Whether you’re going on a Caribbean cruise or an Alaskan adventure, packing for a cruise takes organization. I’ve been on several cruises over the last year and have found some clever tips and hacks that make packing a breeze!
Cruise Packing System and Guide
In this packing guide, I’ll share how to pack clothing, toiletries, shoes, and handbags, as well as cruise-specific travel items. These tips will work whether you’re a light packer or if you struggle with overpacking.
The goal isn’t to bring as little as possible but to be intentional so you have what you need. Once on a ship, there are times you can’t just pick something up, so you need to be prepared.
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1. Consider Your Itinerary and Number of Days
Planning your packing starts with understanding your itinerary and the number of days you’ll be traveling. Consider the weather during your trip and whether you’ll need warmer or bulkier clothing.
Tip: When wearing sweaters over a shirt (even a cardigan), this can be worn more than once. So if you’re going on a Norway or Alaska cruise, don’t bring 7 sweaters for a 7-day cruise.
2. Plan Outfits
Pre-plan your cruise outfits to avoid overpacking. Think about daywear and evening wear and plan your clothing based on your possible activities.
Here are a few tips that will help when you’re getting ready to pack:
- Use a Clothing Rack: If you have the space, use a clothing rack and hang items that you’re considering bringing on a cruise. Hang dresses, tops and pants. Other items like shorts and t-shirts can be folded and placed on a shelf
- Choose Multi-Use Clothing: Pack items that can be worn in multiple ways or for different occasions.
- Don’t Forget Sleepwear, Swimsuits, and Cover-Ups: You’ll need at least 2 swimsuits and cover-ups for warm weather cruises
- Consider Outerwear: A light jacket, sweater, or jean jacket may be necessary for evenings or even breezy days on the ship
Related: 25 Gorgeous Swimsuit Cover Ups for a Cruise
3. Plan on Re-wearing and Mixing & Matching
Consider re-wearing and mixing and matching items to maximize your wardrobe. Some call this a capsule wardrobe, but it doesn’t have to adhere strictly to a color scheme.
Think about how you can re-wear and mix and match items for different looks. As an example, one top can be worn with at least 2 bottoms (pants, shorts or a skirt).
4. Use Packing Cubes in Different Sizes
Different size packing cubes help keep you organized and allow you to optimize your luggage space. If you have different sets, use what you have.
Recommended: Packing cubes set (check price & over 19,000 amazon reviews here)
Regular packing cubes have some compression abilities, which helps to maximize space in your luggage.
I recently started to use compression packing cubes, which are great for certain items and to compress dirty laundry when the cruise is done. However, be cautious if using compression packing cubes as this can cause wrinkles if overstuffed.
Recommended: Compression packing cubes set (my favorite brand)
5. Roll, Bundle, or Fold Your Clothes
Choosing the right packing method can make a big difference in how much you can fit in your luggage and the condition of your clothes when you unpack.
Bundling
Bundling involves wrapping clothes around a central core, usually a small pouch containing your undergarments or accessories. This method minimizes wrinkles by reducing folds and creases and can keep outfits together.
However, I don’t personally like the bundling method because it is inconvenient to access a single item, creates a bulky mass, and doesn’t allow for organized packing.
Rolling
Rolling reduces wrinkles and saves space, making it ideal for casual wear like casual tops and lightweight dresses. Rolled clothes fit snugly into packing cubes or the corners of your suitcase, allowing you to utilize every inch of space.
This method works best for items made of thinner fabrics and those less prone to wrinkling.
Folding
Folding is best for items that are prone to wrinkling or need to maintain their shape.
Use folding for:
- Dress Shirts and Blouses: Keeps them neat and reduces the need for ironing.
- Pants and Trousers: Maintains sharp creases.
- Sweaters and Knitwear: Prevents stretching and maintains shape.
- Dressier Dresses and Skirts: Preserves condition and structure.
By choosing the right method—rolling, bundling, or folding—you can maximize your luggage space and keep your clothes in great condition for your cruise.
6. Pack Suits, Dress Shirts, and Dresses in Dry Cleaning Wrap
A packing hack that I learned from viewers and readers, is to layer dry cleaning bags over delicate items before folding them to reduce wrinkles.
This trick keeps your delicate and dressier clothing in top condition, ready for formal nights and gala evenings.
