15 Best Cruise Travel Essentials for Seniors, From $5

My 76-year-old grandparents love to travel. Their next trip is a river boat cruise to Normandy, France, adding to their long list of cruises they’ve taken, including Alaska, Germany, and the Netherlands, just to name a few. They both have the most clever and unexpected packing tips, so, inspired by their upcoming trip, I decided to tap them for their cruise ship essentials.

They shared with me everything on their packing listincluding their favorite comfortable footwear brands, a space-saving travel hack for keeping their room organized, and a pair of stylish, wrinkle-free travel pants that my grandmother purchased for their trip. Keep reading for more of their recommended cruise essentials from Amazon, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie, starting at just $5.

Doc Miller Open-toe Compression Socks

Compression socks are a travel essential for my grandmother. She has multiple pairs of these Doc Miller compression socks and loves the open-toe design, which she can wear with sandals. Compression socks are known for improving circulation and helping to prevent blood clots, and travelers of any age can benefit from them. In addition to wearing them in-flight, my grandmother also wears them on days she knows she’ll be on her feet for a while to help reduce swelling.

Ezy Dose Push-button Pill Case

As a heart patient, my grandmother must keep her medication organized on vacation, so she packs this convenient pill case. The seven-day organizer features separate compartments for AM and PM medications and vitamins, and it has easy-to-access, secure push tabs for opening. She also packs a small, circular antique pill case, similar to this oneto keep in her crossbody bag when she’s out and about.

Cruise On Large Mesh Over-the-door Organizer

After staying in rooms of all sizes on cruises, my grandparents have become pros at navigating compact quarters. They use this mesh over-the-door organizer that can hang on a closet or bathroom door with its three durable steel hooks. The convenient 34-pocket organizer can hold shoes, toiletries, medications, and any other overflow from drawers or the closet. It’s also worth noting that the product description says it’s fire-retardant and approved by all major cruise lines.

FitFlop Fino Bauble-bead Toe-post Sandals

When it comes to comfortable travel sandalsmy grandmother swears by FitFlop. She owns multiple pairs of the brand’s popular Fino wedge sandalincluding this pair adorned with chic baubles, currently 52 percent off. She told me she can wear the supportive shoes all day “without any discomfort,” thanks to the shoes’ cushioned sole, which helps minimize impact. She already has a few pairs lined up to bring along on her upcoming trip.

Skechers Men’s Summits High Range Slip-in Sneakers

As for my grandfather’s preferred comfortable shoehe says he never travels without his Skechers. These lightweight walking sneakers are made with a breathable mesh material, and they have a memory foam insole, which is shock-absorbent and keeps his feet cool after a long day of travel. Plus, slipping into the shoes couldn’t be easier with its hands-free design.

Coolibar Men’s UPF 50+ Chase Featherweight Bucket Hat

Staying protected from the sun is extremely important for my grandfather, which is why he packs this Coolibar bucket hat when he’s out on the ship’s deck. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection, blocking 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, he says that the lightweight, travel-friendly design doesn’t take up much room in his suitcase.

Mz Wallace Metro Quilted Nylon Crossbody Bag

For a day of sightseeing, my grandmother makes sure to have a stylish yet functional crossbody bag on her. Her “perfect bag” has multiple secure interior compartments for her sunglasses, wallet, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and more, but it also needs to be lightweight and packable. This sleek-looking Mz Wallace bag has enough room for her essentials without weighing her down, features an easy-access front pocket, and includes an adjustable cross-body strap.

Travelambo Carbon Fiber Money Clip

To my generation, a money clip seems like a foreign concept, but my grandfather convinced me it’s a genius item to have on hand. He says that when he’s traveling around Europe, he’ll keep the Euros he’s carrying for the day in a pocket-sized money clip so they’re easy to access and he doesn’t have to take out his wallet and risk losing it.

Maeve The Colette Crop Wide-leg Jeans

My grandmother is around 5-feet tall, like me, and says these are her favorite petite travel pants. She told me they fold up small and don’t wrinkle, and she also raved about the flattering high waistband and comfortable wide-leg design. To be honest, she convinced me to pick up a pair myself for my summer travels.

Rodcirant Compact Binoculars

On my grandparents’ recent cruise to Alaska, they picked up these compact binoculars for my little cousins, although they’ve quickly become their newest travel must-have. The 20×25 travel-friendly binoculars come with a neck strap, a cleaning cloth, and a portable carrying case. They’re also waterproof, making them all the more cruise ship-friendly.

Vaunn Easy-grip Folding Cane

My grandparents don’t use canes, but they travel with a foldable walking assistant, just in case. The three-point fold travel cane extends up to 37 inches but folds down to just 11 inches, making it easy to fit into a small carrying case that’s easy to pack. The cane’s handles have a slip-resistant gel grip, and the bottom is capped with a shock-absorbent tip.

Yoobure Compact Travel Umbrella

You never know when you might encounter an impromptu shower, which is why my grandparents carry a compact travel umbrella in their bags. This option folds up to the size of an iPhone, measuring about seven inches, and it comes with a packable carrying case.

Fanwer Foldable Shoe Horn

My grandfather says this foldable shoe horn is another unique essential he doesn’t travel without. The extendable length, which can adjust from seven to 33 inches, allows him to slip on shoes without bending over. It neatly folds into a packable size that’s easy to keep in his travel bag.

Synhope Mini Cordless Portable Water Flosser

Another unexpected item on their packing list is a Water Flosser portablewhich they both told me they never travel without. They keep their water flosser in their toiletry bags and say the compact design doesn’t take up much space. A single full charge can last up to 30 days and can be recharged using a USB cord. This portable water flosser comes with four interchangeable nozzle heads and a carrying case.

iHealth Neo Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor

My grandmother always travels with this wireless blood pressure monitorand says it’s “so easy to use.” The packable one-button machine displays results in 30 to 60 seconds and sends those results to the iHealth Neo app, where she can easily track and share her blood pressure readings through her iPhone.

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