A cruise vacation is like stepping into a world of endless possibilities, where each day brings new adventures, and every evening promises entertainment and excitement. As you pack your suitcase with the essentials for your trip, one item that should not be overlooked is the perfect bag (or bags) to accompany you from sunrise to sunset. From exploring tropical ports of call to sipping cocktails at onboard lounges as twilight sets in, having versatile purses or day bags can elevate your ensemble effortlessly.
In this article, I’ll cover several essential bags you should consider for your cruise! Whether you need a sleek evening bag for glamorous nights onboard, a spacious beach tote for sunny days on deck, or a practical excursion bag for exploring ports of call, we’ve got you covered. Don’t let your luggage weigh you down – pack smart and stylish with these essential cruise companions.
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Great Bags for a Cruise Vacation: Day-to-Evening
Let’s tackle this from start to finish, shall we?
First, you may need a bag to carry your essentials around the ship or even in a port of call. I’m categorizing this as an essential items bag regardless of where you’ll use it because it serves a different purpose than an excursion bag or a beach bag. We will get to those shortly.
Day Bag for Your Cruise
This “essentials bag” or “day bag” has been added to my packing list. I always need to carry my reading glasses and phone with me. My husband doesn’t have this issue, but most of his clothes have pockets.
I have added two new types of bags to my list. The first is a small belt bag. I wear mine as a fitted cross-body bag. Because of the closer fit, I found this bag more user-friendly than my previous cross-body bags. I don’t have to worry about it falling off my shoulder when I bend to pick something up or bump into items or other people as I explore the ship.
Lululemon made this bag style famous for good reason. It’s perfect. It holds just enough…but not too much. I can’t wait to use it in Europe next year, too. I have the Lululemon one, but I like this style even better. Trust me when I tell you that the double zipper is a game-changer! And you can’t beat the price!
The standard black with the gold hardware seems always to be sold out, but I love this black sherpa one. Of course, I also have one in pink. It’s perfect for spring!
Sometimes, you might need a little more room.
A cruise friend of mine gave me the idea to pack a small canvas tote. Genius! It takes up such little room in a suitcase and is so easy to carry. (I purchased a Swiftie-themed version for myself and used it every day during our most recent cruise. (Sorry! It sold out quickly – but I love this cruise version.) Carrying my laptop or Kindle and my small cross-body around the ship was so handy. I could head to Central Park to read or to the Crown Lounge to get a bit of work done and have everything I need.
There are so many great little bags that are perfect for a cruise. I love the straw one with the guitar strap, shown above. It actually comes with two straps; one is a little dressier than the guitar strap, so one purse can serve two roles.
You also can’t go wrong with a good crossbody purse. They can be functional and stylish. I own and love this one, in dark gray. I love how soft it is. It has three compartments to keep you organized and is of great quality. Try this black crossbody if you need something larger but still compact. Both are great for day and evening.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I have carried the Venture Pal foldable backpack for years. Each member of my family has one in their preferred color. We all call them our “excursion backpacks.” This backpack is extremely lightweight but big enough to carry all our port-day essentials, like our pack towel, water bottle, sunscreen pouch, and more!
If you are planning more sightseeing or headed to Europe…How about a Sling bag?
I carried a similar day pack throughout our Mediterranean cruise, which was perfect. It held all my essentials, and I could carry the bag in front of my body for better security. Our daughter liked hers, as well. The boys were unconvinced to have their own, but they appreciated the fact that we had everything they needed.
Here are a few great options for those who love to glam it up with an evening bag!
I have fully embraced the “belt bag” worn as a cross-body. On the last few cruises, I had planned to wear it around the ship during the day (to hold my phone, cruise card, and glasses), but I even wore it in the evening. It’s not a fancy clutch, but it was so comfortable and generally matched all my dresses that I just went with it! I’m not an especially fancy person anyway, so it worked for me.
Remember, feel free to be yourself on a cruise, and if you like to be fancy…
This Hexagon cross-body is adorable and unique. The opening is a little small, but if you are carrying a few items, it’s perfect. For a more casual look, the Ayliss Women Straw Handbag screams vacation mode!
This clutch has a traditionally classic look and comes in several colors and styles, but it’s hard to beat the elegance of the black with gold hardware. Or, dial up the elegance another notch with this gorgeous champagne-colored evening bag.
Grab a Cute Beach or Pool Bag for Your Cruise.
What’s not to love about a good Bogg Bag, except maybe its packability? There’s a new hack for that, too! I have noticed several people use their Bogg Bag as their personal carry-on bag on the plane, embarkation bag for the cruise, and beach/pool bag. When you address the packing issue like that, the Bogg Bag makes a lot of sense. If the price scares you, here are some knock-off brands that look just as good!
I am newly obsessed with this beach bag that has a slide-in spot for your beach hat! Fashion is great, but function always wins my vote! No one likes a crumpled-up sun hat!
If you want to pack light, a foldable mesh or poly/cotton bag is the way to go. They are great for organizing your gear, too—there are so many pockets! These bags are especially great for families. If I were only responsible for my personal items, I might choose the super chic woven bag with such a great beach day vibe.
You can’t go wrong with all the beach bags out there. Amazon’s selection and price ranges are great, but I have found several beach bags while touring local markets in port and even on cruise ships. Pick the one that is most functional for you and your family and the one that best suits your style. Have fun with it!
Conclusion: Great bags for your cruise
Part of the fun of planning a cruise is the pre-cruise shopping and the packing. Take your time and check out all the great options available at Amazon or your favorite retailer. Remember to pick functional, stylish bags that suit your personality. You’re going on vacation, have fun with all the fun details.
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