How to Pack Light for Your Luxury Cruise Adventure

Over the last two years my mantra has been “Pack light. Pack light. Pack light.” I ditched my DSLR camera in favor of a small point-and-shoot, then scaled down further with an iPhone 6. I swapped out my paperbacks (because I could never just take one) for a Kindle. I gave up my clunky laptop in favor of a MacBook Air. And I replaced my trusty Travel Pro with a Traveler’s Choice Sedona 21″ Spinner.

Even so, I’m still often asked how I manage to trot around the globe with only one TSA-approved carry-on bag and a personal item, e.g. handbag. Admittedly, some destinations are easier to pack for than others. Hawaii anyone? Just tuck in a couple of T-shirts, a few wrinkle-free dresses, flip flops and a bathing suit and you’re good to go for at least two weeks.

When it came to packing for my 8-day European Viking Cruise earlier this summer, I toyed with the idea of checking a bag for the trip. But in the end, I stuck with my original resolve – to pack light and only take a carry-on bag and personal item, which as it turned out, worked just fine.

To pack light for a value luxury cruise to a warm destination (Let’s skip Antarctica for now), here’s how I make the most of my carry-on bag and personal item – and how you can do it, too:

Travel outfit

• Long jeans
• Tank top
• Long sweater
• Scarf
• Closed-toe shoes (also recommended for travel safety), i.e. tennis shoes which doubles as my walking and workout shoes (Travel tip: Wear your heaviest shoes rather than carry the weight in your luggage where they also take up too much room)

Packing List for 21″ Carry-On Bag

Clothing     

• Underwear
• Nightie & robe
• 4 Dresses
• 2 pairs of pants
• Yoga pants & top
• 3 long-sleeved shirts
• Light sweater
• 2 tank tops
• 8 pairs of sneaker socks
• Rain jacket
• 2 pairs of sandals
• Flipflops
• Bathing suit

Toiletries 

• Make-up/remover wipes
• Flat-iron
• Contact lenses
• Hand, body & facial lotion
• Sunscreen
• Razor
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Deodorant
• Comb & hairbrush
• Hair ties
• Q tips
• Earplugs
• Small sewing kit
• Small manicure kit

Accessories

• Sunhat
• 3 Scarves
• Costume jewelry
• Small handbag
• Small fold-up umbrella

First-aid Kit

• Band-aids
• Sterile gauze pads
• Neosporin ointment
• Lip balm
• Eye drops
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Moleskin
• Tiger balm

Personal Item (Baggallini Bag)

• Kindle
• MacBook Air
• iPhone 6
• iPod
• Canon G-16 point-and-shoot
• Hard drive back up for downloading images
• 2 – 3 extra memory cards
• Chargers/cords/extra batteries for first five items on list
• International plug adapters
• Notebook/journal and pens
• Host/destination information
• Travel documents/passport/driver’s license (Travel Tip: Carry copies of important documents and passport in a separate place, like your carry-on bag)
• Small amount of cash and credit cards
• Emergency contact information
• Snacks: Power bars, dried fruit & nuts, dark chocolate 🙂
• Vitamins/medications
• Sunglasses
• Prescription glasses
• Business cards

What I Wish I Had Packed

• Light jacket
• Small daypack

Q: What about shampoo and conditioner? Facial cleanser?
A: Since TSA applies the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule, i.e. each passenger is allowed 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-lock bag limited to 3.4 ounces or less of liquids, creams, gels, aerosols and pastes per container, and most travel carriers and/or destinations provide small toiletries, only carry the liquids you can’t live without.

Q: What if I want to bring home some souvenirs?
A: Remember: think light! Save the heavier souvenirs for shipping home or purchase on-line when you get home. Jewelry made by local artists, small packs of savory spices (like paprika from Hungary), scarves, CDs (Yes, some people still buy these) and sweets from the region all make lovely gifts.

Q: But how can I stay a fashionista with only two pairs of sandals, flipflops and tennis shoes?
A: Whatever you wear, wear with confidence!

In case you missed these previous posts on packing tips, check out:

Favorite Travel Items to Lighten Your Luggage – Part I
Pack Light with Favorite Travel Items – Part II

For more information, visit:
TSA Travel Information

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What else should I add to my list?