I took a weeklong cruise with a carry-on and a backpack. Here are 9 things I wish I'd packed and 10 items I'm glad I brought.

By: Joey Hadden

17 January 2025 at 08:45

A composite image of the author's opened, packed suitcase and an item she forgot to bring — The reporter packed for a weeklong cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I sailed on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.
I brought a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for the seven-night Caribbean cruise.
I was glad I packed light but had some regrets. I longed for earplugs and warmer clothing.

Back in April 2022, my first cruise was a huge learning experience — especially when it came to packing.

I spent seven nights on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — one of the largest cruise ships in the world — and 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.

The author is glad she brought a magnet — A magnet on the reporter's door.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The stateroom decks comprised long hallways lined with identical blue doors, so my magnet made it easier to find my cabin.

But I wish I'd downloaded some movies and shows to watch on my phone in my room.

Netflix selections on a black iPhone with a white background — The reporter forgot to download movies.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The cruise ship's WiFi wasn't strong enough for me to stream videos.

I was glad I packed sunscreen for long days in the sun.

The author is glad she brought organic sunscreen — The reporter's sunscreen.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I enjoyed a few beach days during my cruise, so sunscreen was essential. And I was sure to pack a reef safe brand since I was visiting multiple beaches.

But I should have remembered to bring some aloe vera gel for the day I forgot to lather up.

The author holds aloe vera gel — The reporter forgot to pack aloe vera gel.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Aloe vera typically soothes and cools my burns, so next time, I'll pack some in case I forget to apply sunscreen.

I was glad I brought a rash guard to swim in the ocean.

The author is glad she brought a rash guard — An arrow points to the reporter's rash guard hanging up to dry.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An excursion guide at one of the ports informed 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.

Clear waters at the beach in Tulum (L) and a waterproof phone case (R).
Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Getty Images

As other cruisers snorkeled with phones in hand, I realized I was missing an opportunity to capture ocean life.

This sun hat also came in handy to block the sun.

The author is glad she brought a sun hat — The reporter wears a sun hat at a port.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I don't typically wear my sun hat — especially not in my home city, New York — so the cruise was the perfect occasion to pull it out of my closet.

I wish I'd also brought an adjustable cap for windy days on the top decks when my sun hat wouldn't stay on my head.

the author reacts to wind on the wonder of the seas world's largest cruise ship — The reporter forgot to bring a cap for windier days.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Mornings and evenings on the ship's top decks were so windy that I had to leave my hat in my room to avoid chasing it around.

Even though the weather was hot during the day, this sweater was handy for cool, windy nights and mornings.

The author wearing pants and a sweater on the top deck of a cruise ship — The reporter wears a sweater early in the morning.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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.

The author on an outdoor deck on the ship, an arrow points to her pants — The reporter wears the only pair of pants she brought.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In hindsight, I should have packed a couple more pairs of pants. Sweatpants would have been especially useful at night on the outdoor decks.

I should have brought a windbreaker, too, to keep me warmer on the top decks in the morning and at night.

The author leans against a thin tree with more trees behind her — The reporter wears a windbreaker during a trip to Oregon.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was often chilly at night in my sweater alone.

I wish I'd brought a bar of detergent to wash my clothes since I packed light, and laundry services on the ship cost extra.

A hand washes orange towels with a bar of soap — The reporter didn't bring detergent.
Getty Images

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 packed the right shoes.

A composite image of the author wearing sneakers and sandals — The reporter's walking shoes (L) and waterproof shoes (R).
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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.

A composite image of a waist pack and the author wearing it — The reporter uses a smaller bag.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A small pack was handy during port stops and while exploring the ship.

I was also glad I brought a digital watch to keep on ship time.

An arm wearing a digital watch — The reporter wears a digital watch.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Ship time is the time zone that cruise ships adhere to even when docked at ports in different time zones.

However, I wish I had downloaded guidebooks for the ports I visited to get a better idea of what to do.

The largest cruise ship in the world, wonder of the seas, is seen docked in Roatan Honduras — Roatan, Honduras, is one of the ports the reporter visited during her cruise.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My ship stopped in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, CocoCay.

I wanted to try my best to avoid illness and was glad I packed vitamins ...

The author is glad she brought airborne immunity vitamins — The reporter brought vitamins.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed vitamins to support my immune system since I was coming in contact with many people.

... and medicine to combat motion sickness, which I experienced frequently.

The author is glad she brought Dramamine — The reporter remembered to pack Dramamine.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I always pack Dramamine on my trips to avoid motion sickness.

More than anything, I wish I had earplugs to help me sleep during rough nights at sea, which sounded like thunder in my stateroom.

Red earplugs by plastic container on light wood table — Earplugs were the reporter's most-missed item.
modustollens/Shuttershock

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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