Packing advice for a Caribbean cruise?

Question

My husband and I are going on a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean/Mexico next month. I am so worried I am going to forget something vital.

I haven't been able to really concentrate on it because I have been working a lot of hours, spending extra time at the gym, and the rest of my energy has been going into Christmas preparation.

If you have been on this type of vacation, please help me by listing things you think I have to take (maybe things you forgot and wished you had, or things you were glad to have brought along.)

Answer 1

I have been on almost 20 cruises with 4 different cruise lines and here's my advice.


Regardless of where you are going the dress on cruises is casual,,i.e. shorts, slacks, "T" shirts, sandals, sneakers, during the day and "Sports Casual" (i.e., what you would expect to see worn in a business office) after 6:00 PM. They also request that if you are headed to the pool, wear a wrap or other cover while headed there in the halls and elevators. The sports casual dress is required in public areas like the dining rooms, casino, show rooms, disco, bars. You don't have to dress up for dinner unless you want to; sports casual is fine.

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. 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.

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 but not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. 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.

- 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 (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.

- The cruise lines do not allow you to bring alcoholic beverage on board, EXCEPT some do let you bring a bottle or two of wine or champaign. If you will be cruising on Princess, RC, Holland America, Celebrity or Carnival each person age 21 or older can bring on one bottle of wine or Champaign FOR YOUR CABIN.

- 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.

- take a cup or mug with a top that seals because the cups and glasses that are available for drinks are usually small and its usually a long walk to get to a place for water, iced tea or punch.