Jenny Lynn Anderson in a black dress and wearing sunglasses.

Packing Light for a Cruise: 8 Hacks You Need

A miracle happened in my life this month! For the first time ever, I successfully took a five-day trip to the Caribbean with only one carry-on piece of luggage. Packing light for a cruise has been a goal of mine for three years, but I’ve never achieved it because I have typically packed with a “just in case” mentality that’s given me the license to overpack. 

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What if I need an extra bathing suit coverup? I’ll throw it in, just in case. What if I need that extra cocktail dress? What if I need my special anti-frizz serums? I’ll pack it just in case. 

For five to seven-day trips, I typically have used my large, 25” TravelPro suitcase and have checked my luggage, but this time I was determined to make this trip without checking my luggage and use only my Travelpro CarryOn 21-inch. And, guess what? With planning and a desire to achieve this, I boarded a Delta flight with only my pink carry-on luggage.

In this post, I will share everything I’ve learned so that you can start packing light too!

MSC Seashore Cruise Deals. Luxury cruise surrounded by blue water.
The MSC Seashore

Top Tips for Packing Light for a Cruise

  • Use a versatile carry-on case – Soft shell is great because they are lightweight and expandable. I love the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry on.
  • Make packing cubes your best friend – A good set of packing cubes makes packing so much easier and makes finding what you need a quick and easy task. Tops in one, pants in another, no more rummaging around!
  • Streamline your toiletries – Use reusable travel-sized containers to decant all your usual products into and keep together in one easy pouch or toiletry bag.
  • Pack clothing that is multi-use and mutli-style – Stick to a color theme and pack a few shoes that match and suit every excursion type.
Jenny Lynn Anderson on a Virgin Voyages cruise.

Why is Packing Light Important?

The most important thing you realize when you travel with only a carry-on piece of luggage is that YOU are in control. Your suitcase and belongings will not get lost at the airport. You don’t have to worry about waiting for your luggage to arrive on the carousel. And, you can maneuver through the airport easily with a lightweight carry-on bag.

When I returned from my trip to Jamaica (I stayed at Sandals Ochi and loved it!) and arrived in Atlanta, I snapped this photo below of hundreds of people waiting at the luggage carousel. And I thought to myself, “Not me! I’m moving on to Concourse B so I get home to Savannah.”

Even if you don’t have to take a flight to get to your cruise’s embarkation point, a lighter bag will allow you to travel more freely. You won’t need to carry heavy suitcases around and you’ll have more room for souvenirs!

People waiting for their luggage at a carousel at the airport.

Tired of Overpacking for Every Trip? 

I’ve read gobs and gobs on packing light over the years, but the most important piece of advice has been the “80 percent” rule I heard about through Geoffrey Morrison, a travel writer and digital nomad.

He shares that we should pack for the situations we will be in 80% of the time. For instance, on a cruise, you’ll mostly be in bathing suits, coverups, shorts, shirts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. You may need one fancy dress, but you won’t need three.

I also like the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method which includes five shirts, four bottoms, three shoes, two dresses, and one accessory set.

Jenny Lynn Anderson on the MSC Seashore.

Hacks for Packing Light for a Cruise

1. Be intentional

Planning is the most essential part of the equation even before printing out your packing list.

First, you need to look at the weather forecast to help you decide what to include for your trip. Also, check out the cruise line and see if there are any theme nights on your cruise itinerary.

In the past, I’ve packed pajamas and a red cocktail dress for a Mediterranean Virgin Cruise, but I also experienced FOMO when I didn’t pack an all-white outfit for MSC’s Seashore’s “White Out” party.

2. Make a packing list

Creating a packing list is the next crucial part of packing light. The main goal is to remain focused and less stressed when packing while preventing “what ifs” and forgotten items. Make sure to keep the cruise dress code into account when making it.

My packing list helps me prioritize and plan exactly what I need for a trip. Packing lists are an invaluable tool for travelers, serving as a systematic approach to organizing and preparing for any journey. Think about it as a tool that streamlines the packing process, allowing you to visualize what you need and ensuring nothing essential is left behind. By creating a checklist, travelers can reduce the stress associated with last-minute packing and the anxiety that often arises from forgetting critical items.

I tend to be “all over the place” when I pack. The 10% of attention deficit disorder I have goes into overdrive and I get off track very quickly. For instance, I’ll start packing toiletries and before I know it, I’m looking at my makeup brands and ordering new mascara because I realize it’s out of date.

When you have a well-structured packing list in hand, it becomes easier to methodically go through each category—clothing, toiletries, electronics—without feeling overwhelmed. This structured approach not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to a more enjoyable travel experience. With less worry about what you’ve forgotten or whether you have everything you need, you can focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure instead.

3. Choose your luggage wisely

When you invest in a piece of luggage, it’s important to decide what you value. If you want to protect your belongings, a hard-shell suitcase will do a better job. But, hands down, I’m a fan of soft-sided luggage. It’s pliable, will expand a lot and I think it’s a better choice for women because it’s lighter.

For years, I’ve been a huge fan of the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry-on Luggage with 4 Spinner Wheels. At 5.5 lbs, it’s got over 13,000 ratings with a 4.5 star average out of 5. Many fans laud it for its buttery-smooth, extendable pull-up handle, number of zippered compartments, and maneuverability.  

