This packing guide focuses on packing for a cruise using packing cubes, which are versatile and can be used as traveling drawers for your suitcase. These cubes allow you to stay organized throughout your trip and can be used to organize clothing, toiletries, shoes, handbags, and cruise-specific travel items. No need to pre-pack your luggage before your cruise, and checked and carry-on bags should have personal tags with your name, email address, and phone.
For a beginner’s guide, there is no need to pack your entire wardrobe for a cruise. Instead, lighten your load by folding and stacking a few pairs of shorts or pants together and placing them in one packing cube. Packing cubes allow you to have more control over what goes where within your luggage, allowing you to structure the items.
Efficient packing allows you to make the most of the limited space available in your luggage by utilizing packing techniques such as categorizing each cube, experimenting with the number of cubes used, using an assortment of sizes, and mindfully folding or rolling your clothes. If you don’t have another suitcase, you can use a packing cube to move from one suitcase to another.
📹 How To Use Packing Cubes
Hey Cruisers! Shop for the perfect set for YOU! https://www.amazon.com/shop/cruisetipstv/list/1C8M7RLYMYERP It’s NO secret …
Is it better to roll clothes or use packing cubes?
- Folding button-downs, jeans, formal dresses and dress pants allows you to prevent wrinkles.
- Rolling the rest of your clothes helps you make the most of the gaps in your suitcase that folding can leave. Plus, it lets you pack more.
- Packing cubes help you stay organized, and you can use either method above to prep your clothes before putting them in a cube. I found that rolled clothes in a packing cube takes up the least amount of suitcase space.
Is it better to pack with or without packing cubes?
If you are embarking on long-term travel or have a need for improved organisation, packing cubes may be highly useful for your trip type. In comparison, if you’re backpacking or frequently packing and unpacking, the convenience of packing cubes may be outweighed by the need for quick and accessible belongings.
Packing cubes are generally compatible with most types of luggage. However, if you’re travelling with hard shell suitcases that provide clearly organised interior compartments, packing cubes may not be necessary as they will only take up additional space.
The decision to use packing cubes ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some individuals find them absolutely necessary, while others consider them a burden. It is essential to consider your own preferences and packing style before making this decision.
Do packing cubes allow you to pack more?
Space-saving advantages: By maximising space, packing cubes enable you to pack more efficiently and effectively, making sure that you can fit more items into your soft shell suitcase in a compact and organised manner.;
Protection of clothing: Packing cubes act as a barrier against spills and stains. Some packing cubes can be fully closed, while others are open compartments. Either way they minimise the chances of your clothing getting damaged, help to reduce wrinkles, and keep your clothes in better condition throughout your journey.;
Easy to use and unpack: With packing cubes, you can effortlessly remove cubes containing the items you need without having to disrupt the rest of your luggage. Ultimately it saves time and effort during both packing and unpacking while keeping your hard shell suitcase neat and tidy.;
How much money should I take on a 7-day cruise?
So what do things actually cost onboard? Which cruise lines include what? And how much cash should you take on your next cruise? We’re here to help you figure it out!
Experts say the average cruise passenger spends anywhere from $52 to $89 per day, but the amount you’ll spend will, of course, vary based on cruise line, ship, experience and your individual preferences.
Walking around with wads of cash is unwise while traveling in general, but cruise lines are in many ways considered a “cashless society” where your room key or ship ID is used to charge items to your cabin versus money. If preferred though, you can certainly choose to use cash in most situations on a cruise – bars, spa, casino, excursions, shops, etc.
Insider Tip: While onboard, we recommend leaving most of your cash in the safe inside your stateroom along with important documents, passports, credit cards, IDs and more.. What Do Things Cost on a Cruise?. If you plan on eating at specialty dining restaurants, sipping cocktails every day, enjoying spa services or taking excursions in every port, you’ll probably spend more.
How much weight does the average person gain on a 7-day cruise?
It turns out that many passengers do gain three to five pounds on a weeklong sailing, according to my fitness instructor Daniel, who works aboard the Carnival Splendor. But by following these nine weight-loss tips, perhaps you can have your cake and eat it, too.
To ensure I’d stick with exercising while on a cruise, I varied my daily workouts and kept them short and sweet. I had no interest in spending two hours each day of my vacation in the gym, but I could easily manage 20 minutes of cardio on one of the ocean-facing treadmills or stair climbers, followed by 20 minutes of free weights, arm machines, and sit-ups. All big ships have gyms, and the newest ships are outfitted better than many land-based gyms.
