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    We’re co-creators of our life. That means, if y We’re co-creators of our life.

That means, if you don’t like your life, you have the freedom and power to change it.

👉🏼 If you don’t like your job…
👉🏼 If you’re burnt out and tired…
👉🏼 If you want more joy in your life…
👉🏼 If you want to travel the world…

…You (and only you) can change your current circumstances. This may feel intimidating, but it’s actually completely liberating. Take a deep breath!

How will you make a happy life? 🤍

#inspirationalvideos #inspirationalthoughts #travelreel #travelreelsoninstagram #travelquotes
    The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

📍Sapphire Beach & Magen’s Bay

#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
    Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
    I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
    7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel
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Indigo Sahara

A travel blog: teaching cultural competence through inspirational travel

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How To Pack For A Cruise In A Carry-On (7+ Days!)

February 13, 2023

Wondering how to pack for a cruise in a carry-on, even if your cruise is 7 days or longer? Well, you’re in luck. Despite my doubts, I was personally able to pack for a 7-day cruise in only a carry-on. With these tips, you can too.

How To Pack For A Cruise In A Carry-On (7+ Days!)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.

How do you pack for a cruise in just a carry-on?

Here’s how to pack for a cruise in just a carry-on bag.

1. Buy A Rolling Duffle Carry-On Bag

how to pack for a cruise in a carry on

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

First, consider investing in this Rockland carry-on size rolling duffle bag.

I know you may have a certain brand or style of luggage that you prefer, but, at least for the cruise, consider opting for a rolling duffle.

In my 20+ years of travel, I can promise you that I have never fit more in a carry-on than with one of these Rockland bags. I’ve packed upward of three weeks of clothes in one of these duffles before, so whenever I have to pack for a lengthy trip in a carry-on only, I always choose this bag.

2. Use Packing Cubes

how to pack a carry on for a cruise

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Furthermore, using packing cubes will help you consolidate all your clothes in an organized, suitcase-shaped fashion.

Trust me. I used to think packing cubes were gimmicky until Well Traveled sent me these packing cubes to try out for my cruise. Let’s just say, I’ll never not use packing cubes again. I’m not even being paid to say this.

Plus, once you get to your stateroom, all you have to do to unpack and stay organized throughout your trip is place each cube unzipped into the closet shelf/drawer space.

3. Roll, Don’t Fold

Next, roll your clothes. Don’t fold your clothes.

This is another packing hack that I always doubted until the past few years. However, this time-old packing trick still proves to be one of the most efficient, space-saving and wrinkle-free ways to pack.

You’ll especially want to roll if you are using packing cubes. By rolling, you’ll be able to see all of your clothes inside the cube at once without digging through an otherwise folded stack.

4. Use A Foldable Hanging Toiletry Bag

cruise packing list carry on

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

On the contrary, this is a secret packing hack I have yet to see mentioned anywhere else: foldable hanging toiletry bags.

First of all, I love hanging toiletry bags because they allow you to hang up your toiletries wherever is most convenient, whether that’s on the bathroom door hook, mirror, shower curtain rod or closet.

But, in terms of packing a carry-on, foldable hanging toiletry bags also enable you to bend the bag into any leftover suitcase space and/or lay the bag flat on top of the suitcase after you have packed everything else. In essence, you won’t have to think about how on Earth you’ll fit another giant cube in your carry-on.

5. Bring Minimal Cruise Toiletries In Your Carry-On

Likewise, bringing minimal toiletries for your cruise will save a lot more space than you would expect.

carry on packing list for cruise

Random bottles, tubes and other clunky products can take up an unnecessary amount of suitcase space, especially because you probably won’t use all of the toiletries that are currently in your toiletry bag anyway.

So, instead of just packing your daily dopp kit or makeup bag, take out only the individual products you will actually need on your cruise. Leave the rest at home. This is a minuscule packing tip that makes a massive difference.

6. Buy Sunscreen In The Cruise Port City

how to pack light for a cruise

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

You’ll need a lot of sunscreen (multiple bottles) on your cruise — way more than TSA allows you to take on your carry-on.

