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Cruise cabins are not exactly known for their enormous storage spaces.
There are usually drawers, shelves and a closet, but once you add two suitcases, shoes, carry-on bags and everything you bought in port, the cabin can start to feel considerably smaller.
That is why the best cruise luggage is not necessarily the suitcase that holds the most.
It is the one that gets your belongings to the ship without becoming a permanent piece of cabin furniture.
So, what kind of luggage should you bring?
And will it fit under the bed?
Will Your Suitcase Fit Under the Cabin Bed?
On many cruise ships, standard carry-on and medium-sized suitcases can be stored under the bed when laid flat.
However, I would not assume that every suitcase will fit under every cruise bed.
The available clearance can vary by ship, cabin and bed frame. Large or extra-deep suitcases may be too tall, especially if they have oversized wheels, thick handles or a bulky hard shell.
If you are travelling with more than one suitcase, try nesting the smaller case inside the larger one after unpacking.
You may also be able to leave the suitcase open and slide each half beneath the bed separately.
This is not quite as satisfying as dramatically tossing an empty suitcase under the bed and declaring the cabin organized, but it gets the job done.
If your luggage still will not fit, check the closet or ask your cabin attendant whether another storage option is available.
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The Hardside Spinner
A hardside spinner is probably the best all-around choice for many cruisers.
It protects the contents well, handles rainy arrival days and rolls easily through airport terminals, hotels and the cruise terminal.
Four spinner wheels are especially useful when you are navigating a crowded embarkation area while carrying a personal bag, travel documents and the drink you bought five minutes earlier.
The downside is that a hardside suitcase does not compress. If the case is slightly too thick to fit under the bed, it will remain slightly too thick no matter what.
A medium hardside spinner should offer enough room for many seven-night cruises without becoming too difficult to store.
Shop a Lightweight Hardside Spinner Luggage on Amazon.
The Soft-Sided Expandable Suitcase
Soft-sided luggage gives you a little more flexibility.
The sides may compress slightly when the suitcase is empty, which can make it easier to slide under a bed or squeeze into a closet.
Many soft-sided cases also have exterior pockets. These are handy for items you want to reach quickly, although they can become a dangerous place to hide paperwork that you will spend twenty minutes searching for later.
Expandable luggage sounds perfect for a cruise because it leaves room for souvenirs.
The problem is that expanding the suitcase can make it too large for airline limits or too thick to fit under the cabin bed.
My strategy would be to travel with the expansion section closed and save it for the trip home if necessary.
The Carry-On Spinner
For a short cruise or a determined light packer, a carry-on spinner may be all you need.
It is easy to manage, usually simple to store and eliminates the temptation to pack seventeen outfits for a seven-night trip.
Well, it reduces the temptation.
I am not sure anything eliminates it.
Travelling with only a carry-on can also make embarkation and disembarkation easier. You have fewer bags to track and may be able to handle your luggage without assistance.
Just remember that the cruise line is not your only concern. If you are flying, your airline’s size and weight limits still apply.
A suitcase may be perfectly suitable for the ship and still cause an unpleasant conversation at the airport.
The Foldable Duffel Bag
A foldable duffel is not necessarily the suitcase I would use as my main piece of luggage, but it can be extremely useful as a backup.
It packs almost flat inside your regular suitcase and can hold souvenirs, laundry or anything that somehow no longer fits on the trip home.
I do not understand how the same clothing that fit perfectly before the cruise becomes impossible to repack afterward.
A foldable duffel is also easy to store in the cabin. It can be flattened, folded and placed in a drawer or under the bed.
The main drawback is that an unstructured duffel can be awkward to carry when it is full. Look for one with sturdy handles, a shoulder strap and a sleeve that fits over a suitcase handle.
What About Vacuum-Compression Luggage?
Vacuum-compression luggage has become popular because it promises to remove excess air and create considerably more packing space.
Some products have a built-in compression compartment and valve. Others include reusable vacuum bags and a small electric pump.
They can work especially well for bulky clothing.
If you are taking sweaters, jackets or clothing for an Alaska cruise, removing the trapped air can make a noticeable difference.
But there is a very important catch:
Making more space does not make your belongings weigh less.
You may successfully fit two weeks of clothing into a carry-on and then discover that you need the upper-body strength of a professional weightlifter to lift it.
There are a few other things to consider:
Clothing may become wrinkled.
The pump takes up a little space.
You need to bring the pump so you can repack for the trip home.
A damaged seal or broken zipper could make the compression feature useless.
The compressed bag may become thick and rigid rather than flexible.
The luggage dimensions still have to meet airline requirements.
I think vacuum-compression luggage could be useful for chronic overpackers, longer cruises or cold-weather itineraries.
For an ordinary warm-weather cruise, it may be more technology than you actually need.
A Less Expensive Alternative
Before investing in specialized vacuum luggage, I would consider compression packing cubes or roll-up travel compression bags.
Compression cubes use an extra zipper to squeeze clothing into a smaller space. They do not remove all the air, but they keep the suitcase organized and do not require a pump.
Roll-up compression bags push air out through a valve as you roll them. They can be useful for bulky clothing and dirty laundry.
Both options let you use the suitcase you already own.
They also reduce the chance that your luggage will become dependent on a tiny electric pump that you accidentally left plugged in at home.
For most cruises, I would choose a lightweight medium spinner with four wheels.
I would add compression packing cubes for organization and place a foldable duffel inside for anything I bring home.
That combination should provide enough space without adding unnecessary complexity.
I would consider vacuum-compression luggage for a longer cruise or a cold-weather itinerary, but I would watch the weight carefully.
Until next week,
Tara
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