If you want an ultra-stylish, gorgeous, head-turning hard shell suitcase, I suggest a Paravel Aviator Carry-On in Scout Tan. My daughters, Morgan and Allison, and cousin Jone gave me this as a birthday gift and it’s chic! The company is sustainability-focused and 100% of Paravel’s products use upcycled materials. Its marketing states the following:

“We obsess over design, function, and quality using best-in-class recycled materials.”

My carry-on has a padded, retractable handle, features a two-way zip closure, and has interior zipper pockets and elasticized compression straps.

4. Invest in Packing cubes

Packing cubes are a great item to help maximize space and organize items when preparing for a trip. Packing cubes encourage intentional packing because they organize different items, whether that be by categories of clothing, or by the day you plan to wear them.

They also help when looking for certain items, because everything is compartmentalized avoiding a mixture of all your things after they have been shifted around.

By using this travel tool, you can ensure a clutter-free organized suitcase, with maximized space. The BAGSMART Packing Cubes I use from Amazon have double zippers so they are designed to squeeze the clothes and compress them into a smaller space. 

5. Pick versatile clothes

Instead of planning a new outfit for each day, consider a capsule wardrobe and mix and match items. 

I like to use black, white, and tan/khaki for my trio color combo for all trips. Neutral colors dress up easily and I can add a splash of color with a scarf or piece of jewelry. I always pack a long black, flowy skirt that can be dressed up at night and paired with a tank.

Jenny Lynn Anderson standing in a street with houses in the background.

6. Limit your shoes

One of my biggest challenges has been the sheer number of shoes I’ve packed in my luggage. Because I’m a shoeaholic, I have a hard time leaving shoes behind because I think shoes finish out an outfit. 

Case in point. I recently created a video for an affiliate clothing marketer called SexyModestBoutique and posted it on Facebook and Instagram. It’s the Brigitte Brianna 3-piece travel essentials set that falls between dressy and casual and is the perfect look and weight for your travel days in airports. 

I tried to find a black pair of comfortable, yet classy shoes to travel in, but I ran out of time and had to wear my gray Skechers and although I knew it “ruined” the outfit, I wore them anyway. 

Can you believe that my old high school English teacher Tom McElheney actually called me out on it in a comment on Facebook? He asked, “Where’d you find those kicks?” to which I answered, “Are you referring to my Skechers shoes? I know, I know, they totally ruined the outfit, but I have to wear such things because I need to be comfortable. I want to look for some black ones that are more seamless with my outfit. Don’t you agree? And a little dressier, of course.”

Three pairs of shoes, sandals, sneakers and evening shoes.

Upon receiving this comment, I finally got down to business and called the best fashion expert I know in Statesboro, Georgia. Paula Williams!  She owned a boutique for years and now works for RJ Pope Mens and Ladies Apparel. She suggested I buy beige sneakers to pair with my SexyModest black essentials set.

For the three shoes you should pack for a cruise, Paula suggests 1 pair of stylish walking shoes (I love Steve Madden Women’s Madrid Sneaker), a pair of flat sandals, and one metallic wedge shoe for evening wear.

7. Pick the Right Toiletry Bag

Personally, I’m a huge fan of the BAGSMART toiletry bag from Amazon because it forces me to organize my products into similar groups and zippered compartments.

Plus, it’s got a 4.8-star rating from over 58,000 people. I love that you can hang this toiletry bag on the back of the bathroom door in any cruise cabin or hotel room.

8. Minimize Your Products in Your Toiletry Kit

The weight of my toiletry kit has been the albatross around my neck for years!

Because I have such an affinity for certain beauty products, I’ve struggled with doing without them on vacation. But on this trip to Jamaica, I finally pared it down to the following: Lune + Aster Cover Correct/Tinted Moisturizer, Loreal True Match Lumi, Jane Iredale Eyeshadow, Mini Nars Blush, Thrive Mascara, 3 makeup brushes, one eyebrow pencil, Maybelline Magic Eraser Corrector, and Nars Multiple Blush, Lip and Eye Stick.

For moisturizers and hair products, I culled it down to travel-size containers of CeraVe hydrating facial cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, makeup remover, Oil of Olay Regenerist, and Vaseline. Decant your usual products into travel-size containers instead of buying minis of everything.

Jenny Lynn Anderson doing aqua gym in the pool of a cruise.

Packing Light for a Cruise: Final Thoughts

Packing light for travel offers numerous advantages that can enhance your overall experience. One of the most significant benefits is to avoid checked-in luggage fees, which can add up quickly, especially on budget airlines. By traveling with just a carry-on, you not only save money but also streamline your airport experience by skipping the long lines at check-in and baggage claim.

Additionally, packing light means you’ll never have to worry about your luggage being lost, broken, or stolen. This peace of mind allows you to focus on enjoying your trip rather than stressing over the safety of your belongings.

When considering what to pack for a cruise, think about your clothes with versatility in mind. Choose items that can be mixed and matched easily and are suitable for various occasions—this will help you maximize outfit options while minimizing space taken up in your bag.

By embracing a minimalist approach to packing, you can travel more freely and enjoy all that your destination has to offer without the burden of excess baggage.

You might also like:
Cruise Dress Code: What to Wear on Cruises
28 Creative Things to Bring on a Cruise

Jenny Lynn on a Journey Travel Blog contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate marketing programs. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.

1 thought on “Packing Light for a Cruise: 8 Hacks You Need”

  1. Denise Jordan Lane

    Jenny Lynn, What great advice and a delight to read. Your tips sound right in line with my way of thinking. I’ll check out your links too; I’ve been wanting some packing cubes. LIOB, DJL

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