Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner
I enjoyed seeing you in a different setting. This is a very informative video and it was done in a very relaxing manner. So many other "pack with me" videos show the person stressing about packing. You make it look easy and enjoyable, as packing for a vacation should be. Thanks for sharing!
I put my underpants and sock (if taken) in a gallon zip bag and it fits in the front pocket of my carryon. I then take my bras and put them in the corners of my shirt/dress packing cube, fitting the cup in the corner. I did pick up some good tips and there is always something to learn! Thanks!
Thanks for the great information. Personally, in my opinion, I would never take something on a vacation that I had not worn at least once or twice before. I've done it and there is nothing worse than getting somewhere and discovering your clothes don't feel comfortable.
Enjoyed watching you pack and got some great tips…I have a tip for packing your shoes.. Amazon sells disposable shower caps like the kind used in a salon. Very inexpensive and I wrap each shoe in its own and place them wherever they will fit. Works great. Enjoy the Bahamas!
I enjoy every single video you post. Really appreciated the tips and information. I tend to keep my cruise packaging list and modify as we cruise. This way I don’t have come up with a whole new list of necessities for every trip.
Hey Ilana! I just adore your helpful videos. We're going on our first cruise on NCL Getaway in February...and I'm obsessed!! Just wanted to add something helpful. Use a shirt folder to get your shirts folded super-flat!! Then they can be placed flat in the packing cube.
I can't wait to see how my packing has changed after watching ALL of your packing and cruise tips videos! I have a while yet before our next cruise. We're going on Independence OTS next March. I hope to be even more organized than I was on our last cruise. Thanks again for all your tips! P.S. I've been using packing cubes for years - love them!
Good video! I'd also like to see how you packed the clear bag for the cabin. We started using packing cubes this year and they're growing on me! Better organization. For our 9 year old, we still pack outfits in gallon storage bags so she doesn't try to wear every outfit in 2 days!🤣
Thank you for making this video! I sure hope you’ll do a follow up-we leave on this exact cruise soon, and I’d love to know any good tips you have or how it all worked out for you. I’d love to say hi one day, you’ve made my last 2 cruises so much easier with your wonderful tips and ideas. Im also loving your increased content since you’ve been able to quit your other work. What a dream job you have now!
I’m stressing about packing for a 12-day cruise late Feb 2024. My 1st cruise. All because I’m traveling on a full bus to Chicago with a group for our flight to Ft Lauderdale. I can only bring one suitcase and a carry on. I’m hoping that I can bring at least a 29” suitcase and use packing cubes. The limit of 50 lbs is scary. I’m thinking of ordering the cubes and do a trial run. But I also need to make room for any souvenirs. Do the ports have options to ship home? I love all your tips and am sharing them with my friends.
I started watching your channel out of curiosity, as I was never interested in cruising. But after a few videos, I’m thinking about taking a cruise with my kids this year! I love how thoughtful and user-friendly your tips are, and your recommendations are so helpful! Thanks so much! 😊
The way you are rolling your clothes is giving me anxiety lol. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to folding my clothes. I need everything nice and SMOOTH, no bumps whatsoever. I also need to take pricetags off and cut off annoying labels.😅
I bought a couple hundred dollars worth of products you recommended including a folding laundry basket, motion light, alarm clock, first-aid kit, travel plug, hanging closet organizer, hanging hooks, and so much more. How do you transport all that stuff along with your week's worth of clothing? I feel like I need a separate suitcase just for the stuff you recommended purchasing.
We’re going on our first cruise this year in June to Mexico. ☀️ I’d love to see a compilation video of all your outfits for summer or an instgram post with just outfit ideas. ❤😊
So glad to have watched this! I always think that travel is made easier when you have the best travel gear and essentials too. The bento bag from Nomad Lane is my best carry-on bag for travels like this. Thought I'd share it with you, too! :)
Just got back from a cruise and we needed a video for the "other side".... laundry bags crammed with dirty cloths (family of 4) don't pack as well and take up more space than perfectly folded/rolled clothes. At the same time we hated to repack/fold. What do others do for getting things back in suit cases at the end? We were lazy so we used one of the suit cases (recommended in on of the videos) that folds into a small cube, but unfolds big to bring the laundry back. Meant extra room in other suitcases for a few things we bought... but oddly enough it was still tight.