To keep things interesting, one day I signed up for a 30-minute personal training session ($45) to supplement my week’s exercise regime. After I warmed up on the treadmill, fitness instructor Daniel pushed me through a series of tough exercises using the weight machines and barbells, plus some mat work.
How do you pack for a cruise so clothes don’t wrinkle?
Look Good on Your Next Vacation. Wrinkles are inevitable, but these tips will help better protect your clothes while you’re out exploring the world. Rolling your clothing, bundling it up, divvying your clothes into packing organizers and packing lightly are all great ways for how to pack clothes without wrinkles. As an alternative, try to opt for garments that are less prone to wrinkles. If you follow these steps, along with knowing how to do laundry while on vacation, you’ll wear clothes that will make you look and feel good during your travels with YMT vacations.
Read more: European traditions you may have never heard before.
Planning your next trip? YMT Vacations offers a great variety of fully guided tour vacations. To join us or get more information about any of our packages, call your travel consultant or YMT Vacations at 888-860-1969.
How many outfits should I pack for a 7 day cruise?
Here’s what to pack for a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean. No matter where you sail to, clothing is going to take up the bulk of your suitcase. You should average two outfits per day, as you’ll wear one during the day and one at night for dinner.
I find that I like to re-wear at least two or three outfits at night to save space. Plus, I just don’t like having to plan seven different outfits for each night. This, however, is a personal preference.
In the Caribbean, daytime wear is equivalent to what you’d wear to the beach or when partaking in an active activity at home. On some days, a bathing suit and cover-up might be sufficient, especially if you’re going on an excursion and spending all day on the beach or by the ship’s pool while at sea.
On other days, you might opt for an excursion with a specific dress code. You cannot, for instance, go zip-lining through Jamaica wearing flip-flops and swim trunks.
What is the best way to fill packing cubes?
2. Pack by category: Place each category of items in separate packing cubes. For example, pack all your tops in one cube, another cube for underwear, a cube for socks, a cube for all your sweaters, and so on. This will make it easier to find specific items when you need them. If you’re packing for a quick trip, you can do nice outfits in one bag, casual stuff in another and a small one for underwear and bras. You can even organize by when you’ll be wearing them—a daytime clothing cube and a nighttime clothing cube!
3. Utilize the full space: Fill each packing cube to its full capacity without overstuffing. This will help maintain the cube’s shape and make it easier to fit into your suitcase.
4. Stack and compress: Once your packing cubes are filled, stack them neatly in your suitcase. If you’re using compression cubes, use the additional zipper to compress the contents and save even more space. I’m always impressed with how much I can fit into each one!
What is the best way to pack a suitcase for a cruise?
One of our favorite packing tips is to roll clothes rather than fold them. It’s a space saver and helds reduce creasing. Never pack valuables in your checked bags, as they could be stolen. Carry all cameras, electronic games, jewelry and prescription medicine in your carry-on.
Here’s the truth: While nearly every cruise line advertises a formal night (or, alternatively, theme nights), the rules around how strictly these dress codes are enforced varies.
Resort casual is now the ubiquitous relaxed evening dress on most mainstream cruises. Think: date night men in slacks and buttoned shirts (no jackets) and women in everything from sundresses to skirts or pants with cute tops. You may even see jeans in mainstream cruise line dining rooms.
What are the disadvantages of packing cubes?
Let’s start with the disadvantages. There are two one is that you’re sacrificing. Organization you like your ability to keep all your shirts together and all your pants together.
How do travel packing cubes work?
Other packing cubes offer a space-saving two-zipper compression system to help you maximise the space you have in your luggage. So if you’re wondering, ‘do packing cubes save room?’, they do. You simply pull the first zipper shut to enclose your items and then the second to compress the cube. When you’re trying to fit everything you need for your trip in your suitcase (especially bulkier items), this can mean the difference between getting everything in or having to leave some items behind.
Meanwhile, some luggage packing cubes are split in two. This is helpful for separating dirty clothes from clean ones while you’re traveling. This kind of organisation makes it easier when you get home too — simply unzip the one side and throw all your dirty Cuban shirts and linen trousers into the washing machine.
One last feature that we should mention here is colour. Packing cubes are naturally available in multiple colours, which can be useful for organisation. For instance, you might assign each person in your family their own colour so everyone can easily identify their items, or you might colour-code your own items when packing.
How to pack lightly for a 7 day cruise?
Read on to discover our top cruise packing tips to take on board.Create a Packing List. … Invest in a Hard-Shell Suitcase. … Pack a Carry-on Bag. … Choose Functional Outfits. … Sort Out Your Day and Evening Wear. … Don’t Forget to Layer. … Pack the Right Footwear. … Get Travel Size Products.
Roughly 62% of peopleadmit to struggling with packing for their trip and often end up with overspilling suitcases.
We’ve all been there: ditching that one item of clothing, only to discover that it’s the one thing you want to wear on vacation. Although it’s frustrating, there are tricks to bringing a variety of outfits without overpacking. If not, you won’t feel confident in the evening or when you’re meeting new people on the cruise.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers you’re searching for.Read on to discover our top cruise packing tips to take on board.
📹 PACK WITH ME FOR A CRUISE!! Packing Cubes, Organizing & Cruise Outfits
Wondering what to pack for a cruise vacation? Packing for a cruise and organizing everything you need can be overwhelming.
I bring two toiletries bags, one for toiletries and one to put my pool side belongings into. They’re great for holding an extra, small towel and water shoes; not to mention sunscreen, an extra bathing suit cover, head phones, cell phones, ect…You name it. Also, I buy and bring 3 to 5 baby wash cloths (3 for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree) to remove my makeup, and that way, I’m not ruining the cruise lines wash cloths. Thank you Ilana for you great and informative articles!! ❤️❤️
Love your articles! I have been using packing cubes a lot over the last couple of years and don’t know how I traveled without them, especially when cruising. All I do is lift most of them out of the suitcase and put them on the shelves. It is so easy for T’s as well. I fold them so that you are able to see which ones they are and colors. Something that I now do at home as well. I also bring the laundry basket just like yours. I line it with a laundry bag and then just lift it out and put all dirty clothes in one suitcase for the trip back home. I have also begun to bring a fold-up basket (from the dollar store) for my shoes. So much easier! Enjoy your cruise! Bermuda is my favorite island!!
Thank you for making this article! I sure hope you’ll do a follow up—we leave on this exact cruise soon, and I’d love to know any good tips you have or how it all worked out for you. I’d love to say hi one day, you’ve made my last 2 cruises so much easier with your wonderful tips and ideas. Im also loving your increased content since you’ve been able to quit your other work. What a dream job you have now!
Just got back from my cruise over the weekend. I definitely paid attention to what items worked and what didn’t this trip. Next trip I’ll definitely pack much more for comfort and style, than just style. And also less shoes! 🤣 Also thanks for the magnetic hooks and laundry hampers hack. Helped keep us so organized this time!
I can’t wait to see how my packing has changed after perusal ALL of your packing and cruise tips articles! I have a while yet before our next cruise. We’re going on Independence OTS next March. I hope to be even more organized than I was on our last cruise. Thanks again for all your tips! P.S. I’ve been using packing cubes for years – love them!
We just got back from Greek isles cruise (Royal Caribbean). I used so many of your tips, thank you! One tip I’ll share with u: for connecting rooms, decide who’s staying in which room ahead of time because one room can accommodate more people than the other. We ended up switching rooms with our 3 kids after cards were already issued and it was annoying when our older kids would come in through our room in the middle of the night or the other way around.
I use packing cubes all the time. For this cruise in 2023. I bought the long narrow and small square size (Dot to Dot) brand. In the long narrow size . Will be adding cabin essential in them . This is a two week cruise. Packing is different this time. Enjoy your articles on packing cubes. Thank you for sharing.
The first time I saw a article with packing cubes a few years ago, I thought it was just a gimmick. They are the best! In fact, I think they are even better for men than women. My wife likes to use the drawers in the cabin so I just put my packed cubes on the shelves. One for t-shirts, one for underwear, one for socks etc… My more formal things go in the zippered area meant for that in my suitcase and get hung up. Takes me five minutes to unpack!
It looked so easy. What I do is a list of the ports and excursions and then write next to each day the outfit that I would like to wear that day. Then I fold, not roll up, all the tops in one cube, shorts in another one, then the dresses in the biggest one. I noticed that my clothes got to my cruise without wrinkles. I also stuff my shoes and sandals in little corners inside the cubes or in between them.
I’m on vacation when I watch you. Or I’m in the excitement of ” Twas the night before cruise day ” . My biggest packing decisions are; do I pack the snorkeling gear ? Otherwise, I’m getting good at packing for a cruise. But there’s always something to learn from you. BTW, regarding makeup, fortunately, you have one of those faces that doesn’t need makeup. Keep up the great articles !
