Still packing all of your clothes in that beat-up duffel bag for your cruise? Or maybe you are trying to cram everything you want for a week into a tiny carry-on? Or worst of all, you still use one of those two-wheeled suitcases that hits your heel every time you try to walk with it.
No matter the reason, there’s a good chance you could use an upgrade for your luggage on your next cruise. From a suitcase that’s simply nicer (or larger) than what you currently have to a backpack that is perfect for taking into port (and doesn’t take up much space), we have found a dozen options for your next trip that will make packing — and traveling — much smoother.
One thing to know: If you don’t currently have a four-wheeled roller bag, then we highly suggest an upgrade. The four-wheeled bags are much easier to move down narrow cruise ship hallways with less strain.
Note: The links to Amazon used below are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
AmazonBasics Hardside Suitcase
It doesn’t get any more basic — and necessary — than a classic hardside, four-wheel suitcase. This model from Amazon costs $90 for a 28-inch version. For most people that is plenty enough to pack for a week-long cruise. Plus, while this version comes in a fun blue color, there are other colors available (including dark blue, orange, and black). If you don’t currently have a four-wheel suitcase and need something that’s versatile for any vacation, this looks like a good option.
Coolife 3-Piece Hardside Suitcases
Not everyone has a fortune to spend on luggage, and the nicest bags will cost a fortune. Thankfully, there are options available at all price levels. This set of three bags all have the four-wheel roller system and are hardsided to help protect your packed items. Best of all, they cost just about $120 on Amazon. If you are a family, you could use one bag for yourself and let the kids take the other two bags for their packing.
3-Piece Expandable Lightweight Spinner Suitcases
Another option for those searching for a full luggage set, this lightweight version of the popular hardsided cases comes in a variety of colors from blue to purple to red to champagne. The reviews on Amazon are great, earning four out of five stars. Meanwhile, at $140 for three pieces, it offers great value. It’s also handy that they have an expandable zipper to increase capacity should you need just a little extra space.
AmazonBasics Carry-On Hardside Suitcase
Are you a light packer? Or maybe you just want a new carry-on bag for when you fly to the cruise port. Rated 4.5 stars on Amazon, this 20″ suitcase fits the bill. It’s small enough for carry-on, yet large enough to pack several days worth of clothes. It’s ideal for a 3-4 day cruise. And at just $50, it’s as good a deal as you’ll find on a highly-rated spinner suitcase — online or in stores.
Aluminum Frame Spinner Suitcase
Are you the sort of traveler is more interested in quality than paying a cheap price? This might be the case for you. It’s highly rated and is built with an aluminum frame, built-in security locks, and larger wheels than on some cases. It’s also a unique look, so you can easily pick it out on a baggage carousel. It’s pricier, starting at $99 for a carry-on sized suitcase, but if it lasts for years, then it would be well worth it.
Four Set of Packing Cubes
Think that everything with packing involves suitcases? Think again. People swear by these packing cubes, which help you keep things organized in your suitcase. Instead of packing everything together, you can keep your items separated, making it much simpler to find what you need instead of digging through all of your packed luggage. It also keeps things from moving around as much as your bags get handled. This pack of four cubes is everything you’d need for a 7-day cruise and only costs $20 on Amazon.
Cruise Luggage Tags
If you want to make sure that your paper luggage tags stay connected to your bags — and don’t get lost when your luggage gets moved around the ship — then these tags should do the trick. Made of durable plastic with metal rings, they are less likely to be torn off your bags. For just $10 on Amazon, it’s a small price to pay for piece of mind of your bags getting lost on the cruise ship. It also comes with a couple of lanyards for holding your key card.
5-Piece Suitcase Set
Ok, these aren’t the four-wheel suitcases that we recommend, however, if you simply need a lot of bags for a low price, it’s a good option. The package includes five different bags, include three suitcases, a duffel, and a laptop bag. That’s enough to pack for an entire family for a cruise. Meanwhile, it doesn’t get any cheap — just $80 for the five-piece set.
Leather Duffel Bag
It doesn’t get more stylish than packing with this leather duffel. Made of 100% leather, it’s the perfect size for a weekend bag, carry-on, or a short cruise. You’ll pay for the quality — it’s $120 for just one piece. However, if you are the type of traveler who values quality and style, and are willing to pay for it, then this might be your favorite option.
Lightweight Daypack Backpack
When it comes to heading into port, there’s nothing more convenient than a backpack. Simply toss in your towels, a change of clothes, water bottle, and set out to explore. In addition, you can use the backpack as an additional bag for packing for your cruise. The vast majority of cruise passengers can easily get by on a 7-day cruise with just a suitcase and a backpack. This one runs just $23 on Amazon.
Collapsible Backpack
Yes, you can pack a regular backpack but if you need to save some space then check out this collapsible pack. It folds out to a daypack, but can be folded up into a tiny pouch that fits easily in a suitcase without taking up hardly any space. This version costs just $16 and comes in 10 different colors to match any style.
Rainproof Over-the-Shoulder Daypack
Not everyone wants to carry a full backpack with them, but still wants a little space to store items like a camera and a swimsuit. This shoulder bag is perfect for just tossing over your shoulder and heading out to port, without having to carry a bulky bag. It also claims to be rainproof, making it great for those times you get caught in an afternoon shower in the Caribbean. Best of all, it’s just about $12 on Amazon.
