Cruise cabins aren’t exactly known for their generous storage space. Between narrow closets, limited drawers, and suitcases squeezed under the bed, staying organized can feel like a challenge. That’s where packing cubes come in. These simple zippered pouches are like Tetris blocks for your luggage: they keep your clothes tidy, maximize suitcase space, and make unpacking in your cabin almost effortless.
We’ve sailed with cubes for years, and trust us — once you try them, you’ll never go back to stuffing clothes loosely into a suitcase.
What Are Packing Cubes (and Why Use Them on a Cruise)?
Packing cubes are fabric organizers that fit neatly inside your suitcase. They come in different sizes (small for underwear and socks, medium for shirts and shorts, large for bulkier items like jeans or jumpers). Many have mesh tops for visibility or compression zippers to squeeze out extra air.
On a cruise, packing cubes really shine because:
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Cabin space is limited. Cubes help you “file” clothes into drawers instead of digging through piles.
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They prevent wrinkles. Clothes shift less during travel, so you arrive looking cruise-ready.
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They separate clean from dirty. Just dedicate one cube for laundry.
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They keep families sane. Color-code cubes so each person’s clothes are instantly identifiable.
⚓ Pro Tip: Compression cubes are perfect for bulky items like jackets or formalwear.
How We Organize Our Packing Cubes
There’s no single right way to use them, but here’s the system that works for us at sea:
1. Sort by Category
We use one cube for swimwear, another for dinner outfits, another for casual clothes. Accessories and tech get their own small cube. This makes it simple to grab what we need without unpacking everything.
2. File, Don’t Pile
Another option is to fold clothes into slim rectangles and “file” them upright inside the cube. That way, when you unzip, you can see every item at a glance
3. Use a Laundry Cube
On a 7-night sailing, we dedicate one medium cube to dirty clothes. It keeps everything contained until laundry day (or until we get home).
4. Mix Sizes
Small cubes = underwear, swimwear, or socks.
Medium cubes = T-shirts, shorts, or dinner outfits.
Large cubes = jeans, jumpers, or evening dresses.
Extra Benefits for Cruisers
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Faster unpacking: Slide cubes straight into drawers. Done.
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Space optimization: The compression style saves room for souvenirs.
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Hygiene: Waterproof cubes keep damp swimsuits or shoes from mixing with clean clothe
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Flexibility: If your bag is overweight, you can shift a cube into your carry-on.
⚓ Pro Tip: Keep one cube half-empty for bringing home extras — cruise shopping happens.
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