Packing for a cruise may seem like an easy task in theory, but the reality presents more challenges than you might expect. Here is how to make it smooth sailing.
Spending weeks onboard a cruise ship presents more packing challenges than you might expect. For one, there is the lack of storage on a cruise ship, so how much is too much to pack? And will you have access to an iron or should the linen shirts stay at home? Here are 20 stress-saving tips on how to pack for a cruise like pro. Don’t set sail without them.
1. Travel organisers: the cruise essential item
A travel organiser is a necessity. Not just for a cruise holiday but for all holidays. You’ll need to treat your cruise holiday the same as an overseas holiday and pack a variety of important travel documents to take onboard with you, including a passport, visa, cruise booking and more. A travel organiser is the best way to store all those important documents safely in one place.
2. Don’t fold your clothes, roll them
As a guide, use organising queen Marie Kondo’s KonMari folding method to save space in your suitcase and reduce.
The Marie Kondo method of suitcase packing
3. Wrinkle-release spray is a cruise lifesaver
Fire safety is paramount on cruises, so you won’t find an iron in your cabin. You can pay the cruise staff to iron your clothes for you, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Wrinkle-release spray is reasonably inexpensive and will easily remove those stubborn wrinkles from your clothes.
4. Make laundry effortless with a universal sink plug
This tip is more relevant for those travelling on long-haul cruises when your clothes will need to be reused for weeks at a time. You won’t necessarily have access to a laundry on board and while you’re still able to pay staff to wash your clothes for you there is another solution: buy a universal sink plug and do your own laundry in your cabin’s bathroom sink or bath (just check your cabin has one).
5. Wrap up your shoes… in a shower cap
Wrapping up your shoes in a disposable shower cap keeps dirty shoes from spoiling your clothes. If you don’t have access to disposable shower caps, plastic bags work just as well.
6. Organise your tech with a tech organiser
Travellers usually pack at least three different types of chargers with them when they travel: one for the phone, one for the camera, one for the smart watch etc. Keep chargers and cables separate from the rest of the items in your carry-on with a tech organiser. This way, they won’t get tangled up like Christmas tree lights kept in storage. We like this one from STM goods!
The ultimate organiser from STM goods
7. Invest in a power bank
Trust me, a portable battery pack to charge your smartphone on the go will save your life on shore excursions or when you’re lazing by the pool.
8. Invest in a smartphone waterproof pouch
If you are cruising to a tropical destination a smartphone waterproof pouch will definitely come in handy. It’ll protect your phone against water and dirt, while the attached lanyard will keep your hands free.
9. Pack a lanyard
Your cruise card is like your credit card, room key and ID all in one (easily forgettable) card. You really don’t want to lose such an important card, especially when out in port, so keep it safe with a lanyard.
10. Maximise space with storage
Cruise cabins are small (to say the least), making it necessary to maximise space as much as you can. Extra clothes hangers, over-the-door shoe organisers and toiletry bags with a hook for hanging will help you create space. Are you sharing a room? A selection of coloured packing cubes are useful for distinguishing your clothes from your cabin mate’s, while compartmentalising your apparel and saving space.
11. VI Poo necessary for those tiny cabin rooms
This may be a bit TMI, but VI Poo is necessary for masking any undesirable smells. Let’s not forget that cruise cabins are petite and unventilated – even balcony rooms can feel stuffy. VI Poo will keep your room smelling fresh and your cabin partner happy! You can be assured that avid cruisers are all card-carrying VI Poo users.
12. Pack sticky notes or a whiteboard for communication purposes
If you are travelling with family or friends in separate rooms, a whiteboard or sticky note placed on the cabin door is excellent for communicating your whereabouts. Communication through a mobile may not always be possible and is usually costly to access wi-fi onboard.
13. Relieve motion sickness with sea bands
My grandma swears by these to alleviate seasickness. Trust me, that says a lot considering she cruises biennially.
Relieve motion sickness with sea bands
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14. Buy ‘towel clips’
Thick ‘towel clips’, or Boca Clips, are great for fastening your towel on to a beach chair as you lay by the pool. They’re also inexpensive – I got mine from Kmart Australia for $2.
15. Make use of zip-lock bags
Zip-lock bags are incredibly useful for storing toiletries and accessories. I usually place my liquid toiletries in zip-lock bags, as they always seem to leak in transit. Smaller zip-lock bags are great substitute containers for easily losable items like bobby pins and hair ties – and easier to transport.
16. Pack thicker layers (just in case)
Don’t be fooled by the tropical destinations –typically warm climates can also have temperatures drop quite low at night. It is definitely a good idea to pack a jacket keep you warm on those cooler nights. I’m a fan of what I like to call a ‘cozy cardi’ – a thick, woolly cardigan that you can dress up for a night out and can keep you warm at night in place of a dressing gown.
