How to Pack a Carryon for a Cruise

…in 10 Easy Steps

Having gone on at least two dozen cruises I’ve learned a few tips that will make your traveling so much more enjoyable. A little planning ahead will help you confidently venture out into this big beautiful world! How to pack a carryon for a cruise will make your life so much easier!

I’ve included links for some of the suggested products because they are what I use + they are all tried + true. Hopefully those links are helpful to you when choosing the best for yourself.

Before I start, I have to warn you that you may roll your eyes a couple of times in the beginning. I know what you’ll be thinking: this girl is Type-A. Ok, you’ve got me there. But if you look beyond that you will see that there is a method to my madness + it will keep you from going mad as well! Hey, you may even learn a few things about yourself in the process…

1 :: Start with a spreadsheet (or a list)

OK, I saw you roll your eyes already! It does sound a little daunting doesn’t it? I mean, who makes a spreadsheet to go on vacation? Well, I’ve found this to be the most efficient way to assure myself that I’m not forgetting anything + that I will pack only what I absolutely need and in a carryon at that. Say what you will, it works for me + I know it will work for you if you just give it a chance.

I’m actually gonna make it super easy on you by including my spreadsheet here for you. Feel free to print it out. This way you can follow along without too much pain.

OK, if a spreadsheet isn’t going to work for you just make yourself a LIST. Get out a piece of paper + start writing.

List your days on the sides + the times of day at the top like I’ve done, breaking out each portion of the day (Morning, Afternoon, Evening). Now fill out all the boxes with your cruise itinerary.

You will see this list is designed for a woman. Yes it is, because it’s MY list. HA! For a man this list is very easily converted.

2 :: Catalog what you will need

Decide on items of clothing + footwear you will need for each portion of the day. Count them up + list them on the right side as I have done. And do follow my suggestions because you won’t need more than that especially if you plan to pack only in a carryon because it can be done if you just follow my lead.

Make your list + grab your items. Double check to make sure you have everything. But when you’re finished… Don’t Add to it. Trust me, this is a huge step in getting you organized + taking only what you need. It will help keep you from overpacking. And remember, you’ll be schlepping your suitcase behind you. Save your back!

3 :: Mix and match your clothing

Lay everything out on your bed + start planning your outfits. Plan to wear shorts, skirts + shoes at least 2 times each. Refer to my Spreadsheet. Choose a neutral color palate so that all items coordinate with each other. Patterned items don’t mix + match well so try to choose solid-colored shorts + skirts so that they will all work with the patterned tops you may want to bring. Keep your colors neutral + that will help everything to match.

Another thing to think about is wrinkles. Try to pack as many wrinkle-free items as you can in that carryon. Staterooms do not allow for irons so your only recourse will be to steam your clothes in the shower. You’re going on this cruise to have a great time, not to worry about wrinkles!

Tip: If you do have a few wrinkles that simply don’t go away by hanging up your clothes, use your flat iron to do some touch ups! Works great!

4 :: Take into account formal dinner nights

If you can work in separates rather than dresses they will serve you really well. You can always accessorize to glam up your outfit. If you really need a dress go ahead + bring one but make it black. Accessories can change your look so you can wear it more than once.

And it can get chilly onboard so don’t forget a light sweater or at the very wear sleeves.

I have a standing date with my besties every other year for a Girls’ Cruise + we always have so much fun! So that’s us! Check on my post on the most beautiful ship we are taking :: RCCL’s Symphony of the Seas.

5 :: Wear your heaviest clothing while traveling

I just couldn’t help using this picture. We all know The One Where No One’s Ready, right? LOL! Well, I just read somewhere that a man was arrested for wearing all of his clothing on a plane to avoid paying to check his bag. LOL! Ok, that’s not what I’m saying here.

If you wear your jacket, sweater + walking shoes while traveling you won’t have to pack them! Makes sense, right? The airlines let you carry on your outerwear + don’t count it as hand luggage so you can always carry it over your arm if you prefer not to wear it.

When I travel I love wearing my SCOTTeVEST specially designed with lots of inside pockets. This one is so lightweight that I don’t even realize I have it on + all the pockets come in really handy for anything you might need at a moment’s notice. It may even eliminate the need for a purse altogether. They also make a SCOTTeVEST jacket with the same type of interior pockets design. One of my most favorite travel hacks of all time.

When going through TSA just take off your jacket + lay it on the conveyor belt. You won’t have to even think about what’s in your pockets + setting off that embarrassing alarm.

6 :: Leave your jeans at home

Jeans are too heavy to wear in the sun and there’s no room to pack them in a carryon anyway. Think about taking lightweight items made of linen or cotton (blended with microfiber, polyester or lycra that prevent wrinkles). They will take up less room in your luggage + will work much better for you in the tropics.