Use packing cubes all the time. I leave some items out (socks, underwear)to fill in gaps. You’re fortunate you’re a bit petite. I’m 6 feet tall. Husband 6’2″, so our clothes take up more room! I take 1 can spray sunscreen for each day(very fair and I reapply often). Wear contacts, so I have a zippered case with extra glasses for both of us. Plus numerous sunglasses since I’ve lost or broken at least 1 pr on every vacation. I take a tank and t shirt for each pair of shorts. Gives me an option depending on weather. My carry on tote is much smaller than yours since I don’t like lugging a heavy bag around till we get in the cabin, so for two of us, I typically used 2 large suitcases. Hope you post your outfits in a blog since I no longer use Instagram. One tip for shampoo_conditioner, other liquids. I unscrew the top and put plastic wrap on the top. Then put the lid back on. This is another way to protect from spills, in addition to ziplock bags.
Hi Ilana, right now I am perusal your article, and at the same time I am packing for my cruise which is in two days. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit into one packing cube!! Even so I will need two suitcases as it is a 15 day cruise with a cold weather itinerary. My thick jumper fills up a whole packing cube, but I will be able to cram in some small stuff with it. Keep on cruising!! 12:49
The next best thing to packing for a cruise is perusal some one else pack. I’ve said before I am a massive packing cube fan. Can’t resist When my favourite brand Mia Tui brings out a new design. Think mine are not as deep as yours. Looking forward to the blog and if you had a rethink about items you didn’t take. I usually pack my shoes in their own cube or wrap them in disposable shower caps
Love your articles so informative. I just purchased some compression I tried to get some that were pretty good and had good reviews not too cheap. I watched your packing for Alaska article and it gave me a lot of insight because I always over pack so I’m going to try this time not to over back and hopefully with your tips and tricks I will not over pack for Alaska next week! I usually do a lot of the Caribbean cruises since I live in Florida so this will be different for me doing Alaska but no matter what I always over pack so I’m trying to get some of your tips and tricks down so I will not be over packing anymore, hopefully thanks again!
I use a combination of packing cubes and flat garnet packing systems which works really well. I have just watched a article on compression cubes and they look interesting. Have you tried or heard of them? Love your articles. Headed for our 7th Princess cruise for a 14 day Caribbean cruise in February and can’t wait as it’s been brutal cold here in Calgary, Alberta.
Thanks for the article! I would be happy to watch your insights for international travelers, who’s cruising is one part of their trip. We will be spending 8 days in NYC, then a flight to Orlando, 2.5 days there, cruising from Port Canaveral, driving to Miami for 4 days and only then fly home. While I am very organised and not an over packer, I find packing for 3 weeks for such different locations and activities is a real challenge.
Just got back from a cruise and we needed a article for the “other side”…. laundry bags crammed with dirty cloths (family of 4) don’t pack as well and take up more space than perfectly folded/rolled clothes. At the same time we hated to repack/fold. What do others do for getting things back in suit cases at the end? We were lazy so we used one of the suit cases (recommended in on of the articles) that folds into a small cube, but unfolds big to bring the laundry back. Meant extra room in other suitcases for a few things we bought… but oddly enough it was still tight.
If I have something that’s prone to wrinkling, I wrap it around (white) tissue paper before rolling or folding it, and I unpack it to hang in the bathroom when I shower. I have wrinkle remover spray, but a spray bottle of water also works: dampen the item, stretch it out to unwrinkle it, and hang it up to dry. (Better yet, invest in travel knits!)
I enjoyed perusal you pack and thank you. I feel much better now, especially when you said about the dress you’ve never worn, so you might take it, even though you don’t know if you’ll wear it. 😂. I’m feeling so inadequate after perusal these articles about how to pack for a month in a carry on. 😳. I like your style MUCH better honey! 🥰👍🏻
I bought a couple hundred dollars worth of products you recommended including a folding laundry basket, motion light, alarm clock, first-aid kit, travel plug, hanging closet organizer, hanging hooks, and so much more. How do you transport all that stuff along with your week’s worth of clothing? I feel like I need a separate suitcase just for the stuff you recommended purchasing.
