Is it doable to take a 7-night cruise with solely a carry-on and backpack?
I lately sailed on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise and wished to keep away from paying for checked baggage, so I challenged myself to pack as mild as doable!
I knew this wasn’t inconceivable, as I had a good friend as soon as pack for an 8-night cruise in only a Spirit Airlines accredited private merchandise, not even a real carry-on sized bag.
For me, although, this was not going to be a straightforward job; I’m identified for chronically overpacking and having to pay obese charges.
What can I say? A woman loves her sneakers! When I got here again from Europe in December, I needed to tie a pair of sneakers to my backpack that was already practically busting on the seams. My suitcase was solely .50 ounces underweight after that.
I figured because it was a Caribbean cruise, it will be simpler than packing for one which required bulkier clothes, like an Alaskan crusing.
In actuality, it was rather more troublesome than I believed. I attempted to pack strategically eager about the plans I had for the cruise once I left; nevertheless, they ended up altering as soon as I acquired onboard.
Here’s how I packed for my 7-night Caribbean cruise with solely a carry-on suitcase and a backpack and what I might do in another way if I plan on packing that mild once more.
Preparation
Since I often solely test my baggage, I did not have any TSA-approved travel-sized bottles for my liquids. Thankfully, a Target opened up inside strolling distance of my condo in August, so it was straightforward for me to accumulate the whole lot that I wanted in a single journey.
I ended up buying three empty bottles for my shampoo, conditioner, and hair smoothie, in addition to a travel-sized face wash, contact resolution, toothpaste, make-up eradicating wipes, and mouthwash. I do know that Royal Caribbean supplies physique wash within the bathe, so I wasn’t anxious about packing that.
My plan for sunscreen was to attend till I landed in Florida and swing by Publix. I believed there can be extra of a value distinction, however I discovered it was only some {dollars}, if even that a lot. However, stopping nonetheless allowed me to hold on my baggage at no cost.
When it got here to packing my garments, I had deliberate on making myself snug within the Solarium most days, particularly since this was a piece journey, so I wished to maintain it easy with a couple of swimsuits, a canopy up, t-shirts, and athletic shorts.
I additionally deliberate on rotating between a couple of attire for dinner every good. This was troublesome for me, as I’m used to packing a unique outfit for every evening and solely rotating between sneakers. I knew that this was key, although. Seven attire, even when rolled tightly, can take up a number of room.
Even once I do pack totally different outfits for each evening, I usually find yourself repeating a minimum of one. I believe I similar to having choices like I do at dwelling. At the tip of the day, I needed to settle for that I would not be capable of have that luxurious on this journey, or so I believed.
What I packed
I undoubtedly was in a position to match much more into my suitcase than I anticipated, however I do have an expandable carry-on. Without that, this problem would’ve been a lot more durable than it already was.
I used to be in a position to match three t-shirts, two pairs of athletic shorts, two pairs of denims, 4 totally different night shirts, 4 attire, one pair of pajamas, six pairs of sneakers, a small purse, hair straightener, hair towel, and three swimsuits, together with my different undergarments.
A couple of of these objects needed to be crammed into my backpack, which was additionally carrying my laptop computer, digital chargers, video digicam, and medicines.
How I packed
Before I even started inserting all my objects in my suitcase, I knew that I used to be going to must roll the whole lot fairly tightly. I positioned my bulkiest items, like my denims and maxi costume, within the corners of the bag. My smaller objects simply crammed within the gaps and might be layered on prime.
I noticed that my garments had been by no means actually the difficulty; had extra bother packing my cosmetics and sneakers, however I used to be adamant that I used to be going to suit the whole lot.
I needed to play just a little Tetris to be able to totally maximize my out there house. Even although I may have match extra clothes on one aspect, the aspect that contained my sneakers and cosmetics bag protruded when zipped.
To the airport, I wore one other (third) pair of denims, a sweatshirt, and the sixth pair of sneakers, which had been athletic sneakers. I’m so glad that I ended up throwing this sweatshirt on as a substitute of one other t-shirt, because it was so chilly the morning of disembarkation. Plus, I used to be caught within the airport for about 5 hours ready on my flight dwelling. I appreciated that I used to be ready get located and comfy!
Items I regretted having
Even although I set out with the intention to pack fewer night outfits, I used to be in a position to pack a unique one for every evening, even when it meant carrying the identical pair of denims greater than as soon as.
