How do you make a cruise feel like your kind of vacation?

Maybe you find a quiet chair away from the busiest pool.

Maybe you pack a Halloween costume.

Or maybe you give up a balcony for three more days before you have to go home.

This month, we talked about finding your comfort zone onboard, trying something different and choosing what deserves space in your vacation.

And in your suitcase.

If you missed an issue or meant to come back to one later, here is our October recap.

A cruise sounds relaxing.

A crowded buffet with nowhere to sit sounds considerably less relaxing.

In this issue, we looked at how to enjoy cruising when being surrounded by people is not your idea of a holiday.

A few small decisions can help: eating outside the busiest times, finding quieter lounges early and checking your cabin’s location before booking.

Staying onboard during part of a port day might also give you a chance to enjoy a calmer ship.

And you do not have to attend every activity just because it appears on the daily schedule.

Sometimes the best thing on your itinerary is a quiet chair and absolutely no plans.

I have never taken a Halloween cruise, but this month I found myself wondering why not.

Sunny ports during the day.

Costumes, spooky trivia and a little extra candy at night.

That sounds like a combination I could get behind.

We talked about the decorations and activities that some Halloween sailings offer, along with the challenge of packing a costume that does not require its own suitcase.

I would enjoy seeing what other passengers come up with.

Although I suspect someone would arrive dressed as an entire pirate ship while I stood nearby feeling quite pleased with my hat.

Creative costumes and silly fun? Yes.

Someone jumping out at me in a dark hallway?

I would prefer advance notice.

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Seven nights in a balcony cabin.

Or ten nights in an inside cabin.

Similar prices. Equally appealing ships and itineraries.

Which would you choose?

A balcony makes a convincing argument. There is the ocean view, the natural light and the ability to step outside without searching for a chair.

But three extra days onboard is difficult to ignore.

In this issue, I weighed the private outdoor space against more time to relax, enjoy the ship and postpone doing my own cooking.

My choice was the longer cruise, although I admitted I might question that decision while looking for somewhere to sit outside.

Then day eight would arrive.

The balcony version of me would be home doing laundry.

I would still be deciding what to have for dessert.

The best cruise suitcase has two jobs.

Get your belongings to the ship.

Then get out of your way.

This issue compared hardside spinners, soft-sided suitcases, carry-ons and foldable duffels, with one practical question in mind:

Will it fit under the cabin bed?

We also looked at vacuum-compression luggage, packing cubes and the temptation to fill every bit of newly available space.

Because removing air from your clothing does not remove the weight.

A smaller suitcase can still contain a surprisingly ambitious amount of luggage.

My preferred combination was a lightweight medium spinner, compression packing cubes and a foldable duffel for the trip home.

Enough room to stay organized, with a little backup space for whatever follows me home from port.

After this month’s luggage discussion, compression packing cubes felt like a fitting pick. They help keep clothing organized and use an extra zipper to squeeze it into less space, without needing a pump. I like the idea of opening my suitcase and finding neatly packed sections instead of conducting a search for one missing sock. Just remember: making room for more clothes does not increase your airline’s weight allowance.

→ Shop compression packing cubes on Amazon.

That was October.

We found ways around the crowds, considered Halloween at sea, debated balconies versus extra days and tried to keep our suitcases from becoming permanent cabin furniture.

Which conversation got you thinking?

Would you book a Halloween sailing?

Would you trade your balcony for a longer cruise?

Or are you still trying to work out how your suitcase became heavier after you removed all the air?

Have a great week!

Tara

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