packing challenge: carry on only for a 12 day river cruise

​Setting out for an adventure is thrilling, but packing can feel like a chore! For my upcoming 12-day River Cruise Expo Trip I am challenging myself to pack light. Yup – I'm headed on a trip for nearly two weeks relying solely on a carry-on luggage!
Choosing the right suitcase is crucial for this challenge. I will be bringing a wheeled suitcase for my main pack and a backpack for day-to-day essentials. I want to stay organized so I plan to use different sized packing cubes. They are perfect for condensing clothing, making room for other essentials and keeping things neat, which is so important while living out of a suitcase for twelve days!
Traveling in the winter means I will need to bring bulky sweaters and sweatshirts. Fitting them into a carry-on seems next to impossible so I will be using space bags to eliminate the air. These vacuum-sealed bags shrink down bulky items so I can fit what I need.
My fellow travelers can expect to see me in the same color palette the entire trip! I’ll be mixing and matching my tops and bottoms to create new outfits! Luckily, the river cruise lines offer affordable laundering services so I can send my clothes to be washed midway through the trip and have fresh, clean clothes the entire time!
When it comes to toiletries – less is more. I plan to carry only travel-sized toiletries and use hairdryers provided by the accommodations.
I am a little worried about this new challenge, let's see how it goes! I will report back and let you know!
Do you ever travel with just carry-on? Let me know some of your strategies!
me know some of your strategies!