Hi Ilana. You packed for a one week cruise changing outfits every day n night. What do you do if you go away for two weeks? We r planning a two week cruise n I’m debating on how much to brIng? Thanks
I've been binge-watching ALL of your videos!! I've never been out of the Midwest (or on a plane 😬) and my parents, sister, brother in law are taking a cruise in December!! Anything you could recommend for us singles/third wheels? 🤣
Very exciting!! Lol I’m sure you are not a third wheel at all, however it’s easy to meet people on a cruise if you enjoy that. There are some solo meet ups or even just at the club
@lifewellcruised do you pack you room essentials in your carry on nautical tote or in your carry on wheeled luggage?! Or do you just check it in? (At the cruise ship)
I use a combination of packing cubes and flat garnet packing systems which works really well. I have just watched a video on compression cubes and they look interesting. Have you tried or heard of them? Love your videos. Headed for our 7th Princess cruise for a 14 day Caribbean cruise in February and can’t wait as it’s been brutal cold here in Calgary, Alberta.
I bought packing cubes for my upcoming cruise in december. I've never used them before watching so many cruise essentials videos. I am going away for a weekend in July so I will be able to test them out with all my winter stuff (in Sydney, Australia).
What brand of sandals are the beige braided ones that you have? They are so cute, and I notice you wear them a lot, so I'm thinking they are super comfy!
I travel on a mobility scooter so dresses are not a good choice. I find for a 1 week cruise 2 pr of pants for day and 1 for evening with 5 or 6 tops and a cover-up is perfect. 👟 for day sandals for evening. Add the layers for Alaska I think thats it.
Love the video. I'm always learning something from you! You've made packing a whole lot easier AFTER I make my decisions on what to wear. Have fun on your next cruise!
Hi Iliana, I purchased already the cruise planner last week and downloaded it today , just reading it now as you’re packing . Not cruising until December but I’m getting excited getting or ordering some items I will be needing, in fact the make up hanging bag arrived yesterday . I’d been eyeing the magnet but it’s always unavailable hopefully it will be sooner. I would like to know where you’d purchased the nude sandal you’d shown. Thanks for all you do.
Always good to get ready and prepared 👌. The nude sandals were bought at Marshall’s however I’ve since found them Amazon ( in this post) lifewellcruised.com/what-i-wore-on-a-7-day-caribbean-cruise/
I leave for my very first cruise soon. Your videos have been such a life saver! 🙌 I am literally packing as we speak, along side you; THANK YOU for making this video! 🤩🥳😊
Use packing cubes all the time. I leave some items out (socks, underwear)to fill in gaps. You're fortunate you're a bit petite. I'm 6 feet tall. Husband 6'2", so our clothes take up more room! I take 1 can spray sunscreen for each day(very fair and I reapply often). Wear contacts, so I have a zippered case with extra glasses for both of us. Plus numerous sunglasses since I've lost or broken at least 1 pr on every vacation. I take a tank and t shirt for each pair of shorts. Gives me an option depending on weather. My carry on tote is much smaller than yours since I don't like lugging a heavy bag around till we get in the cabin, so for two of us, I typically used 2 large suitcases. Hope you post your outfits in a blog since I no longer use Instagram. One tip for shampoo_conditioner, other liquids. I unscrew the top and put plastic wrap on the top. Then put the lid back on. This is another way to protect from spills, in addition to ziplock bags.
I used packing cubes for the first time last trip but my granddaughter used them all so I bought another set so I can use them too! Keeps everything organized and easy to find
The Amazon links seem to go to a page rather than a specific item. So, it’s unclear which specific item you are recommending. I would like to know which sticky bra you find works well 😂
I’m on vacation when I watch you. Or I’m in the excitement of “ Twas the night before cruise day “ . My biggest packing decisions are; do I pack the snorkeling gear ? Otherwise, I’m getting good at packing for a cruise. But there’s always something to learn from you. BTW, regarding makeup, fortunately, you have one of those faces that doesn’t need makeup. Keep up the great videos !
Love your videos! I have been using packing cubes a lot over the last couple of years and don't know how I traveled without them, especially when cruising. All I do is lift most of them out of the suitcase and put them on the shelves. It is so easy for T's as well. I fold them so that you are able to see which ones they are and colors. Something that I now do at home as well. I also bring the laundry basket just like yours. I line it with a laundry bag and then just lift it out and put all dirty clothes in one suitcase for the trip back home. I have also begun to bring a fold-up basket (from the dollar store) for my shoes. So much easier! Enjoy your cruise! Bermuda is my favorite island!!
