Packing Light for a Cruise

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Do you want to start packing light for a cruise?  After 15 cruises, I am feeling stuck in the backpack plus one checked bag rut!  Covering all of the events and what-ifs of travel can leave you feeling like you’re destined to become a pack mule.  But, I’m determined that I can make all of my “cruise stuff”  fit in a carry-on bag!   I’ve made all of the packing mistakes and learned that you really don’t need ALL of that STUFF. So, I’m ready to give it a try?  Are you?

When I first started cruising nearly 18 years ago, it was difficult to pack light for a cruise.  Formal dress evenings, dress codes, clothing for island visits, pool and beach time…it was a lot of stuff.

But now, it’s easier now than ever to start packing light for a cruise.  Most mainstream cruise lines – Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian are becoming increasingly more casual. Even if you enjoy the formal night and getting all dressed up, there are ways that you can certainly lighten your load.

Let’s get started packing light for a cruise! (We will use a 7-day cruise example)

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Packing Light for your Cruise with Casual Day Wear 

Start with 3-4 basic short options.

• Khaki – A great neutral that is easy to match
• Denim – A great basic which can be worn with nearly any top
• Athletic – I’m a casual person so I practically live in my Nike shorts in the summer.  They are so lightweight and dry fast.  I’ve worn them in a Caribbean downpour, working out in the fitness center and over my swimsuit while paddleboarding.
• Skort/Casual neutral skirt – I love my lightweight/quick-dry option from Athleta (shown below).  I can dress it up with a blouse or throw on a tank top for an easy port day.

From here, you can adjust as needed based on your particular sailing or personal preferences.   My daughter is all about the jean shorts so she’d rather have two pairs and skip the khakis. So, adjust your core pieces to fit your needs and personality.

Tops

I pack a couple more tops than the number of days.  So, for a 7-day cruise, I will pack 9 or 10 tops.  My rule of thumb is that each top has to coordinate with at least two of my bottom options.  Tops are easy to pack and I like having a couple extra for those times if one gets a stain or if I just want to refresh during the day.

Dressing for Dinner

There’s much debate over dressing up for dinner.  But for me, my fancy evening dress days for cruising are over. Don’t get me wrong, I am a rule follower and I will always adhere to the dress code.  I’ve just opt for a nice little black dress versus the bulky long gown seen often on cruises 20 years ago.  There are so many lightweight elegant dresses out there now that are easy to pack and rarely wrinkle making it SO much easier to pack light for your cruise.

If you really want to pack light, plan to wear the same LBD for both formal nights and change it up with a necklace or scarf.

For less formal dinner options I pack nice but casual summer dresses that can be packed easily.  Most of the dresses I bring can also be used later in the week as a cover-up or a nice and cool walk around the ship option.

Swimwear

Swimwear is a personal choice but for quantity, I never pack less than two.  Even though you are trying to pack light, trust me, putting on a damp swimsuit is definitely one of my top “Eww” things that I don’t want to do.  Personally, I pack one two-piece suit, one tankini (that coordinates with the bikini bottoms) and a one-piece.  For me, this covers everything from lounging in the sun to active water sports.

Remember, beach/pool towels are provided by the cruise line so don’t take up your suitcase space with a bulky beach towel!  Just remember, that you have to return the towels or you will likely be charged. However, I try and make room for this pack towel.  It is so compact and so much easier to bring on excursions that the bulky option from the cruise line.

I have a very basic and super comfortable black romper that I always include in my swimwear packing cube.  It is perfect to throw on over my swimsuit and head to the beach or pool.

Pajamas, Loungewear, and unmentionables 😉

Based on my dress selection, I usually include a slip and a strapless bra.  A couple of pairs of pajamas, and the number of days plus a few extra for underwear. It’s best to include a nude color bras ladies so you don’t have to worry about coordinating under your shirts.  (Unless you’re into the black bra under a white shirt thing, no judgment!) As space permits, and sometimes based on the itinerary, I usually throw in a lightweight zip-up jacket for cool evenings on the balcony and a pair of leggings or lounge pants in case I get chilly.

A Note about Footwear

Ladies, shoes seem to be a big stumbling block when trying to pack light for your cruise. Men, too, as shoes are typically larger and bulkier.   I admit I used to bring 5-6 pair.  I would pack tan sandals, and black sandals and super dressy heels.  No more!  Now, I finalize dresses based on whether or not they match my preferred evening shoes.  Could you get by on just one pair of dressy shoes? Yes!

Here’s my packing light shoe list – I wear my sneakers on the plane.  I pack flip flops that are comfortable and work great for pool, beach and just walking around the ship.  One pair of comfortable dress shoes for all evening dress.

That’s it!  Occasionally, if we have some hiking/water activities I will just bring my Teva sandals instead of the flip flops and I don’t miss a thing.

Packing Light for a Cruise – Carry On Only

My new carry-on is hard-sided.  One side has a compression layer.  This is where I put the majority of my clothes.  This side holds my packing cubes and my dresses folded once on top of the cubes.  The other side is open with a full zip around the top of the section.  I use this section to contain my toiletry kit, my cruise cabin prep kit, embarkation day essentials, shoes and usually a couple of miscellaneous items such as a light jacket and my excursion backpack.

Honestly, I will still struggle with packing carry-on only.  The one thing that I can’t seem to fit in this process is my snorkel gear which is important to me.  I am a work in progress for sure!  But, the idea of packing light doesn’t feel as limiting anymore.  It feels…well…light!  We live in a world of excess and frankly, it’s starting to feel a little heavy. So, I am on a mission to narrow my list down even further so that my snorkel gear can always be included.

So how do you feel about packing light for a cruise?  Have you been doing it for years?  Interested in giving it a try? Let us know in the comments below and share this post with an over-packing friend.  🙂

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Happy Travels!

Jillian