What to Pack for a Panama Canal Cruise: Three Essentials We’re Glad We Brought
Some packing choices prove their value once the trip begins.
As Mr Aerial Drone and I make our way through our 16-night Panama Canal sailing aboard Norwegian Joy, three things have earned a place on our “glad we brought it” list: portable power banks, insect repellent, and low-maintenance clothing.
These are practical choices drawn from our experience so far—from keeping our devices charged to spending time ashore in Guatemala and choosing clothes that require less upkeep.
If you’re deciding what to pack for a Panama Canal cruise, here’s what we brought and why we appreciate having it with us.
1. Anker Power Banks: Our Charging Setup for Phones and Tablets
We brought two Anker power banks with different purposes: the Anker Nano for our iPhones and the Anker Prime for our tablets.
What Comes Ashore With Us
The smaller Anker Nano is our portable charging option for our phones while we’re off the ship.
Mr Aerial Drone uses an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which connects to the Nano’s built-in retractable USB-C cable. My iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Lightning, so we bring my charging cable along.
That’s a small packing detail worth checking before leaving home. Even when two people both use iPhones, their charging connections may be different.
Before heading ashore, make sure your power bank is charged and that you have the cables your devices actually need.
What We Use for Our Tablets
We use the Anker Prime for our tablets:
MiA: iPad Pro 13-inch (M5)
Mr Aerial Drone: iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
This is the setup we brought for our devices. Your own charging needs will depend on what you travel with and how you use it.
Our packing takeaway: Make a short device-and-cable checklist. A portable charger and the correct cable belong together in your shore-day bag.
2. Grand Tongo Insect Repellent: Our Experience in Guatemala
Insect repellent was one of the items we were glad to have packed for time ashore. We used Grand Tongo Insect Repellent in Citrus + Sandalwood during our visit to Guatemala.
We brought the pocket-size spray bottle, which was convenient to carry.
The scent wasn’t bad—something I appreciated because bug spray can sometimes smell overwhelming. It also didn’t feel noticeably greasy on my skin.
I didn’t notice any bug bites. Mr Aerial Drone did notice a bite on the lower part of his leg.
That’s our experience from this outing. I can speak to how the product smelled and felt on my skin, but our different bite experiences are worth including, too. Follow the product’s label directions for application and reapplication.
Our packing takeaway: Plan for your activities ashore, and make sure the repellent you packed is in the bag you take off the ship.
3. Wrinkle-Resistant, Quick-Drying Clothing
For clothing, two qualities stand out on this sailing: wrinkle resistance and quick drying.
On a 16-night trip, I appreciate pieces that require less upkeep. I want to enjoy getting dressed without making clothing care a daily project.
Wrinkle-resistant pieces help keep the wardrobe manageable after being packed in a suitcase. Quick-drying clothing is useful when something gets damp or needs washing, although drying time will vary with the fabric and conditions.
Low-maintenance clothing can still reflect your personal style. For me, it means paying attention to how a piece travels and how easy it will be to care for while away.
When choosing your own cruise wardrobe, check the care labels as well as the fit. Think about which pieces will work for your plans and how much attention they’ll need throughout the trip.
Our packing takeaway: Consider how your clothes will wear, pack, and dry—not just how they look before they go into the suitcase.
Our Three-Essential Packing Check
Before your own sailing, use these questions to review your bag:
Portable power: Do you have a charged power bank and the correct cables for every device you plan to carry?
Insect repellent: Have you packed it somewhere accessible for your shore activities?
Clothing: Have you included wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying pieces that suit your itinerary and personal style?
This is a focused look at three things we’re glad we brought, rather than a complete packing list. Documents, medications, footwear, and other personal necessities still deserve their own checks.
What We’re Learning Along the Way
Our Panama Canal journey is still unfolding, and these observations come from what we’re using now.
The Anker Nano comes ashore for our phones, with my Lightning cable alongside it. The Anker Prime serves our tablets. The insect repellent came into use in Guatemala, and easy-care clothing remains a packing choice I appreciate on a longer sailing.
The value is in choosing items that fit the way you actually travel. Start with your itinerary, your devices, and your daily routines, then build your packing list around them.
For more planning context, explore Preparing for a 16-Night Panama Canal Cruise. If you’re still choosing your sailing, read The Panama Canal: Choosing the Right Passage.
What is one practical item you’re always glad you packed for a cruise?
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