How I Pack for a 7-Day Cruise With a Single Carry-On

I've been traveling with just a carry-on for nearly eight years now, and I don't think I'll ever go back to checking a suitcase again. I love the freedom of having my bag with me my entire journey, enjoy the time saved by not having to go to baggage check or claim, and I love the challenge of packing light. A lot of my experience comes from being forced to limit what I pack—between traveling the country for a year on a Broadway tour (and only using one suitcase) to living in extremely small quarters on cruise ships for five years .

After both of those experiences, one or two week trips felt like nothing. Packing more than a carry-on almost feels over-indulgent, too much and honestly, a hassle. I'm about to embark on a 7-day cruise, so I decided to bring you along on my packing journey. Let's go!

Related: The One Thing You Should Never Do the Day Before Your Cruise, Say Experts

I Only Pack 3 Pairs Of Shoes

I always strictly follow the " 3 pairs of shoes " rule when going on a trip. I genuinely think that that's all you need, and after you hear these tips, you'll find it's easy to do. First, the type of shoes that you bring is very important. Bring a pair that is comfortable to walk in, a pair that is appropriate to the location that you're visiting, and a pair for evenings or dressing up. Most importantly, the shoes need to go with every single one of your outfits.

For this cruise, I chose three pairs of shoes that are all tan in color. I have a pair of comfortable sandals, which will be perfect for both walking around the ship, hanging out by the pool, and going to the beach in port. Then, I packed a pair of tan ballet flats, which I will wear on casual dinner nights. For the few "dressy" nights onboard, I packed a pair of nude heels. Now, as a wildcard, I will wear a pair of white walking sneakers when I travel to the ship. These can be used if I choose to do something more adventurous out in port.

Four Bottoms And Four Tops Are Key

For bottoms, I chose two pairs of shorts, a pair of long jeans and a long skirt. Then, I chose four different shirts that match each one of those options. The shorts will be worn during the day, and the jeans and skirt are intended for the evening. Technically, with these eight items, I actually have eight options for day outfits and 8 options for evening outfits. That in itself is more than I'll even need for the trip.

Sundresses Are Versatile

Especially for a cruise, sundresses are a must. I wear them both during the day when I'm relaxing by the pool or at the beach, and I can also dress them up by wearing them with heels at night. They also tend to be thinner in material, so it's very easy to pack them in a compact way. These are a must-have for most cruise vacations and any other tropical trips, and technically, I didn't even need that many for this trip.

Choose Your Evening Clothes Wisely

When going on a vacation, it's great to know how often you'll actually be dressing up. I know that for this cruise, there are really only two nights where I am expected to dress in a more formal way. So, I packed one long dress and one pantsuit. Then, I have my long skirt (that's already included in my bottoms) as an option for dressing up in the evening as well. By choosing exactly what you're planning to wear ahead of time, that easily stops you from overpacking.

The Final Details

It's a cruise, so of course, you need bathing suits! I chose to pack three bathing suits for the trip. I know there are some people who prefer to have a different one for each day of the trip, but I have my three favorites, and I don't mind re-wearing them. Then, I packed a packing cube worth of underwear and socks, and included a pair of pajamas as well.For toiletries, I don't need to bring shampoo, conditioner or bodywash–those are going to be available in my stateroom bathroom. I also don't need a blow dryer, only a straightener to style my hair as well as a hairbrush.

Everything fit seamlessly into my carry-on with the use of packing cubes. I usually use compression packing cubes , but lent them to my mom for the trip, and I still had plenty of room.

Finally, I always bring a personal bag with me as well, and in there, I pack my computer, all of my chargers for my electronic devices, a book, my water bottle and my travel documents. Technically, I still had a bit of room in this carry-on, so I could probably fit most of those items in there, as well.

3 Rules for a Stress-Free Stateroom

1. Use the "Magnetic" Secret for Extra Space

Most first-time cruisers don't realize that cruise ship cabin walls are actually made of metal. Because space is so limited in a standard stateroom, I always pack a few heavy-duty magnetic hooks in my carry-on. You can stick them to the walls or the ceiling to hang your wet bathing suits, your lanyard or even your daily itinerary. It keeps the tiny desk clear and makes your 180-square-foot room feel much more organized.

2. The "First Day" Survival Kit

Even if you're a carry-on-only traveler, there can sometimes be a delay between arriving at the pier and actually getting into your stateroom. I always keep my "first-day essentials" in my personal item. This includes my swimsuit, a small bottle of sunscreen and my medications. That way, if the rooms aren't ready yet, I can head straight to the pool or the buffet without having to dig through my neatly packed cubes in the middle of the crowded deck.

3. Leverage the "Under-Bed" Storage

Once you've unpacked your cubes into the stateroom drawers, don't let your empty carry-on take up valuable floor space. Most cruise ship beds are designed with enough clearance to slide a standard suitcase underneath. If it's a tight fit, try leaving the suitcase open before sliding it under; it acts like a secret "extra drawer" for shoes or dirty laundry that you want to keep out of sight until disembarkation day.

Related: 3 Cool Things Everyone Misses on a Norwegian Cruise, According to a Former Crew Member

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.