Seriously, this is the most fun post for me to write. After all, I love nothing more than sharing all of my most fave clothes, accessories, toys and more. You may have seen these in the day by day posts. But when one of our visitors to the site said: “just tell me what you pack and make my life easier”. I thought, why not?! And since I am about to leave on my 210th cruise it’s all right here in front of me! So let’s go!
My must-have purses!
Remember, on the ship you will just be carrying around your key card, maybe your lipstick and compact, and of course your phone to snap all your pics! Here are four of my faves. Two for the day, two for the evening!
Anchor Crossbody Bag Nautical iPhone Cell Phone Purse Bag PU Leather Canvas Handbag for Smartphone Credit Card Passport Keys
Inge Christopher Mona Long Clutch, GoldSJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Ladybird, Blue SatinRoma Leathers Genuine Cross Body Purse Bag, Multi-Pocket, Black
My must-have travel bags, suitcases and TSA locks!
This one depends on if I am traveling on a Caribbean/beach-filled cruise or on a European or Coastal port-filled cruise. And check out down below for my fave backpacks. I use those on cruises where I will be on nature excursions… hiking, river rafting, horseback riding. You know, when you go for function over fashion! As for suitcases, I have an addiction. I have two sets. When I saw the navy blue Coolife set I had to have it!
Beach Bag Canvas Tote With Waterproof Inside Lining – Outside Pockets for Bottles from Moskus Gear – Striped Pool ToteWomen Ladies Canvas Weekender Bag Overnight Carry-on Tote Duffel in Trolley Handle (Black Stripe)
My Must Have Girlie Stuff
No need for explanation here! Just know, I can’t live without these on my cruise! I have the beach cover-up in blue. Love it! And come on! A double eyeglass case? Brilliant! Sunglasses and reading glasses. Stop! A combo flat iron/curling iron in a leopard print case? I had my fingers crossed it worked as well as it looks and it does!
Wrapables Stripes and Anchor Nautical Marine Scarf 72Siggi Womens Summer Bucket Boonie UPF 50+ Wide Brim Sun Hat Cord Cap Beach Accessories NavyJeasona Women’s Bathing Suit Cover Up Beach Bikini Swimsuit Swimwear Crochet Dress (Beige, M)Travel Flat Iron 2-in-1 Mini Hair Straightener Curling Iron Dual Voltage 374 Degree Temperature Nano Titanium – Insulated Carry Bag IncludeDouble Eyeglass Case for 2 frames | Semi Soft pouch with magnetic closure | comes with 2 microfiber cleaning cloths (IP836 Turquoise Snake)Portable Travel Bottles Set, Leak Proof Travel Accessories,TSA Carry-On Approved Refillable and Squeezable Silicon Travel Size toiletries Containers,Easy-to-Fill Travel Lotion Bottles.3pcs Lermende TSA Approved Toiletry Bag with Zipper Travel Luggage Pouch Carry On Clear Airport Airline Compliant Bag Travel Cosmetic Makeup Bags – Black
ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack Water Resistant Hiking Daypack,Small Backpack Handy Foldable Camping Outdoor Backpack Little BagDiamond Head Equipment | Pali 20L Daypack | Ultralight Packable Backpack | Designed in HawaiiLightspeed Outdoors Ultra Lightweight Water Repellent Nylon Travel Packable Backpack | Water Resistant Mochila, 20L
CHESTER Carry-On Luggage/22Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside 28Coolife Luggage Aluminium 3 Piece
Packing Cubes – I love love love these! The way I pack these makes it so fast to unpack once I am in the cabin! More time to explore the ship on my first day!
Shacke Pak – 4 Set Packing Cubes – Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag (Aqua Teal)
The last thing you want to do on your first day aboard is to spend time in your cabin unpacking.
Yet, it is the most important thing to do quickly in order to make your cabin your home away from home.
When you use Packing Cubes, everything is so neatly put together in your suitcase that you can just crack open the cube and transfer it onto a shelf or into a drawer
I got tired of trying to find my suitcases amongst all the others. So I upped my game with these luggage straps. So many colors to choose from! Not to mention, I never worry my suitcase will pop open. As for locks? A must have. I always lock my luggage before the stewards take them up to my cabin. And then while on the ship I lock bigger items inside them while I am out and about. You know, computers, Ipads, Kindles, cameras, etc. Better safe than sorry! TSA locks are the only way to go. And I love the cable type.
TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks, Re-settable Combination with Alloy BodyWeBravery Adjustable Luggage Straps Suitcase Belts Travel Bag strap (Blue 4Pieces)
Oooh! Don’t forget to get these luggage tag holders that will be for boarding the ship! Forget about stapling the paper tags that the ships give you. That makes me too nervous. Get these!
Cruise Luggage Tag Holder Zip Seal & Steel – Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruise (Clear – 4 Pack)Cruise Tags Wide Luggage Tags Princess, Carnival, Norwegian, Holland America (12 tags)GreatShield Luggage Tags, ID Batch Holder Weatherproof Zip Seal & Steel Loops for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise (8 Tags + 4 ID Holders)
Electronics accessories
Save a marriage! Save a friendship! Don’t fight over the only three plugs in your cabin! I’m not joking. Captain Bert and I got so tired of juggling who’s electronics were more important to charge at the time, his camera or my iPhone. Not to mention that now there are tablets and computers and so much more to add to the mix. These saved us. Then in case of emergency low power on a port or while traveling, I love that cute blue power stick.
Hercules Tuff White Multiple USB Charger Station 2-in-1 – Short Cables Included for lphone, lpad, Tablets – 50W 10A – Rare White Color Charging Station[Upgraded] POWERADD Slim 2 Most Compact 5000mAh External Battery 2.1A Ouput Portable Charger with Smart Charge for iPhones, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, HTC and More – BlueAnker USB Wall Charger, 60W 6 Port USB Charging Station, PowerPort 6 Multi USB Charger for iPhone XS/Max/XR/X/8/7/Plus, iPad Pro/Air 2/Mini/iPod, Galaxy S9/S8/S7/Edge/Plus, Note, LG, HTC, and More
My Must-Have Medicine Stash
Seriously. With these three things, you are pretty well covered. I brought the International Travel Kit on my last cruise and I was blown away with what I ended up using or giving out to friends. It even had an eye wash that worked better than what my girlfriend had brought along. And the Bug Guard wipes are my absolute faves. Just throw them in your bag and carry them on all the ports. The water bottle I carry everywhere. Love to refill it at the airport after I go through security.
Medique 77501 International Traveler First Aid Kit with Polybagssilbyloyoe Silicone Water Bottle Foldable Collapsible Anti Leakage with Leak Proof Valve Bottles Travel Outdoor Sports Lightwight Portable BPA Free Medical Food Grade 26 Ounce (Blue)Avon Skin so Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Insect Repellent 8 Towelettes
Weather Must Haves!
Yes, yes, yes. Bring that lightweight umbrella or rain poncho. It’s worth it. The last thing you want to do is not go onto port because you are afraid your hair will get wet. Uh.. true. I have been known to make that excuse. Not anymore. I have come to love the quick Caribbean rain showers. They are so refreshing! Next thing you know it’s sunshine again. And Alaska under the clouds is mesmerizing.
EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella w/Windproof Double Canopy Construction – Auto Open/Close ButtonPremium 20L Waterproof Bag, Sack with Phone Dry Bag and Long Adjustable Shoulder Strap Included (Yellow, 20 L)Rain Poncho: Lightweight, Waterproof Rain Gear with Drawstring Hood: 5 Pack: Emergency Disposable Rain Ponchos in Pink, Blue, Navy, Silver & Gold: Thicker Material and Packable
Then there is the wind to think about! My new “must haves” are the beach towel hooks to keep everything from blowing away. And these great lightweight beach towels are a must! Only one pound and when they are open they are huge. If you’ve ever had to drag a wet and sandy ship’s towel back on the ship you will know why you must get one of these.
Dolphin Shadow Microfiber Beach Towel: Massive 78ESFUN 16 Pack Beach Towel Clips Chair Clips Towel Holder for Pool Chairs on Cruise-Jumbo Size,Plastic Clothes Pegs Hanging Clip Clamps to Keep Your Towel from Blowing Away,Fashion Bright Color