Three-Year Cruise Resident Shares Packing Strategies and Travel Gear

Libby Rome, who has lived aboard cruise ships with her husband for the past three years, has developed packing methods designed around shipboard travel.

Rome said she uses a large backpack rather than a roller bag so she can take the stairs when elevators become crowded during embarkation, disembarkation and busy periods at sea. The Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack was listed at Amazon for $180, compared with $220.

For organization, Rome said packing cubes let her sort clothing by category, unpack quickly and move between cabins during back-to-back cruises. A 10-piece set of OlarHike compression packing cubes was listed at Amazon for $30, compared with $40.

Rome also recommended magnetic hooks for displaying daily papers and itineraries while creating additional places to hang clothing, hats, lanyards and bags.

Other listed travel clothing included Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants at REI for $77, compared with $109, and the Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket at Amazon for $70, compared with $100.