What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Wondering what to pack for a Caribbean cruise? I’m sharing my tips on everything you need to pack, plus a free printable Caribbean cruise packing list!

Whether you’re taking a short cruise, or you’re cruising to the Caribbean islands for seven days or longer, you can relax and have the best vacation with this complete packing guide. From your cruise outfits to tips for what you’ll need at the beach, it’s all here.

Start with your cruise carry on bag

Your cruise carry on bag is a super-important part of your Caribbean cruise packing list. I always pack mine first, before I even start packing suitcases. What you do (or don’t!) put in this bag can really make or break your enjoyment of embarkation day. Choose a bag that you can also use for your airline carry on, as a beach bag, and for walking around in port.

I like using my anti-theft travel bag for a cruise carry on bag. It’s large enough that I can fit all my embarkation day essentials, but not so huge that I’m annoyed carrying it around for hours. Your room won’t be ready for a while, so don’t take a bag that’s too big.

Cruise carry on bag basics:

• your medications
• your travel documents
• any valuable items (jewelry, electronics, cash, credit cards)
• sunscreen
• hat
• sunglasses
• one swimsuit

Extras:

• cruise card lanyard
• travel safe
• swim coverup
• something to wear to dinner
• comb or detangling brush (for after swimming)
• basic makeup
• travel toothbrush and toothpaste

Your larger suitcases may take several hours to be delivered to your room, so having a well-packed carry on bag is so helpful when you can’t access everything you’ve packed for the trip.

Read more: What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry On Bag

Toiletries and personal care items to pack for a Caribbean cruise

Don’t forget to check off all of your toiletries on your Caribbean cruise packing list! Buying them on the ship is usually very expensive, and the selection isn’t great.

You can often buy things that you’ve left behind when you’re in port, but why spend your precious vacation time tracking down deodorant?

The basics:

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• razor
• shaving cream
• deodorant
• bar soap
• shampoo
• conditioner
• sunscreen
• prescription medications
• vitamins and supplements
• hairbrush or comb
• feminine hygiene products
• travel first aid kit
• contact lenses
• contact lens solution

Tip: If you’re picky about your shampoo, conditioner, or body wash (or you prefer bar soap), pack your own. Stateroom bathrooms on a cruise ship generally don’t provide the best or most luxurious toiletries.

Extras:

• makeup
• makeup remover
• fragrance
• hairstyling tools
• hairstyling products
• facial cleanser
• moisturizer
• tweezers
• nail file and/or clippers
• dental floss
• mouthwash
• bug spray
• aloe vera gel
• hand sanitizer

I also like to take along a hanging toiletry bag to hang on the bathroom door. Stateroom bathrooms usually aren’t very big, so having a place to organize all of my toiletries makes a big difference in keeping the bathroom neat and tidy.

Clothing to pack for a Caribbean cruise

Temperatures in the Caribbean are generally very warm, but be sure to check the weather report before you leave.

June can be rainy in the Caribbean, and hurricane season runs from June through November. Pack accordingly, and remember it can be cooler on deck at night and in the air-conditioned dining rooms.

Also check your cruise line’s dress code, especially if you plan on eating in the main dining rooms. Although many cruise lines are moving towards a more relaxed dress code, there are usually some rules around attire in the dining rooms. Examples include no sleeveless shirts for men, no ripped jeans, or no shorts. Take a moment and read through your cruise line’s dress code before you pack.

Some cruise lines have formal nights, and you’ll need to be in dressy attire on those nights in the main dining rooms. If you don’t feel like packing formal clothes, you can always eat at the buffet, a specialty restaurant, or order room service on formal night!

The basics:

• socks
• underwear
• 2-3 bathing suits
• shorts and/or skirts
• t-shirts, polos and/or tanks
• lightweight dressy tops (blouses or button-up shirts)
• sundresses
• lightweight sweater, sweatshirt, or wrap

Tip: Save room in your suitcase by bringing just one basic dark dress or suit if you have more than one formal night. Accessorize with different jewelry, scarves, or ties.

Extras:

• swim cover-up or sarong
• formal outfit(s) if necessary
• lightweight long pants (for men’s dinner dress code)
• belt(s)
• lightweight rain jacket
• workout or yoga clothes for the gym

Read more: How to Prevent Wrinkled Clothes on a Cruise

Shoes to pack for a Caribbean cruise

Shoes can take up a lot of room in your luggage, so think about what activities and shore excursions you have planned before you start packing too many shoes!

Around the ship, most people wear casual footwear, like sandals, flip-flops, boat shoes, or tennis shoes. A pair of comfortable rubber-soled walking shoes is a necessity if you’ll be doing any walking tours.

If you’re visiting the beach or doing any water activities, you may want to pack an inexpensive pair of water shoes to protect your feet from rocks and hot sand.

Sometimes you can rent water shoes for the day, but it often costs almost as much as buying your own pair. For example, when we climbed Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, the shoe rental was $10 per person per day!

If you plan to hit the gym on the ship, don’t forget to pack your running shoes.

Pack a pair of dress shoes if you’ll be attending formal night or if you plan on hitting the nightclub or joining in on a dance class. I like to pack a single pair in a versatile color (like gold or silver) so they’ll match everything.

The basics:

• rubber-soled walking shoes to wear in port
• warm-weather shoes for around the ship (sandals, flip-flops, or boat shoes)

Extras:

• water shoes for shore excursions
• running shoes (if you’ll visit the gym)
• dress shoes for formal nights and/or dancing

Read more: How to Pack Light for a Cruise: 9 Essential Tips

Accessories to pack for a Caribbean cruise

You don’t need to pack lots of accessories for your Caribbean cruise, but I like to pack a few things that make life on board easier, or that help save a little money on the ship or in port. For example, I always pack my own snorkel gear so we don’t need to rent it.

Here are some accessories that I never cruise without:

• towel clips (for loungers on board and at the beach)
• strong magnetic hooks (to hang items on the stateroom wall)
• highlighters (to mark activities you’re interested in)
• packing cubes
• snorkel gear
• laundry basket or bag
• powdered laundry detergent (if your ship has self-service laundry)

Want to learn more about accessories that are great to take on a cruise? Read The 19 Best Cruise Accessories You Need to Pack

Make sure you get your free printable Caribbean Cruise Packing List. It has everything you need for an amazing Caribbean cruise! Just enter your email in the form below, and I’ll send it right over.

What are your must-haves to pack for a Caribbean cruise? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

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