I ended up repeating outfits loads, although. I, for example, wore the identical costume for each formal evening and costume your finest evening, regardless that I supposed to put on totally different outfits for every.
I may have gotten away with two attire and two night shirts as a substitute of 4 every. Plus, there was one pair of sandals that I solely wore as soon as. While I admire having the choice to decide on between pairs of sneakers, I actually solely wanted one nicer pair of sandals for the week.
I additionally didn’t have to pack the second pair of sneakers. One athletic pair would’ve been ample, as I solely wore my Golden Goose as soon as. I’m so used to solely carrying sneakers at dwelling, so I discovered that when given the chance to put on sandals, I gravitated in the direction of them, even when it was only one particular pair.
Items I want I had packed
There had been fairly a couple of objects I discovered myself wishing that I introduced.
Even although I had each intention to sunbathe whereas getting my work completed, I discovered that sitting within the Solarium was really too distracting for me. I’m the type of one who must grind out their assignments in peace and quiet.
I’ve at all times been this fashion, so I do not know why I assumed it will be totally different on a cruise ship surrounded by tempting actions.
I ended up working loads inside my cabin in my pajamas or loungewear. It would’ve been good to have two extra t-shirts and and pairs of athletic shorts, as I solely wore my cowl up twice. It wasn’t the on a regular basis staple I believed it will be.
Another merchandise I want I introduced (and nonetheless have to buy) is a transportable charger. This was my first solo cruise, and I did not notice how a lot time I might been spending off the ship on my own.
When I made a decision to discover Water Island close to St. Thomas, my telephone barely survived the six hours I used to be off of the ship. I used to be continually utilizing it for photographs and taking notes. I by no means wish to be that near having my telephone die whereas off on my own once more!
Even when on the ship, I returned to my cabin every evening with lower than 10% of battery remaining. I do know that is one thing I undoubtedly have to buy earlier than my subsequent weeklong cruise in February.
Finally, I made a rookie cruise mistake and didn’t carry any small payments.
My ATM charge ended up being over $16, together with each Royal Caribbean’s charge and my financial institution’s charge. While not essentially related to packing in a carry-on sized bag, that is simply one thing I want I had completed in path to the airport.
Why I’m glad I did not have a bigger checked bag
It’s not a shock that Ubers to any New York City airport value an arm and a leg (I’ve seen charges over $70 earlier than tip for a one-way trip), so I attempt to take public transportation for under $2.75 as a lot as I can.
For my final cruise in May, I needed to lug a 48lb bag from my condo to my native station and thru a connecting one to catch the bus to LaGuardia. There had been elevators out there, however I opted to hold the bag up and down a number of units of stairs, because it was faster than ready on the sluggish, outdated elevator.
This time, it was a lot simpler to navigate transferring between totally different trains and buses with a smaller suitcase and single backpack.
Additionally, once I acquired to the airport, I discovered that my flight was indefinitely delayed on account of a upkeep concern. I used to be purported to board the airplane round 5:40pm, however the departure time stored getting pushed again. First to six:40pm, then 7:10, 7:50pm, and at last 8:24pm.
The solely cause we left after we did is as a result of we had been ready to make use of one other plane. There’s not telling how lengthy we’d’ve been delayed if we waited on the upkeep concern to be resolved. At one level, an agent even advised that I’m going on standby for an additional flight in case the flight was cancelled.
Hence I used to be glad that I had a carry-on bag. It allowed me to be versatile with flight choices!
Final ideas
Packing for a weeklong journey with solely a single carry-on and private merchandise wasn’t as powerful as I made it out to be; nevertheless, understanding what I do know now, there are some ways in which I’d change how I pack with restricted house sooner or later, similar to focusing extra on snug clothes somewhat than night put on.
I’m shocked that I packed stuff that I ended up not carrying, so I discovered that I can get away with much less clothes than I initially thought.
Plus, I used to be in a position to simply wheel my baggage off throughout self-assist disembarkation and maintain my belongings with me on a regular basis, somewhat than inserting them within the hallway the evening earlier than departure.
Even once I do journey with a checked bag, I can apply some classes that I discovered from this expertise to turn into a extra environment friendly packer!
Traveling with a finite quantity of house is not a straightforward job, particularly when you’re used to overpacking. In a means, although, it does simplify your journey and make you give attention to what’s most essential: making reminiscences with associates, each new and outdated, and household.