7. Pack Heavier Items at the Bottom of the Suitcase
Place heavier items at the bottom to balance the weight and avoid crushing delicate items. This also makes your suitcase easier to maneuver and prevents shifting during travel.
8. Packing Handbags
Stuff handbags with items to keep their shape and save space. Unpack these once you reach your destination.
- Evening Handbags: Bring 1-2 that match your clothing.
- Crossbody Bag for Excursions: Can be packed with items and kept in your personal bag if flying.
9. Pack Extra Clothing in a Carry-on Bag
In your carry on luggage, place a packing cube with 2 days of clothing: 2 pairs of underwear, appropriate undergarments, 2 shirts, one pair of pants, or a dress.
If your luggage is lost, you’ll have clothing for the next 2 days and a base to build from.
Related: 23 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
10. Use Good Quality Hard-Sided Luggage
Investing in good quality hard-sided luggage can significantly enhance your travel experience. Here’s why:
- Durability: Hard-sided luggage is more resistant to wear and tear, ensuring your belongings are well-protected throughout your journey.
- Security: Often equipped with integrated locks, it provides better security for your items.
- Organization: Built-in compartments and dividers help you stay organized, making packing and unpacking easier.
- Protection: Offers better protection for fragile items, minimizing the risk of damage during transit.
Opting for high-quality hard-sided luggage ensures your belongings are safe, organized, and well-protected during your cruise travels.
Recommended: Level 8 Luggage (Voyageur collection shown above) – Use discount code L8SS for 20% off
11. Vacuum-Seal Bags (no pump)
These compress bulky items like sweaters and jackets, making them easier to pack and saving valuable space in your luggage.
If you’re going on a cooler weather cruise and have bulky sweaters or puffer jackets, vacuum seal bags are great space-saver!
12. Travel Day Wear
Your travel day outfit should serve a purpose on the cruise.
- Wear Bulkiest Items on Travel Day: Save space by wearing your heaviest shoes and jacket.
- Wear Your Travel Outfit Both Ways: At the very least, you can rewear the same items on the way back home
- Short Flight Outfit: While longer flights need a very comfortable travel outfit, short flights leave you more flexibility. Don’t be afraid to wear a cute dress with a jeanjacket or nice jeans and a top with a light sweater/cardigan. These can be worn on casual days and evenings on a cruise.
13. Shoes
You need 3-4 pairs of shoes for a cruise: sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, and a second casual evening shoe (optional). If you plan to bring more, be intentional.
14. Packing Shoes
- Stuff Shoes with Small Items: Utilize the space inside shoes for socks, jewelry, or other small items.
- Pack Shoes in a Shoe Bag or Cover with Shower Cap: Protect your clothing from dirt and maintain shoe shape.
15. Toiletries
Toiletries can take up a lot of space in your luggage or carry-on bag. However, cruise cabin bathrooms are small, so you want to minimize what you bring to keep clutter to a minimum.
- Bring a Hanging Organizer: Use a hanging toiletry bag for easy access and to save counter space.
- Prepack Toiletry Bag with Essentials: Use silicone covers for bottles to avoid leaks.
- Use Small Containers: Avoid full-size makeup and use small containers for moisturizer, foundation, and hair products.
- Pack Solid-Form Cosmetics: Opt for solid-form shampoo bars, perfumes, and lotion bars to save space and avoid liquid restrictions when flying carry-on only.
Related: 12 Genius Cruise Ship Bathroom Hacks and Organization Tips
15. Tips for Laundry
- Do Light Laundry During the Trip: Purchase the cruise line laundry bag service or unlimited laundry package (if available)
- DIY Laundry: Hand wash a few items if needed or do laundry if there is a self-service laundrette. Bring a laundry kit or buy one onboard.
- Do Laundry Before You Get Home: If you have a package, especially!
- Laundry Hamper or Bag: Bring a pop up hamper, a laundry bag (from a packing cube set) or place in your luggage under the bed.
Related: How to Pack Wrinkle Free for a Cruise
14. Packing Tips and Hacks
Use Pill Cases for Jewelry
Keep small jewelry organized and tangle-free by using pill cases to store them securely.
First Aid Medication Packing Cube or Ziplock Bag
Keep first aid items, prescription medications and a small amount of over-the-counter meds in a convenient packing cube or ziplock bag. Pack extras in your luggage for longer trips.
Hair Care
Pack essentials like a blow-dry brush and curling iron for styling during your cruise. Consider scheduling a professional hair appointment on the ship around day 2 or 3 for added convenience.
