For the Love of Packing Cubes
Don’t leave home without them!
Not only can packing cubes save space in your luggage, but more importantly they save precious time unpacking and re-packing on a cruise ship.
One of the most common questions new cruisers have is how to pack 7 to 8 days worth of outfits for multiple climates into your luggage and still have room for souvenirs? The Answer: Packing Cubes!
These handy, zipping, plastic rectangles of ingenuity will help you save space, save time, and save sanity when packing (and unpacking). There are a variety of options to choose from purchasing packing cubes. And in this article we will discuss what they are, the top brands, and how to use them effectively.
Need a list for packing CLICK HERE
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Need a list for packing CLICK HERE -
What in the World?
Packing cubes are typically water resistant fabric cubes with zippers used for sorting your clothes. They come in multiple fabrics, colors, and sizes. Purchasing a set of packing cubes allows you to assign different types of clothing items to a certain cube, like sweaters in a large cube and socks in a small cube. This allows you to stay organized not just while packing, but also while unpacking. In fact, the #1 reason to use packing cubes is because they are easy to unpack and pack; saving you precious time on the cruise ship! I love unpacking my luggage now, because all I have to do is pull out the cube and put it in a drawer or cabinet and I am unpacked in minutes! Same goes for packing the night before leaving the cruise ship; I only spend minutes prepping my luggage with the help of packing cubes.
Do packing cubes save space? Yes, IF they are compression cubes. These styles of cubes have a main zipper to open/close the bag, and a secondary zipper that circles the bag and tightens the fabric, squeezing the contents. This is excellent for trying to fit all your clothes in a carry-on bag, avoiding the additional expense of check-on luggage. So compression bags save you space and money!
Which Cubes to Buy
Although we are not affiliated with these companies, purchasing one of the sets below helps our website and we get a little kickback from Amazon (think of it as buying us a chocolate bar).
CHEAPEST - Amazon Basics - A great starter set for less than $20! Note, these are not compression.
DURABLE - Eagle Creek - People swear by this brand although it is more expensive for less cubes.
LIGHTEST - BAGAIL Ultralight -A non-compression set weighing 2oz less than other brands.
HIGHEST RATED - Shacke Premium - Although not compression, these are highly rated for their durability and ease of organization.
ARTSY - Cambond Color - Fun colors allow for distinct organization of clothing and faster identification.
MY CHOICE - BAGAIL Compression - I have been using this brand since 2019 with no problems!
Did you know that rolling your clothes while packing for a cruise will save space and reduce wrinkles?!!
To Fold or Roll . . . That is the Question.
One of the benefits of using packing cubes not discussed so far is that they reduce wrinkles! Packing cubes reduce movement in luggage which helps prevent wrinkling of your clothes. And in order to increase space in your cube and prevent further wrinkling, it is HIGHLY suggested that you ROLL your clothing, rather than folding it. A simple dress can be rolled up or a pair of pants/jeans can be folded over and rolled up. The less folding, the less wrinkles. Here are steps to prepping your luggage with packing cubes.
Step 1: Gather your clothing items and sort them into categories (dresses, shirts, shorts/pants, undergarments, socks).
Step 2: Open and lay out each cube, determine which category of clothing should go in which bag based on size.
Step 3: Roll each item up (fold once if needed to fit) and place tightly in the cube. Fill compression bags to 80% capacity to allow for compression. Fill non-compression bags up to 100% to prevent moving.
Step 4: Once a cube is full zip it up. Compression bags should have a 2nd zipper to tighten the fabric.
Step 5: Arrange your bags in your luggage. Place larger bags down first, and fill in remaining space with smaller bags. It’s like playing Tetris.
Step 6: Now fill the nooks and crannies of your luggage with toiletries, shoes, belts, socks, chargers and more! This is how the pros maximize that space.
Step 7: If flying, weigh your luggage to make sure it fits the regulations of your chosen air company.
Step 8: Make sure your luggage is tagged with your personal contact info and has some type of identifier that makes it stand out, so no one mistakes it for their own.
As you prepare for your cruise adventure, remember that packing shouldn’t feel like a chore—it’s all part of the excitement! With a little planning, trusty lists, and of course packing cubes, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of your time at sea. So, grab your suitcase, lay out your essentials, and get ready to set sail!
As Always, BIG HUGS and BLUE SKIES
P.S. Check out our next week’s article 20 Travel Essentials at Dollar Tree to learn how to SAVE more $$$ while packing! And don’t forget to join our Facebook Group!
