Carry-On Packing for a Cruise: 12 Simple Rules That Actually Work

Packing for a cruise with only a carry-on might sound a little ambitious, but I promise you it is entirely achievable with the right strategy. After nearly 20 years of no-fly cruising as a self-confessed overpacker, my first fly cruise a few years ago forced a complete rethink of how much I packed. Since then, I have refined a carry-on-only approach built on simple, practical rules that I am now sharing with you.

Rather than just aiming to pack less, this set of principles has enabled me to pack smarter and ensure I still have everything I need for a cruise – but without the unnecessary bulk.

🔖See more posts on Cruise Tips
🔖See more posts on Packing Tips

1. Choose Lightweight, Layerable Fabrics

When planning my cruise wardrobe, I always opt for lighter fabrics that I can layer. Regardless of itinerary, cruise ships can be warm on deck and cool indoors, walking out on the open deck at night can also be a little chilly even in the warmest climates, so having a few thinner pieces that work together is far more useful than one bulky item that takes up half the bag. Fabrics which don’t crease too easily are also your friend.

2. Make Every Item Earn Its Place

If I can’t wear something in at least two or three different ways, it usually stays at home. This simple rule also cuts down my packing list and keeps everything more versatile. Adopting a capsule wardrobe has been the biggest shift for me and has saved a huge amount of space. It’s amazing just how many outfits you can out together with just a few well-chosen items.

3. Stick to a Simple Colour Palette

Following on from my capsule wardrobe, I try to keep things to a couple of neutral shades (usually black and white) with one accent colour (usually blue). To be honest it makes getting dressed effortless, and everything more or less matches without overthinking it.

4. Wear the Bulkiest Pieces While Travelling

Anything heavy, like a jacket or trainers, goes on me rather than in the bag when flying. I think this is one of the easiest ways to free up space in my luggage and keep the weight down without having to sacrifice any items.

5. Be Strict with Shoes

Shoes can take over your luggage if you’re not careful. I usually keep it to two pairs packed – maximum, plus the ones I am wearing while flying (usually the bulkiest pair). I choose footwear which is comfortable and versatile, and by using this rule I usually find that three pair of shoes is usually more than enough. A few cruises ago, I also discovered shoe clips – which allows me to change up a single pair of black heels into multiple pairs of evening shoes for very little extra space and weight.

6. Decant Toiletries

I stopped packing full-size products a long time ago. Travel bottles or smaller versions do the job perfectly well and save a surprising amount of space. I’ll admit it’s become a bit of an obsession over the past couple of years trialling which mini container works best for which liquid or cream.

7. Plan to Re-wear or Wash a Few Things

For a week-long cruise, I usually plan to re-wear items or wash something small in the cabin. It sounds like a compromise, but in practice it makes packing much easier and I have never found it inconvenient. I tend to pack my mini scrubba and some laundry sheets so that in can do laundry easily in the cabin – this way I don’t have to waste any time in the ships laundry or spend more than I need to on the paid laundry service on board.

8. Use Accessories to Change Things Up

Accessories are the secret weapon of carry-on cruise packing – a scarf, a belt, or a few pieces of jewellery can totally change an outfit. It is one of the simplest and cleverest ways to add variety to your cruise wardrobe without adding much weight or bulk. I have discovered that a few sparkly capelets and shoe clips, head bands, and foldable fans work for almost all cruise themed nights and and lightweight and take up hardly any space.

9. Skip the “Just in Case” Items

This is where I used to overpack the most. And I’ll admit that I still find my self sometimes falling into this trap – especially when cruising to a new destination or with a new cruise line. Now I try to be realistic about what I will actually use. Cruise ships are well stocked, and so are most of the ports I might visit, so it is rarely worth packing for relatively unlikely situations. A trial pack always helps me to identify the ‘just in case’ items so I can jettison them before I travel.

10. Think in Outfits, Not Individual Pieces

I find it much easier to pack when I plan outfits rather than random items. It helps everything work together and avoids those pieces that never quite get worn. My go to travel capsule wardrobe which I’ve honed over multiple cruises covers all bases – from shore excursions, travelling to the ship and even formal nights on board.

11. Keep Everything Organised

When it comes to packing light – packing cubes have made a noticeable difference for me. Even simple compartments help me to keep things tidy and make it much easier to find what I need without unpacking everything. I have even been known to live out of my suitcase for a whole week on board.

12. Leave a Bit of Extra Space

I never fill my bag completely. Actually, with my packing rules I always find I have extra space in my case. At the start there was always the temptation to add a few things back in from my jettisoned ‘just in case’ pile but I’ve stopped myself.

The main reason is that having a little room in the case always makes travelling less stressful when repacking for the journey home and it also means that I have space for anything I pick up along the way. It’s no surprise that I also opt for smaller, lightweight souvenirs – such as magnets stickers for my case or fabric patches for my backpack.

💡If you find this article useful – please bookmark 🔖 this page or share this post with someone you think might find it useful too. Follow me on Facebook and YouTube for more helpful advice and cruise tips. Bon Voyage!

Videos you may enjoy: