I've Been Cruising for 16 Years With Just a Carry-on—These Are 15 Items You Never Want to Leave Port Without

Travel + Leisure

9 hours ago

Even as a longtime cruiser, one of my travel nightmares is meticulously planning outfits for a cruise—and spending the entire trip without my luggage. This can actually happen if your checked bag doesn't arrive with you because options for delivering it to you are, well, slim. Another logistical issue is that the ship's only in port for a few hours, and timing a luggage delivery to the closest airport would be impossible .
Long story short: Your bag could follow you from airport to airport for an entire week, and you'll never see it. Instead of spending your trip in the clothes you traveled in (or dropping serious cash on a new wardrobe), condense your gear to a simple carry-on luggage so you can ensure that your belongings are always with you.
Haven't mastered the art of carry-on-only packing yet? Here are the 15 clothing and accessories I bring on every cruise, whether I'm going to Alaska, the Mediterranean in the shoulder season, the Caribbean, or Mexico during winter. Even better, each pick is available at Amazon, and prices start at $13.
Choose sandals with ankle straps because, trust me, you do not want to wear thong-style flip-flops for the many hours you'll explore the ship on a sea day. I used to own a pair of these Havaianas Twist T-bar Sandals and wore them until the soles wore out. I am already shopping for my next pair. With the sand gray pair, you could wear it with a flowy, long dress for casual dinners.
However, for shore excursion hikes to natural wonders like Denali National Park or Virgin Islands National Park, you need a pair of comfortable walking shoes that won't get ruined if it rains—and you won't want to wear open-toe shoes on these activities as sandals make you more susceptible to ticks and bug bites. My Merrell hiking shoes are sturdy enough that I won't twist an ankle. I wear these on the plane as they're my bulkiest shoes, and they come in handy if I have to sprint to my gate on a tight layover.
On the topic of shoes, it took me a long time to find a pair of comfy black flats without thick rubber soles (skewing into casual, ugh). Heels take up more space in your luggage, and stretchy ballet flats don't provide arch support. So, what's a cruisegoer to do? I own a pair of these Lucky Brand flats and wear them with dressy slacks, skirts, and dresses for when I'll be walking a great distance. I can't wait to pack these for my next cruise.
If you're just bringing a carry-on, I recommend packing only one swimsuit cover-up—and choosing it wisely. Polyester and rayon materials are only going to cause you to sweat on the Lido Deck. Cotton is preferred as it's a more breathable fabric. Make sure to opt for a cover-up like this one from Amazon-loved brand Dokoto that can also double as a dress, like this one that's available in 24 solid shades. With the longer length, it'll provide excellent coverage to protect you from the sun and keep you looking put together when you're headed to lunch.
If you're only packing one swimsuit, you can't go wrong with a one-piece. This way you can also swim with comfort, whether it's laps at the pool or snorkeling in the ocean. At Amazon, this Cupshe bathing suit is super cute with supportive ruffled straps and flattering ruching. Its stylish design also allows it to double as a bodysuit under shorts, skirts, trousers, or jeans when you want to switch up your evening wear.
If you're like me, sea days are for roaming the ship and logging a lot of steps at that. Instead of yoga pants and a T-shirt, a two-piece lounge set keeps the comfy vacation vibe going strong without looking too sloppy. Plus, the shirt doubles as an extra layer in air-conditioned dining rooms or when you need extra sun protection at the pool.
The day before I was to board a river cruise in Burgundy, France, I realized I'd need a sweater for a temperature drop over the next few days. I popped into an H&M on the Champs-Elysées in Paris and bought a chunky-knit, cropped beige cardigan. It's a near twin to this one from Zaful, which is $27 at Amazon. I pack this on cruises as cabins can get chilly. A knee-length cardigan takes up way too much room in your luggage, unless you wear it on the plane.
When I plan to walk while in port, I pack a bright-orange packable backpack (one that condenses to a small size) that's different than my personal-item backpack I wore on the flight. This Zomake one is very similar to the one I own. It's stocked with plenty of pockets to hold your essentials while you explore, and it's water-resistant in case you spill a bottle of water inside or it's raining outside.
As cute as they are, unless you plan to bring a woven straw beach bag as your purse or carry-on for the flight, it's better to use a canvas tote bag or foldable beach bag like this one from Kalidi for taking a book, sunblock, sunglasses, and other items to the Lido Deck. Luckily, it's cute and functional enough to double as a beach bag once you're back home, and you can even get away with using it as a purse while you're cruising.
It's nice to have a pair of black wide-leg dress slacks to wear to dinner with a tucked-in blouse or cropped top. Without drawstrings or spandex, the pants no longer look like slouchy yoga pants or loungewear. Here, the Tronjori pants' expandable waistline helps if you swell due to the heat or are indulging at the buffet. Bonus: these are wrinkle-free and easily roll up in your carry-on (but they're comfy enough to wear on the flight if you need to).
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 three-quarter-length sleeved tops to get the best of both worlds. This V-neck top from Sueani, which comes in 43 colors and patterns, won over Amazon shoppers with its flattering fit and versatile look. Remember: it's always solid, not patterned, when only bringing a carry-on. Trust me, they'll go a long way with the rest of your cruise wardrobe.
For cruises, I pack knee-length over floor-length dresses, even if they're casual, as that extra fabric multiplied by however many dresses you bring takes up more packing room. The Weaczzy midi dress, with its pockets, short sleeves, and V-neck, could easily segue from strolling in port to sitting down for dinner in a specialty restaurant on the ship. Navy blue would be a fun color to match the nautical surroundings, but it's also available in 44 other colors.
You're going to need a lightweight windbreaker for more than a rainstorm. The ship's top deck can get windy at night, for example. Also, for excursions like viewing the Kenai Fjords in Seward, Alaska, it's chilly while out on the water. Sadly, my beloved J.Crew windbreaker trench coat is now from several seasons ago, but I found one just like it on Amazon, with an elastic waist for a similar tailored look, a hood, and lots of pockets. Plus, it's packable, so you don't have to wear it on the plane or worry about it hogging up space in your carry-on.
Air-conditioned dining rooms on cruise ships can get chilly, so it's helpful to have a shrug or wrap that doesn't bulk up your dressy outfit (or take away precious carry-on space). This lightweight cropped cardigan—particularly in the elegant beige hue—can adapt to formal and casual, while also matching with floral and neutral, dark-colored dresses.
Don't pack huge Jackie O-like sunglasses that require a case the size of a small lunchbox. Go for a slim, lightweight pair instead. These Amazon-favorite tortoise-shell frames would look good on anybody and are affordable enough that if you lose them while on a bumpy catamaran ride, you won't be out a lot of money. What's more, they're polarized and block 100 percent of the sun's UVB and UVA rays.
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