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7-Day Cruise Packing List With a Carry-on Suitcase and Backpack

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My first cruise was a huge learning experience — especially when it came to packing.

This was back in April 2022, when I spent seven nights on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas — one of the world’s largest cruise ships — and brought just a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. We sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to ports in Honduras, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

While packing light made the trip easier, I forgot a few key items that would have made it more comfortable and fulfilling. Here’s everything I was thankful I had during my weeklong Caribbean voyage — and the items I longed for and will remember to pack next time.

One of the best things I packed was a magnet to stick on my cabin door.


A magnet on the blue door to the author's cabin



A magnet on the reporter’s door.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The stateroom decks had long hallways lined with identical blue doors, so my magnet made it easy to find my cabin.

But I wish I’d downloaded some movies and shows to watch on my phone in my room.




The author didn’t download movies on her phone.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The cruise ship’s WiFi wasn’t strong enough for me to stream videos. In hindsight, I should have downloaded some Netflix shows and films to watch before bed.

I was glad I packed sunscreen for long days in the sun.




The reporter’s sunscreen.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I enjoyed a few beach days during my cruise, so sunscreen was essential. And I was sure to pack a reef safe brand since I was visiting multiple beaches.

But I should have remembered to bring some aloe vera gel for the day I forgot to lather up.




The reporter forgot to pack aloe vera gel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aloe vera typically soothes and cools my burns, so next time, I’ll pack some in case I forget to apply sunscreen.

I was glad I brought a rash guard to wear while swimming in the ocean.




The author is glad she brought a rash guard.

Joey Hadden/Insider

An excursion guide at one of the ports informed 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 beneath the surface.




Clear waters at the beach in Tulum (left) and a waterproof phone case (right).

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 sun hat also came in handy to block the sun.




The reporter wears a sun hat at a port.

Joey Hadden/Insider

I don’t typically wear my sun hat — especially not at home in New York City. So the cruise was the perfect occasion to pull it out of my closet.

I wish I’d also brought an adjustable cap for windy days on the top decks when my sun hat wouldn’t stay on my head.




The reporter forgot to bring a cap for windier days.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Mornings and evenings at sea were so windy that I had to leave my hat in my room to avoid chasing it around the ship’s top decks.

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




The reporter wears a sweater early in the morning.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I didn’t think I’d wear my sweater often, but I put it on every day during the Caribbean cruise.

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




The reporter wears the only pair of pants she brought.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In hindsight, I should have packed a couple more pairs of pants. Sweatpants would have been especially useful at night on the outdoor decks.

I should have brought a windbreaker, too.




The author longed for a windbreaker.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was often chilly at night in my sweater alone. A windbreaker would have kept me warmer on the top decks in the morning and at night.

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




The reporter 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 packed the right shoes.




The reporter’s walking shoes on the ship (left) and waterproof shoes on the beach (right).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed two pairs of shoes: sneakers for walking and waterproof sandals for the beach and pools. I found these were all I needed.

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




The reporter uses a smaller bag.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A small pack was handy during port stops and while exploring the ship.

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




The reporter wears a digital watch.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

However, I wish I had downloaded guidebooks for the ports I visited to get a better idea of what to do.




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

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My ship stopped in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

I tried my best to avoid illness by packing vitamins…




The reporter brought vitamins.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed vitamins to support my immune system since I would be coming into contact with many people.

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




The reporter remembered to pack Dramamine.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

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




Earplugs were the reporter’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.

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