Wondering what to pack for a Caribbean cruise? If you’re reading this, you’re probably counting down the days until your vacation. Trust us, we know the feeling – that mix of excitement, anticipation, and mild panic about what to pack. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with this guide to help you pack smart for your Caribbean cruise, have fun, and avoid the dreaded “I forgot my swimsuit” moment (because yes, it happens).
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What to wear onboard the ship
Cruise ships are like floating cities, and what you wear onboard will depend on the activities you’re planning. We’ve been on more than 33 cruises (most in the Caribbean) and pretty much take the same things every time. Here’s a handy list: 1. Comfortable daywear: Think breezy dresses, skorts, shorts, and lightweight shirts. Cruise ships can be big, and you’ll likely rack up steps just exploring. Skip the high heels unless you’re feeling brave (and have good balance). Casual resort wear is great and on many family-oriented cruise lines, a t-shirt and shorts will be common during the day. That said, some indoor spaces like the theater may be a bit chilly for some, so bring an extra layer like long sleeved shirt or light sweater. 
2. Evening attire: Cruise lines usually have a mix of casual and evening chic nights. For casual evenings, pack nicer resort wear – a sundress or khakis and a button-up shirt.
3. Sleep wear: Be sure to pack some sleep wear for answering the door when you order room service or enjoying breakfast on your veranda. Ann loves the Cool Nights sleep sets from Soma. Steve likes the Cuddle Duds sleep shorts and shirt sets.
What you’ll want for evening chic or formal nights
For evening chic nights, ladies might want a cocktail dress, and men, a jacket. From our experience, most men don’t wear ties anymore, especially in the laid-back Caribbean. Not a fan of dressing up? No worries – most cruise lines have alternative dining options that don’t require formal attire. 
3. Swimsuit cover-up: Heading to the pool? Bring a cover-up or sarong so you’re not awkwardly wandering the buffet in your bikini. We typically pack at least two swimsuits each for a 7-night Caribbean cruise. Ann brings one or two coverups and Steve usually packs an SPF long-sleeved, hooded shirt to protect himself from too much sun.
4. Layers: Even in the Caribbean, cruise ship interiors can get chilly. Pack a light sweater or cardigan for evenings on deck or indoor activities.
5. Comfy shoes: You’ll need these for walking the ship, dancing the night away, or beating everyone to the soft-serve ice cream machine. Priorities, right? We usually bring a pair of tennis shoes (also great for using the fitness center), sandals, or another pair of casual shoes. As for evenings, Steve typically brings one pair of black dress shoes and wears those every night. Ann brings two pair of slip-on sandals that are neutral colors (one black, one metallic) that go with all her outfits. We also love our Birkenstock Arizona EVA slide sandals for the pool area and excursions. 
What to wear for island excursions
The great thing about a Caribbean cruise is all the fabulous ports of call. Whether you’re exploring historic sites, lounging on beaches, or zip lining through a rainforest, you’ll want to dress the part: 1. Swimwear: Obviously. But pack a backup suit, too, because no one likes pulling on a soggy swimsuit from the day before.
2. Sun protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen are musts. You’ll thank us later when you’re not peeling like a banana.
3. Sandals or water shoes: These are perfect for rocky beaches, waterfall hikes, or water park adventures. Bonus: they’re also great for avoiding mystery squishy things in the ocean. I love my Chacos that I can buckle tightly to my feet. 4. Light, breathable clothing: Stick to lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen to stay cool in the tropical heat. Moisture-wicking athletic wear works great, too, especially if your excursion involves hiking or other physical activities.
5. A small backpack: Bring one to hold your essentials – water bottle, snacks, towel, sunscreen, and whatever souvenirs you pick up along the way (of course, we always buy a postcard). You could also take a zippered bag like this one Ann purchased from ALOHA.
The “don’t forget these” list
There’s always that one thing you wish you’d remembered. Here are some items you don’t want to leave behind:
- Your passport – As travel advisors, there are lots of things we can help you with. But if you don’t bring your passport, there’s nothing we can do. Check that you have it (and that it’s not expired–and won’t expire until at least six months after your trip) before you go. Then, check it again, and again. And never pack your passport in a checked bag. ALWAYS be sure to carry it on.
- Magnets – Many cruise line cabins have metal walls that are great for attaching magnets. We like to bring a few magnetic hooks for hanging our hats, lanyards, and swim suit cover-ups. We also bring a few magnetic clips for keeping track of our spa appointment cards, daily planner, shore excursion tickets, or other important papers. It’s amazing how much extra storage a few magnets will provide.
- A good book or e-reader: Perfect for lazy afternoons by the pool or on your veranda.
- Portable charger: For when your phone’s camera is working overtime capturing all those Insta-worthy views.
- Medication: Bring all your prescriptions and any other first-aid items you might need (like a few Band-Aids).
- Ziplock bags: Great for wet swimsuits, sandy shoes, or keeping your phone dry on water excursions.
More essentials to pack for a Caribbean cruise
You can find many of the items listed below on our Amazon storefront.
- Lounge chair towel bands
- Luggage tag holders
- Beach bag
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Toiletries
- Curling iron
- Sunglasses (polarized are recommended)
- Highlighter for marking activities you don’t want to miss in the daily agenda
- Small bills for tips (optional)
- Thank you cards in case you want to recognize specific crew members
- Outlet adapter with USB ports
- Charging cords
- Dry bag if going on water-based excursions
- Cell phone dry bag
- Aloe vera
- Water bottle
What NOT to pack for a Caribbean cruise
- Hairdryer (they have one on the ship)
- Steamer/iron (prohibited)
- Surge protector (prohibited)
- Alcohol (a bottle or two of wine may be allowed–see your cruise line’s rules)
- Marijuana is prohibited at all times on board
- Weapons (prohibited)
Before leaving home, always be sure to consult your cruise line for any other specific items that may be prohibited on board.
Keep the following in mind when you pack for a Caribbean cruise
Remember, you’re going on a cruise, not moving to a deserted island. If you’re debating whether to pack your 17th pair of flip-flops, maybe leave those at home. And don’t stress too much – if you forget something, you can usually pick it up on the ship or at port. (Although we’ve yet to see a shop selling “formal flip-flops.”) 
Most importantly, bring your sense of adventure, a hearty appetite, and a willingness to try something new – whether it’s dancing the night away at the silent disco or taste-testing escargot. Have an amazing cruise, and don’t forget to send us a postcard! You can mail it to us at Postcard Jar, PO Box 334, Crete, NE 68333.
If you haven’t booked a Caribbean cruise yet, we’d love to help. As travel advisors with Dream Vacations, we specialize in customizing vacation experiences for our clients. Best of all, we do the work so all you have to do is enjoy. If you’d like a no-obligation quote, just give us a call at 402-575-9624 or send us an email at s.teget@dreamvacations.com.
Highlighter – what an awesome idea for my packing list. I would never have thought of that. Your list was right on!
So glad you found it helpful! Have you thought about coming on one of our group cruises with us?