What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Most people think of a Caribbean cruise and imagine sunshine and crisp white sandy beaches, and it is just that. But don’t be fooled when it comes to packing clothes for the Caribbean – you may find you need a little bit of everything. So whether you are headed on a beachy Barbados Excursion or exploring caves in Cozumel, we’ve got your perfect list of what to pack for a Caribbean cruise!

OK, first of all let us get the obvious things packed neatly in your case, and they are: shorts, vests, flip flops, sun screen, sunglasses, hat and swimsuit. It is also worth taking a sundress too, ladies. These are the easy and obvious things that you must not embark on a Caribbean cruise without, especially if you are cruising during high season. It is likely these will be the only items of clothing you will need, but let me offer some other Caribbean packing advice.

Psst… Don’t worry! I will give you a final checklist at the end of this blog, so you won’t forget a thing.

One thing I learned during my Caribbean adventures is that the weather can change in the blink of an eye. One day you are enjoying tropical temperatures and lovely hot sunshine and then the next, torrential rain! You must pack a poncho or waterproof jacket of some kind, and it would be wise to pack some sneakers, socks and jeans too. I know they are going to weigh heavy in your luggage, but trust me, if you find yourself on an island without them and the rain keeps coming for the duration of the day then you will be sorry you left home without them!

During my visit to Roatan it rained all day, had I not had a poncho with me (that my friend kindly bought for me in Florida), then my day would have been pretty much ruined. Instead, Roatan turned out to be one of my favorite islands and we went all over it in about four hours! Yes, I got a little wet, but I was incredibly grateful for the poncho, it allowed me to carry on with my explorations and meet some cheeky monkeys on my Roatan on the Wild Side excursion.

I went from one weather extreme to the next with the above, so let me fill in the gap in the middle. You have to remember that between islands you are at sea and the evenings can sometimes be a little on the chilly side, especially if you are out on the open decks. Although it is not cold, it is wise to pack some clothing that gives you a little more skin coverage. My advice would be a light cardigan and chinos or smart trousers – same for the gentlemen, or maybe a lightweight sweater. This way you can enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful Caribbean sunsets without either being too hot or too cold.

So let us recap and run through what to pack for a Caribbean cruise:

• Shorts
• Vests
• Flip Flops
• Sun screen
• Sunglasses
• Sundress/ Light Daytime Dress
• Swimsuit
• Hat
• Poncho/ Waterproof Jacket
• Sneakers
• Jeans
• Socks
• Light Cardigan/ Sweater
• Chinos/ Smart Trouser
• Long-Sleeved Blouse

The best packing advice I could give would be to not over analyze it too much; just go with the flow! I always pack a little bit of everything, regardless where I am going or at what time of the year as you just never know how Mother Nature may be feeling from one day to the next. The last thing you want is your vacation ruined because you left your jacket on the bed at home!

Any other tips for what to pack for a Caribbean cruise? Share them with us (and everyone else – they’ll appreciate the advice!) below!