My first cruise was a huge learning experience — especially when it came to packing.
This was back in April 2022, when I spent seven nights on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — one of the world's largest cruise ships — and brought just a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. We sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to ports in Honduras, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
While packing light made the trip easier, I forgot a few key items that would have made it more comfortable and fulfilling. Here's everything I was thankful I had during my weeklong Caribbean voyage — and the items I longed for and will remember to pack next time.
One of the best things I packed was a magnet to stick on my cabin door.
The stateroom decks had long hallways lined with identical blue doors, so my magnet made it easy to find my cabin.
But I wish I'd downloaded some movies and shows to watch on my phone in my room.
The cruise ship's WiFi wasn't strong enough for me to stream videos. In hindsight, I should have downloaded some Netflix shows and films to watch before bed.
I was glad I packed sunscreen for long days in the sun.
I enjoyed a few beach days during my cruise, so sunscreen was essential. And I was sure to pack a reef safe brand since I was visiting multiple beaches.
But I should have remembered to bring some aloe vera gel for the day I forgot to lather up.
Aloe vera typically soothes and cools my burns, so next time, I'll pack some in case I forget to apply sunscreen.
I was glad I brought a rash guard to wear while swimming in the ocean.
An excursion guide at one of the ports informed me that some beaches in the Caribbean, like Tulum, Mexico, don't allow sunscreen in the ocean to protect wildlife.
But the water was so clear that I wished I had a waterproof case for my phone to take pictures beneath the surface.
As other cruisers snorkeled with phones in hand, I realized I was missing an opportunity to capture ocean life.
This sun hat also came in handy to block the sun.
I don't typically wear my sun hat — especially not at home in New York City. So the cruise was the perfect occasion to pull it out of my closet.
I wish I'd also brought an adjustable cap for windy days on the top decks when my sun hat wouldn't stay on my head.
Mornings and evenings at sea were so windy that I had to leave my hat in my room to avoid chasing it around the ship's top decks.
Even though the weather was hot during the day, this sweater was handy for cool, windy nights and mornings.
I didn't think I'd wear my sweater often, but I put it on every day during the Caribbean cruise.
But I only packed one pair of pants and had to wear them every night.
In hindsight, I should have packed a couple more pairs of pants. Sweatpants would have been especially useful at night on the outdoor decks.
I should have brought a windbreaker, too.
I was often chilly at night in my sweater alone. A windbreaker would have kept me warmer on the top decks in the morning and at night.
I wish I'd brought a bar of detergent to wash my clothes since I packed light, and laundry services on the ship cost extra.
On my cruise, Royal Caribbean's laundry service charged for each article of clothing — $4 a shirt, $9 a dress, and $2 per pair of underwear.
But at least I packed the right shoes.
I packed two pairs of shoes: sneakers for walking and waterproof sandals for the beach and pools. I found these were all I needed.
Thankfully, I also remembered to bring a waist pack to carry a few things when I didn't want to lug my backpack around.
A small pack was handy during port stops and while exploring the ship.
I was also glad I brought a digital watch to keep on ship time.
Ship time is the time zone cruise ships adhere to, even when docked at ports in different time zones.
However, I wish I had downloaded guidebooks for the ports I visited to get a better idea of what to do.
My ship stopped in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.
I tried my best to avoid illness by packing vitamins...
I packed vitamins to support my immune system since I would be coming into contact with many people.
... and medicine to combat motion sickness, which I experienced frequently.
I always pack Dramamine on my trips to avoid motion sickness.
More than anything, I wish I had earplugs to help me sleep during rough nights at sea, which sounded like thunder in my stateroom.
It was especially loud since I was at the front of the ship, where seasoned cruisers said movement on ships feels the strongest.
Next time, I'll come prepared.
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Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining BI in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, from day trips to overnight rides as long as 30 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. She spends her free time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. You can follow Joey on Instagram or send her an email at [email protected].Popular ArticlesI spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.I booked basic economy flights with Delta and United. They felt like 2 completely different classes.I went on an adults-only cruise for the first time, and 8 things surprised meI spent 2 nights in a 2-story, 100-square-foot tiny home in Germany that was smaller than any I've seen in the USStep inside the richest city in Arizona, where wealthy Californians are flocking for private mountainside estates