Love the cubes. My husband’s are red and mine blue. It makes it so easier to pack and unpack, especially when we take only one large suitcase for cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
Where would i find where you bought your lovely dresses from please for one weeks cruising I always pack so much and as its a fly cruise need help… thank you 2:27
Thanks! It’s hard, many of us overpack a little :). Here are the dresses in a blog post, with links, lifewellcruised.com/cruise-dresses-amazon-resort-wear/
On Celebrity…what were the required dress for times like: -Buffet at breakfast/lunch: What types of swimsuit covers are allowed, or do you need to change into other clothes? -Formal Dinning Room: Footwear for women and men? On casual nights do men still need to wear pants or can they wear nice dress shorts? Their dress section is so vague and confusing on their website!! 🙈🤷♀️
The next best thing to packing for a cruise is watching some one else pack. I’ve said before I am a massive packing cube fan. Can’t resist When my favourite brand Mia Tui brings out a new design. Think mine are not as deep as yours. Looking forward to the blog and if you had a rethink about items you didn’t take. I usually pack my shoes in their own cube or wrap them in disposable shower caps
Love your videos so informative. I just purchased some compression I tried to get some that were pretty good and had good reviews not too cheap. I watched your packing for Alaska video and it gave me a lot of insight because I always over pack so I'm going to try this time not to over back and hopefully with your tips and tricks I will not over pack for Alaska next week! I usually do a lot of the Caribbean cruises since I live in Florida so this will be different for me doing Alaska but no matter what I always over pack so I'm trying to get some of your tips and tricks down so I will not be over packing anymore, hopefully thanks again!
As a relatively new cruiser, my wife and I are always wondering whether "rolled" packing vs. "flat" packing. I understand wrinkles may be an issue; my wife certainly prefers "rolled", IMHO; flat packing is more efficient, I'm only concerned about t-shirts, socks and underwear, so wrinkles don't really come into play. Your thoughts?
I bring two toiletries bags, one for toiletries and one to put my pool side belongings into. They're great for holding an extra, small towel and water shoes; not to mention sunscreen, an extra bathing suit cover , head phones, cell phones, ect...You name it. Also, I buy and bring 3 to 5 baby wash cloths (3 for $1.25 at the Dollar Tree) to remove my makeup, and that way, I'm not ruining the cruise lines wash cloths. Thank you Ilana for you great and informative videos!! ❤️❤️
The first time I saw a video with packing cubes a few years ago, I thought it was just a gimmick. They are the best! In fact, I think they are even better for men than women. My wife likes to use the drawers in the cabin so I just put my packed cubes on the shelves. One for t-shirts, one for underwear, one for socks etc... My more formal things go in the zippered area meant for that in my suitcase and get hung up. Takes me five minutes to unpack!
You are so thorough .. truly appreciate your videos. When we went to China for 15 days 6 yrs ago, first time users of packing cubes. Because were traveling and changing hotels often, those cubes kept me organized .. with me and my husband. Always use them when traveling .. cruises . organized. Question ... Been following your NCL Encore videos. thank you for many great ideas. This is our first time with NCL and Caribbean , how's the blow dryer on Encore? Thank you
We are going on a 15 day cruise this Dec to Hawaii, which we are getting married on new years eve. We are calling it our wedding/honeymoon cruise. Do you have any recommendations for packing and essentials for this type of cruise? I'm getting anxiety just trying to figure out what to bring, what not to bring and still have room to bring souvenirs back also. Also, we are driving to MI from OH then flying from MI to CA.
Would love to see what you pack into your carry on bag as well! I’ve never used packing cubes, I just put things in groups inside my luggage. It seems that things get really squished inside them, but I can see how they would be helpful when unpacking on board. Maybe it allows for extra room as well.
If I have something that's prone to wrinkling, I wrap it around (white) tissue paper before rolling or folding it, and I unpack it to hang in the bathroom when I shower. I have wrinkle remover spray, but a spray bottle of water also works: dampen the item, stretch it out to unwrinkle it, and hang it up to dry. (Better yet, invest in travel knits!)
We’re packing for 2 weeks cruising in Europe and I feel like I’m taking too much stuff. Then I saw your full size hair products, and shoes, and don’t feel so bad now. LOL
I love this video!!! Great to see you in action when planning for a cruise! I will be doing a "dry run" on packing on Monday. Just to see what I can take, what's good, what's not. etc. Thank you!!
