As someone who tends toward action and adventure, I was thrilled to join two back-to-back cruises with Adventure Canada recently. The first was a 10-day Circumnavigation of Newfoundland, and the next was an Atlantic Island journey that included Sable Island, known for its legendary wild horses and the world’s largest colony of grey seals. Both were active trips that included hiking through dense forests and along rugged coastlines in several National Parks, so I leaned into gear suitable for hiking. However, I also wanted to bring outfits that would allow me to look presentable at dinner, along with options to hit up the sauna and hot tub.

My final cruise packing list was streamlined and very efficient since I wanted it all to fit into a single suitcase and carry-on backpack. In addition to my hiking and eveningwear, I also threw in some swimsuits, cover-ups, comfy walking sandals, and a Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap Bar so I could hand-wash some of my clothes in my bathroom sink instead of paying sky-high laundry fees.

If you’re heading on an extended cruise that involves more adventurous activities, I put together this foolproof cruise packing list that will keep you comfortable and carefree so you can enjoy the sail.

Osprey Tempest Pro 30 

Even if you’re not a hiker, you may appreciate a hiking backpack simply because they are more comfortable than most traditional travel packs. As they are designed to carry a lot of weight all day long, they tend to have good weight distribution and suspension, which is the case with this new Osprey backpack, the Tempest Pro 30. I’ve worn it on hundreds of miles of hikes (including several epic hikes on the Adventure Canada cruises), but I also use it as my carry-on bag. It can fit my laptop, headphones, books, and everything I need on the flight, and then it doubles as a daypack and hiking pack during the trip. I also love how much it expands — I wound up buying a ton of glacier water soaps, sea salt, Labrador tea, and wild berry jams in Canada that I needed to find room for in my luggage. Of course, the jam went in my checked Away Trunk suitcase, but everything else fit in this backpack in the overhead compartment.

Thule Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes can help you stay organized, but many of them can also compress extra air out of the cubes to save space. These Thule packing cubes do just that, so I can fit more clothes into less space, which is crucial on a three-week cruise since I’m bringing so much extra stuff. (Just be sure not to start your trip with a fully stuffed suitcase, as you won’t have any room for souvenirs!) My strategy is to start the trip without relying on the compression feature, but then use it at the end when I need a bit more space for any fun foods or goodies I like to bring home.

Knockaround Sport Polarized Sunglasses

Good sunglasses are a must for any trip, particularly if you plan on being outside a lot. And because the glare off of water is especially bright and blinding, sunglasses are essential for cruising. These polarized Knockaround glasses are cute, affordable, and durable, so they’re a great choice if you’re on a budget. Their non-slip frames with rubber pads will never slide down your nose (or off your face), and they don’t steam up. 

Lululemon Wunder Train High-rise Short

Though I’ve been practicing yoga for years, I only just discovered yoga shorts this year in an attempt to sweat less in Pilates class. Lululemon’s Wunder Train shorts are perfect for yoga, pilates, and any type of workout because they are comfortable, super-stretchy, and dry quickly. As such, I wore them during these cruises for guided on-board yoga, stretch classes, and hiking. I also wore them into the on-board sauna, so these shorts may have gotten more use than any other item I packed. Because they dry quickly, I easily washed them in my cabin sink and re-wore them throughout the trip. I like the 8-inch version because it prevents my thighs from rubbing together, but they also come in shorter lengths.

Smartwool Classic All-season Merino T-shirt

I love Merino wool because it’s soft, comfortable, and versatile enough to be worn in any temperature or season. Moisture wicks away and dries quickly, so you don’t overheat in summer or freeze in winter. I’ve worn this shirt on hot and sweaty hikes in Tucson and Mesa, Arizona, and through chilly fall hikes in New York’s Adirondacks, so I knew I had to pack it for my cruise. Though it’s designed for hiking, I sometimes pair it with khaki shorts or jeans because of the fun, bright colors it comes in (hello, pink and yellow!) that make it a cute all-around top. Because it dries quickly, I washed it in my bathroom sink a couple of times and re-wore it during the trip. I also love that Smartwool is one of few outdoor brands that is using sustainably-sourced wool and has inclusive sizing (up to a 4X).

Smartwool Active Women’s Leggings

These leggings are phenomenal. I originally got them for hiking because, as I mentioned, I’m a big fan of Smartwool’s sustainable sourcing of high-quality materials and prioritizing all-around comfort. The leggings are intended for active women like myself, but I’ve also worn them with cute tops and hoodies. For my cruise, I sometimes wore the leggings for hiking, but I also paired them with pretty blouses for on-board activities. Because I have the all-black pair, they match with just about anything, and the side pockets were perfect for keeping my room and ship key cards nearby.

Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoes

I’ve been wearing these Altra shoes (or a previous iteration of them) for several years, and they’re my absolute favorite all-around shoe. They have great grip for light hikes, and the extra-wide toe box makes them comfortable and aids with stability and balance. I also brought these sturdy Vasque hiking boots on the trip, which I wore for several super steep eight-mile hikes, but I mostly wore the Altra shoes for light hikes, exploring cities, and when flying to and from Canada.

MiracleSuit Swim Shorts

I have always been and will always be a swim shorts girl. In my opinion, shorts are far more practical and comfortable than bikini bottoms, and they can work for kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports. What I love about these is that they have shapewear built into them to help with shaping and support. MiracleSuit also makes cute tankini tops to pair with them, but I usually just wear my swim shorts with whatever sports bra I had on that day. This way, I get some support from the bra, and I don’t have to wash two tops.

Coolibar UPF 50+ Women’s Shoreside Swim Cover-up Dress

I’m a huge fan of Coolibar because they exclusively make sun-protective clothing, from hats and swimsuits to dresses and leggings. This sun-protective cover-up dress is one of my favorites that I’ve owned for about four years, and it’s still in great shape. I wear it over my swimsuit as a cover-up, but I also wear it on its own with leggings and a sweater, or use it as a nightgown. It works triple duty and is unbelievably light and breezy, so it’s perfect for warm climates. 

Waterproof Otterbox Fre Phone Case for MagSafe

As expensive as phones are these days, I don’t dare leave my house without a sturdy case. I love this Otterbox Fre phone case because it’s sturdy and waterproof without being too big and bulky. Because I’m not a huge fan of waterproof pouches (which often distort the quality of pictures), I rely on the waterproofness of this case should it drop in the pool or get splashed while kayaking. And because it’s MagSafe compatible, I just bring my wireless power bank off the ship to charge my phone if needed. 

Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap Bar

Dr. Bronner’s is one of the most trusted names in the soap game and I’ve been using some variation of their products for nearly 15 years. These handy little bars are solid so they don’t count toward your carry-on liquid count, and because they get used up during your trip, you wind up with more space in your toiletries bag than you started with. Not only do I use this soap to wash my body, but I also use it to scrub my clothes clean in the sink, as mentioned before. (Note that it can also be used for hair, but it leaves it a bit dry.) These natural, organic, and biodegradable bars are also ideal for use on a ship because the water from sinks and showers gets dumped directly into the ocean, which means that any artificial colors, smells, or chemicals in your toiletries also end up in there (which is obviously hugely problematic for the ocean’s plants and animals). Adventure Canada is a sustainably-minded company, so all of the shampoo and soap on board is biodegradable, unlike most cruise companies. 

Keen Rose Sandals

Because I don’t want to be stuck in hiking shoes and boots every day, I always pack a pair of sandals. I love the Keen Rose sandals because they work double duty: these adventure sandals have a grippy sole that allows me to do light hikes in them, but they’re still stylish enough cute to wear with dresses, skirts, and leggings. They offer way more support than most sandals, which means I can wear them through a full day of activities and then to dinner without my feet feeling sore or worn down.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Insulated Water Bottle

Bottled water is an environmental catastrophe worldwide, and, unfortunately, some behind-the-times cruise ships are still handing out thousands of plastic bottles per day, even in destinations where the local tap water is potable (like Europe). Adventure Canada is ahead of the curve, so they have on-board water filtration and numerous water refill stations around the ship. They even provide each passenger with a free, high-quality metal water bottle, but I love mine so much that I turned it down.

I’ve used this Hydro Flask bottle for several years because it’s rugged, lightweight, and insulated (which I appreciated during several exceptionally hot hiking days). I usually stuff the bottle into the side pocket of my daypack, but because it has a handle, I can also clip it to a kayak or raft with a carabiner. 

Arc’Teryx Women’s Beta LT Jacket

This is my all-time favorite jacket and it’s 100-percent worth its price tag. It’s ultra-lightweight and breathable, so you can wear it on its own or layer it over a fleece and bottom layer to use it year-round. I’ve hiked hundreds of miles in it, including frigid treks in Yellowstone this winter and a wet and wild 96-mile hike in the Scottish Highlands last summer. During this three-week cruise, we were mostly blessed with sunny skies, but I was happy to have the jacket to keep me dry during a few rainy city walks and to keep me warm on some windy hikes.

Image Skincare Daily SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion

Sunscreen is an absolute must for any vacation, any time of year, as it’s possible to get sunburn (and to suffer sun damage) even in the winter. My aesthetician put me on to Image years ago, and I’ve been using this facial sunscreen for at least two years. I love how light and clean it feels, versus full-body sunscreens that tend to feel heavy and pore-clogging. I always go with the SPF 50 for max protection, and I buy a big bottle to keep at home. I then transfer into leak-proof travel containers for my trips.

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