1st time cruisers, Caribbean,7 nights.Should I pack any items out of ordinary & how much formalwear to bring??

Answer 1

I have been on more than 15 cruises with several cruise lines and this is what my experience has been.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, 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, your camera, and other personal toiletries.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire to dinner, the shows, and in the casino. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, 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.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights 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. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

If you can, take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin. Do NOT try to take alcoholic on board, especially in your carry on; they will confiscate it.

- take a thermal cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

-always take soft sided luggage as it stores better under the beds. When they take your luggage to put it on the ship it will probably not get to your cabin until several hours later (maybe by departure time) so if you want to change clothes or get in the pool as soon as you are on ship, take the clothes in your carry on.

- 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 and your clothes that you sleep in.

- One way to save money on drinks is to order them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir ones; they cost about $1.00 to $1.50 more in the souvenir glass.

-If you are going to the Caribbean and plan to buy a few souvenirs from vendor stands or the market, take some one dollar bills (store them in the safe in your room) to use at these stands as most take American dollars.

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

Answer 2

On a 7 day trip there is only 2 or 3 formal nights. If you are cheap and don't want to pay $$$ for shore excursions you should take snorkel gear if your into that. Also if you don't have a cell phone bring a calling card to make calls onshore. Make sure its an international card too.

Answer 3

You'll need two formal dresses (2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise) - the other nights dress slacks or sun dresses are fine in the dining room.
Water shoes are fantastic if you plan on going to the beach, you never know what you may step on in the ocean.
Lots of sun screen.
Get a small waterproof container, that hangs around your neck - this is perfect for keeping your key card in while on shore, or at the beach. You can get them at any sporting goods store- make sure it is the right size to hold something the size of a credit card.
ENJOY! I LOVE CRUISING!

Answer 4

A few things I learned on my 1st cruise....

Your luggage may take a while to get to your room the 1st night. In fact, it hadn't arrived by the time I had dinner on my 1st cruise.... So...Pack your swimsuit, an extra change of dinner clothes, and cosmetics in your carry-ons!!!

The airconditiioning is freezing! Pack sweaters, pashminas, etc to wear over exposed shoulders.

Bring a power strip b/c there is usually only 1 plug in the room. So, if you want a blow dryer & your husband wants his shaver, you'll be glad you have the extra plugs.

Thats all I can think of. Have fun!

Answer 5

There's usually only one formal night on a cruise. What to pack out of the ordinary? Nothing really, just think, what if it rains or the air conditioning (where there is any) is too high? Basic summer wear and something like a lite jacket or sweater (just in case) should be sufficient. The ships store will have anything you might forget and really need (expensive). Bring extra batteries for your electronics, an extra card for your camera, sea sick medication (or any first aid stuff really - a small personal kit, tummy medicine, Tylenol, alcohol swabs that kind of stuff - expensive on board and at tourist areas on land). If you want to use the computer it is usually expensive on board. We usually find an internet cafe on land - much cheaper.

Have fun.

Answer 6

I would go out to a health food or vitamin store and get Ginger tablets, as they help with motion sickness and food digestion. Along with immodium AD if the food doesnt sit right. And yes, you should bring formal wear for each night at dinner. Plus, if you are going snorkeling or on any other excursions, bring an underwater disposable camera as they REALLY jack up the price for the those onboard.

Answer 7

Consider packing the following "extra" items to make your cruise more comfortable:

- Power strip. There is only one outlet in the room.

- XXL Ziplock bag for dirty, sandy, wet clothes.

- Extra swimsuit. Who likes to put on a wet swimsuit and they never dry hanging in the bathroom.

- A canvas bag to carry your stuff (towels, sunscreen, dry clothes) while on shore excursions. Or to carry the stuff you buy in the market.

- A lanyard to carry your sailing ID card. This often is also your room key and charge card.

- Plenty of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping in the open air markets. Avoid the "malls".

- Mark the handles of your luggage with colorful ribbons or yard so you can easliy identify it during de-barkation. It is amazing how much black luggage there is out there!

- Pack valuables and anything you want (habit items like cigarettes, gum or sicksea meds and perscription meds) in your carry-on luggage. It can take a few hours to get your luggage in your stateroom.

- Ladies often like a light jacket for the cool evenings.

- Alarm clock for early shore excursion departures.

- Night light. The rooms are wicked dark.

Formals depend upon the cruise line. For ladies, a little black dress is always appropriate. My husband wears a blue or black suit and tie.

Answer 8

You'll need formal wear for 2 nights. Plan on bringing beach wear and some decent clothes to wear to dinner each night(not shorts)

Also if you're a drinker, throw a couple of bottles of booze in your checked bags. This will save you HUNDREDS in liqour on the ship

Answer 9

on a seven day there will be 2 formal night, so yes at least a suit and tie for the men and for the ladies something fancy
other than what you need for formal and the 7 days maybe a sun hat, shoes you can walk all day in, sun screen...
remember to bring your camera battery charger and extra batteries.

Answer 10

they supply alot of things you would need.
but you do need formal wear, because on most ships there is a formal night.
and if you eating in one of the dinning rooms at night, be sure to bring clothes for that, because they dont want people in there in (example) a swimsuit top, shorts, and flip flops.

have fun!!