Hi Ilana, right now I am watching your video, and at the same time I am packing for my cruise which is in two days. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit into one packing cube!! Even so I will need two suitcases as it is a 15 day cruise with a cold weather itinerary. My thick jumper fills up a whole packing cube, but I will be able to cram in some small stuff with it. Keep on cruising!! 12:49
Hey Ilana! Could you please post the link to your adorable, neutral wedges? I didn't see it in the links above...thanks, and love your channel! We've cruised many times but will be going on our 1st Bermuda cruise next year...can't wait! Yes, I always use packing cubes and have done so for the last 3 cruises…just have to get my husband “onboard”….he’s not a convert yet. 😝 Oh, and I just ordered your planner! I’m excited to start using it, since we have 3 cruises on the books with more to come! 🛳
Hello Cruise community Love the channel it has been very informative However I have a question we are first time cruisers and need advice as to which is the best cabin to pick. We have options on a Celebrity Cruise to either be in a sunset room at the back of the ship (level 7) or midships (Level 9) which is best in your view. Any help or comments would be appreciated
Hi David, that depends what you enjoy most - mid will be the smoothest potentially. Aft views are amazing - I can vouch for this - and the balcony is more spacious
I enjoyed watching your video I'm going on a cruise in 2 weeks 7 days out of Miami. I have three sets of packing cubes which they just don't work for me. I still don't end up putting my clothes in the suitcase without the cubes.
I am somewhat late into finding your channel and watching this video. You and a friend have convinced me to buy packing cubes and I like the idea of the electronic packaging holder which would also come in useful at home. I was somewhat bemused by the amount you packed for what I suspect is a short cruise but, if you have driven down from Canada I guess it doesn’t matter too much to you. I don’t possess enough clothing to have three changes of clothing a day so I would take for two changes at most and wear surface items more than once. My problem is the need for formal wear on the cruise line I travel with but, after a fair bit of experience, have decided that I will wear the same things for each of the formal nights and turn my back on anyone who sneers at me for this. Unlike you with your far more svelte figure than me, my oversize clothing needs to cover more so I can’t get away with the lovely light strapless and sleeveless dresses and tops that you are able to wear and pack so well. As for shorts….haven’t been able to wear them since I was eleven and playing school hockey😱😱😱
Your videos have been very helpful and we have purchased many items you have recommended. Could you put together a similar video for men's suitcases. Packing formal clothes such as suits and jackets is a pain . Wrinkle city ...lol , please help.
I saw you using the packin c😅😅😅ubes so I got me some I was amazed ! In got 7 dresses in the medium bag. I was so impressed with and how neat my suitcase looked Love them.😮
I have packing cubes plus your gadget list saved and ready to buy! Of course I’m not cruising again till May and November next year! Lol 😂. I’m going to be so much more ready after watching your videos!
Men's things seem to take up more room ie suit bag, trousers, shirts, shorts, t shirts, shoes it always seems a lot more than my things. How do you get that amount into half a case. Have you any videos on the men's side of packing. Thank you. Love this video.
Love the relaxed feel of this video! Going on my first cruise this year and so thankful for your wealth of information to help me prepare! Where did you get your “little daytime dress”? It was grey and white striped and had ruffle sleeves and buttons down the front it looked like? It was so cute! Can’t find it in your Amazon shop!
I have enjoyed watching watching your videos, they are quite helpful. I would love to see a video of your Bermuda trip, along with a video of the ship. My husband and I hav been on the Summit and I would love to get a look at what others do on the ship, and in port.
Packing cubes come out of the suitcase and into the shelves, voila, drawers! So easy. Then pack dirty stuff in one for going home, clean in another. I usually overpack. Thanks for turning the world onto them.
I brought a laundry bag last cruise but i will get the same laundry basket as u next time. I always do laundry last night on the cruise or 2nd to last night bc i tend to cruise in the winter and I’m from NY so i am able to keep the items in the luggage for a few days before unpacking. Plus, i rather do laundry on the cruise than when i get back home. Just my preference
Your tip for magnetic hooks was amazing I wish I could show the picture! Also your carryon packing tips really helped b/c my luggage didn't get to me until late and I was able to lounge around comfortably thanks to you!
I use shower caps from hotels to cover shoes that are packed with clothing and for items that have’t been laundered, i still pack them in the packing cubes and put inside a storage bag large enough to enclose.
We just got back from Greek isles cruise (Royal Caribbean). I used so many of your tips, thank you! One tip I’ll share with u: for connecting rooms, decide who’s staying in which room ahead of time because one room can accommodate more people than the other. We ended up switching rooms with our 3 kids after cards were already issued and it was annoying when our older kids would come in through our room in the middle of the night or the other way around.
The wife and I had packing cubes but simply overpacked. The plan this time is to take one less big checked bag, share the one we do take and make do with carryons. Packing cubes are great.
