The idea of a cruise may call up visions of steam trunks, but when it comes time to pack you may find that less is more. Packing smarter and lighter means more room in your cabin drawers and less hassle traveling to your departure destination. Packing light could also save you money; if you’re flying to your point of embarkation, you’ll need to think about airline fees for checked baggage. With those reasons in mind, think of how you can pare down your packing for a cruise. You can fit a week’s worth of clothing into a single suitcase and still have everything you need for dinner at the captain’s table or a day-long stroll through an exotic port of call.
Pack for your destination:
It’s tempting to pack extra outfits to deal with unseasonable temperatures, but don’t heed that voice telling you to take a sweater to Aruba. Cope with cool ocean breezes with a light jacket and a stylish wrap that can fold into a small corner of your carry-on case.
Learn about the dress code:
While some cruise ships still request formal attire for dinner, others are leaning more toward elegant casual clothing. You’ll see this trend in resort wear for women and bolder colors in dress shirts for men. If you don’t need evening wear, skip the sequined gown and save room for more souvenirs.
Choose double-duty clothes:
A large square of fabric in a colorful print can work as a sarong, a shawl or even a day dress. Depending on how you match them, simple black slacks can go casual or dressy. Separates work well for vacation travel because you can make a few pieces look like an extensive wardrobe with accessories.
Bring a Collapsible Day Pack:
Go on your airline’s website and see how large of a carry-on you can bring on the plane. Bringing a backpack or large tote gives you room to stash suitcase overflow items or souvenirs on the way back. It will also provide an easy way to carry extra layers and bottled water on days at port. Be sure to pack a fresh outfit, three ounce toiletry essentials and a bathing suit in your carry on so a lost piece of luggage won’t derail your vacation.
Accessorize wisely:
Shoes and belts are bulky, so pack only what you know you’ll need. Stabilizers on cruise ships mean you can walk in sky-high heels, but if you intend to dance, why not replace them with a pair of more comfortable kitten heels? If you have a more active cruise in mind, bring a pair of shoes that let you get moving. A single pair of sturdy athletic shoes should work for anything from the ship’s gym to moderate hiking at your port of call.
Borrow packing ideas from resort wear collections:
Designers intend their lines of women’s resort wear to be travel-friendly. Fabrics that can withstand days in a suitcase and still look crisp are mainstays. Most designers show larger pieces in solid colors and neutrals, adding interest with light scarves and skirts in colorful prints. This is a smart way to change things up without loading down your luggage.
Most ships supply many of the incidentals that make a cruise feel luxurious. Bathrobes are often provided for you, and shops carry any small necessity you may have forgotten. If you’re still having trouble condensing everything into a single suitcase, remember that you’ll regret having too little space for souvenirs more than you’ll miss that third pair of pumps.
This is such a perfect post. There was another cruise post that had packing tips, and even though I want to go on one but probably not that soon, I need this kind of help with packing… even when it’s packing for a few hours from home. I’m ridiculous, bringing too many clothes when I’m going away and too many books and such when I’m going anywhere at all. I need to invest in some clothes that withstand being folded away and are easy to wash.