Packing for your Disney Cruise- Pt 1. Luggage

Part 1: Packing – Luggage & Bags 🎒

When it comes to packing for a Disney Cruise, luggage strategy is everything. Our family rule is simple: one large suitcase and one carry-on (a big backpack) per person. The good news? Once you unpack, all of your suitcases slide neatly under the bed—out of sight and out of mind—so don’t stress about space!

We also always bring along waterproof cinch bags for excursions and, of course, a beach bag. These little extras make a huge difference when you’re heading off the ship.

🧑‍✈️ The Carry-On Backpack

Let’s start with my favorite: the backpack. I love the Loveook Backpack—it comes in three sizes, looks stylish, and works just as well for daily life as it does for travel. I use mine as a laptop bag when I’m not on vacation, and it’s TSA-approved for carry-on size. Bonus: it comes in lots of colors and has tons of space. My daughter uses hers for school (it’s lasted beautifully), and my husband… well, he’s had the same mystery bag for 15+ years with a million pockets I can never find anything in. (If it ain’t broke, right?)

🌴 The Excursion Cinch Bag

A cinch bag is a must-have for port days. I’m a big fan of packing light when we leave the ship—unless it’s a full-on beach day. A waterproof cinch bag is worth its weight in gold because:

• It rains a LOT in tropical climates.

• Even if it’s not raining, excursions often involve boats, fishing, or just being around water.

• A good one with an inside pocket will keep your passport safe and dry.

We currently use simple black waterproof versions in different colors so we can tell them apart. For our next cruise, I’m eyeing the Fengdong backpack, which folds down easily to fit inside your suitcase or backpack (a must—you do not want to juggle extra bags when you first board).

🏷️ Don’t Forget the Luggage Tags

And while we’re talking bags, let’s talk tags. Label everything. If you don’t want external tags on your backpack, at least put your name and contact info inside. Remember—just like at the airport, everyone’s luggage looks the same. On our last cruise, we walked into the pick-up room and it was a sea of nearly identical bags, even though they were organized by zone. A colorful or unique luggage tag makes your bag pop so you can spot it quickly. I’ve linked a few of my favorites that are fun, sturdy, and stand out in a crowd.

🏖️ The Beach Bag

If there’s one bag you don’t want to forget, it’s the beach bag. Whether you’re headed to Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay, lounging by the pool, or hopping off the ship for a port excursion, you’ll need something big enough to carry all the things. Sunscreen, swimsuits, snacks, water bottles, cover-ups, goggles… and maybe a stowaway plush Mickey or two.

Here’s the catch: the amount of stuff you end up needing—especially with kids—can be shocking. That’s why having the right beach bag (or two) is key.

A good beach bag should check four boxes:

• Waterproof (at least in parts): Because wet swimsuits and sandy flip flops happen.

• Spacious: Room for everyone’s gear without feeling like you’re cramming it all in.

• Durable: Strong straps and fabric that can handle sand, sunscreen spills, and salt water.

• Comfortable to carry: Especially important at Lookout Cay, where the walk from the ship to the beach is long. Sometimes it’s better to bring two lighter bags than one heavy one.

Here are my two favorite options:

• 🌺 For Adults-Only Trips: The pink tote is perfect if you’re traveling as a couple or with friends. It’s sleek, waterproof, and big enough for the essentials—like sunscreen, phone cases, a book, and maybe a tumbler for your favorite drink—without weighing you down.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Family Adventures: The teal bag is built for families. With waterproof lining and multiple compartments, it’s roomy enough for snacks, swimsuits, extra clothes, goggles, and all those “just in case” items kids magically require. Bonus: it folds flat in your suitcase, so it’s easy to bring along without sacrificing space.

And here’s the best part—Disney provides towels at the beach, so you don’t have to lug heavy, wet ones back to the ship. That leaves you with more space (and energy!) for the fun souvenirs you’ll inevitably find on the island.

🧳 Luggage: Suitcases & Spinners

If you want to go “on theme,” I’ve linked a couple of Disney-inspired suitcases I love. They’re fun, recognizable, and make the pre-cruise excitement even better. But whether you choose Disney prints or something classic, here’s my biggest piece of advice: don’t underestimate how much space you’ll need.

Cruise packing is a little deceiving. On paper, it seems like you’re only gone for a few days, so how much could you really need? The answer: a lot more than you think. Between dinner outfits (yes, you’ll want more than one), casual clothes, swimsuits (plural), cover-ups, shoes for every occasion, and just-in-case extras, it adds up quickly. Multiply that by the number of people in your family, and suddenly your “one medium suitcase” plan feels laughable. Each person somehow ends up with double the clothing you thought they would need.

That’s why we always go with one large suitcase per person and a carry-on. It may feel like overkill at first, but when you’re not scrambling to repack or do laundry mid-cruise, you’ll be glad you planned for the extra space. And here’s the best part: Disney staterooms are designed with storage in mind, so those big suitcases slide right under the bed once you’ve unpacked.

And please—save yourself the headache and choose luggage with four spinner wheels. When you’re making the long walk back through the terminal after your cruise, balancing souvenirs, sleepy kids, and what feels like triple the luggage you boarded with, you’ll thank me. Wrestling two-wheeled bags through customs is not the magical ending you’re looking for.

So there you have it- the backbone of your cruise packing strategy. With the right suitcases, backpacks, cinch bags, and beach totes, you'll be orgaanized, comfortable, and ready for whatever the trip throws at you (including the shocking amount of clothing and "essentials" every family member suddenly has to bring.)

But packing isn’t just about the bags—it’s about what goes inside them. In the next parts of this series, we’ll dive into exactly what to pack for your Disney Cruise: from clothing and toiletries to must-have extras you’ll be glad you didn’t forget.

For now, breathe easy knowing your luggage plan is in place. Next up: filling those bags with everything you’ll need to make your cruise as magical—and stress-free—as possible.