The Handbags I Actually Used on a Summer Cruise
It's been almost 10 years since my last cruise, so when it came time to pack for a week on Icon of the Seas, I found myself thinking about something completely different than I would have years ago.
Back then, I packed too many shoes.
Now, apparently, I pack too many handbags.
The funny thing is that most people probably don't think much about handbags on a cruise. And honestly, you don't need them. You can spend the entire week in flip-flops, a swimsuit cover-up, and your SeaPass around your neck and have an amazing time.
But if you're someone who enjoys getting dressed, putting looks together, and treating vacation wardrobes with the same thought you give your everyday wardrobe, then handbags become part of the trip too.
And while I definitely packed more than I technically needed, every bag ended up serving a completely different purpose.
Hermès Birkin Cargo 35
The Birkin Cargo 35 wasn't packed in my suitcase.
It was the travel bag.
It's the bag I walked onto the ship with, carrying everything I wanted close by before our room was ready. Travel documents, camera, sunglasses, chargers, snacks, kindle, airpods, and all the other things that somehow become essentials the moment you're traveling.
And unlike some travel bags that are great in theory but annoying in practice, the Cargo actually works. The pockets are useful and it holds an incredible amount.
It was my first-day bag, it will be my last-day bag, and it's probably one of the smartest travel bags in my collection.
Gucci Giglio Large Tote
If there was a surprise favorite of the trip, it was the Gucci Giglio.
I packed it primarily as my beach bag, but somewhere around day two it became my bag for almost everything.
Beach days, pool decks, walking around the ship, grabbing coffee in the morning, carrying all the random things that seem to accumulate throughout the day.
What surprised me most was how comfortable it is. Sometimes large totes look great but become annoying after an hour. This one never did. It sits perfectly on the shoulder, fits far more than it looks like it should, and somehow manages to make even the most casual vacation outfit feel intentional.
It's one of those bags that quietly stands out. It caught the attention of a few people throughout the trip, but what makes it special isn't immediately obvious. It's only after carrying it for a few days that you start to appreciate how easy it is to live with.
Chanel 25 Mini
For dinners, evening shows, and those moments when I wanted something smaller, I packed my Chanel 25 Mini.
I love this bag for travel because it feels relaxed. It doesn't have the formality of a Classic Flap, which makes it easier to wear on vacation.
Cruise evenings are funny because you leave your cabin for dinner and somehow don't make it back for hours. Dinner turns into a show, the show turns into a walk around the ship, and before you know it you're ordering dessert somewhere you definitely weren't planning on visiting.
The Chanel 25 Mini was perfect for all of it.
Hermès Birkin 25
The Birkin 25 came with me for the dressier dinners.
At this point it's one of those bags I can pack without thinking because I already know it's going to work. It's elegant without feeling precious and somehow makes almost any outfit look more put together.
There are certain bags that make you feel overdressed in vacation settings.
The Birkin 25 isn't one of them.
It feels polished, but never out of place.
Hermès Mini Kelly
What I loved most about it on this trip was the size. Cruise evenings don't require much. Once you're onboard, all you really need is your SeaPass, your phone, and maybe a lip gloss.
It was perfect for dinners, evening shows, and the nights that somehow ended with a quick stop at the arcade before heading back to the cabin.
Sometimes the smallest bag ends up making the most sense.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, every bag ended up having a role.
The Cargo got me onto the ship. The Gucci Giglio practically followed me everywhere. The Chanel 25 Mini handled most evenings. The Birkin 25 came out for dressier dinners, and the Mini Kelly was the perfect excuse to carry only the essentials.
If I had to choose one standout from the trip, though, it would be the Gucci Giglio.
I expected it to be useful.
I didn't expect it to become the bag I reached for almost every day.
