Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Cruise Packing 101 – What Not To Forget This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! Protecting your luggage is one of the easiest ways to travel with greater peace of mind. We always lock our suitcases when flying or boarding a cruise ship, and it’s become a standard part of our travel routine.I recommend using TSA-approved luggage locks. These locks help deter opportunistic theft while still allowing TSA agents to inspect your luggage if necessary during airport security screenings. After the inspection, the lock can be secured again without being damaged or cut off, so your suitcase stays protected throughout your journey.While no lock can completely prevent theft, a TSA-approved luggage lock adds an extra layer of security and helps keep your belongings safe from the airport to the cruise terminal.Pro Tip: Set your combination before your trip and test it a few times to make sure it’s easy to remember. I also recommend using the same combination on all of your luggage locks so you don’t have to remember multiple codes while traveling. Keep these items in your carryon…you will need them to check in at the pier. I find a travel wallet to be very useful. You’ve booked your cruise, reserved your hotel, and confirmed your flights… now comes one of the most important parts of planning your vacation—packing!Having a well-thought-out cruise packing list can make all the difference. Unlike other vacations, you won’t always have easy access to stores once you’re onboard, and many essentials are either difficult to find or much more expensive in port. I’ve learned through experience that it’s always easier (and less stressful) to pack what you need before you leave home.Over the years, I’ve discovered a collection of cruise accessories and travel gadgets that make every sailing easier, more organized, and more enjoyable. From clever space-saving products that maximize your cabin to practical travel essentials that simplify packing, these are the items I never cruise without.Whether you’re setting sail on your very first cruise or you’re a seasoned cruiser looking for a few new ideas, these cruise essentials will help you stay organized, save space, and enjoy a smoother vacation from embarkation day to disembarkation. Packing PASSPORT! and other important travel documents. Keep these items in your carryon…you will need them to check in at the pier. I find a travel wallet to be very useful. Luggage I have a weakness for new luggage…When shopping for luggage, I always recommend choosing a lightweight suitcase with four spinner wheels. Spinner wheels make navigating airports, cruise terminals, and the ship itself much easier—especially if you’re doing self-disembarkation and carrying your own bags off the ship. After all, no one wants to wrestle with a heavy suitcase before their vacation even begins!My current favorite luggage brands are London Fog and Travelpro. Both offer durable, lightweight options that have held up well through countless trips.Pro Tip: If your suitcase is a common color like black, navy, or gray, use a colorful luggage strap or luggage tag to the handle. It’s a simple trick that makes spotting your bag on the airport carousel or in the cruise terminal much easier. Carry on luggage A good carry-on is just as important as your checked luggage. I always travel with an airline-approved carry-on that fits under the seat in front of me. It has plenty of room for everything I don’t want to trust to checked baggage, including a change of clothes, medications, jewelry,electronics and chargers, Important travel documents, and other essentials. Having these items with you means you’ll be prepared even if your checked luggage is delayed or doesn’t arrive until later.If you need a little more packing space, I also love using a convertible garment bag. It holds an impressive amount while keeping dresses, suits, and other nicer clothing protected from wrinkles. It’s available in several colors and patterns, making it both practical and stylish. Cruise Line Luggage Tag Holders Protect your luggage with Reusable Tag Holders There’s nothing worse than boarding your cruise, getting settled into your cabin, and realizing your luggage never arrived outside your door.One of the simplest (and most affordable) cruise essentials I recommend is a set of reusable plastic luggage tag holders. They protect your printed cruise tags from rain, tears, and rough baggage handling, giving them a much better chance of staying attached throughout your journey.After one of our luggage tags was accidentally torn off and our bag went missing, I immediately bought a set. They’ve traveled with us on every cruise since, and I never sail without them.The best part? They’re inexpensive, durable, and can be reused cruise after cruise, making them one of the smartest travel purchases you can make.Below you’ll find Amazon links to luggage tag holders for several major cruise lines.CelebrityMSCCarnivalNorwegian CruisesPrincess CruisesRoyal CaribbeanHolland America Packing cubes I’m officially a packing cubes convert!Packing cubes have completely changed the way I pack for every cruise. Not only do they keep my suitcase neat and organized, but they also make unpacking once I’m onboard incredibly easy. Instead of sorting through loose clothing, I simply move the cubes from my suitcase straight into the cabin drawers or shelves.I recommend buying at least two sets of packing cubes in a variety of sizes and different colors. Color-coding makes it easy to keep each family member’s clothing organized, and the different sizes work perfectly for everything from shirts and pants to undergarments and accessories.I’ve recently started using using compression packing cubes, and I’m officially hooked.On our last trip, my suitcase weighed only 38 pounds,ContinueContinue reading “Cruise Packing 101 – what not to forget!”