What Did I Forget to Pack? Tips for Perfect Cruise Packing

Whether you are a first-time cruise or you’ve been on many cruises, packing can always be something that is a bit tricky. Depending on your cruise ports, you will need to pack for a variety of experiences such as beach time, city exploration, helicopter glacier tours, formal nights, lounge wear and more. Our family has been able to cruise many times and I’ve gained experience with what you really should pack and what you can leave at home. Let me share my tips for perfect packing for cruises.

Don’t be the person with two oversized suitcases, a backpack, and a duffle bag. Hauling all of that luggage around is a major pain. Plus is most likely that you won’t use over half of what you’ve packed. Listen in to hear all of my best tips for packing for a cruise!

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“Set out what you want to pack and then put 1/2 back in your closet.”

— Lisa Andrews

Tips for Perfect Cruise Packing

Before packing, make a list of all of the excursions and events you want to plan clothes for while on your cruise. Use this as a guide when you pull things from your closet.
Print off my free cruise packing list and use it to guide what goes in your suitcase. (You will find my other favorite packing lists at that link too!)
Set out the things you think you want to take on the cruise. Then put 1/2 of it back in your closet. You really do not need to bring things just in case you might use them. My goal is always to fit everything in my favorite carryon suitcase (The Away Bigger Carry On) plus a duffle or backpack.
Pack a bag that you will carry onto the ship. I’m taking the Away Everything Bag on my upcoming cruise! When you arrive at the port, porters will take your luggage and deliver it to your stateroom. This process can take several hours. Keel things with you that you will want to have through dinner time. Think about putting medication, swimming suits, first evening attire, travel documents, and toiletries into this bag.
Bring along double-duty items. Bring a skirt that can work for dinner one night and then be a casual around-town skirt the following day. Bring shoes that work for multi-purposes. Sandals for the beach, walking around town and dinner.
Plan on rewearing items. You don’t need a brand new outfit every day! Pack a travel wardrobe capsule where all of the items coordinate with each other. Then you can mix and match items and have many outfit options. Bring 2 pants, 2 shorts, 2 skirts and then mix those in with a variety of tops.
Formal night. You can be super dressy or skip the dining room and head to the buffet on formal night or dress somewhere in between. I’m packing this dress for our upcoming cruise. I love that it’s lightweight and doesn’t wrinkle! Think about bringing things that don’t take up a lot of room in your suitcase. My husband brought a suit on our first couple of cruises but now he brings a nice collared shirt he can wear with a pair of pants that are used for things other than just dinner.
Bring your favorite toiletries. The cruise ship may have some basic items but no guarantees on what they will offer. If you happen to forget something, there is a shop on cruises where you can buy toiletries. Their prices will be high so that should only be a back up plan.
Leave a little extra space for souvenirs. If you enjoy shopping and collecting things from destinations, be sure to leave some extra space in your suitcase. Or you could bring a packable travel backpack in your suitcase and then unfold it to fill with souvenirs. The backpack will also work great to hold essentials while you are out on excursions.
Remember your non-clothing essentials. A book, daypack, chargers, and a power strip will all come in handy while cruising.
Use packing cube to pack your clothes. They will compress your clothes which could let you pack In only a carryon suitcase. Plus the packing cubes are great to keep things organized while on the ship.