I packed for a week-long cruise with just a carry-on and personal item. Here are 9 things I regret not having and 6 items I'm glad I brought.

Monica HumphriesAug 10, 2021, 17:54 IST

The Carnival Vista docked in Cozumel, Mexico.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was a passenger on the Carnival Vista, the cruise line's first ship to leave the US in 16 months.
For the seven-night cruise, I brought only a carry-on suitcase and personal item.
I had some packing regrets; I wished I'd brought more formal clothes and forgot I could've taken an unopened wine bottle onboard.

On July 3, I boarded the Carnival Vista in Galveston, Texas, with a carry-on suitcase and backpack. As I boarded the vaccinated ship, I hoped I hadn't forgotten anything.

I brought a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for the seven-night cruise. Monica Humphries/Insider

On July 3, I boarded the Carnival Vista in Galveston, Texas, with a carry-on suitcase and backpack. As I boarded the vaccinated ship, I hoped I hadn't forgotten anything.

An outlet splitter would've been worth the room in my suitcase.

An arrow points to an unreachable outlet behind my bed. The only other outlets were on the vanity. Monica Humphries/Insider

I could've avoided wasting time in my cabin if I had brought a portable charger.

A tourist connects their phone to a power bank. O_Lypa/Getty Images

I forgot small bills for tipping and had to shell out a $6.50 ATM fee.

A sign reminding tourists to tip. Monica Humphries/Insider

All my shore excursions involved water, and I wish had packed a waterproof bag.

A hiker puts a waterproof bag into the kayak. Dzurag/Getty Images

I naively thought I wouldn't get seasick.

Some people swear by motion-sickness patches. BSIP/Getty Images

I should've packed more evening clothes.

I tried to bring clothes that would switch from daytime to nighttime but realized I wanted fresh, clean clothes by the end of the day. Monica Humphries/Insider

I thought towel clips were trivial, but by the end of the cruise, I wish I had invested in a set.

A set of towel clips holding a towel down to a chair. Getty Images

A pit stop to a wine store would've been worth it.

An open suitcase full of clothes, a camera, and a wine bottle. Natalia Bostan/Shutterstock

A bar of laundry detergent will be on my future packing lists.

On my next cruise, I'll bring detergent and hand-wash my clothes. KR_Netez/Shutterstock

While there were plenty of things I regret bringing, a few items in my suitcase saved the day.

An image of just some of the things that made it in the author's suitcase. Monica Humphries/Insider

I'm glad I packed multiple face masks.

A masked selfie at the port in Cozumel, Mexico. Monica Humphries/Insider

A reusable water bottle was helpful both on and off the ship.

Water stations were few and far between on the cruise ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

A small tote bag was worth the room in my personal item.

An arrow points to the cloth tote bag the author brought onto the ship. Monica Humphries/Insider

My sunburned shoulders were thankful I remembered to pack aloe.

A person puts aloe on their shoulders. jivimages/Shutterstock

Waterproof shoes are a must on every cruise packing list.

My Tevas were my go-to shoes throughout the seven-night cruise. Monica Humphries/Insider

It may not sound intuitive to bring a sweater on a tropical cruise, but it saved the day inside the freezing ship.

A selfie in the only sweater I brought on the cruise. Monica Humphries/Insider

My packing list could have used a few tweaks, but packing in a carry-on wasn't as challenging as I expected.

The author in Roatán, Honduras. Monica Humphries/Insider

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I packed for a week-long cruise with just a carry-on and personal item. Here are 9 things I regret not having and 6 items I'm glad I brought.

On July 3, I boarded the Carnival Vista in Galveston, Texas, with a carry-on suitcase and backpack. As I boarded the vaccinated ship, I hoped I hadn't forgotten anything.

An outlet splitter would've been worth the room in my suitcase.

I could've avoided wasting time in my cabin if I had brought a portable charger.

I forgot small bills for tipping and had to shell out a $6.50 ATM fee.

All my shore excursions involved water, and I wish had packed a waterproof bag.

I naively thought I wouldn't get seasick.

I should've packed more evening clothes.

I thought towel clips were trivial, but by the end of the cruise, I wish I had invested in a set.

A pit stop to a wine store would've been worth it.

A bar of laundry detergent will be on my future packing lists.

While there were plenty of things I regret bringing, a few items in my suitcase saved the day.

I'm glad I packed multiple face masks.

A reusable water bottle was helpful both on and off the ship.

A small tote bag was worth the room in my personal item.

My sunburned shoulders were thankful I remembered to pack aloe.

Waterproof shoes are a must on every cruise packing list.

It may not sound intuitive to bring a sweater on a tropical cruise, but it saved the day inside the freezing ship.

My packing list could have used a few tweaks, but packing in a carry-on wasn't as challenging as I expected.