Caribbean Cruise Packing List PDF [+Travel Advisor Packing Tips]

Greetings, fellow sun-worshippers. This blog is here to build a bridge between the fantasy and reality of a Caribbean cruise with a customizable packing list so you can spend more time daydreaming about snorkeling among reefs and shipwrecks instead of wondering how many swimsuits you should pack (2 to 4 since you’re asking). 

Before you dig into the packing list and tips for a Caribbean cruise, don’t sleep on our universal cruise packing tips, which take a deep dive into all things magnetic hooks, packing cubes, power banks, and everything else under that sweet, sweet, blazing Caribbean sun. Here's what we've got!

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights! ⭐️

• A Customizable Packing List for Your Caribbean Cruise
• What to Pack on a Caribbean or Warm-Weather Cruise
• Tips on Clothing for a Caribbean Cruise
• Tips on Footwear for a Caribbean Cruise
• Your Poolside Day-Bag Essentials 
• Everything Else You Need to Consider When Packing for a Caribbean Cruise
• Brand HAR's Caribbean Cruise Packing List for YOUR Travel Biz!
• There's More where that came from!

A Customizable Packing List for Your Caribbean Cruise

Let’s not bury the lede. Try HAR's Customizable Caribbean Cruise Packing List here! Fill it out by de-selected any items you don't want! Once you submit the final form, a PDF will drop in to your inbox with your custom packing list!

What to Pack on a Caribbean or Warm-Weather Cruise

Packing for a Caribbean cruise is arguably the simplest in terms of attire. 

You'll want to be sure you choose these items according to your cruise line's dress requirements. We have additional tips on packing for a river cruise, Disney or theme cruise, or adventure cruise in our other articles on cruises!

Below is a brief summary and a few tips on what you'll want to pack for your Caribbean cruise. Don't forget to check out our personalized packing list pdf form, so make sure you have everything you need, including travel documents, toiletries, miscellaneous items, and more. 

1. Tips on Clothing for a Caribbean Cruise

One of the bonuses of a Caribbean cruise is you can pack more clothing in less space. How do you keep it to a comfortable minimum? Jean Paugh, Owner of All About You Travel advises, “I never take more than four to five days worth of clothes as you can get laundry done for a reasonable cost onboard."

Here's a summary of clothing essentials:

• 3-4 swimsuits (to rotate while others dry)
• 2 rashguards (or cover-ups) for extra sun protection
• 5-7 tops (mix of t-shirts and dressier options)
• 3-4 pairs of shorts
• 2-3 evening wear outfits (be sure to check out your cruise line's dress code recommendations)
• 1-2 light sweater or jacket (for cooler evenings or air-conditioned spaces)
• 1-2 pair of long pants (for certain dining venues or excursions)
• An outfit for any theme night (e.g., red night, pirate party, etc.) 

Here's a few tips on how to keep your bag light so you have more room to bring home souvenirs. 

• Use laundry services so you can pack light. 
• Bring a gentle laundry detergent so you can wash clothes and hang to dry.
• Pack fabrics that are lightweight, wrinkle-free, and fast-drying. (e.g. lightweight cotton, linen, summer-weight wool/merino, silk, Lyocell)
• Choose clothing that is multi-purpose. Pack a swimsuit that's comfy enough to wear as undergarments, or choose a dress that doubles as a cover-up in case you opt for a poolside detour without schlepping back to your stateroom. 
• Bring a warm layer or two, even on a warm cruise for uber air-conditioned spaces or if you're trying to recreate the Titanic "I'm Flying" scene on a windy night with your sweetie or BFF.

2. Tips on FOOTWEAR FOR A CARIBBEAN CRUISE

The complexity of packing for a warm cruise is to remember all the extras you'll need for poolside lounging or on-shore beach bathing. When it comes to footwear, keep it comfy. Even if you don't plan day-long walking excursions, you'll be racking up the steps navigating the cruise ship, going from pool to stateroom, to spa, to restaurants, to theater, to deck-sides (etc. etc. etc.). 

What shoes to pack on a Caribbean cruise:

• 1 Lightweight sneakers or walking shoes.  
• 1 Sandals (think walkability and dress code appropriate).
• 1 Flip-flops/ casual sandals (note that flips flops may not be allowed in some restaurant areas) 
• 1 Water shoes for beach excursions if needed (may depend if you go to sandy Caribbean or more pebbly Mediterranean beaches, for example).

3. Your Caribbean cruise Poolside day bag

Have a bag with poolside essentials with you at all times. This will help you keep things a little spontaneous, and you can take poolside detours on a whim. Here's a few tips on what to keep in it (or on your person!) 

• Lightweight sandals/flip-flops (if you're not already wearing them!)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
• Re-usable water bottle
• Swimsuit
• Rashguard or cover-up
• Lip balm
• Personal fan
• Hair ties (approximately 10,000 of them ;) 
• Earplugs/ swim goggles 
• Sunhat
• Entertainment of choice (books/kindle, earbuds, needlepoint . . . whatever helps you chill by the pool)

Also, don't forget to put these items in your carry-on! This will enable to hit the pool pronto, so you don't have to wait for your luggage or (dare I say it), go buy swimwear if your luggage gets lost.

Everything Else You Need to Consider When Packing for a Caribbean Cruise

The tips above are Caribbean/ warm-weather cruise specific. But wow, there is TONS more info on what you pack for a cruise. Don't miss our cruise packing basics which are relevant for EVERY type of cruise. It covers everything from packing organizers to space-saving tips, luggage advice, dress codes, and more. 

There's More where that came from!

In addition to our universal packing cruise packing tips and this here Caribbean cruise packing blog, we also have resources for other types of cruises! Take a look:

• General Cruise Packing List
• Alaska Cruise Packing List (or any adventure/expedition cruise)
• River Cruise Packing List
• Disney Cruise Packing List

Brand HAR's Caribbean Cruise Packing List for YOUR Travel Biz!

We think the customized packing list is pretty. We can't just keep it to ourselves! You can go ahead and download our cruise packing list for your site with YOUR branding on it!

If you want to use our form on your site, all we ask is that you link back to this article at the bottom of the page you are embedding it on.

Here's how to do it:

• Reach out to JotForm directly and ask them clone the form from this URL: https://form.jotform.com/242947234549163
• Check out our video tutorial on how to customize the packing list (the example isn't this exact form, but the process is the same!)
• Autoresponder Emails: Take a look at the notification and/or autoresponder emails. You'll need to add your email/name and maybe some less template-y text.
• Thank you page: Add your logo or some thank you text specific to your agency.
• Embed to your site and/or share your link with your clients!

Have any questions? Just give us a holler at Hello@HostAgencyReviews.com! If you want to use our form on your site, all we ask is that you link back to this article! Thank you!!

You’re Ready to Set Sail!

If you’re reading, thinking, “Wow, I didn’t know there were so many different options for types of cruises, let alone cruise lines. How will I ever decide?”

Want to know where else you can find travel advisors who specialize in cruises? We recommend ASTA’s (American Society of Travel Advisors) Connect with a Travel Advisor or CLIA’s (Cruise Line International Association) Agent Finder.

Questions? Comments? Packing tips? Give us a holler in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!