top 13 must pack items for a caribbean cruise

Packing for cruises to the Caribbean aren't like packing for cruising to cooler weather climates like a cruise to New England or Canada or on a Winter Rhine River Cruise. The Caribbean is gorgeous no matter what time of year you go to visit and brings warm tropical weather in the day and cooler breezes in the evening. A perfect combination for a relaxing getaway! So when it has come to packing for Caribbean cruises I have narrowed it down to the top 13 things that you can't leave home without!

1. Different Bathing Suits and Cute Cover-ups

If you plan to spend time simply laying out in the sun than you probably don't care what type of bathing suit you are choosing, but if you plan to participate in a shore excursion that involves a sporty activity you will want to consider carefully your bathing suit. Since you will spend so much time in swimwear on the cruise, throw in a couple of different options. And don't forget to throw a cute cover-up in! It is the perfect excuse to wear some bright and fun colors on the beach!

2. Cute and Comfy Sandals and Shoes

Y'all know that I love sandals and would wear them every day of the year if I had the opportunity so the Caribbean weather is the perfect time for packing cute sandals. Don't forget to pack Sandals and shoes that are also comfy though. You will be surprised at how much walking you do on the ship and at the ports for different excursions. As a gal who loves shoes it is the perfect opportunity to pack a couple of different pairs. *smiles* Looking for some cute sandals?  I love these TKEES Sandals and have mentioned them various times on the blog! So cute with all different outfits and so comfortable! You can find them HERE!

3. Caribbean Inspired Clothes

One of the most fun parts of a Caribbean Cruise is having the opportunity to dress up in cute sundresses, flowing maxi skirts, and sweet tops. Think through what you will be doing on your cruise and plan out some fun outfits for your trip that match your destination.

4. Widebrim Oversized Sunhat

There are so many adorable different hats that can be worn during the summer months and also on a Caribbean Cruise. A tip that a friend gave me was to purchase an elastic fastener that works like a two-sided clothespin. Attach one end to your hat and the other to your shirt- this is a perfect way to keep your hat on your head instead of over the boat! *smiles* I love THIS large one (isn't the writing so cute?) and THIS one is so adorable too!

5. Sunglasses

Don't forget to bring a pair (or two!) of sunglasses for your trip!

I LOVE these sunglasses and for two pairs for under $15 that look designer they are the perfect thing to purchase! 

6. Snorkel and Mask

If you love to swim and snorkel (or even scuba dive) consider bringing your own equipment. Rental masks not only cost a lot of money, but they often fit poorly which allows water to come in or your mask to fog up. While snorkels are "one size fits all", if you are a bit of a germ freak like me, you might feel a little disconcerted by how many people have used the snorkel before you. (Ewww....) Throw in your own snorkel and mask and you will be happy you did! If you are looking for a good set- this snorkel and mask set is awesome and costs less than $30 you can find it on Amazon HERE. 

7. Sunscreen

This is obviously a "must pack" item for a Caribbean Cruise, and yet so many people forget to throw it into their suitcase. It is extremely easy to get sunburned in the Caribbean so don't forget to throw this in. You will be saving money by bringing your own sunscreen as Cruise ships charge a premium for this essential item. Traveling with a large group or going on a long cruise? Consider taking some travel-size options with you so that you don't have to carry around a huge bottle. And don't forget to toss in a lip balm for your lips!

8. Aloe Vera

Even with sunscreen, the warm climate of the Caribbean can make it easy to get sunburned. Consider taking along some soothing aloe vera with you for your skin. One of my favorites that I use throughout the year is THIS Aloe Vera Gel! I use this often on my skin, even when I don't have a burn after being out in the sun and it is extremely soothing. One of the other things that I love about this is that it is under $20 on Amazon! You can find it HERE! Curious if others like it? There are nearly 64,000 five star reviews of this! 

9. Camera (and the extras)

One thing I love about the Caribbean is all the beautiful colors? But you know what? It's not just the experience, it is always about who you are with and you don't want to miss out on remembering these special memories that you are going to make. So don't forget to bring all of the "extras"- like spare batteries, battery charger, extra chips, etc. A great tip that a friend of mine shared with me the last time I went on a cruise was to charge my camera battery every night. This tip was invaluable as one day I accidentally forgot to turn off my camera in all of the fun we were having and would have missed out on some precious picture memories had I not done this!

