Go over your itinerary. Every cruise is different. Some are seven days, some four days, and some might only be a weekend. Also, some cruises may have days where the ship docks in a port for an extended period of time (during which you can buy extra clothes or other provisions) while some cruises only dock at the beginning and end of the trip. Before you can pack, lay out the itinerary completely, so you know what happens each day of the trip.
Plan your outfits for each day. Use the itinerary to figure out what items to use on each day. For example, if the itinerary calls for a day in which you will hike in Hawaii, then make sure to set hiking shoes aside for that day. If you will snorkel, set your snorkeling gear aside. Lay out all the outfits and accessories on your bed or on the floor.
Begin packing. If you need more than one suitcase, it is helpful to pack similar items in the same suitcase. For example, if it is a seven-day cruise, packing for the first four days in one suitcase and the last three days in the second suitcase will help keep your cabin organized.
Remove unnecessary items. If you don't have enough room in your suitcase for all the items you want to bring, decide which ones you can leave behind. You can usually buy disposable items such as lotion or hats on the cruise ship, saving room in your suitcase. Also, it is helpful if you mix and match the clothes you bring to create different outfits instead of using new clothes every day.
Leave room for souvenirs. When packing, remember you'll buy souvenirs to take home from your Hawaiian vacation. Setting aside space now saves you from having to purchase a suitcase in Hawaii for your new belongings.
