How much luggage do you need for a 7 day cruise?

How much luggage to take on a 7 day cruise?

One medium checked bag. One small carry-on. Seven days, really? You won’t need a mountain of clothes. Think mix-and-match outfits. Plus, most ships have laundry. Or dry cleaning. I once took five suitcases on a 10-day trip. Never again. Less is more. Especially on a cruise. Space is precious.

• One checked bag (medium): Holds most clothing items. I prefer a hard-shell case. They protect my stuff better. Like when I brought back that fragile vase from Greece in 2024. It survived!
• One carry-on (small): Essentials. Medications. My Kindle. Phone charger. The important stuff.
• Laundry: Ship laundry services are lifesavers. Or hand-wash small items. Saves space. Drastically. I learned this trick after that five-suitcase debacle.
• Versatile clothing: Neutral colors. Black pants, white shirt, a colorful scarf. Done. Adaptable to any occasion. Cruises aren’t always formal. Despite what people think. My last cruise, 2024, I wore jeans most days.
• Shoes: Two pairs max. Comfortable walking shoes. One pair of dressier shoes. If needed. Who needs heels on the open sea? Unless you’re into that.
• Toiletries: Travel-sized. Ships often provide basics. Saves weight. And room. So much easier to manage. Learned this the hard way lugging full-size bottles across Italy. Back in 2023.

Packing light offers freedom. Less to worry about. More time to enjoy the journey. It’s a philosophy. Almost.

What size luggage for a 7 day trip?

Fifty to sixty liters. A spacious canvas, really. Imagine it: the soft thud as it settles onto the carousel. My old, trusty, worn leather one, though, I miss it. Twenty-four to twenty-six inches. That’s the size; a comforting weight, a familiar embrace. Seven days… a week of possibility, held within. My last trip, to Santorini, a mere carry-on, regrettably too small. My mistakes haunt me. Never again.

This time, though, the anticipation… sun-baked cobblestones underfoot. The scent of the sea, sharp and clean. A week. A lifetime unfolds. Large enough for the frivolous indulgences: new scarves, a book I’ll never finish. And the essentials, of course. Each item, a memory waiting to be made. The feel of soft cotton against my skin. The weight of history pressing down. More than enough space.

Absolutely necessary. A comfortable space. Room to breathe.

• Sixty liters, minimum.
• Forget carry-ons. Too restrictive.
• Larger is always better.
• Think of all the souvenirs!

This year, my trip. Peru. I bought a new bag. Fifty-five liters. Perfect. The anticipation is almost unbearable. I’ll fill it, slowly. Each object tells a story.

How many suitcases should you take on a cruise?

Two bags, max. That’s what they say. But it never feels like enough. Never.

Always end up needing more. More space. More room to breathe, even. Stupid, I know.

It’s just… Packing feels like a metaphor. Stuffing my life into these cramped, hard shells. My life in 2023, packed tight. My life, this tiny suitcase of regrets.

• Two checked bags. Seriously? It’s not enough for my winter coat, let alone memories.

• Carry-on. My anxiety fits perfectly in the overhead compartment.

• Liquids. Don’t even get me started on the tiny bottles of everything that reminds me of every trip I wanted to take.

This year? I brought a third. A secret one. Filled with things I shouldn’t have. Things I should have let go of. I feel ridiculous. It’s heavy, this bag of unspoken words.

The cruise itself? Forgettable. But the packing. Oh god, the packing is forever.

Can you bring 2 suitcases on a cruise?

Two suitcases? On a cruise? Honey, are you planning to move there?

Seriously though, most cruise lines suggest limiting yourself. Think of it like packing for a slumber party…a very, very long slumber party on a boat.

• Short cruise (3-5 nights): One suitcase. Easy peasy. Channel your inner minimalist. (Or just buy stuff there, genius idea!).
• Longer cruise (6+ nights): Two suitcases. Okay, fashionista, show off those six different themed outfits.

Why all the fuss? Luggage handling isn’t free, you know. Do you like to tip? Well, think how much it would be to tip! Plus, smaller cabins. Two suitcases? More like two very cramped roommates.

Consider this: space in your cabin shrinks faster than my bank account after Christmas. Really! So, pack smart, not excessively. Unless you plan to wear a different hat every hour of the day. In that case, go for it, you style icon!

How much luggage can I take on my cruise?

Two suitcases. Fifty pounds… sinking into the ocean floor of my mind. Twenty-two by fourteen by nine. A cage for memories. What will I pack inside? Sun-drenched whispers of faraway shores. The taste of salt spray, bottled. Fifty pounds of dreams. Two suitcases. Echoes rattling. Empty space waiting to be filled. Two suitcases. Heavy with the unspoken. A journey outward, a journey in. The hum of the ship. A lullaby of the waves. Two suitcases bobbing on a sea of possibilities. Fifty pounds. A lifetime packed into measured dimensions. Twenty-two. Fourteen. Nine. The clock ticking, counting down to departure. Two suitcases… waiting.

• Two checked bags per person.
• Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
• Carry-on bag: 22 x 14 x 9 inches maximum. My small secrets tucked away.
• Most cruise lines… a gentle hand on the reins. Freedom to bring the pieces of yourself.
• Pack light… they say. But the weight of memories, how do you measure that?

Do cruise ships check your carry-on bags?

Cruise ship security? Honey, it’s a circus! They’re less TSA, more… well, a slightly less efficient grandma with a magnifying glass.

They do check bags, but think of it like this: airport security is a SWAT team; cruise ship security is a friendly neighborhood watch. Maybe. Sometimes. My cousin’s chihuahua got through once, carrying a suspicious-looking sausage. Don’t ask.

• Prohibited items? The usual suspects: weapons, explosives, and anything that vaguely resembles a weapon or explosive (my uncle’s oversized bottle opener was once flagged). Seriously.
• Inspection? Picture this: your bag’s not going through a fancy X-ray machine. It’s getting a quick peek from someone who’s probably more interested in their coffee break than your contraband nail clippers.
• Expect delays? Nah, unless your bag is bursting with fireworks, or you’re smuggling a pygmy marmoset.

Last year, on the Voyager of the Seas, I saw them confiscate a jar of suspiciously vibrant homemade salsa. I swear the salsa looked like it was capable of causing mild hallucination. My personal theory? They were jealous of its deliciousness!

Oh, and my friend’s ukulele? Cleared with flying colors. Go figure.

Bottom line: Don’t pack anything illegal or that looks even remotely suspicious. Especially not a six-foot-long inflatable banana.

Can I bring a 12 pack of water on Royal Caribbean?

Yes. 12 non-alcoholic drinks. Max.

• Staterooms dictate limits.
• 17 oz is the cap.
• Infant needs a loophole.

Medical overrides it. Dietary too. Still just water.

Always thirsty.

That’s what she said.

Seriously, Royal Caribbean’s rule. Bottles, cans, whatever. All the same. It’s 2024, still 12. My ex packed 24. Chaos followed.

• Carry-on only. Don’t pack it.
• Boarding day, only. Later? No.
• Officially “non-alcoholic”.

So, yes. But follow rules.