ALSO because you are going to have opportunities to view beautiful islands with different corals, colorful fish, and lots of fun, you will likely want to document your experience with an underwater or waterproof camera. Don't want to spend a ton of money on an underwater camera? Consider purchasing the THIS ONE to use! I purchased a similar one (no longer made by the company) for our Royal Caribbean Cruise in November and it was wonderful! You can see some pictures that I took with it in my post about our Reef Snorkeling and Sandbar Getaway Shore Excursion HERE!

10. Extension Cord

Okay, so this isn't a particular suggestion only for Caribbean cruises but can be for any cruise! This was a suggestion that someone gave to me on my first cruise and it was a lifesaver! Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise! 

11. Purse, Bag, Etc.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love big purses and bags. They are honestly one of my favorite accessories. Taking a big purse and bag with me when I cruise is the perfect way for me to carry everything that I needed for our days off the ship (and adding a cute accessory). Some people like to use a backpack or some different type of item to carry their belongings in, but definitely remember to pack some type of bag. For me a large purse works perfectly as I can fit in everything I need to (including my camera and other things!) into it! I currently love THIS ONE (for under $15!)! If you are looking for a smaller size - THIS ONE is so cute!

12. Journal, Travel Books, Etc.

Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. THIS travel junk journal is the both of best worlds and can be the perfect solution to remembering all of the special details of your cruise!

13. Cruise Documents and Passport

Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS ONE (it comes in all different colors!) or THIS travel organizer (which also comes in different colors!)!

What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a Caribbean Cruise? 

Looking for additional cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts: 

10 Valentines Day Gift Ideas for the Cruise Lover 

6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise   

3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise   

Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions   

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know

5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise   

7 Things to Take With You While In Port                                              

10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise                                                                  

10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise 

5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas 

16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise

Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise                                                  

10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise     

You can also read some of the beautiful cruising adventures that I have had over the years by clicking on the links below for inspiration on planning your own special cruise: 

HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES:

Holland America Canada/New England Cruise (2019): // Zaandam Ship Review Holland America // 
//  Holland America Cruises: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 

// Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park (Maine) //
// Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park (Maine) // Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia //
// Baddeck, Nova Scotia // Things to do in the Port of Sydney, Nova Scotia //
// Green Gables, Prince Edward Island // Red Cliffs at Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island//
// Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island// Old Quebec City// 
// A Walk Around the Historic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City // Port of Montreal // 

VIKING CRUISES:

Viking River Cruise (2017-2018): //  Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 
// Viking Eir Ship Review // Viking Eir Stateroom 203 Review // Viking Eir Food and Dining Review // Best Rhine River Books to Purchase for Your Trip from Travel To Culture to History // 

// The Cologne Cathedral (Exterior) //
// A Walk Through Cologne Square // A Walk Through Historic Cologne // 
// Cruising the Middle Rhine (Part One) // Cruising the Middle Rhine River (Part Two) // 
// A Brief History of Old Town Colmar //  Saint Martin's Collegiate Church (Place de la Cathedrale)// 
// 7 Things You Must See When You Visit Old Town Colmar in the Winter // 
// A Brief History of Beautiful Strasbourg // A Walk through Historic Strasbourg //Place Saint Thomas //  
// Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre Dame of Strasbourg) //  Heidelberg Castle // 
// A Walk Through Old Town Heidelberg // Hofgut Sternen in the Black Forest // 
// A Walk through Historic Downtown Basel //  Basel Cathedral (Basel Munster) // 

DISNEY CRUISES:

Disney Dream (2016): // 5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas/ /
//  Disney Dream Ship Review //  Disney Dream 6192 Stateroom Review // 
// Spectacular Shows // Port of Nassau //  Castaway Cay Island // Atlantis & Aquaventure //  
// Disney Dream Food & Dining Review //  7 Tips for a Perfect Embarkation Experience //  
// Boarding the Disney Dream // Boarding Outfit // 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES:

Majesty of the Seas (2016): //  Majesty of the Seas Ship Review // Majesty of the Seas 1540 Stateroom 
//  Coco Cay Island //  Seahorse Sailing & Snorkeling // Reef Snorkeling & Sandbar Getaway // 

Majesty of the Seas (2014): //  Nassau // Coco Cay Island (2014) // Atlantis (2014) //

CARNIVAL CRUISES:

Carnival Splendor (2015): //  Port of New York City // Best of Portland & Kennebunkport Excursion 
//  Portland Head Lighthouse //  Kennebunkport, Maine // St. John, New Brunswick // 
//St. Martin, Bay of Fundy //