I don’t usually overpack too much, except underwear, you never know. But trying to pack for a seven night cruise to Alaska, plus a sightseeing day in Seattle on each end, then a quick 36 hours in Orlando before coming back to VA was causing me a tiny amount of panic. Alaska and Florida have very different clothing requirements, plus flying across the country requires comfortable clothes and some entertainment/snack supplies. And I’m trying to fit it all in one checked bag and a backpack. So let’s see how I do.

The luggage: Away Medium Checked Bag & Able Alem Backpack. I’m really wishing I had the large away bag now too.

My first step was identifying some clothes that might work for the trip. When we packed our stuff into PODS we hadn’t booked this cruise, so I’m trying to do my best with the stuff I have with me without over ordering more stuff that I already have in storage.

I have almost all of my clothes on a clothes rack in our room so I just put cruise options on one side and moved everything else to the other. Next, I pulled out some pajamas, underwear, a bathing suit, and coverup, priorities.

Now I had to face the very real reality that I might freeze on this cruise and maybe I should have done a little more shopping. I did order fleece lined leggings and I have some regular leggings to go under dresses. As a pants hater, I didn’t bring one single pair of pants with me, and to be fair I only own two. So here are the dresses that I am bringing. Imagine some kind of leggings with all of them.

Obviously, I’m bringing sweaters. A dress and a sweater is basically my uniform. I chose a few that I could rewear and work with most of my dresses.

Then it was time for outerwear. I am bringing a rain jacket, a denim jacket, and a fleece lined waterproof winter coat.

Plus, check out these pins on my denim jacket. So cute!

Some of the things that I’ve found helpful on our previous cruises are a battery powered fan because I have trouble sleeping without moving air, a coiled wrist keychain for my room card, towel clips for keeping your pool towel pinned down, battery banks because plus space in a cruise cabin is a joke, my iPad with a few shows or movies downloaded, Dramamine or bonine because ain’t nobody got time for getting seasick, and a tote bag for leaving the ship.

Even though we are going to Alaska, we will still be out in the middle of the ocean and outside during excursions, so sunscreen is super important. No matter your cruise destination, don’t forget sunscreen. Cruises do provide some toiletries, like shower gel, hand soap, and shampoo, but I like to bring my own. I use these little containers and silicone tubes to keep them organized and contained. I’m going to try and just let my hair air dry curly on this trip to save suitcase space that a hairdryer and straightener would have taken up, so cross your fingers for me and my big hair.

Flying long distances requires comfort supplies and snacks. On this trip I am bringing a cozy sweatshirt, my phone with shows and movies downloaded and headphones, my kindle, a little squishy to squeeze, Reeses snack mix, cashews, and my mom packed us all baggies with Halloween candy for the plane. And I’ll most likely get an iced latte or a fountain coke at the airport to bring with me too.

Hopefully I’ve packed everything I need for the cruise, sightseeing in Seattle, and a quick trip to Orlando. When we get back from our trip, I’ll let you know how it went and if there is anything else I wish I had brought with me.

Title graphic background photo by shawnanggg on Unsplash