Bring a Foldable Tote or Backpack
Pack a collapsible bag to use for shore excursions or as extra storage onboard.
Tech Items
Organize your portable chargers and wires in a case or ziplock bag to keep them easily accessible during your travels.
Related: 25 Genius Travel Gadgets & Tech Items to Bring on a Cruise
Travel Umbrella
For destinations with unpredictable weather, packing a compact travel umbrella can save you from unexpected downpours.
Ziploc Bags
Bring both small and large ziploc bags for various uses such as storing wet swimsuits, separating items in your luggage, or organizing purchases. Keep them in pouches within your luggage for convenient access.
15. Cruise Essentials
Here are some of the most useful and popular cruise essentials to bring on your cruise. These can be packed in either a carry on piece of luggage or checked bag.
- Magnet Hooks and Clips: Keep organized and add extra space.
- Towel Clips or Bands: For securing towels on deck chairs.
- Cruise Card Holder: A lanyard can work too.
- Over the Door Organizer: Folds up flat and can be placed on top of all other items.
- Hamper: For dirty clothes.
- Power Cube and/or Travel Adapter: For multiple electronics.
- Bathroom Spray (poo-pourri): To keep your cabin smelling fresh.
- Reusable Water Bottles: Pack separately to save space.
Related: 50 Amazon Cruise Essentials to Bring on a Cruise Vacation
16. Air Tag for Tracking
Place an Air Tag inside your luggage to track its location throughout your trip. This provides peace of mind in case your luggage gets lost or misplaced.
17. Always Pack a Light Jacket or Sweater
Regardless of your destination, always include a light jacket or sweater in your luggage. It prepares you for unexpected weather changes or cooler evenings during your cruise.
18. Leave Room for Souvenirs
Pack an expandable bag or tote specifically for bringing home souvenirs. This ensures you have extra space without needing additional luggage on your return journey.
Before Your Cruise
19. Print Out All Documents
Keep all necessary documents, including cruise tickets, itinerary, hotel reservations, and travel insurance details, in a file or document holder. Having physical copies ensures you have quick access to important information without relying solely on digital devices.
20. Print Luggage Tags
Print out and fill in your luggage tags before departing for your cruise. Place them securely in plastic luggage tag holders to ensure your bags are properly identified and delivered to your cabin promptly upon boarding.
Here are the luggage tag holders by cruise line (Amazon links):
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
Please note that Disney Cruise Line does not have printed luggage tags.
21. Passports and ID
Always carry your passports, identification cards, and any necessary visas with you while traveling. These documents are essential for international travel and may be required during various checkpoints, both at airports and during cruise embarkation and disembarkation.
22. Small Bills and Common Currency
For convenience, carry small bills in the appropriate currency for your destinations. For example, USD is widely accepted in the Caribbean, while Euro is common in most European ports.
Having local currency on hand makes it easier to purchase souvenirs, food, or other items during your excursions. Additionally, carry a credit card for larger purchases or emergencies, ensuring you have multiple payment options available.
23. What Not to Pack for a Cruise
There are some things you can’t bring on a cruise as they are prohibited, while others can be left at home as they are provided on the cruise ship.
Do Not Pack:
- Weapons or Sharp Objects: Firearms, knives, and other weapons are strictly prohibited.
- Illegal Substances: This includes marijuana and CBD products (check the cruise line websites for more information)
- Candles and Incense: Fire hazards like candles and incense are not allowed.
- Clothing Irons and Steamers: They are a potential fire hazard.
Related: 13 Items that Are Banned on Cruise Ships (& Why)
What the Ship Provides:
- Toiletries: Basic toiletries like soap, shampoo and conditioner are usually provided
- Beach Towels and Bedding: Pool and beach towels are supplied by the cruise line.
- Hangers: If you need extra hangers you can simply ask your cabin attendant.
Related & Popular Posts
- Best Packing Cubes for Cruises
- 37 Long Flight Essentials to Pack in Your Carry-on
- What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
- 30 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs
- 23 Best Cruise Luggage and Packing Accessories
- 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
- 60 Cruise Packing Tips All Cruisers Need to Know
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re packing carry-on only for a cruise or with checked luggage, it’s important to have a system and to stay organized. In this way you’ll have what you need, and look and feel your best.
How do you organize your luggage? Please share your tips, tricks and experiences in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana