Happy Wednesday, ladies! I’m headed to New Orleans on Sunday with Kelly for a river cruise on the American Queen. We’ll chug our way up to Memphis on a paddleboat with stops in Nottoway and Vicksburg. It’s going to be a fun trip!
I know a lot of you are traveling or getting ready to. So, I thought I would share how I’m packing for a river cruise, knowing a lot of these tips & tricks are applicable no matter where you’re going.
And in case you missed it, we’re also sharing what to wear on a river cruise today. So head over there to get some outfit inspo!
The Summary
Today, I’m sharing how I’m packing for a river cruise.
From my luggage choices to travel outfit inspo, I’ve got you covered
All of my suggestions are shoppable via text- and image-widgets
How I’m Packing for a River Cruise
1. Packing for a River Cruise
Packing for a cruise is different from packing for other types of vacations. There’s always a sit-down dinner to attend, various daytime excursions to plan for, and the ship itself has a variety of activities they offer passengers. But one thing is for certain.
I always bring a carry-on with me, no matter the destination. Hands down, my all-time favorite carry-on is Longchamp Le Pliage Tote. It’s nylon and practically indestructible. And sometimes I take my Delsey luggage, comparable to Samsonite, with me. I have some pieces Chatelet Collection, which I love too.
So what’s in my bag? Well, here’s what I always bring:
- packing cubes
- toiletry bag
- a makeup bag
- leather charger roll-up
- a mini steamer
So many of my items come from a favorite retailer of mine Mark & Graham. I guess it’s all those monograms they offer on everything from handbags to makeup bags. Amazon also has a great assortment of travel items to choose from.
Travel Bags
Board: Le Pliage Backpack (Longchamp) | Le Pliage Tote (large, Longchamp) | Le Pliage Tote (medium) | Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag (Longchamp)
Board: Chatelet Plus Backpack (Delsey) | Chatelet Weekender Duffle (Delsey) | Chatelet Large Carry-On Spinner (Delsey)
2. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes have been a game-changer for me. I splurged on a 6 piece monogram set last year that serves me well. It includes a dirty laundry bag and a shoe bag. Packing cubes facilitate unpacking as much as they save space inside my suitcase.
When I arrive at my destination, I leave my lingerie in the packing cube and then place the cube inside the dresser drawer. Easy peasy.
Also, just a quick pro tip: for the clothes not going in your cubes, roll them instead of folding them. This will also save space inside your packing cube.
Packing Cubes
Board: 6 Piece Packing Cube Set (Mark & Graham) | Packing Cube (Tumi) | 4 Piece Packing Cube Set (Amazon Basics)
3. Toiletry, Makeup and Other Bags
Toiletry Bag
A packing tip my mother passed on to me was to keep my toiletry bag packed at all times. I’m ready to go when a trip comes up on short notice! (This bag is different than my makeup bag and skincare bag, which always includes travel-size skincare.)
So what’s inside my toiletry bag?
- Medication for stomach, headache, allergy, and cold
- Deodorant
- Contact solution
- Baby oil
- Cleansing towelettes
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hairspray
- Disinfectant spray
- Tide-to-Go-Pen
- Sewing kit
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Visine
I also travel with ZzzQuil Pure Zzzs melatonin to help with a good night’s sleep.
Makeup Case
Stock up on your favorite beauty products that come in mini sizes. That way your cosmetic bag is always ready to throw in your suitcase at a moment’s notice. But great makeup/cosmetics bags are a must. For some reason, I was always forgetting to pack my makeup brushes until I purchased this makeup bag that has a special pouch for brushes. It also has adjustable dividers and a shoulder strap.
Pill Case
Organizing medication, supplements and vitamins have never been easier than with a pill case.
Jewelry Case
Don’t forget to invest in jewelry boxes to stash your jewelry with ease. I travel with a hard case and/or roll-up jewelry pouch. Travel tip:
- Travel with fashion jewelry
- Leave family heirlooms at hoe
- Take photos of what you’re bringing
- Invest in a jewelry travel case
Skincare Bag
Just like stocking up on beauty products in mini sizes stocking up on travel-size skincare is an excellent way to go. Again, your skincare bag is always ready to toss into your suitcase saving you oodles of time and stress. Colleen Rothschild offers the Discovery Kit with seven essential skincare products that come with a travel bag.
For a little extra something, the Exploration Collection has four skincare goodies that will come in handy on your trip. These would make excellent Mother’s Day Gifts. Use code Style20 for 20% off Colleen Rothschild.
