Packing List and Tips

What to Bring on your Caribbean Cruise

Packing light while bringing everything you need is a challenge. Here is what I recommend  you bring to be prepared for the fun days at sea, the beautiful days in port, and the elegant evenings onboard your cruise ship. It’s important to bring all the cruise essentials and to pack them in the correct bag.

I recommend bringing 2 outfits per day. You will need outfits for your day-time adventures on the ship or at the ports, as well as for the evenings. Cruisers tend to dress better at night to go to dinner, catch a show, go to the bars or dancing, or even take pictures with a sunset in the background or around the ship.

Check the cruise line’s dress codes. A typical 7-night cruise will include 2 formal (Dress Your Best) evenings. A 5-night cruise or shorter, usually has only one formal night.  Keep in mind that dress codes apply in the main dining room only. You  don't  have to dress up but wearing a slightly nicer outfit those nights will make you feel better and part of the crowd. It's a cruising culture thing we do.

Packing List for a Caribbean Cruise

The Caribbean is very warm, so plan on wearing light clothing during the day. Bring shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, and light sundresses. The months of January, February, and March tend to be a little bit cooler, so plan accordingly. Bring a light sweater as some areas of the ship could be a little cooler at times. Here is an example of what we usually pack.

WOMEN

2 Bathing Suits
2 Cover Ups
3-4 Pairs of Shorts
7-8 T-Shirts or Tank Tops
2-3 Sundresses
2-3 Casual Evening Dresses
2 Cocktail Dresses/fancy Dresses
2-3 Light Tops/Blouses for evening
2 Capri Pants/nice Jeans for Evening
Work-out Clothes
Underwear and Sleepwear
Comfortable Shoes for Walking
Dressy Shoes (evening)
Flip Flops or Sandals for Beach/Pool
Casual Shoes for Day
Casual Shoes/Wedge for Evening
Shawl or Pashmina
Light Sweatshirt or Cardigan for Cooler Evenings
Sunhat
Evening Bag or Clutch
Jewelry

MEN

3-4 Shorts
7 T-Shirts
2 Bathing suits
1-2 pairs jeans
1-2 khakis
3 Polos
2 Buttoned shirts
1 Suit
2 Dress Shirts
Underwear and Sleepwear
Work-Out Clothes
1 Sweater or Light Jacket
Sandals/Flip Flops
Gym Shoes
Dress Shoes
Casual Shoes
Caopor Hat
Sunglasses
Belt
Neck Tie

Do not Forget to pack these in your Carry-On bag.

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  1. Passport or Government Issued ID: This is the most important things to pack. Make sure to have this on you. DO NOT pack it in your checked luggage or you may not board the ship.
  2. Cruise Documents: Print out your cruise documents, flight and hotel reservations and other travel documents you might need. Be prepared in case you phone dies or gets stolen. Keep the together wallet/holder or even a bag.
  3. Lanyard: Keep your cruise card accessible both on the ship and in port. This keeping your hands free and help to avoid forgetting or losing it.  These come in different desing including cruiseline logos.
  4. Medication: Bring prescription and over the counter medications. If you lose your luggage you can still travel but missing your medication will be devastating.
  5. Seabands or Seasickness Medication: Make sure to bring some motion sickness remedies just in case. It is possible to be affected by some seasickness during your cruise. If you do, you want to combat it as early on as possible.
  6. Polarized Sunglasses: It’s  the Caribbean sun. Protect your eyes and be comfortable.  Look cool.
  7. Insulated Tumbler: Fill it with your favorite refreshment everywhere you go to keep it cool or hot.
  8. Cameras and Electronics: Do I need to explain why this should be in your carry-on bag?
  9. Wine or Soda: Many cruise lines allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine and 12 cans of soda free of charge. You cannot put this items in your luggage, or they will be confiscated. Check your cruise line policy for allowed types and quantities before you pack.
  10. Individual Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes: Keep yourself and your party healthy. Use them often from day one. Take them with you when visiting  the ports.
  11. A Change of Clothes: Not essentials, but know that your luggage  will not arrive at your cabin until late afternoon  or even that evening. If you think that you'll be uncomfortable wearthing the same embarkation clothes to dinner, you can pack an extra outfit in your carry-on bag just in case.
  12. Jewelry and Valuables: Again… Do I need to explain?

Do not Forget to pack these in your Luggage

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  1. Sunscreen: It's the Caribbean. The sun is simply not the same and it will cook you alive. Do not ruin your vacation.
  2. Aloe Vera (After Sun Care): I have needed this once or twice. If you forget to reapply sunscreen throughout the day you may get burned more that you would like to. This gel eases the burning sensation and helps is heal faster.  It is sold on the cruise ship but it will be more expensive.
  3. Insect Repellent: It is unlikely that you will need need it on the ship, at the port, or at most beaches. However, if you go on excursions to forest, zip-lining, rivers, caves or other inland sites, having insect repellant is essential.
  4. Beach Bag: Bring a good quality waterproof, zippered beach bag that can hold your towels, sunscreen, water bottles, etc.
  5. Waterproof Phone Case: Don't want to leave  your phone at the pool lounger or under the umbrella at the beach? Bring it with you to the water in a waterproof case.
  6. Snorkel and Mask: If your itinerary includes places where snorkeling is possible, buy a good set and bring it with you.
  7. Towel Clips: Pool deck and beaches are windy. Many cruisers use these to secure their towels to the chairs so they don't fly away.
  8. Water Shoes: Check the description of the beaches you may visit. Some can be grainy or rocky, so it’s a good idea to pack a pair of water shoes. You will be glad you did.
  9. Non-surge Protected Power Bar: Cabins usually have only one or two power outlets. don't  have many outlets. To charge your electronics, you will need more plugs. So it is recommended to bring one. Note that it has to be a non-surge protected one. A regular surge protected power bar will be confiscated.
  10. Poo-Pourri Bathroom Spray: It's a small bathroom in a small cabin. Cruisers recommend this.
  11. Motion Sensor Night Light: A portable motion sensor night light is practical especially for interior cabins, which will be pitch black when the lights are off.
  12. Toiletries: Pack your favorite toiletries. Everyone has his favorites. The sky's the limit here.
  13. Downy Wrinkle Release Spray: I try to bring clothes that are less prone to wrinkling.  However, you will always have some garments that could use an iron. There are none in your cabin and you can’t bring a steamer.  So, wrinkle release spray is the best next inexpensive  solution for removing wrinkles from your favorite cruise outfits.
  14. Mesh Laundry Bag: I use our suitcase (sits under the beds) as our laundry basket during the sailing. The last night, we put all the dirty laundry in the mesh bag to keep it separate from the clean clothes.  This bag then goes into the suitcase.
  15. Highlighter & Post-it Notes: Some of us like looking at the daily calendar  of activities on paper. A highlighter helps mark the activities that catch our interests.  This allows us to leave messages  for each other or to the steward on the door or in the cabin.
  16. Travel Blow Dryer: The quality of the small blow dryer provided in your cabin will be similar to that of a hotel. If that’s not powerful enough for you, consider bringing a small quality blow dryer.
  17. Small First Aid Kit: It’s a good idea to also bring a small first aid kit with bandaids and other useful items. These are expensive on the ship.

Other Cruise essentials

  • Sunshades
  • Hat or visors
  • Waterproof phone case/bag
  • Light jacket
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Neck fan
  • Beach bag
  • Air Tag
  • Luggage Tag Sleeve
  • Champagne Stopper or
  • Wine Stopper
  • Light Backpack
  • Room Freshener