Cruise questions- Eastern Caribbean?

Question

I am going on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean (PuertoRico and Virgin Islands) in a few days and i have a few questions:

- Should i take bug repellent?

- Does it get cooler at night or does the temp. stay the same?

- Is there any specific thing that i should take?

-Does the currency work or do i need to exchange money?

and do you have any sugestions?

thanks

Answer 1

I have been on Eastern Caribbean cruises several times, including Puerto Rico and the VI's and the temperatures will be about 80 to 90 degrees all of the time.  It will be cooler after sundown but still in the 70's.  I have NEVER needed bug repellent and you are not likely to either unless you go on a tour or something on  a beach or in the woods at night.  Around and about town and on the ship you will not need any.

There is no need to exchange money as the US dollar will be accepted in PR, St Thomas, St Maarten, and pretty much all of the other islands in the Caribbean.  But, do take some small bills like $1's, and $5's for bartering at the markets and the vendor stands.  If you need/want  to make a big purchase like jewelry and/or cosmetics or clothing you  can and should use major credit cards.

Here's my listing of things to consider taking on your cruise:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.  If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:

-swim wear (at least 2),

-shorts, tank tops and "T's"

-sandals,  beach shoes,

-your snorkel equipment if you have it,

-sun glasses and sun screen,  lotions,

-a cap or big hat for the sun,

-a book if you are a reader,

-your music player,

-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym,

-good walking shoes,

-your camera, and

-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, and  slacks for men and a skirt, blouse, pants suit or dress for women, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice.   Since you are going to the Caribbean you will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up, unless you are going on a NCL ships where things are pretty informal even on formal nights. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't. We always take the formal stuff off after dinner and a photo or two and go back to casual stuff.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take a big (like 16 oz) cup or mug, preferably with a top that seals,  for the free beverages like iced tea, punch, lemonade, or even the hot drinks, because the plastic glasses and cups the ship provides are usually kinda small.

Answer 2

Never had trouble with bugs, temps stay warm, take the good time gene, money is the same at most places...  A good time will be had if you just let it, i don't like taking planned trips, so i just go off on my own, you see more and can take your time doing it!!!  Just go and have fun, have a cocktail for me!!!

Answer 3

Take a strong sun screen. Both port take dollars.

Shorts during the day. Dressy at night.

Have fun