18 Cruise Ship Carry-on Travel Essentials

I come from a long line of overpackers, but I’ve learned the hard way what can happen to checked luggage if your flight is delayed before a cruise. If your luggage doesn’t make it to the ship before embarkation, odds are you won’t see it again until the cruise is over. As someone who once spent a week in bright orange Birkenstocks on a Mediterranean cruise, I would know.

Unless you’re prepared to build a whole new wardrobe from the ship’s gift shop and whatever you can find in port, it’s not a risk worth taking. Over the past 20 years, I’ve cruised everywhere from Alaska’s glaciers to the sun-soaked shores of the Caribbean, but no matter the destination, I’ve learned to pare my packing down to just the essentials. These are the versatile and reliable pieces that I never board a ship without, from sleek sneakers to comfy, wear-anywhere jeans. They work on and off the ship, maximize space, and never sacrifice comfort or style.

Cruise Carry-on Essentials

Béis Weekender Bag

This bag is a secret weapon. It counts as a personal item on most airlines and fits under the seat in front of you, but still has seemingly endless room. The bottom of the bag zips, allowing for easy storage for sandals, glasses cases, and other small items. Plus, the back of the bag has a trolley sleeve so it can easily fit over your luggage handle.

The Béis Weekender is also the perfect size to stash a swimsuit, your toiletries, and a change of clothes for dinner—if you want to carry this bag onto the ship on embarkation day while your larger carry-on is delivered to your stateroom.

Away Bigger Carry-on Luggage

Everyone has a favorite carry-on suitcase brand, and for me, it’s Away. After taking up to a dozen flights each month, not only has my Away carry-on suitcase held up being stuffed to the brim to save me from checking a bag, but it also fits in nearly every domestic overhead bin. The suitcase is easily spacious enough to fit items for a week-long trip—or more.

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Zip-top

Whether you’re looking to bring your essentials poolside or packing a bag for a shore excursion, it’s important to bring a reliable tote onboard with you. I love the Boat and Tote because not only is it a timeless style and easily packable, but the zip-top closure means that just in case you buy one too many souvenirs, you can easily use it as a carry-on bag when it’s time to travel home. 

Baggu Standard Bag

No matter where I’m traveling, I don’t leave home without tucking at least one of these reusable Baggu bags into my luggage. The ultra-lightweight material folds down into basically nothing and is washable, making it the perfect solution for carrying everything from a damp bathing suit to lugging shoreside snacks back onboard.

Calpak Medium Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a great way to not only organize your clothes but also help keep your packing in check, as well. Better yet, these compression packing cubes help you maximize your space by compressing your items without requiring any kind of special equipment. These are the perfect size cubes, fitting everything from shirts to pants, all while fitting snugly in your bag. Looks like there might be room for that maxi dress, after all. 

She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Even when packing space is limited, safety is non-negotiable, and whether I’m on the ship or the shore, you won’t catch me without this tiny but mighty personal alarm. The palm-sized alarm is lightweight and can easily clip onto a bag or keychain.

Cadence Capsule System

Finding the balance between bringing every toiletry you could need and keeping your luggage light isn’t always easy. Sure, you could pack lightly, but then you’ll be at the mercy of the (always pricey) onboard spa if you need anything on the ship. Cadence capsules are the perfect solution, allowing you to maximize your options for stashing everything from hair and skin care to daily vitamins while also saving space with their magnetic snapping mechanism.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Staying hydrated at sea is a must, and cruise ship tap water doesn’t cut it for me. This 32-ounce bottle from Owala is the perfect solution: its double-wall insulation keeps water ice-cold for hours, and the built-in straw makes it easy to sip whether you’re in bed or poolside.

Quince Bella Stretch Patch Pocket Wide-leg Jeans

It’s important to pack versatile styles that work for everything from breakfast to bingo, and these ultra-comfortable jeans from Quince fit the bill. Whether you pair them with a cute top for dinner or a sweatshirt to tackle a shore excursion, the classic silhouette makes them a true hero item.

Quince SuperSoft Fleece Set

While you’ll never catch me flying in pajamas, this Quince set is the next best thing. The soft fleece hoodie and coordinating wide-leg pants are perfect for chilly spaces, taking you from the airport to unwinding on your balcony before bed. Plus, each piece works perfectly on its own.

Everlane Cropped Cotton Cashmere Cardigan

If there’s one thing I won’t leave home without, it’s a classic black cardigan. As someone who gets cold easily, a good sweater is a must-have, and there’s nothing more transitional than a traditional cardigan.  

Everlane Ultrasoft Cotton Boyfriend Shirt

A great button-down is the unsung hero of any travel wardrobe, and this style from Everlane earns a well-deserved spot in your suitcase. The slightly oversized fit gives it an effortless vibe that’s perfect as a poolside cover-up by day or styled with pants for dinner. It’s made from ultra-soft cotton and folds down without wrinkling, making it perfectly packable.

Rothy’s Max Square Mary Jane Flats

These Mary Jane flats are equal parts stylish and practical. The flexible knit material makes it a comfortable shoe that works for both day and night, whether you’re matching it with jeans to explore a port or with a dress at dinner. Plus, they’re machine washable, so all you need to do is toss them in the wash when you get home, and they’re as good as new. 

Bombas Friday Slides

These Bombas slides are lightweight, waterproof, and endlessly wearable, making them a go-to for everything from lounging poolside to walking on the beach or just a quick trip to the buffet. 

The cushioned footbed makes them as comfortable as they are practical, a true must-pack for any trip. 

Veja Esplar Sneakers

If I only wore one sneaker for the rest of my life, this would be the one. As someone prone to long and painful periods of breaking in shoes, the Veja Esplars were an effortless fit from the first wear. The classic white shoe is not only extremely comfortable but also a timeless staple that goes with every look, from shorts to skirts.

Quince Italian Cami One-piece Swimsuit

Even if your itinerary leans more glacier than sun deck, packing a reliable swimsuit is a must, if only for a trip to the spa. This one-piece from Quince is both flattering and durable, holding up beautifully against chlorine, salt water, and even high-speed waterslides. 

Warby Parker Percey Sunglasses

When it comes to sunglasses, I’m all about a pair that can do it all, and the Percey from Warby Parker fits the bill. The classic shape pairs effortlessly with every outfit, so you don’t have to overpack a pair for each look. Plus, Warby Parker’s blend of timeless yet on-trend styles, affordable pricing, and great customer service makes it a dependable pick for any trip.

T3 Afar Lightweight Travel-size Hair Dryer

I wish that I could last a week embracing air-dried hair, but that’s just not me. Sure, skipping the blowout for a couple of pool days works, but after that, I need to properly dry my thick hair. Hotel and cruise ship hair dryers rarely cut it, so having a powerful travel dryer that’s compact enough for my carry-on is a must.

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