25 Smart Tips For Packing Light For A Cruise
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Whether this is your first cruise or your tenth, you might be curious about packing light for a cruise. During our travels, we’ve found smart ways to pack lighter for even an extended cruise and want to share them with you.
Whether you are planning for a seven-day Caribbean cruise or a two-week transatlantic voyage, mastering the art of packing lighter and smarter will serve you well. For a shorter cruise, a carry-on might be enough for your needs, but for a longer cruise, you will probably want to plan on using a check-in suitcase.
Here are our tips for packing smart but light, which can be a game-changer regardless of the length of your cruise.
1 | Make A Packing List
Having a written plan of attack for packing is a huge help. We have come up with a free Cruise Packing List that you can download to help. It is also part of our printable Ultimate Cruise Planner, which includes dozens of forms and checklists to be sure you don’t forget anything as you plan and enjoy your cruise.
2 | Check Your Cruise Line’s Dress Code
How dressy your clothing needs to be depends on your cruise line’s dress code. Be sure to check yours to see what your evening needs might be, as long pants are required for men in specialty restaurants on most lines. Some cruise lines also have formal nights that you will want to be prepared for. Here is information on the dress codes for Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
3 | Check The Weather For Your Cruise Itinerary
Once you have your dress code ironed out, it’s time to check the weather for your cruise itinerary. Check the forecast about ten days out from your cruise, do your packing, and check the forecast again the day before you leave home. Then you can make adjustments to your packing as needed if the forecast has changed.
4 | Choose Versatile Clothing
On a cruise ship, you need to be prepared for sea days, excursions on port days, and evenings. Opt for versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. Choose neutral colors and pack items that can be dressed up or down to maximize outfit possibilities.
A cruise capsule wardrobe can help you plan to be ensure you bring enough of each type of clothing needed, but not too much. Learn more about creating your own cruise capsule wardrobe here, and be sure to download our free printable Cruise Capsule Wardrobe Checklist.
5 | Choose Lightweight Clothing
Packing lighter involves not only the number of items you pack, but also their weight. Choose lighter fabrics and leave the heavy, bulky clothing at home.
6 | Choose Wrinkle Free Clothing
My husband prefers cotton with 2% spandex and can easily fit 20 short-sleeve button-downs in his carry-on with his other clothing. I’m a fan of Wool& for my casual tees and love their merino Cara short-sleeve fitted tee. It’s very lightweight and best of all, is wrinkle-resistant and can be worn multiple times.
7 | Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling your clothing rather than folding can help prevent wrinkles and take up less space in your suitcase. It’s a packing technique that seasoned travelers swear by.
8 | Use Packing Cubes
If you don’t have room in your suitcase for all your necessary items, compression packing cubes can help. Pack all your pants in one bag, shirts in another, underwear and bras in a third, and dresses and outerwear in a fourth.
Compression Packing Cubes
I’ve tried others but these packing cubes wowed me. Fill one with clothing, zip it up, then zip the second zipper to compress. Amazing space saver! Set of four.
9 | Choose Your Luggage Well
Choose a suitcase that’s water-resistant, durable, and easy to lift and roll. Lightweight hard-sided luggage is best, especially to keep your clothing dry in case of a downpour while traveling.
Ricardo Luggage Set
These are the suitcases that we travel with, and they get a LOT of usage! Roomy and durable, they are practical and stylish. Set of two, 20″ and 25″.
10 | Take Enough Underwear
This is where I always used to underpack and have to do sink laundry in my cabin. Take along two pairs of underwear per day, plus an extra bra, to be sure you have enough and to minimize laundry. These pieces are lightweight and don’t take up much room.
11 | Bring A Little Black Dress For Evening
Rather than packing several outfits for evenings, you can bring a little black dress (or a pants equivalent) and accessorize it differently with a cardigan, scarf, kimono, or jewelry on different nights.
12 | Minimize Your Toiletries and Makeup
When flying to your cruise, you will want to be aware of TSA requirements for liquids in your carry-on, if you’re taking one, so small bottles are essential (not only for packing light). Consider leaving your hair dryer at home; cruise lines always provide one. And remember, cruise lines will provide some toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, and lotion.
Be sure to keep all of your liquids and creams in a leak-resistant pouch or bag. Containers can leak under pressure when you’re flying and might ruin your clothing.