17. USB port wall chargers and power cubes to swiftly charge your tech
Cruise cabins have very few power point outlets, meaning that most of the tech you’ve packed (into that lovely tech organiser mentioned in tip six) will remain flat. A power cube is an extension containing multiple power outlets that will allow you to charge several gadgets at once. If you charge mostly through detachable USB cables, you can purchase a USB port wall charger that can charge up to 10 devices at once.
18. Always pack sunscreen!
No one wants to look like a red tomato in their holiday snaps. It may sound obvious, but always pack sunscreen. You’ll find the cost of buying sunscreen on a cruise can be wildly inflated. If you still manage to forget to pack your own, buy it onshore during a port day.
19. Magnets can provide great storage solutions.
Fun fact: cruise ships are made of metal, which also means they’re magnetic. You’ve now just been clued into another handy storage solution. Magnets are a great idea for holding up any papers you may receive onboard (especially all those cruise programs you’ll be handed) and want to refer to often. This means you won’t lose them under piles of clothes and towels. You can even purchase heavy-duty magnetic hooks, which are perfect for hanging up clothes and bathers.
20. Bring a reusable water bottle
Bottled water can come with a hefty price tag onboard and you may have to pay gratuities on top. Bring your own water bottle and reuse it as much as possible – it is especially handy to bring on shore excursions to keep you hydrated.
From sophisticated new sleeper trains and opulent hotel openings to the exploration of new frontiers, we’re now finding ourselves in our own gilded era of travel. These 21st-century travel experiences are leading the way.
If we were to turn back the clock 100 years, there was a real romance to travel – the dawning of a glamour-filled jet age, refined rail sojourns and first-class cruising where the voyage itself trounced the destination.
We’re feeling a similar excitement in the air about travel in 2026. Think state-of-the-art cruise liners allowing access to destinations formerly off-limits, resort launches where avant-garde architecture takes centre stage, and a return to the days of luxury locomotives. This reoccurrence of the advances, adventure and elegance of a bygone era has not only come full circle; it’s now superior.
How? Travel has become more mindful, intentional and accessible. This includes environmental initiatives by operators determined to leave less impact on the planet and a shift towards a deeper cultural exchange with the local communities we visit. Whether it’s exploring previously hard-to-reach cities such as Uzbekistan’s Khiva, staying with a family to experience village life in Nepal or discovering new frontiers in Antarctica, our round-up of ‘new golden age’ travel experiences is a snapshot of how we are travelling today, as well as into promising new horizons.
Exploring the emerging city of Khiva
The walled inner city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Credit: Getty/Mlenny Khiva)
Uzbekistan’s Silk Road city of Khiva used to be off the radar for many travellers, but 2026 has changed all that. You can thank a new bullet train service connecting Khiva to Bukhara and Samarkand, slashing the trip from the capital of Tashkent from 15 hours to under eight. Add renovations to Urgench International Airport, and interest in this fascinating city is rapidly on the rise.
Check out Khiva’s preserved inner-walled fortress, the first UNESCO site in Uzbekistan, explore ancient minarets and ornate mausoleums, and try traditional fare at Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant. Looking for fancy digs? The Mercure Khiva is due to swing open its doors later in 2026.
Riding the rails on the Eastern & Oriental Express
Onboard the train, rich fabrics are complemented by elm, cherrywood and teak marquetry. (Credit: Ludovic Balay)
The resurgence of train travel reflects how we are travelling today – slower and with a new appreciation for both scenery and cultural exchange. Include a large dollop of old-world glamour, and the three-night Wild Malaysia tour truly delivers. Winding its way deep into the Malay jungle, the journey makes plenty of pit stops for exploration along the way.
Having been resurrected from a 1970s sleeper, the luxury locomotive now comes replete with plush interiors of hand-cut marquetry dressed in oriental silks and embroidery – there’s even a Dior Spa. Watch the world go by from the Observation Car, indulge in fine wining and dining, kick up your heels in the Piano Bar, then snooze it all off in your sumptuous sleeper car.
Embracing Mother Nature in Peru
Befriend local llamas in Peru.
Travelling to Peru is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of contrasting cultures and landscapes. Whether you’re learning about shamanic natural remedies in the pre-Inca Colca Valley, cruising the wilds of the Amazon on a luxury river ship or discovering firsthand why the contemporary capital of Lima is celebrated for its culinary and artistic scenes, there are myriad reasons why this colourful country is topping wish lists.
One such experience is the Ultimate Peru by River and Rail journey (five days) by Abercrombie & Kent, available in 2026. This incredible river cruise allows you to truly connect with the jungle rhythms of the Amazon via skiff and on foot with in-the-know local guides, and includes nights onboard newly launched luxury riverboat Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary.