7 :: Pair your beauty products down to a minimum

You’re only gonna be gone for a week, girl! One of the biggest problems for us women is not to bring too many beauty products. Take only what you need! I have a couple of rules for myself in order to pack light and use only a carryon, especially when it comes to going to the tropics:

1. Bring a good leave-in hair product that covers all your bases :: natural is key here. It will make your travel experience so much simpler. And you won’t have to bring any other products. Think of wearing your hair in a pony tail or bun sometimes. And wear a hat. You’re in the tropics, girl!
2. Put whatever you absolutely need into small (this is my fave set) travel-size containers [contact lens cases work well for foundation, etc.] because all liquids must fit into no more than a 1-qt size ziplock. Click here for TSA’s 3-1-1 rule on liquids.

Because I travel so much, I keep one set of toiletries + beauty products in my my toiletry bag ready at a moment’s notice. All I have to do is grab it + put it into my carryon + I’m ready to go. When I get home from a trip I refill everything + have it ready for the next trip.

8 :: Everything should fit

I recommend getting a four-wheel, hard case carryon. Having a hard case really helps keep all of your belongings safe + secure PLUS it is much easier to pack.

The Delsey Hard Case Carryon with 4 wheels + outside compartment is the one I have + I absolutely love it. After having tried many styles + brands of carryons over the last 30 years, this is it. It has 4 wheels so it is very easy to maneuver through the airport. It also has an exterior zippered compartment that gives me access to my computer + other important stuff without having to open my entire bag. Click here to see all the features.

Now that you know what carryon I use, I have three very important tricks to make sure everything you need for this trip will fit every time:

First Trick: Roll your clothes! By rolling your clothes you will find packing so much easier. Separate your delicates, tops + bottoms into piles. Then get to rolling. Pack a carryon.

Second Trick: Invest in some packing cubes! Have I not shared them with you yet? OMG using my eBags Ultralight Travel Packing Cubes are game changers. They keep you organized + cut your packing/unpacking time in half. They come in a variety of colors + sizes. There are lots of different brands to choose from but my very fave is the eBags packing cubes.

The eBags set includes two small, two large + one slim cube. I find that this set is perfect for me. Stack them on top of each other to perfectly fit the dimensions inside your carryon.

Place your delicates in the slim cube, tops + shoes (HACK: put shower caps) in the large cube, bottoms + sandals (HACK: put in shower caps) in the other large. Use the two small to fit your non-liquid toiletries. This is what I do but feel free to arrange them however works best for you. I cannot even tell you how packing cubes have changed my life on the road. Seriously, check them out + tell me if they aren’t the absolute best travel hack ever!

Third Trick: There are 3 easy steps to this third trick.
1. First, before you start packing, unzip the expansion zipper + expand your bag to its largest capacity.
2. Secondly, fill it up + zip it up.
3. And for the last step, squeeze down on your bag while zipping up the expansion.
Voila! It works like a charm every time!

Remember I said packing cubes would cut your unpacking time in half? When you go to unpack just unzip your cubes + lay them inside your cabin drawers. No need to take anything out! Your clothes stay right inside your packing cubes + exactly where you put them. And when you’re ready to pack up you know exactly where everything goes back!

9 :: Bring a large hand-carry bag aboard your flight

I would suggest you bring a tote big enough to hold:
1. a change of clothes + underwear [you never know]
2. electronics/books [to keep you entertained while you wait]
3. your purse [I suggest a very small cross body purse for only your money, ID, tickets, phone + passport. This happens to be my very favorite cross body by Laga]
4. your 3-1-1 rule ziplock bag for TSA [click here for more deetz]
5. anything else you might need on your flight [portable charger, earbuds, snacks, a pair of socks]
If you don’t have room for #4 in your tote, I suggest you put it in the exterior compartment of that great carryon in case TSA wants to see it.

This is my very favorite hand-carry bag by Laga. The proceeds go to providing employment + education for tsunami survivors in Indonesia. What a great cause, right? It fits right under the seat in front of me on my flight + I get compliments on it everywhere I go! I take it with me on every trip! And you can pack a lot in this carryon bag.

And if you have room, put your swimsuit + coverup + sandals in there. That way, while you’re waiting for them to deliver your bag to your stateroom, you’ll have everything you need to go down to the pool + start enjoying the sun!

Speaking of sandals, I found a pair of flip flops that are so comfortable I can walk in all them day. They form fit my feet + I feel like I’m walking on a cloud. Seriously. So, unless I’ll be in cold weather where it is imperative I wear closed-toed shoes, I bring these flip flops with me everywhere I travel. Great footwear find!

10 :: Leave the kitchen sink at home

Think about what the ship provides: hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels :: you don’t need to bring these items. All they will do is take away valuable real estate in your carryon. Don’t second-guess what else you’ll need because you’ve already worked that out. If it’s not on your spreadsheet you can live without it for a week!

I hope this list will help you travel lighter + more efficiently. By adopting these easy rules your cruise will be so much less of a headache I promise you. I’ve stayed true to each + every step above + cruising has been so much more about the fun and way easier because I can pack really light using only a carryon bag. Easy Peasy!

Now go out there + have a fantastic cruise! You deserve it!