[SPONSORED POST] How to pack light for cruises

Editor’s note: This guest post was written by Catherine Lavinia for Thomas Cook cruises.

It can be challenging to prepare for a cruise, especially if it’s your first one and you’re unsure about what to take. If you’re flying from a port abroad and the cruise is less than 7 days, you may not want to pay for hold luggage if you can fit it all into your carry-on.

If the airline you travel with were to lose your luggage in transit, your entire trip could be ruined. travelling on cruises is less straightforward than a beach holiday, because unlike a regular vacation where luggage can catch up with you easily your days at sea make luggage retrieval difficult.

When heading off on week-long cruises such as those offered by the Thomson Celebration and Thomas Cook cruises, it’s no wonder then that many people opt to just take a carry-on bag. Knowing how to pack properly and maximise your space can be very helpful!

The key is to pack lightly. Avoid cramming in items of clothing that you probably won’t need (such as 7 pairs of shoes, ‘just in case!’). Be aware of the dimensions and weight you’re allowed, and keep an eye on the liquid limitations so that you know that whatever you pack will be allowed onto the plane.

Many airlines offer a 10kg limit nowadays which, if a little savvy, is plenty. Use a bag that is within maximum measurements, but only just.

Rather than packing seven different day outfits and similar amounts of evening outfits, compromise! Many cruises don’t require a formal dress code anymore so don’t worry about suits and evening dresses. Instead, pack multi-purpose items that can be mixed and matched. Pack a pashmina rather than heavy cardigans to keep the chill off your shoulders when required. Accessories don’t take up much space, so make use of them to glam up your attire.

While for many people, this may seem like too much hassle and they’d prefer to pay for the hold luggage, for others, it can be a handy, budget-breaking alternative that offers ultimate peace of mind.