12 Cruise Ship Snacks and Sips Travelers Actually Buy Twice

Cruise travelers are creatures of habit, especially when it comes to snacks and drinks that make sea days easier. Between buffet meals and port excursions, people crave familiar comforts, something crunchy, cold, or caffeinated that’s quick to grab and easy to repeat. These are the small indulgences that quietly become part of the onboard rhythm. From a second piña colada by the pool to another pack of mixed nuts before a shore tour, here are the snacks and sips passengers actually buy twice.

1. Chips (potato crisps)

Here’s the truth: chips are the ultimate low-effort indulgence at sea. They’re light, salty, and portable, which makes them perfect for a day by the pool, an overnight shore excursion, or late-night snacking in the cabin. Travelers buy them repeatedly because they satisfy immediate cravings and travel well in luggage. Onboard shops stock familiar national brands and local flavors, so people often pick up a second bag once they find a variety they like. Chips also travel easily into theaters and lounges where outside food is allowed, so they keep getting repurchased throughout a voyage.

2. Mixed nuts or trail mix packs

Think of mixed nuts as the practical snack that still feels a little luxe. They’re compact, shelf-stable, and loaded with fat and protein that keeps energy up during long port days and excursions. Trail mixes with dried fruit and chocolate are also popular because they balance sweet and savory and don’t require refrigeration. Cruise travelers grab these packs for hikes, bus tours, or late-night hunger, and then buy them again because one bag rarely lasts the trip. The convenience factor, single-serve portions, and resealable bags make repeat purchases an easy choice.

3. Candy bars and chocolates

Sweet treats sell like clockwork on cruises. Candy bars and boxed chocolates satisfy impulse cravings and are perfect for gifting or sharing. People keep buying them because they’re inexpensive indulgences that pair well with coffee or an evening movie. Seasonal or locally themed confections often create a second wave of purchases when travelers want a souvenir that’s also edible. Chocolates with higher cocoa content or limited-edition bars can prompt multiple buys since they’re easy to stash in the cabin or bring home as small gifts.

4. Crackers and cheese snack packs

Crackers paired with single-serve cheese or spreadable packs are a go-to for casual cabin grazing. They’re tidy, require no prep, and hit the comfort-food sweet spot; crunch, salt, and creamy fat. Travelers often buy an initial pack for the first few nights, then come back for more because these snacks are reliable when ship dining hours don’t match your schedule. They’re also practical for sightseeing days when you need a quick bite between meals. The ease of an all-in-one snack is what makes them a repeat purchase.

5. Jerky and meat sticks

Jerky is the compact protein choice people reach for on long days ashore. It’s nonperishable, lightweight, and filling, which makes it a natural travel pantry staple. Flavors range from classic beef to turkey, spicy pork, or even seafood jerky, so trying a new variety often leads to buying it again. The satiety factor is real: one or two sticks can fend off hunger until dinner, so people repurchase once they’ve burned through their first supply. For active excursions or port-side walking tours, jerky is a dependable repeat buy.

6. Cookies and biscuits

Cookies and biscuits hit a universal comfort note, and on cruise ships, they double as easy sharing snacks. Travelers repurchase them because they’re predictable, satisfying, and pair well with morning coffee or evening tea. Small tins or bags travel well, and specialty cookies featuring local flavors often tempt guests into a second purchase. The texture, chewy, crunchy, or buttery, matters, so once someone finds a variety they like, they often come back for more. Cookies are also a handy, mess-free option for kids, which drives repeat buys in family groups.

7. Bottled water and premium still or sparkling water

Hydration is non-negotiable, and bottled water is one of the few onboard essentials people buy repeatedly for practical reasons. Whether you prefer still or sparkling, travelers pick up bottles for excursions, cabin convenience, and because tap water policies differ by ship or port. Premium brands and larger multi-packs are common repeat buys when people find a level of carbonation or taste they prefer. Staying hydrated also helps combat the effects of alcohol and long days in the sun, so water becomes a frequent, necessary purchase throughout a cruise.

8. Soda and soft drinks

Soda is a repeat-purchase staple because it’s familiar, thirst-quenching, and inexpensive relative to cocktails. Guests often buy cases for the cabin or single cans for poolside sipping. Diet and caffeine-free options are common on repeat buys as travelers tailor purchases to family preferences and daily routines. When the ship’s included beverages don’t match your taste, grabbing a soda brand you like is an easy solution. For families with kids, soda also tends to be bought in quantity, which drives multiple purchases during a voyage.

9. Specialty coffee and café drinks

A good coffee can make or break the morning ashore, and many travelers splurge on specialty coffees more than once. Onboard cafes offer lattes, cappuccinos, and iced drinks that often taste better than instant cabin coffee. Guests who value a reliable, flavorful caffeine fix will visit the café multiple times, especially on port days before early tours. For some, specialty coffee becomes part of the ritual, an indulgence you repeat daily while at sea, making it one of the most commonly rebought nonessential items.

10. Frozen tropical cocktails (piña colada, margarita)

Frozen cocktails are almost synonymous with cruising for many passengers, and they sell out fast for a reason. These slushy, bright drinks pair perfectly with deck lounging and sunny ports. Travelers often buy one early in the trip, like at embarkation, and keep coming back as the vibe of the ship lures them to replicate the vacation feel. Because these drinks are experiential, cold, sweet, and often decorated, they hit the “vacation treat” button repeatedly. Many guests view them as part of the cruise ritual and budget for them accordingly.

11. Beer by the bottle or draft

Beer is a reliable repeat purchase, especially when local or craft options are available. Many travelers enjoy tasting a local brew while in port and then buy more of it on board if they liked the flavor. Draft pours and chilled bottles are convenient for immediate consumption, while multi-packs are popular for cabin storage. Repeat buying is driven by familiarity and portion control; beer is an easy, lower-cost alcoholic option that fits both casual and social moments throughout a cruise.

12. Wine and sparkling wine by the glass

Wine by the glass is a common repeat buy because it pairs with dinners and toasts and feels like a small luxury. Travelers frequently sample a variety early in the voyage, then return to a favorite label for subsequent nights. Sparkling wine also sells again and again because it’s associated with celebration and pairs well with light meals or dessert. Unlike cocktails, wine often accompanies meals, creating a pattern of repeated consumption as guests dine multiple times on board. The accessibility of single glasses or half-bottles makes repeat purchases manageable.