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BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON August 5, 2015

How to Pack Light for Your Luxury Cruise Adventure

Pack Light

Pack Light

Over the last two years my mantra has been “Pack light. Pack light. Pack light.” I ditched my DSLR camera in favor of a small point-and-shoot, then scaled down further with an iPhone 6. I swapped out my paperbacks (because I could never just take one) for a Kindle. I gave up my clunky laptop in favor of a MacBook Air. And I replaced my trusty Travel Pro with a Traveler’s Choice Sedona 21″ Spinner.

Even so, I’m still often asked how I manage to trot around the globe with only one TSA-approved carry-on bag and a personal item, e.g. handbag. Admittedly, some destinations are easier to pack for than others. Hawaii anyone? Just tuck in a couple of T-shirts, a few wrinkle-free dresses, flip flops and a bathing suit and you’re good to go for at least two weeks.

Pack Light Summer

Viking Cruise

When it came to packing for my 8-day European Viking Cruise earlier this summer, I toyed with the idea of checking a bag for the trip. But in the end, I stuck with my original resolve – to pack light and only take a carry-on bag and personal item, which as it turned out, worked just fine.

Pack Light Viking Cruise

Warm-weather Destinations

To pack light for a value luxury cruise to a warm destination (Let’s skip Antarctica for now), here’s how I make the most of my carry-on bag and personal item – and how you can do it, too:

Travel outfit

  • Long jeans
  • Tank top
  • Long sweater
  • Scarf
  • Closed-toe shoes (also recommended for travel safety), i.e. tennis shoes which doubles as my walking and workout shoes (Travel tip: Wear your heaviest shoes rather than carry the weight in your luggage where they also take up too much room)

REI First Aid Kit

Packing List for 21″ Carry-On Bag

Clothing     

  • Underwear
  • Nightie & robe
  • 4 Dresses
  • 2 pairs of pants
  • Yoga pants & top
  • 3 long-sleeved shirts
  • Light sweater
  • 2 tank tops
  • 8 pairs of sneaker socks
  • Rain jacket
  • 2 pairs of sandals
  • Flipflops
  • Bathing suit

Toiletries 

  • Make-up/remover wipes
  • Flat-iron
  • Contact lenses
  • Hand, body & facial lotion
  • Sunscreen
  • Razor
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
  • Deodorant
  • Comb & hairbrush
  • Hair ties
  • Q tips
  • Earplugs
  • Small sewing kit
  • Small manicure kit

Accessories

  • Sunhat
  • 3 Scarves
  • Costume jewelry
  • Small handbag
  • Small fold-up umbrella

First-aid Kit

  • Band-aids
  • Sterile gauze pads
  • Neosporin ointment
  • Lip balm
  • Eye drops
  • Antiseptic towelettes
  • Moleskin
  • Tiger balm

Personal Item (Baggallini Bag)

  • Kindle
  • MacBook Air
  • iPhone 6
  • iPod
  • Canon G-16 point-and-shoot
  • Hard drive back up for downloading images
  • 2 – 3 extra memory cards
  • Chargers/cords/extra batteries for first five items on list
  • International plug adapters
  • Notebook/journal and pens
  • Host/destination information
  • Travel documents/passport/driver’s license (Travel Tip: Carry copies of important documents and passport in a separate place, like your carry-on bag)
  • Small amount of cash and credit cards
  • Emergency contact information
  • Snacks: Power bars, dried fruit & nuts, dark chocolate 🙂
  • Vitamins/medications
  • Sunglasses
  • Prescription glasses
  • Business cards

What I Wish I Had Packed

  • Light jacket
  • Small daypack

Q & A

Q: What about shampoo and conditioner? Facial cleanser?
A: Since TSA applies the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule, i.e. each passenger is allowed 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-lock bag limited to 3.4 ounces or less of liquids, creams, gels, aerosols and pastes per container, and most travel carriers and/or destinations provide small toiletries, only carry the liquids you can’t live without.

Q: What if I want to bring home some souvenirs?
A: Remember: think light! Save the heavier souvenirs for shipping home or purchase on-line when you get home. Jewelry made by local artists, small packs of savory spices (like paprika from Hungary), scarves, CDs (Yes, some people still buy these) and sweets from the region all make lovely gifts.

Q: But how can I stay a fashionista with only two pairs of sandals, flipflops and tennis shoes?
A: Whatever you wear, wear with confidence!

Thanks to my host Viking Cruises for the chance to practice packing for a luxury cruise adventure!

In case you missed these previous posts on packing tips, check out:

Favorite Travel Items to Lighten Your Luggage – Part I
Pack Light with Favorite Travel Items – Part II

For more information, visit:
TSA Travel Information

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What else should I add to my list?

You may also enjoy:

Default ThumbnailFavorite Travel Items to Lighten Your Luggage – Part I Default ThumbnailThe Adventurous Traveler’s Guide to Health Default ThumbnailPack Light with Favorite Travel Items – Part II Default ThumbnailTightwads on the Loose – A Spirited Sailing Adventure

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Cruising, Travel Tips Tagged With: baggage, carry-on bag, checked bag, Cruising, DSLR, first aid kit, Luggage, Souvenirs, TSA, value luxury

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Comments

  1. Samantha says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    This is a thorough and all inclusive list Nancy, thanks! We’ve had travelers ask us what to take on a river cruise, since it’s different from a land based tour in Europe, and we will direct them here in the future.

    Cheers,
    Samantha

    Reply
    • Nancy Mueller says

      January 3, 2016 at 6:10 pm

      Happy to be of help, Samantha!

      Reply

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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