I packed for a weeklong cruise with just a carry-on and a backpack. Here are 10 items I’m glad I brought and 9 things I wish I had with me.

Updated

2024-06-18T16:16:54Z

The author packed for a weeklong cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. — The author packed for a weeklong cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took my first cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships.
I brought only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for the seven-night Caribbean cruise.
I was glad I packed light but had some regrets. I longed for earplugs and a bar of laundry soap.

I took my first cruise in April 2022 on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas — one of the largest cruise ships in the world. For the seven-night cruise to the Caribbean, I brought just a carry-on suitcase and a backpack.

While packing light made the trip easier, I did forget a few critical items. Here’s everything I was thankful I had during my voyage — and the items I longed for and will remember to pack next time.

One of the best things I packed was a magnet.

The author is glad she brought a magnet — A magnet on the author’s door.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A magnet on the author’s door.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Stateroom decks had long hallways lined with identical blue doors, so my magnet made it easier to find my cabin.

But I wished I downloaded some movies and shows to watch on my phone in my room.

Netflix selections on a black iPhone with a white background — The author forgot to download movies.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author forgot to download movies.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The cruise ship’s WiFi wasn’t strong enough for me to stream videos.

For long days in the sun, I was glad I packed sunscreen.

The author is glad she brought organic sunscreen — The author’s sunscreen.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author’s sunscreen.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I enjoyed a few beach days during my cruise, so sunscreen was essential.

However, I wished I had remembered to bring some aloe vera gel for the day I forgot to lather up.

The author holds aloe vera gel — The author forgot aloe vera gel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author forgot aloe vera gel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aloe vera typically soothes and cools my burns, so I should have packed it for the day I forgot to apply sunscreen.

I was glad I brought a rash guard to swim in the ocean.

The author is glad she brought a rash guard — An arrow points to the author’s rash guard hanging up to dry.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An arrow points to the author’s rash guard hanging up to dry.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An excursion guide told me that some beaches in the Caribbean, like Tulum, Mexico, don’t allow sunscreen in the ocean to protect wildlife.

But the water was so clear that I wished I had a waterproof case for my phone to take pictures.

Clear waters at the beach in Tulum (L) and a waterproof phone case (R).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Getty Images

Clear waters at the beach in Tulum (L) and a waterproof phone case (R).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Getty Images

As other cruisers snorkeled with phones in hand, I realized I was missing an opportunity to capture ocean life.

This sunhat also came in handy to block the sun.

The author is glad she brought a sun hat — The author wears a sunhat at a port.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author wears a sunhat at a port.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I don’t typically wear my sunhat, so the cruise was the perfect occasion to pull it out of my closet.

But I wished I had brought an adjustable cap for windy days on the top decks when my sunhat wouldn’t stay on my head.

The author reacts to wind on the top deck of the cruise ship (L) the back of the author's head with a cap on (R) — The author forgot to bring a cap for windier days.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author forgot to bring a cap for windier days.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Mornings and evenings on the top decks of the ship were so windy that I had to leave my hat in my room.

Even though the weather was hot during the day, this sweater came in handy for cool, windy nights and mornings.

The author is glad she brought a sweater — The author wears a sweater early in the morning.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author wears a sweater early in the morning.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I ended up wearing my sweater every day during the Caribbean cruise.

But I only packed one pair of pants and had to wear them every night.

The author on an outdoor deck on the ship, an arrow points to her pants — The author wears the only pair of pants she brought.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author wears the only pair of pants she brought.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In hindsight, I should have packed a couple more pairs of pants.

I should have brought a windbreaker, too, to keep me warmer on the top decks in the morning and at night.

The author leans against a thin tree with more trees behind her — The author wears a windbreaker during a trip to Oregon in 2015.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author wears a windbreaker during a trip to Oregon in 2015.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A windbreaker would have been more helpful than my sweater alone.

I wished I’d brought a bar of detergent to wash my clothes since I packed light, and laundry services on the ship cost extra.

