It's summer, and if you're anything like me, you might be thinking about a cruise again. Now, I always think about going on a cruise and then somehow talk myself out of it, but I am a person who likes to set up a home base and then explore a city for an entire week. We've been debating on a Mediterranean cruise though, so we'll see if we actually go through with it. I'd love to see a lot of Greece and Turkey in one go, but I'm also really thinking I might just spend a week in Malta.
Anyway, if you are actually planning a cruise, and you've whittled down what sort of ship you want to go on, where you want to go, and have gathered your cabin accessories, then let's talk what to put in your luggage. We'll talk about how to pack your luggage in a different post.
Depending on how long of a cruise you're going to go on, there may be several different kinds of activities every day. On any given day you could go from breakfast, to the pool, to trivia, to a nice dinner, to a Broadway-style show. So, you're going to want to bring more than you normally would on a trip, but we're also still going to try to pack light, because I'm still all for doing laundry. It's actually easier on a cruise, because everything you're doing when not in port is basically in your "hotel".
In this case, I like to bring versatile pieces that can work for a lot of activities.
Tank tops are perfect for layering or generally strolling around the ship, whether you're going to lunch or reading by the pool or on your balcony or doing miniature golf. I always bring a couple basic ones that have a bit more coverage (not spaghetti strap ones) and I like these from Pact that feel great and can double as activewear, so even if you're a sweaty mess, your shirt won't look it. These come in a pack of two.
T-shirts are a perfect staple for most trips. I actually really like these loose-fit cap sleeve tees, because they give a different sort of silhouette, look great with a lot of different bottoms, and also aren't as heavy or tight as most t-shirts. I'd bring two of these.
A casual travel top that works with almost anything is a must. I am a fan of a looser tank with a pattern that can make different bottoms look entirely different from each other. I love a piece from from Prana and I have had my eye on these tie-front tanks, because they work for going to meals, doing random things on the ship, and help you look put together, while also being extremely comfortable, on excursions.
A longer dress is great for wandering around port, as a beach cover-up, and also for "formal" dinners and shows. This one from Billabong can go from casual to dressy with just a few accessories. It's also easy to add a layer on top for a little warmth. There are some people on cruises that go all out on formal nights, but there is always a spectrum of formality. If you want to look more formal, you can always opt for a black dress. That's usually my go-to, but I have a lot of black clothing, since it goes with everything, even if it's not very summery.
A shorter beach cover-up. If you plan on spending time on the beach or at the pool, but don't want to walk through the ship in just your swimsuit, or you don't want to go back to your room to change after breakfast, then bring along a cover-up that can also double as a super casual dress or a tunic-length shirt. This eyelet dress from Prana comes in two other colors, but I really feel the cruise vibe in white, plus it has pockets!
Lightweight, quick-drying shorts. Two pair of shorts in different colors that match all your tops are probably all you need. It's likely you'll be wearing them mostly on deck or while exploring your port city. I try to pick ones with a longer inseam (5"), so my butt is covered when I sit down and my thighs don't burn on benches and you don't get that gross sweat stick to chairs that everyone else has sat on in their tiny shorts. It also helps eliminate chafing. I've recommended these Columbia Backcast water shorts before and I stick by that recommendation. They are comfy, fine for jumping around in the water, can be worn as a swimsuit bottom in a pinch, and are moisture-wicking. They even have UVA and UVB blocking built-in
A pair of linen or linen-blend pants are a must for being comfortable, but still looking great. They look nice with a tank top or a looser top and a change of shoes can really make them look more dressed up, too. I'm a person who gets cold sitting in a restaurant or theater, so having some extra coverage on my legs is really helpful. These linen palazzo pants are flowy and are iconic vacationwear.
You're going to need things other than just clothing staples, so let's talk about those things:
A great bathing suit for all those trips to the pool and possibly the beaches of whatever city you've docked at. I love this cutie ruffle tankini set. It has more coverage and comes in a bunch of different colors/patterns, so it can work for just about everyone.
Shoes. You probably want to bring a pair of flip flops or water shoes. They take up almost no space. Aside from those, I always suggest two pair of walking shoes, one traditional and one nicer. I wear sneakers on the plane and on excursions, and then I bring a nice pair of sandals, like these Dr. Scholls ones to wear with dresses or exploring a city.
An outer layer for when it's cooler in the evenings or you're inside with the a/c blasting. This open weave cardigan is nice and loose, not too warm, and looks great with shorts or a dress.
Sunglasses are the first thing to always go in my bag. This two-pack of classic shades have colors that go with everything in your wardrobe and if you lose or break a pair (this has happened to me more often than I want to admit), you have a backup pair.
Towels for when you aren't on the ship or have access to beach towels. Turkish towels are great travel companions, because they can be used as bath towels, beach blankets, picnic blankets, a sarong, or even a shawl. They are super absorbent and dry quickly. This two-pack is perfect and affordable and you can buy more than one set if you're traveling as a family or group. And if you're worried about your towel flying away on windy days, grab a set of towel bands. They're really helpful for identifying your chair at the pool when everyone has the same towels.
A tote bag for day trips and bringing items with you to the pool. I love one that can handle wet items, for when you're done at the beach and change into regular clothes. These insulated totes from Travelon can take your chilled drinks and sunscreen with you and then your soggy suits and towels back. They pack smaller into their own pouch. It comes in a small size and a larger size for when you travel with more people or also want to use it for grocery store runs. (You buy these directly from Travelon and use code SHEREENTRAVELS20% for an exclusive discount.)
Pajamas are something most of us wear. I like lounge-y sets that I could wear down to the laundry, hang out on the balcony in the morning with my coffee, or to wear to pajama night events on some ships. These come in a set of two, so you can always have a spare.
Next up, how to pack all these things for your ultimate cruise trip, because, not only do you want to look great, but you also want to pack small and conveniently, as cruises are a whole different kind of vacation than any other you'll take. Packing needs to be strategic.
What are your favorite things to bring on a cruise or a great tip you have for cruising?
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