Heidi's 5 Painless Cruise Packing Tips For Your Next Trip

Heidi’s No Nonsense Cruise Packing Tips

By Heidi Sarna

I travel for pleasure and I also travel for a living.

As a freelance writer for many years and co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com, a review site focused on the small-ship cruising experience, I’m a globetrotter who has explored 79 countries (and counting).

And I’ve sailed on more than 125+ cruises big and small (mostly small), from river cruises to sailing ships, canal barges and coastal cruisers.

With my extensive traveling, it’s not surprising that I’ve learned a few quirky tricks and packing hacks over the years.

People often ask me if I have any cruise packing tips to share.

I sure do.

My cruise packing tips are surprisingly basic and they don’t require you to go out and buy expensive gear and accessories. In fact you probably have most of these things lying around your house already.

We all have our preferences for travel footwear, clothing, and tech devices, but besides the main stuff you need to pack, there are a few simple but super handy items you should also make room for in your luggage.

Heidi’s cruise packing tips incorporate simple items you probably already have lying around the house. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Here are my 5 cruise packing tips

Clothespins are one of my favorite cruise packing tips

A handful of good old fashioned quality clothespins (I prefer the wooden ones) can be put into use in myriad ways when traveling. And the best part is they don’t weigh a lot or take up much space in your luggage.

Use clothespins to secure hand-washed under garments or wet bathing suits that you want to dry out on your cruise ship balcony or at an open window.

For smelly socks or gym clothes that need airing out, clothespins are the best way to keep them attached to a chair handle or hanger, so they don’t blow away or fall down and get lost in the shuffle.

You can also use clothespins to hang multiple items on a hanger in the closet, as most small ship cruise cabin closets are quite small with only a handful of hangers.

Another use is to clip together multiple device charging cords to keep your cabin tidy (and to make sure you don’t trip over them!).

clothespins are a great cruise packing tips hack

Heidi never travels without a few old fashioned clothespins. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

A roll of tape is a cruise packing must

A humble roll of masking or Scotch tape can be very useful when traveling. Even the thin white medical tape that tears easily can go a long way.

You can use a little piece to secure the lids of toiletries like shampoo and perfume.

With a piece of tape, you can temporarily fix a drooping hem on a shirt or skirt.

You can tape a note to your cabin door for a loved one. Or repair torn travel documents or temporarily fix your wallet or phone case.

Tape is a super basic thing, but its one of the best packing hacks for cruises.

Cruise Packing Tips include a roll of tape

Heidi’s Cruise Packing Tips include a humble roll of tape. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Light weight nylon bags are my go-to cruise packing tip

I’m not talking about heavy chunky canvas totes. While they have their place in our lives (great for grocery shopping!), for travel, it’s ideal to pack a few of the reusable and easily foldable nylon kind.

Ripstop nylon totes are strong and durable. They don’t take up much space and can be hand-washed and dried in just an hour or so.

They serve so many purposes.

Nylon totes are a great way to separate items when packing; for example, put your undergarments in one or maybe your shoes in another. They also make great laundry bags to separate your dirty clothes from your clean ones when packing for your trip back home. (They’re a great eco-friendly alternative to throw-away plastic bags.)

You can also use nylon totes in port on excursions; toss one in your backpack or fanny pack as an extra bag if you go shopping (to avoid taking single-use plastic bags at shops).

They come in different sizes. My advice is to get the slightly larger ones and the ones with longer handles (like in photo below), so you have the option of carrying it slung over your shoulder.

Don’t scrimp on quality. The good ones will last years (I have two that are at least 10 years old), while poorly made ones will tear and fall apart much sooner.

There are so many options, like these cute ones from Baggu and these from Amazon.

I always travel with a couple of nylon bags, they’re very versatile and allow me to avoid single-use plastics. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Pack several long scarves for your next small ship cruise, they’re indispensable

First of all, they look good. I love wearing bright colorful scarves to liven up an outfit.

There are so many ways to tie them. And so many kinds of scarves — long, short, cotton, silk, wool etc.

I prefer long colorful cotton scarves, as cotton is quite durable and doesn’t snag or stain as silk does. Many of my favorites are made in India, from brands like Anokhi and FabIndia.

Besides looking good, long scarves are practical travel tools for many reasons.

When visiting religious sites, like temples, churches and monasteries, you can use them to cover your shoulders or even your legs, like a sarong.

For layering, if you’re chilly, they can keep your neck warm, and also your head if you want to pop it over your hair and tie it or wrap it under your chin.

If it’s very hot outside, like on small-ship cruises to Southeast Asia, India, Egypt or the Amazon, a thin cotton scarf can be a great way to cover your arms, head and face to prevent sunburn and heatstroke.

Heidi’s Cruise Packing Tips include a nice long scarf. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Heidi’s Cruise Packing Tips include a cotton scarf that you can tie short as well as long. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

I also use scarves on flights as a blanket, a pillow or to cover my head if I’m trying to sleep and want some privacy (or avoid a coughing neighbor!).

Carabiners are endlessly useful

Always pack a couple of carabiners in your backpack or luggage, it’s one of my most prized cruise packing tips.

They’re a great way to jury rig a whole bunch of things. You can use a carabiner to attach your water bottle to your belt or fanny pack. You can use them to hold a pair of wet or dirty sneakers to the outside of your backpack so you don’t have to carry them or get the inside of your bag dirty.

You can also use carabiners inside your cabin, to hang things from shower racks or hooks on the backs of doors. It’s endless.

cruise packing tips include a couple of carabiners

Heidi’s cruise packing tips include stowing a few carabiners. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

And so, there you have it, five easy-peasy low-cost cruise packing tips to incorporate into your next trip.

GIFT IDEA: I’m creating a limited number of wonderful gift packs that incorporate my five cruise packing tips — a pretty scarf, nylon tote, carabiners, clothespins and tape are packaged in an attractive eco-friendly gift bag. Message me for order details — info@quirkycruise.com. Thanks!