Spot exotic creatures such as sloths, macaws, piranhas, and pink dolphins on the daily excursions, before juxtaposing these wild encounters with a return to pure pampering on the boat.
Seeking sustainable community experiences in Nepal
Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)
While Nepal has traditionally attracted visitors to traverse its majestic mountains – Everest and Annapurna in particular – travel experiences in this beautiful Himalayan nation are expanding.
Home stays, where you reside with Nepali families and take an active part in their daily lives, are a growing attraction. It’s a win:win for local youths – who took their country back after bloody protests in 2025 – wanting to stay in Nepal rather than moving abroad for work, as well as foreigners seeking a deeper cultural experience. Nepali women, Indigenous people and marginalised castes are also benefitting from home stays, upping the feel-good factor even further.
Leading the charge is Community Home Stay Network, which links travellers to local-family hosts. Travel off-the-beaten path to homes in areas including Tharu in the south, learn how to cook Nepali style, and take part in traditions such as making moonshine, dancing and weaving straw handicrafts.
Exploring new frontiers in Antarctica
A breathtaking ice window captured at Wilhelmina Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula. (Credit: Renato Granieri)
Gone are the days when a trip to Antarctica meant a perilous voyage through the Drake Passage on a vessel holding the mere essentials. Innovative cruise ships now offer a smooth and sophisticated passage to the White Continent, as well as experiences formerly off-limits.
Abercrombie & Kent’s 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands: Holiday Voyage captures it all. Spot breaching whales and gracefully gliding albatrosses from the deck, before stepping onto this Narnia-like landscape with daily Zodiac excursions. Observe adorable penguin and fur seal colonies, visit Antarctic communities that were previously too remote, and get so close to colossal icebergs that you’ll feel humbled by their scale.
Silversea‘s Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages will soon include a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South, the southernmost hotel on Earth purpose-built to bring uncompromised comfort to guests travelling to Antarctica.
When it comes to protecting this fragile eco-system, the future is also looking bright: HX Expeditions has partnered with the University of Tasmania to create a world-first educational course allowing cruise guests to dive into Antarctic science and sustainability, while A&K pours funds into conservation efforts and uses energy-efficient hybrid ships – all in trademark luxury, of course.
Indulging in New Zealand’s exceptional dining
The Ayrburn precinct serves up delicate dishes.
By welcoming the Michelin Guide to sample Aotearoa/New Zealand’s finest gastronomy for the first time, our cousins across the ditch have now become serious players on the world culinary scene.
And there’s never been a better time to experience NZ’s greatest gastronomy with the inaugural guide currently going to press. Sample haute cuisine in Queenstown with a side serving of theatrics by culinary director Paul Froggatt at Essence in the new ROKI Collection hotel, and pull up a chair at Amisfield for its delicious degustation experience under new chef Sung Peng, with the world-renowned restaurant slated to reopen in July.
And it’s not just Queenstown holding all the culinary cards. The Michelin inspectors travelled to rate the best epicurean artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington and Ōtautahi/Christchurch against the world’s most renowned restaurateurs (bring loose pants).
Bedding down at design-led hotels and farm stays
A woodfired sauna deepens the meditative state at Azuma Farm Koiwai. (Credit: Azuma Farm Koiwai)
New grand dames on the global hotel stage are receiving a standing ovation for their triumphant 2026 openings.
Return to old-world elegance at the Orient Express Venezia, a reimagined former 15th-century royal residence set in Venice’s Palazzo Dona Giovannellii. It certainly makes for a regal stay, with grand Neo-Gothic windows and restored Baroque splendour blending seamlessly with modern luxury flourishes. Also bringing the fantasy factor is France’s Zannier Île de Bendor on a petite private island off the Provençal coast. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea – and with three luxe, design-led accommodation concepts to choose from – this resort exudes golden-era glamour.
In a breath of fresh air, we’ve also seen an uptick in farm stays. Trade the urban rush for a rambling rural retreat at Sibbjäns, Sweden’s first boutique farm stay, or opt for horseback riding followed by woodfired saunas on the sprawling eight-hectare Azuma Farm Koiwai in Japan.
Cruising the Danube on a festive Eastern Euro adventure
The magical Pécs Christmas Market in Hungary. (Credit: Emily Murphy)
Dreaming of a white Christmas? While floating past snow-dusted, fairytale cities on a river ship in Eastern Europe makes for an amazing voyage, when you add the magic of Christmas the whole experience becomes, well, more magical.
From twinkling trees and tinsel to red-nosed reindeer and wreath decorations, the festivities greet you the moment you step aboard AmaMagna by AmaWaterways. The ship then spirits you away along the Lower Danube for a seven-night Gems of Southeast Europe adventure from Romania to Hungary.
