In December 2025, an updated reflection on one of my most memorable travel experiences reminded me how a single journey can reshape the way we prepare for future adventures. This story, shared exclusively with Business Insider subscribers, centered on my first-ever voyage aboard one of the largest and most extravagant cruise ships ever built—Royal Caribbean’s *Wonder of the Seas*. When I embarked on that seven-night Caribbean expedition back in April 2022, I made a deliberate decision to pack light. With only a compact carry-on suitcase and a single backpack, I set out to discover whether minimalism could coexist with cruise-ship comfort.
The journey proved to be a valuable experiment in efficiency and foresight. Traveling with minimal luggage simplified the boarding process and freed me from the burden of hauling heavy bags through airports, docks, and narrow cabin corridors. Yet, as the days unfolded, I realized the nuances of packing for life at sea required more strategy than I had anticipated. Although I congratulated myself for avoiding excess baggage, I also found myself wishing I had included a few simple yet indispensable items—earplugs for the ship’s nighttime groans and warmer layers for the unexpectedly brisk ocean winds.
One surprising hero of my packing list turned out to be an unassuming household object: a small magnet. On massive ships like the *Wonder of the Seas*, stateroom decks stretch endlessly with near-identical blue doors that can easily disorient even the most seasoned travelers. The magnet I placed on my cabin door became a discreet but effective marker, allowing me to locate my room effortlessly each time I returned from excursions or onboard activities.
However, not every aspect of my preparation proved flawless. One oversight that quickly made itself felt was the lack of downloaded movies or shows on my phone. Internet connectivity on cruise ships can be notoriously inconsistent, and the onboard Wi-Fi wasn’t powerful enough to stream content smoothly. During quiet evenings in my stateroom, I often wished I had prepared a small offline library of entertainment.
Other packing victories were more straightforward. Sunscreen, for instance, turned out to be essential. My itinerary included several sun-soaked beaches scattered across the Caribbean, so having a reef-safe sunscreen ensured that both I and the surrounding marine ecosystem stayed protected. Yet I learned a complementary lesson the hard way—after one afternoon spent basking too long in the sun, I regretted forgetting aloe vera gel. That simple, soothing remedy would have saved my skin considerable discomfort.
I also counted my rash guard among my most practical choices. Not only did it shield me from UV rays, but it proved especially useful when I discovered that certain beaches—such as those in Tulum, Mexico—prohibit sunscreen use in the ocean to safeguard underwater wildlife. However, while swimming in crystalline Caribbean waters, I couldn’t help wishing I had brought a waterproof phone case. Watching other travelers capture underwater footage made me realize I had missed an easy opportunity to document the astonishing clarity of those seascapes.
My wide-brimmed sun hat was another item that earned its place in my suitcase. I almost never wear it back home in New York City, but onboard, it served as reliable protection during sun-drenched afternoons at sea. Nevertheless, during especially windy mornings and evenings on the upper decks, the hat refused to stay in place, forcing me to stow it away. In those moments, I longed for an adjustable cap—lighter, more secure, and far better suited to the unpredictable breezes of open water.
Despite the tropical daytime heat, the ship’s nights and early mornings often brought a surprising chill. I didn’t anticipate how drastically temperatures could drop once the sun disappeared, but my single sweater soon became indispensable. I ended up wearing it every evening of the cruise. Unfortunately, I had packed only one pair of pants, forcing me to reuse them nightly. A couple of extra pairs, particularly some lightweight sweatpants or jeans, would have made late-night deck strolls and early breakfasts far more comfortable. The absence of a windbreaker, too, proved to be a notable omission; the additional layer would have provided much-needed warmth against the brisk sea air.
Packing light also meant limiting the ability to do laundry. While Royal Caribbean’s onboard laundry service was available, it came at a cost that discouraged frequent use—each item had a price tag, with shirts costing several dollars and dresses even more. Looking back, I wish I had tucked a small bar of detergent into my luggage so I could wash essentials by hand and refresh my limited wardrobe mid-cruise.
Footwear, on the other hand, was one area where I struck the right balance. I brought along two pairs of shoes: reliable sneakers for long walks around the decks and during port excursions, and a pair of waterproof sandals ideal for beach days and pool visits. This simple combination covered every scenario without weighing down my suitcase. For convenience while exploring ports or navigating onboard activities, a small waist pack replaced my bulkier backpack—perfect for carrying essentials like sunscreen, room keys, and my phone.
A less obvious but equally important inclusion was my digital watch. On cruises that pass through multiple time zones, ships operate on their own established ‘ship time’ to coordinate all onboard activities and port calls. Having a watch synchronized to that schedule helped prevent confusion and ensured I never missed a departure or mealtime. What I failed to bring, however, were downloaded travel guides for the destinations on our itinerary—Roatan in Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and the Bahamas’ private island of CocoCay. Had I prepared them in advance, I would have had richer context for exploring each port.
Health considerations also shaped my packing list. Sharing confined spaces with thousands of passengers can be taxing on one’s immune system, so I brought daily vitamins to support mine. I also packed Dramamine, an absolute necessity for someone prone to motion sickness. Even with that precaution, a night or two still tested my tolerance for the ship’s gentle but persistent rocking.
If one missing item stood out more than any other, it was undoubtedly a pair of earplugs. My cabin, located near the front of the ship, was particularly prone to echoing the ship’s structural creaks and the crashing resonance of waves on rough nights—sounds not unlike distant thunder. Seasoned cruisers later confirmed that the forward sections experience the most pronounced movement and noise, a lesson I learned first-hand. Earplugs would have transformed those restless nights into restful ones.
By the end of the week, my voyage aboard the *Wonder of the Seas* became far more than just a luxurious getaway; it evolved into a hands-on course in practical travel wisdom. I discovered that while minimalist packing can streamline a trip, true preparedness lies in the thoughtful balance between necessity and comfort. From magnets and sunscreen to sweaters and missed earplugs, every choice became part of an education I will carry into every future expedition. The next time I set sail, I’ll be ready—lighter in baggage, richer in experience, and far better equipped for the unpredictable rhythms of the sea.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/7-day-cruise-packing-list-carry-on-only