Toiletry Travel Bottles
Set of four 3-ounce TSA-approved silicone bottles for your liquid toiletries. Comes in a clear plastic zipper bag. Great space-saver!
13 | Consider Doing Some Laundry
Many cruise ships have laundry facilities, and if they don’t, will provide a laundry service. Find out which your cruise line offers and be prepared. If you plan to do sink laundry, bring travel-size laundry detergent like these.
Tide Sink Packs
Three packages of Tide laundry detergent, each good for three sink uses. Not intended for machine use.
14 | Bring Wrinkle Releaser
Since you aren’t allowed to bring a travel iron or steamer onboard a ship to freshen up your clothing, the next best thing is a travel-size bottle of wrinkle-releaser fabric spray.
Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Three 3-ounce bottles of fabric spray with crisp linen scent. Just spray, tug, and smooth to remove wrinkles.
15 | Pack Lightweight Outerwear
Pack a light jacket or sweater, which is helpful not only for chilly temps on the ship, but also if the weather unexpectedly turns cooler. These can also be used to help accessorize your outfits and make them look different.
16 | Limit The Number of Shoes You Pack
Although it’s tempting to pack a pair of shoes for each outfit, don’t do this. Choose three or four pairs of shoes that are comfortable, lightweight, and that will go with several outfits. My favorite travel shoes are Allbirds. I love their Tree Runner for my sneaker and their Tree Breezer for my dressy flats.
For a warm-weather cruise: A pair of sneakers or other casual closed-toe shoes, a pair of flat sandals, and a pair of dressy sandals or heels for the evening.
For a cool-weather cruise: A pair of sneakers or other casual closed-toe shoes, a pair of ankle boots, a pair of casual flats, and a pair of dressy shoes for the evening.
Wear your bulkiest shoes (which would usually be sneakers or hiking shoes) when you travel.
17 | How To Pack Your Shoes
I’ve found the best way to pack shoes is to face their tops together, heel to toe, and then place them in a protective bag. You can use shower caps for each shoe, wrap them in a plastic grocery bag, or do as I do and use transparent shoe bags like these.
Transparent Shoe Bags
Made of high-quality PE material with a thick drawstring, these transparent shoe bags help protect the clothing in your suitcase from dirt transferred from your shoes. Suitable for men’s and women’s shoes. Pack of 13.
18 | Re-wear Your Clothing
You may find yourself changing clothes, such as after an excursion or before dinner, and some of your clothes can be re-worn. Evening clothing, especially, is only worn for a few hours and can easily be used again. Simply hang them in your closet after wearing and use a wrinkle releaser if needed.
19 | Layering Is Key
For shoulder seasons (such as spring or fall) or other cooler itineraries, it can be tempting to bring a wardrobe for warmer temperatures and one for cooler temperatures, but that’s not necessary. Instead, plan to dress for warmer temperatures but be prepared to layer in case it’s cooler.
20 | Be Mindful of Electronics
Bring only the electronics you know you will use. A smartphone can serve as a camera, GPS, and entertainment device, eliminating the need for multiple gadgets.
21 | Digital Over Print
Consider going digital with your reading materials and documents. Bring an e-reader or tablet instead of packing several books, and store important documents electronically to save space.
Kindle E-Reader
Be sure to take your summer read with you on your Kindle when you relax on the sundeck or the beach. With an umbrella above you and a drink in hand, enjoying the sea breeze, nothing could be better.
22 | Research Onboard Amenities
Check what amenities the cruise ship provides in your cabin. You might not need to pack a hairdryer, bathrobe, or beach towels if they’re already provided.
23 | Leave Room For Souvenirs
If you plan on picking up souvenirs during your cruise, leave some extra space in your luggage. Consider bringing a foldable tote bag for additional storage.
24 | Tuck In A Scented Dryer Sheet
A suitcase full of dirty clothes doesn’t smell great, so prepare ahead of time by tucking a scented dryer sheet into your suitcase.
25 | Lay It All Out
Before you actually pack, lay everything out on your bed and consider each item carefully. Do you really need that curling iron? Or that extra pair of shoes? Or six pairs of pants? Take this last opportunity before you pack to whittle things down even more.
Final Thoughts On Packing Light For A Cruise
Once you start packing lighter, you’ll find it becomes easier with each successive trip. And if you have a tip for packing lighter that wasn’t mentioned here, please drop me a line.
Happy cruising!
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