open flame, or more than one electrical outlet, leave it at home.
Sample Dollar Store Cruise Haul
Here’s roughly what this full list costs at Dollar Tree prices.
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Zip-top bags, ponchos, binder clips | About $4 |
| LED tea lights and glow sticks | About $3 |
| Wrinkle-release spray and lint roller | About $3 |
| Sewing kit, sink stopper, blister pads | About $4 |
| Hamper, bins, mesh bag | About $5–8 |
| Dry-erase board and magnetic supplies | About $3–5 |
| Total | About $22–27 |
Prices vary by store and location. Some items, like hampers or larger bins, may fall into higher value price tiers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a dollar store power strip — many lines ban them, and Royal Caribbean bans all of them
- Packing real candles for “ambience” — they will be confiscated
- Using tape or adhesive hooks on your cabin door — magnets only on most ships
- Overbuying “just in case” items — every extra item takes up limited cabin space
- Skipping the ponchos on a rainy itinerary — umbrellas rarely survive the wind at port
What I’d Pack Differently
Based on current cruise-line guidance and common traveler feedback, the dollar store item cruisers most often wish they’d packed is a stack of zip-top bags. They solve wet swimsuits, sandy phones, and packing chaos on the last night. Pack more than you think you need.
FAQs
Are dollar store items allowed on cruise ships? Most are. The exceptions are items with heat, flames, or multiple electrical outlets, such as candles, steamers, and power strips.
Can I bring a dollar store power strip on a cruise? Not on Royal Caribbean, which bans all power strips. Some lines, like Carnival and Princess, have allowed non-surge strips, so check your line’s current rules.
Are magnetic door decorations allowed? On most major lines, yes. Tape, glue, and adhesives are generally banned, and Virgin Voyages discourages door decorations entirely.
How much does a dollar store cruise haul cost? About $22–27 for this full list at Dollar Tree prices, depending on your store and location.
Can I bring wrinkle-release spray on a cruise? Yes, in a reasonable size. It’s one of the best alternatives to banned irons and steamers.
I am Zoe Grace, a passionate enthusiast of cruise ships. With a decade of firsthand experience in the cruising industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and wonders that these majestic vessels hold.
Now, I am excited to embark on a new journey as an author, sharing my knowledge and insights with readers who share my fascination for the world of cruising.
Join me as we explore the captivating world of cruise ships together.
