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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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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