Packing post-Spring break edition

I’m not at all a packing expert. As a matter of fact, I almost ALWAYS forget something when I go on a trip. However, I think that packing a week in advance and making long detailed lists has really given me a leg up this time around. Today, I am sharing three tips that will help you fit your week-long vacation in one carry-on suitcase and a personal bag. My friends and I are headed on a 7 day cruise that leaves out of NOLA! We are stopping in Belize, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel. This tropical spring break getaway calls for bright and colorful outfits as well as some fun graphic tees and swimsuits.

1. The first tip I have for all you spring break packers out there is to write everything down. I started by making my clothing list on the left hand side of the paper and as I went, I thought of anything special that would be needed to go with those clothing items. For example, my “jet lagged” top needs a strapless bra so out to the right side, I wrote that down. And as I went on I would ask myself the same questions, but if I needed the strapless bra for something else, I wouldn’t write it because it would already be packed. I also made a list for accessories, shoes and personal items.

2. The second tip I have is specific to fitting your clothes/travel items in a carry-on sized bag. The biggest piece of advice I have is TRY EVERYTHING ON. I cannot tell you how many times I have made up outfits in my head before a trip and then gotten to my destination to find out that it looks horrible together. I tried everything on before I put it together as an outfit and packed it. Which brings me to my next piece of advice when packing light; try and create outfits that you can actually wear on your trip. It wouldn’t be realistic for all of my outfits to be formal dresses and heels when I am going to be traveling from the ship to different ports. I packed mainly “Caribbean” clothing with bright colors and fun patterns. I did pack a sweatshirt and a sweater as well as a pair of jeans in case it is cold on the ship. Another piece of advice when it comes to packing light is to see what your roommates/travel companions are bringing. Because I am bringing my curler, my roommate will bring her straightener and we will just share (we are doing this for many things).

3. Make sure to pack at least 24 hours in advance. This should be a no brainer but I feel like at least 75% of my friends (and college students in general) wait until the very last minute to pack. I know that packing a week early is a bit extreme, but I knew right away what I needed to grab when I was at Target over the weekend and I knew which things I still needed to throw in my bag! I also realized that I only had three bathing suits, so I went and bought this one while I was home since we will be on the ship for a week. My personal bag has been the hardest to configure so far because I have SO many personal items. I am carrying my camera, wallet, passport, medicine, Beats headphones, a swimsuit, change of clothes, and daily toiletries seeing as we won’t have access to our bags until the night of the cruise. This has been TOUGH because I feel like everything is important enough to have with me haha! If you have any tips on how to narrow this stuff down, let me know because I am struggling.

If you have any foodie recommendations for our night and morning in NOLA, I would love to hear some because I have never been! I was hoping to have a really good and filling brunch because we are unsure of when we will be eating on the cruise that first day! Also, I have linked some of my outfits above for y’all!

I have a post going up about my favorite outfit I am taking on the cruise with me on Thursday! Also, I have some exciting news coming to the blog in a few weeks. I am going to be changing my blog name, so look out for that post as well as a name change for my little internet child!

I hope you all have a great and relaxing spring break! I cannot wait for Friday!