Help packing for a cruise?

Question

I am going on a Carnival Cruise in the Caribbean December 17th - 21st. What kind of clothing should I pack? Is it always warm there that time of the year? Are there chilly nights? I'm not sure what I should pack.

Answer 1

Here's my recommendations based on the almost 20 cruises I have been on, including all over the Caribbean.

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, good walking shoes, your camera, and other personal toiletries. Take a warmup suit and/or light jacket for days when its breezy.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), 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 cruises have a formal night or two 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.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. 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 your clothes that you sleep in.

- Cruise lines charge a lot (about $15 to $25 per photo) for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Take your own camera and ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

Answer 2

since it's the caribbean it's pretty warm, although it's likely to get cooler at night than at the summer time, but pack light cotton clothes, both long sleeve and pants, and shorts and tanks or t shirts, also bring along a couple different swim suits as they smell like salt water from the ocean and the swimming pool since they use salt water to fill the pools,
also bring sandals, flip flops, causual shoes,
bring a nice cocktail dress for the formal night because you should have one, if you are a girl if you are a guy bring a nice pair of dress pants, nice dress shirt and sports jacket for the formal night the rest of the nights guys can weat khakis and a nice polo while girls can wear a skirt and a nice tank,
bring a lite jacket or something for nights because even in the summertime it has gotten cool at night, so i imiagine it would be cooler in the winter time
Mostly just have fun, leave room in your suitcase for booze you purchase as you will have to put it in your suitcase onthe way home, and it's duty free on cruises and you get a lot for cheap!

Answer 3

Go to the itinerary page of your trip and look at the weather for that time of the year and then you will know how to pack. You can also see if an iron, hairdryer, etc is furnished in your cabin and you do not have to take this things. Pack as light possible. We have been on several cruise and are learning to pack lighter each time. It is so much easier.

Answer 4

I just got back 2 weeks ago from the Caribbean. The ship we were on had fantastic a/c and I actually had to purchase a sweatshirt while on board cause I didn't pack a jacket. Pack for warm weather during the day and for cool weather at night. Pack as much as you want there is no restriction as far as the ship goes, ( if flying you may have some restrictions with them) Don't worry about baggage handling cause when you get to the port there will be a porter there to unload your luggage and then it is delivered to your room. On your last night aboard you will have to repack and place luggage outside your room and it will be waiting for you in the terminal and there will be porters available to assist you to your vehicle. Have fun!

Answer 5

The days are warm, so go for the light clothes, sun dress, tops etc:. The evenings can be cooler, so you need something warmer especially if you like a stroll round the deck after dinner.
Don't forget the classy number for dinner and dancing the night away.(especially if you want a fancy photograph as a souvenir of your cruise).
Have a great time.

Answer 6

first off pack light...the less you take with you the easier it is to get on and off the ship...that said pack mostly summer time clothes with a few warmer things it does get cool on the ocean in the evening all year round...that said if youve never been on a cruise before your about to have the best time of your life....what a fun thing to do...eating drinking all day and night carnival is especially fun while at sea in between ports..your gona have a blast wish i was going with ya...lol

Answer 7

I surely have a large duffel bag - it matches below the mattress and holds even my formal placed on. I have a cruise suitcase that opens in 0.5 and holds each little thing. i have been lengthy gone for thus long as 21 days and consistently had sufficient. bear in concepts you are able to bathe clothing, so do not %. for 14 days, purely %. for 10 on the most. adult adult males want a suitable outfit they can lease on board. women human beings convey skirts and tops and also you've were given it coated. desire this helpsl also, something you may forget will be offered on board!

Answer 8

I just got back this morning from a Royal Caribbean 5 day cruise this morning :)
If its your first cruise (like mine) ITS AWESOME!!
i would pack :
-3 shorts
-2 capri pants
-1 jeans or longer pants
-tank tops, short sleeved shirts, etc. you'll need more than you think. pack about 2 shirts for every day if you're not planning on washing clothes onboard. (i was happy i packed a lot of shirts cause it is hot and you probably will get hot/sweaty and eventually feel the need to change)
-2 bathing suits
-2 sweatshirts
-flip flops / sneakers / nice heels
-fancy dress for formal nights
-day dresses or party outfits. for some events i felt under-dressed
-pajamas.. you can change the temperature in your stateroom so whatever is most comfortable
*you dont need a beach towel, soap, or shampoo
* bring toothpaste cause they dont give it to you
* bring band-aids just in case something happens. my cousin stepped on her razor and it took us like 2 hours to find a bandaid onboard
It was about 85 degrees every day. nights get chilly but not cold. shorts and a light sweatshirt are good. i rarely saw people in long pants and long shirts. but the restaurants get cold!!! bring something kinda fancy to wear inside at dinner!
Hmmm you need socks if you're going on a rock wall.
dont forget deodorant or money
camera!!! sunglasses!!!
tweezers, toothbrush, hairbrush, face wash, watch
I know it seems like a huge deal and like you're going to overpack or underpack and freak out but once you get there its really no big deal
=)
have fun! people wait on you hand & foot there, its amazing lol!
if you need to you can always call the cruise line and ask people what special things to pack according to what port of calls you are going to or what activities there are onboard.
-~*Jasmine*~-

Answer 9

this site has useful cruise information

http://allcruiselines.info