We are going on a Caribbean cruise at the end of the summer, and I was hoping for some packing hints?

Question

What are absolute must haves and what should I just leave at home? What did you forget you wish you hadn't? It's a 7 day cruise, so I need to plan accordingly. Thanks!

Answer 1

Bring plenty of sun screen and bug repellent, plus cool comfy clothes. It is humid there and cotton or silk is the best. Forget about polyester anything. Also forget about jeans as they are too heavy. That goes for the men too if you can convince them of that. I bring only sandals, no regular shoes except for 1 pair of tennis shoes for excessive walking. I wear sandals even with my dressy clothes too.

Answer 2

I think I really like the blue after sun gel. When your sunburnt there is nothing better then cooling aloe. I always bring solarcaine too.

Also...if you drink alot of people put the booze in shampoo bottles ect as the ship checks all bags and takes out bottles if they find them. They want to sell their booze......AT 10 BUCKS A GLASS.

Pack your own and get a juice from them.

Answer 3

Do a search for "cruise packing list" - you'll get more info than could ever use!

Also, try CruiseCritic.com.  Click on "Boards", then search for "packing list".

Answer 4

I normally don't overpack when I travel, but on my first cruise I sooo overpacked.  On my second cruise I took only a couple pair of comfy shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, formal wear w/shoes and hiking boots for my excursions.  Don't forget a swimsuit also.  Sunscreen and bug spray if you are going to do excursions.  I also bring a pair of jeans and sweatshirt because sometimes the A/C on the boat is a little too cold for me - and evenings can sometimes be chilly.  Standard toiletries - if you forget anything, you can buy it on the boat.  Unlike fancy hotels - the shops on the boat don't gouge your wallet.  Honestly - whatever you can bring in a small suit case is good.   Less is better.  So much is available on the boat, that it isn't a catastrophe if you forget something.  Oh, also sunglasses / hat for the sun.  Have a great time!

Answer 5

I have been on about 20 cruises, many in the Caribbean, and here's what I suggest based on my experiences:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY.

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, slacks, skirt, blouse, 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. If 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. 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.

-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.

- 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 some one dollar bills (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.