I also travel with my favorite perfume that’s stored inside a Travalo Classic Refillable Perfume Atomizer. Genius! And a travel-size steamer is so handy to have on trips too.
Travel Bags
Board: Discovery Collection (Colleen Rothschild) | Makeup Organizer (VASKER) | Concourse Vegan Leather Travel Bag (Mark & Graham) | Jewelry Cases (Mark & Graham) | Perfume Atomizer (Container Store)
4. With a Denim Jacket
Electronics are also packed inside my carry-on:
Other things you may consider include a portable charger, a Kindle, or tablet,
Electronics
Board: Fit Pro Earbuds (Beats) | Leather Charger Roll Up (Mark & Graham) | Laptop Zipper Case (Mark & Graham) | iPhone Fast Charger (Amazon)
5. Travel Inspiration Outfits
In Case You Missed It
We’re gearing up for a river cruise over here at SAACA. This morning, we shared some outfit inspo in our weekly What to… Wednesday. Click the title or image below to read the article.
What to Wear on a River Cruise
About The Author
Steamers are not allowed on most cruise lines. Check to make sure you are allowed.
Thanks for sharing, Nancy. Most cruise ships don’t allow irons or steamers. But American Queen has irons and ironing boards available for use. And they allow passengers to use other small appliances in their cabins if it’s under 1500 watts.
Hi Beth, have you done a River cruise before or is this your first time. We did one several years ago around Germany, Austria & finished I Budapest . Except for Budapest we had visited the other places before independently. We went with company called Viking and it was terrible, very misleading. The ship had a problem with a terrible smell all week and they didn’t seem to want to try and correct the problem. Long story short the ship wasn’t really fit to have gone ahead with the cruise. Also they gave the impression you I was lovely and relaxing sailing through beautiful countryside but we did most of the travelling overnight, they also docked alongside another ship at one point so you had to go through that ship to get to shore. I drew the curtains back one morning to see into the other ship and a woman still in her nightwear, not good. So I do hope that you have a far better experience as its not something we wish to repeat . Xx
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been on one other river cruise with Scenic Cruise Lines. I cruised the Seine River and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. River Cruise ships are quite narrow and have to dock next to each other, which can be interesting. This river cruise is on a paddleboat, and we’re chugging along the mighty Mississippi in America, which is quite wide. I could be wrong, but I don’t think we’ll have other paddleboats to contend with. I will have a full recap in a few weeks! So stay tuned.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been on one other river cruise with Scenic Cruise Lines. I cruised the Seine River and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. River Cruise ships are quite narrow and have to dock next to each other, which can be interesting. This river cruise is on a paddleboat, and we’re chugging along the mighty Mississippi in America, which is quite wide. I could be wrong, but I don’t think we’ll have other paddleboats to contend with when it’s time to dock. I will have a full recap in a few weeks! So stay tuned.
Great suggestions on preparing cosmetics to go. I travel for such long periods, I end up buying new products on my travels. I was happy to discover the Travalo Automizer for perfume years ago. But sadly all three that I purchased ended up leaking.
It’s a great idea just never worked for me or my husband. Have a great time. Wishing you wonderful weather.
That’s too bad! I think there are other brands to choose from these days, but I must have gotten the lucky Travalo as I’ve had mine for four years and haven’t had a problem.
Beth,
We made this trip in 2019 on the American Duchess round trip from New Orleans to Vicksburg. Have a wonderful time and enjoy all of the day trips.
Gail
Hi Gail! Thanks for sharing. I am such a history buff, so I’m looking forward to the daytime excursions!
Enjoy your cruise, Beth. They are wonderful. Just as a personal comment, love your hair when you tuck both sides behind your ears. It opens your beautiful face, but still softens the outline. Let’s those beautiful blues steal the show.
Thanks for sharing, Andrea! One thing is for certain the “do” has lots of renditions.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for helpful tips, did I miss the favorite 10 spring graphic tees somehow?
Last year we shared a graphic tee post. Here’s the link:
https://www.styleatacertainage.com/featured/how-to-wear-2022-best-graphic-tees-5-different-outfits/
Hi Beth,
I am such a fan of your channel. This post is so timely for me as I leave on a cruise from LAX to Cabo San Lucas soon. The list from your mom is brilliant. I will pack up my kit today. It just makes sense to have that at the ready. You just never know when adventure comes knocking.
XO Kate
Bon Voyage, Kate! I know you’ll have a ball!