Explore Bulgaria’s medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo, glide into the dramatic Iron Gates crossing into Serbia; and sip on fine wines at Croatia’s Kast Winery (one variety made famous by Queen Elizabeth II). The highlight? For many it’s wandering the shimmering Christmas markets in Hungary’s Pécs. Peruse stalls selling unique handicrafts, try the traditional treat of kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and warm your cockles with a cup of mulled wine.
Delving into the buzzing city of Beijing
Calm and chaos at Lama Temple in Beijing. (Credit: Natasha Bazika)
Walking the line between its imperial past and a frenetic, futuristic present – Beijing is an exciting city to dive into.
If you want to be centrally located, the palatial Peninsula Beijing is hard to beat. From here, strap in at street level for a stroll among the city’s famed hutongs (ancient alleyways), pausing to taste traditional delicacies such as jianbing (savoury breakfast crepe) and dumpling soup. Then scope out the narrow lanes dotted with siheyuan courtyard homes (there are only 1000 left), and if you love to shop, head to Taikoo Li Sanlitun for a mix of luxury brands and local labels.
And it wouldn’t be a well-rounded trip to this history-rich city without experiencing its highlights reel. Admire golden-topped architecture in the Forbidden City, take a hike on the Great Wall of China and pay a visit to Tiananmen Square for both remembrance and observation on how it operates today.
Embarking on a round-the-world cruise
Sitting pretty in a Queen Anne cabin.
Can’t decide where to go on a cruise? On a round-the-world voyage you can live out all your dreams at sea.
It’s not a new idea – the first world cruise occurred more than a century ago on Cunard’s RMS Laconia in 1922 – but a reimagining. If you don’t have a spare year up your sleeve, you can now join for specific legs of the journey (unlike the 1922 trip), and ships have been modernised with sustainability measures, contemporary designs and a less formal feel.
Queen Anne, also by Cunard, cruised the world in 2026 with guests joining at handpicked ports, including in Central America for the extraordinary experience of crossing the Panama Canal. If you want the full adventure by circumnavigating the globe, Queen Anne will set sail on another world voyage in 2028.
Discovering the joys of small-group travel in Spain
Sample organic wine and olive oil on a tasting tour in Molino El Vínculo in Grazalema with Intrepid Travel. (Credit: Intrepid Travel/Tim Luck)
Small-group touring is a travel trend currently soaring, with many embracing it as an authentic, intimate and insightful way to visit a country – with VIP benefits to boot.
The small-group format, typically capped at five to 15 guests, is now accounting for around 62 per cent of group travel worldwide. And operators such as Intrepid Travel, APT Luxury Travel and Janesco Travel are among the frontrunners in this space, handling all navigation and insider experiences within an intimate group led by expert guides.
Seeking a Spanish sojourn? Small-group journeys to the vibrant southern Andalusia region are now topping bucket lists. Be mesmerised by flamenco dancers from a professional dance school (rather than touristy versions), learn how to make authentic sangria with a private class, skip queues at the Real Alcázar of Seville royal palace, and score a seat at the best Andalusian restaurants, sans waitlist.
Learning from the past in Japan
The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum presents a sobering dive into the nuclear event. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a war-time atomic bomb, hopefully the closest any of us will ever get is a visit to Nagasaki.
While on a cruise excursion to the Japanese city aboard the Diamond Princess, you can visit the fascinating hypocentre of the Second World War bomb dropped to widespread annihilation in 1945. While there is no doubt this is heavy material to digest on a tour, it comes with a message of hope – that the horror of a nuclear war should never happen again.
There is also much more to this 11-day Japan Explorer Cherry Blossoms with Princess Cruises voyage. Witness the world’s most active volcano in Kagoshima, join a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and marvel at Mt Fuji in Shimizu. Also don’t miss the onsen experiences onboard the ship or its many mouth-watering local culinary offerings. Next departure is March 2027.
Supporting a typhoon-ravaged community in Vietnam
Time to kick back at Zannier Bãi San Hô. (Credit: Amber Hunter)
When typhoon Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through Vietnam’s south-central coast in November 2025, it left a devastating trail of destruction.
And Zannier Bãi San Hô, an expansive 98-hectare beachfront resort, took a direct hit. An incredible five-month clean-up and restoration has now seen the Green Globe-certified retreat reopen, thanks in large part to the local community who rallied to help rebuild it. The support goes both ways; the 180-strong resort staff is made up of 177 locals – their livelihoods dependent on it.
You can help by simply booking a stay here. It’s hardly a punish, when you consider the beauty and luxury of this place; picture private pool villas and powder-white beaches. Take to the sapphire waters for water sports, visit local fishing villages and sweat it out at the onsite fitness centre. Or, if relaxing’s more your jam, simply loll by the pool with a good book.