I brought a laundry bag last cruise but i will get the same laundry basket as u next time. I always do laundry last night on the cruise or 2nd to last night bc i tend to cruise in the winter and I’m from NY so i am able to keep the items in the luggage for a few days before unpacking. Plus, i rather do laundry on the cruise than when i get back home. Just my preference
I’m stressing about packing for a 12-day cruise late Feb 2024. My 1st cruise. All because I’m traveling on a full bus to Chicago with a group for our flight to Ft Lauderdale. I can only bring one suitcase and a carry on. I’m hoping that I can bring at least a 29″ suitcase and use packing cubes. The limit of 50 lbs is scary. I’m thinking of ordering the cubes and do a trial run. But I also need to make room for any souvenirs. Do the ports have options to ship home? I love all your tips and am sharing them with my friends.
You are so thorough .. truly appreciate your articles. When we went to China for 15 days 6 yrs ago, first time users of packing cubes. Because were traveling and changing hotels often, those cubes kept me organized .. with me and my husband. Always use them when traveling .. cruises . organized. Question … Been following your NCL Encore articles. thank you for many great ideas. This is our first time with NCL and Caribbean, how’s the blow dryer on Encore? Thank you
Love the relaxed feel of this article! Going on my first cruise this year and so thankful for your wealth of information to help me prepare! Where did you get your “little daytime dress”? It was grey and white striped and had ruffle sleeves and buttons down the front it looked like? It was so cute! Can’t find it in your Amazon shop!
Hi Iliana, I purchased already the cruise planner last week and downloaded it today, just reading it now as you’re packing . Not cruising until December but I’m getting excited getting or ordering some items I will be needing, in fact the make up hanging bag arrived yesterday . I’d been eyeing the magnet but it’s always unavailable hopefully it will be sooner. I would like to know where you’d purchased the nude sandal you’d shown. Thanks for all you do.
Hey Ilana! Could you please post the link to your adorable, neutral wedges? I didn’t see it in the links above…thanks, and love your website! We’ve cruised many times but will be going on our 1st Bermuda cruise next year…can’t wait! Yes, I always use packing cubes and have done so for the last 3 cruises…just have to get my husband “onboard”….he’s not a convert yet. 😝 Oh, and I just ordered your planner! I’m excited to start using it, since we have 3 cruises on the books with more to come! 🛳
Hi Ilana, I watched the Summit dock at the Naval Shipyard this morning on the PTZ Bermuda Webcam. The port was busy with yours and two other ships there, one having to drop anchor in the harbor. Great article for first time cruisers. Enjoy Bermuda and we hope you and Frank found the $20 at the Sunset Bar we left for you. Or was it at the Martini Bar. Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut
I am somewhat late into finding your website and perusal this article. You and a friend have convinced me to buy packing cubes and I like the idea of the electronic packaging holder which would also come in useful at home. I was somewhat bemused by the amount you packed for what I suspect is a short cruise but, if you have driven down from Canada I guess it doesn’t matter too much to you. I don’t possess enough clothing to have three changes of clothing a day so I would take for two changes at most and wear surface items more than once. My problem is the need for formal wear on the cruise line I travel with but, after a fair bit of experience, have decided that I will wear the same things for each of the formal nights and turn my back on anyone who sneers at me for this. Unlike you with your far more svelte figure than me, my oversize clothing needs to cover more so I can’t get away with the lovely light strapless and sleeveless dresses and tops that you are able to wear and pack so well. As for shorts….haven’t been able to wear them since I was eleven and playing school hockey😱😱😱
We are going on a 15 day cruise this Dec to Hawaii, which we are getting married on new years eve. We are calling it our wedding/honeymoon cruise. Do you have any recommendations for packing and essentials for this type of cruise? I’m getting anxiety just trying to figure out what to bring, what not to bring and still have room to bring souvenirs back also. Also, we are driving to MI from OH then flying from MI to CA.
On Celebrity…what were the required dress for times like: -Buffet at breakfast/lunch: What types of swimsuit covers are allowed, or do you need to change into other clothes? -Formal Dinning Room: Footwear for women and men? On casual nights do men still need to wear pants or can they wear nice dress shorts? Their dress section is so vague and confusing on their website!! 🙈🤷♀️
Hello Cruise community Love the website it has been very informative However I have a question we are first time cruisers and need advice as to which is the best cabin to pick. We have options on a Celebrity Cruise to either be in a sunset room at the back of the ship (level 7) or midships (Level 9) which is best in your view. Any help or comments would be appreciated
As a relatively new cruiser, my wife and I are always wondering whether “rolled” packing vs. “flat” packing. I understand wrinkles may be an issue; my wife certainly prefers “rolled”, IMHO; flat packing is more efficient, I’m only concerned about t-shirts, socks and underwear, so wrinkles don’t really come into play. Your thoughts?