A hand washes orange towels with a bar of soap — The author didn’t bring detergent.

Getty Images

The author didn’t bring detergent.

Getty Images

On my cruise, Royal Caribbean’s laundry service charged for each article of clothing — $4 a shirt, $9 a dress, and $2 per pair of underwear.

But at least I brought the right shoes.

The author is glad she brought two pairs of shoes — The author’s walking shoes (L) and waterproof shoes (R).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author’s walking shoes (L) and waterproof shoes (R).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed two pairs of shoes: sneakers for walking and waterproof sandals for the beach and pools.

Thankfully, I also remembered to bring a waist pack to carry a few things when I didn’t feel like lugging my backpack around.

The author is glad she brought a fanny pack — The author uses a smaller bag.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author uses a smaller bag.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Having a small pack came in handy during port stops and while exploring the ship.

I was also glad I brought a digital watch to keep on ship time.

The author is glad she brought a watch — The author wears a digital watch.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author wears a digital watch.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Ship time is the time zone that cruise ships adhere to even when docked at ports in different time zones.

But I wish I had downloaded guidebooks for the ports I visited to get a better idea of things to do.

Cruise port in Honduras: plants eco park hike — Roatan, Honduras, is one of the ports the author visited during her cruise.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Roatan, Honduras, is one of the ports the author visited during her cruise.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My ship stopped in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and the Bahamas.

I wanted to try my best to avoid illness and was glad I packed vitamins …

The author is glad she brought airborne immunity vitamins — The author brought vitamins.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author brought vitamins.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed vitamins made to support immune systems since I was coming in contact with many people.

… and also medicine to combat motion sickness, which I experienced frequently.

The author is glad she brought Dramamine — The author remembered to pack Dramamine.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The author remembered to pack Dramamine.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I always pack Dramamine on my trips to avoid motion sickness.

More than anything, I wished I had earplugs to help me sleep during rough nights at sea, which sounded like thunder in my stateroom.

Red earplugs by plastic container on light wood table — Earplugs were the author’s most missed item.

modustollens/Shuttershock

Earplugs were the author’s most missed item.

modustollens/Shuttershock

It was especially loud since I was at the front of the ship, where seasoned cruisers said movement on ships feels the strongest.

Next time, I’ll come prepared.

***

This article has been archived by Slow Travel News for your research. The original version from Business Insider can be found here.

I packed for a weeklong cruise with just a carry-on and a backpack. Here are 10 items I’m glad I brought and 9 things I wish I had with me.

I packed for a weeklong cruise with just a carry-on and a backpack. Here are 10 items I’m glad I brought and 9 things I wish I had with me.

One of the best things I packed was a magnet.

But I wished I downloaded some movies and shows to watch on my phone in my room.

For long days in the sun, I was glad I packed sunscreen.

However, I wished I had remembered to bring some aloe vera gel for the day I forgot to lather up.

I was glad I brought a rash guard to swim in the ocean.

But the water was so clear that I wished I had a waterproof case for my phone to take pictures.

This sunhat also came in handy to block the sun.

But I wished I had brought an adjustable cap for windy days on the top decks when my sunhat wouldn’t stay on my head.

Even though the weather was hot during the day, this sweater came in handy for cool, windy nights and mornings.

But I only packed one pair of pants and had to wear them every night.

I should have brought a windbreaker, too, to keep me warmer on the top decks in the morning and at night.

I wished I’d brought a bar of detergent to wash my clothes since I packed light, and laundry services on the ship cost extra.

But at least I brought the right shoes.

Thankfully, I also remembered to bring a waist pack to carry a few things when I didn’t feel like lugging my backpack around.

I was also glad I brought a digital watch to keep on ship time.

But I wish I had downloaded guidebooks for the ports I visited to get a better idea of things to do.

I wanted to try my best to avoid illness and was glad I packed vitamins …

… and also medicine to combat motion sickness, which I experienced frequently.

More than anything, I wished I had earplugs to help me sleep during rough nights at sea, which sounded like thunder in my stateroom.

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