15 Travel Essentials for Cruise Carry-on Luggage

Even though it’s a long-time cruiser, one of my travel nightmares is meticulously planning outfits for a cruise – and spending the entire trip without my luggage. In fact, this can happen if your checked bag doesn’t arrive with you, because the options for getting it delivered to you are, well, slim. After all, what kind of air delivery service brings that to you on a sea day in the middle of the ocean? Another logistical issue is that the ship is only in port for a few hours and the luggage delivery time at the nearest airport would be impossible.

In short: your suitcase can follow you from airport to airport for a whole week and you’ll never see it again. Instead of spending your trip in the clothes you traveled in (or spending a lot of money on a new wardrobe), take my advice and condense your gear into a simple carry-on to ensure your belongings are always with you.

Haven’t you mastered the art of making hand luggage yet? Here are the 15 clothes and accessories I take on every cruise, whether to Alaska, the Mediterranean in the low season, the Caribbean or Mexico during the winter. Even better, each pick is available on Amazon and prices start at $14.

Havaianas Twist T-bar Sandals

Choose sandals with ankle straps because, believe me, you won’t want to wear thong-style flip-flops during the many hours you’ll be exploring the ship on a day at sea. I used to have a pair of these and wore them until the soles wore out. I’m already buying my next pair. With the sand gray pair, you can wear it with a long, flowy dress for casual dinners.

Merrell Alverstone 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes

However, for shore excursions to natural wonders like Denali National Park or Virgin Islands National Park, you need a pair of comfortable athletic shoes that won’t get ruined if it rains—and you won’t want to wear open-toe shoes. These activities like sandals make you more susceptible to ticks and insect bites. My Merrell hiking shoes are sturdy enough to not twist my ankle. I wear them on the plane because they are my bulkiest shoes and they come in handy if I have to run to the gate in a tight layover.

Lucky brand Wimmie sneakers

On the topic of shoes, it took me a while far away It’s time to find a pair of comfortable black flats without thick rubber soles (leaning towards casual, ugh). Heels take up more space in your luggage, and stretchy flats don’t provide arch support. So what’s a cruise traveler to do? I own a pair of these Lucky Brand flats and wear them with dressy pants, skirts, and dresses for when I’ll be walking a long distance. I can’t wait to pack them for my next cruise.

Casual Stylish Cover Up with Dokoto Buttons

If you’re only bringing carry-on luggage, I recommend only taking one cover – and choosing it wisely. The polyester and rayon materials will only make you sweat on the Lido Deck. Cotton is preferred because it is a more breathable fabric. Opt for a cover-up that can also double as a dress, like this one, which is available in 15 solid shades. With its longer length, it will provide excellent coverage to protect you from the sun and keep you looking put together at lunchtime.

Cupshe swimsuit with ruffles

If you’re only packing one swimsuit, you can’t go wrong with a one-piece. This way you can also swim in comfort, whether in the pool or snorkeling in the ocean. On Amazon, this Cupshe swimsuit is super cute with supportive ruffle straps and flattering ruffles. Its sleek design also allows it to double as a bodysuit under shorts, skirts, pants, or jeans when you want to switch up your evening wear.

Two-Piece Automatic Matching Set

If you’re like me, days at sea are for hanging out on the ship and logging lots of steps. Instead of yoga pants and a t-shirt, a two-piece lounge set keeps the comfy vacation vibe strong without looking too frumpy. Plus, the shirt works as an extra layer in air-conditioned dining rooms or when you need extra sun protection at the pool.

Zaful Ribbed cardigan with buttons and V-neck

The day before embarking on a river cruise in Burgundy, France, I realized I would need a sweater for the dropping temperatures over the next few days. I went into an H&M on Champs-Elysées, in Paris, and bought a short, thick-knit beige cardigan. It’s almost a twin to this one from Zaful, which is currently $36 on Amazon. I take this on cruises as the cabins can get cold. A knee-length cardigan takes up a lot of space in your luggage unless you wear it on the plane.

Zomake Ultralight Hiking Backpack

When I plan to walk in the port, I bring a bright orange packable backpack (one that condenses to a small size) that is different from my personal items backpack that I used on the flight. This one is very similar to the one I own. It’s stocked with plenty of pockets to store your essentials while you explore, and it’s water-resistant in case you spill a bottle of water inside or it’s raining outside.

Kalidi Beach Mesh Tote Bag

As cute as they are, unless you plan on bringing a woven straw beach bag as a tote or carry-on for the flight, it’s best to use a canvas tote bag or foldable beach bag like this one to bring a book, sunscreen, sunglasses and other items for the Lido Deck. Luckily, it’s cute and functional enough to double as a beach bag when you get home, and you can even use it as a tote while you’re traveling.

Tronxori wide-leg high-waisted palazzo pants

It’s good to have a black pair. loose, baggy pants to wear to dinner with a tucked-in blouse or crop top. Without drawstrings or spandex, the pants no longer look like slouchy yoga pants or loungewear. Here, the expandable waist helps if you swell in the heat or indulge at the buffet. Bonus: They’re wrinkle-free and can easily be rolled into your carry-on (but they’re comfortable enough to wear on the flight if necessary).

Sueani Loose V-Neck Bell Sleeve Blouse

Two or three dressy tops are enough for me to mix and match with my not-so-formal pants and skirts. Instead of deciding between my short-sleeved and long-sleeved options, I like to bring tops with three-quarter sleeves to get the best of both worlds. This top, which comes in 31 solid shades, has won over Amazon shoppers with its flattering fit and versatile look. Remember: it is always solid, non-standard when bringing only hand luggage. Trust me, they will go a long way with the rest of your cruise wardrobe.

Lilbetter Short-sleeved dress with V-neck and pockets

For cruises, I pack knee-length dresses rather than floor-length dresses, even if they’re casual, since the extra fabric multiplied by how many dresses you bring takes up more packing space. This one—with pockets, short sleeves, and a V-neck—could easily transition from a stroll in port to dinner at a specialty restaurant on the ship. Navy blue would be a fun color to match the nautical setting, but it’s also available in 29 other colors.

Bloggerlove Hooded Waterproof Cape

You’ll need a light windbreaker for more than a storm. The upper deck of the ship can be very windy at night, for example. Plus, for excursions like seeing the Kenai Fjords in Seward, Alaska, it gets cold while in the water. Unfortunately, my beloved J.Crew windbreaker is now several seasons old, but I found one just like it on Amazon, with an elasticated waist for a similar look, a hood, and lots of pockets. Plus, it’s packable, so you don’t have to use it on the plane or worry about it taking up space in your carry-on luggage.

Back of Bali Women’s Transparent Cardigan

Air-conditioned dining rooms on cruise ships can get chilly, so it’s helpful to pack shrugs or sweaters that won’t bulk up your smart outfit (or take away precious carry-on space). This short, lightweight cardigan – especially in the elegant beige tone – can adapt to formal and casual, while also matching floral and neutral dark-colored dresses.

Sungait vintage round sunglasses

Don’t bring huge Jackie O sunglasses, which require a case the size of a small lunch box. Opt for a thin, lightweight pair. These tortoiseshell frames would look good on anyone, and they’re affordable enough that if you lose them during a bumpy catamaran ride, you won’t be out a lot of money. What’s more, they are polarized and block 100% of the sun’s UVB and UVA rays.

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