Instead of packing a travel-size bottle of sunscreen, which will only last you one day on the cruise anyway, buy sunscreen in the departing port city once you get there. This way, you’ll also avoid the overpriced sunscreen on board the ship.

Alternatively, ship sunscreen from Amazon (we love this non-toxic brand) to your port city hotel or AirBnB — with permission from the front desk/owners, of course.

7. Bring Two Pairs Of Shoes Maximum

Shoes are arguably the biggest culprit to every overpacking scenario.

7 day cruise packing list

Now, I know what you’re thinking. For cruises, you need, at minimum, one pair of shoes for the pool, one pair of shoes for formal dinners, one pair of shoes for exercise and one pair of comfortable walking shoes.

While this may be true, don’t settle for packing 4+ pairs of shoes. Get creative. Find one pair of cruise shoes that can serve as your pool, formal dinner and walking shoes. (I have an entire guide filled with cruise shoes that fit all these functions here.) Pack those. Then, wear your tennis shoes on the plane.

8. Pack Multi-Purpose Cruise Outfits

Just like it’s key to pack multi-purpose shoes, it’s also key to pack multi-purpose cruise outfits.

Now, you’re probably thinking you need two outfits per day: one for the daytime, one for nighttime dinners and entertainment — not to mention formal night evening gowns or swimwear. So, try to find outfits that you can wear both to the pool and to dinner, such as sundresses for the ladies and button-ups for the men.

cruise packing list caribbean

Even so, if you chose to use packing cubes (which, again, I highly recommend) and roll your clothes, you shouldn’t have a problem packing 15+ outfits. I did it with these Well Traveled packing cubes.

9. Pack Cruise Outfits You Can Rewear

On that note, don’t be afraid to rewear clothes, too, especially denim shorts, swimsuits and swimsuit cover-ups.

Otherwise, you may indeed find yourself packing 15+ outfits, which is doable but certainly not ideal.

Ladies, I particularly love full-coverage swimsuit cover-ups and one-piece suits (I love this black one-piece from Amazon) because you can wear them as tops (when dry) into the buffets and casual restaurants during the day. Pair them with a rewear-able pair of denim shorts, and you’re set.

10. Use A Full-Size Backpack As Your Personal Item

Finally, not many people know that on most airlines, particularly US airlines, you are allowed to use a full-size backpack as your plane personal item.

Many people assume that personal items only include purses or shopping bags, but, actually, you can get by with a full-size school backpack as long as it will fit under the seat in front of you.

So, now, not only do you have a carry-on suitcase for all your cruise essentials, but you also have an entire backpack. For pro tips on packing the ultimate personal item bag, check out my personal item packing list here.

How To Pack For A Cruise In A Carry-On (7+ Days!)

And, just like that, you are fully equipped on how to pack for a cruise in a carry-on. Have any questions? Ask in the reply section below or by sending me a direct message on Instagram.

More Cruise Tips

Cruise Shoes For Ladies To Fit Your Every Need
Amazon Cruise Essentials You Need
50 Genius Women’s Travel Essentials
Cruise Puns You Need To Steal

Save This Cruise Packing Guide

Save these guide on how to pack for a cruise in a carry-on for later by sharing with others!

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By: Indigo Sahara

About Indigo Sahara

Indigo Sahara is a full-time travel blogger and photographer who has lived abroad twice, journeyed through 10+ countries and learned multiple languages. Since graduating with her master's degree, her goal now is to make travel accessible to all.

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I'm Indigo, a 24-year-old full-time traveler who believes that travel should be accessible to all. Join me in pursuit of boundless exploration, peace, compassion and cultural competence!

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We’re co-creators of our life. That means, if y We’re co-creators of our life.

That means, if you don’t like your life, you have the freedom and power to change it.

👉🏼 If you don’t like your job…
👉🏼 If you’re burnt out and tired…
👉🏼 If you want more joy in your life…
👉🏼 If you want to travel the world…

…You (and only you) can change your current circumstances. This may feel intimidating, but it’s actually completely liberating. Take a deep breath!

How will you make a happy life? 🤍

#inspirationalvideos #inspirationalthoughts #travelreel #travelreelsoninstagram #travelquotes
The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

📍Sapphire Beach & Magen’s Bay

#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel

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