The Only 7-Day Caribbean Cruise Packing List You Need

Are you going on a Caribbean cruise and wondering what to pack? We’ve got you covered. Here’s the packing list for a 7-day Caribbean cruise.

A Caribbean vacation on a cruise ship offers an opportunity to explore several islands, walk on beautiful sandy beaches, and interact with different cultures.

You also get an opportunity to savor great Caribbean cuisines, explore different cities and participate in various fun activities. And most importantly, you will relax and unwind away from your busy schedule.

But, with so many fun things to do and places to explore, packing for a Caribbean vacation cruise can be overwhelming for some people – especially if it’s your first time. 

But, we’ve got you covered. In this in-depth guide, we will share a detailed list of everything you need to pack for your vacation.

Clothes to Pack for a 7-Day Cruise Caribbean 

While a 7-day cruise may appear like a short vacation, there will be plenty of activities along the way. Therefore, you need to ensure you pack enough clothes to last you the entire trip. 

So, how many clothes do you need to pack?

Ideally, you need at least two outfits for every day on the cruise. You should pack a day outfit and a night outfit.

It’s also recommended to pack a separate outfit for the home return trip.

You also need to make sure that the clothes you pack for the trip will be appropriate for the weather conditions. 

As much as it’s warm throughout the year, the area also experiences heavy rains, especially during the Caribbean hurricane. It may also rain randomly.

In light of this, you need to pack clothes that will keep you comfortable and cool. But, you also need to have some rain clothing on hand.

You need to monitor the weather conditions a couple of weeks in advance and check the projected weather conditions to know see whether you can expect any rain.

Daytime Clothes

As we’ve mentioned above, you will need a set of both daytime and nighttime clothes. There are no restrictions when it comes to daytime clothing, meaning you have the freedom to dress as you want. 

For daytime clothing, you should pack:

• Clothes for relaxing around the pool or spending time on the beach such as tank tops, swimwear, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, and skirts
• Pants and jeans
• Several breathable and loose tees, tunics and tanks
• Two to three bathing suits
• Socks and undergarments
• Clothes for various onboard activities like rock climbing, zip-lining and ship tours
• A comfortable pair of sandals, water shoes, flip flops or tennis shoes

Evening Wear 

We earlier pointed out that you have the freedom to dress casually during the day. However, the situation is different when it comes to evenings. 

Most cruise lines will have a recommended dress code for evenings. In most cases, the dress code is smart casual.

For men, smart casual can be pants or jeans paired with collared shirts and closed-toe shoes. 

As for women, they can wear pants or jeans, maxi dresses or ordinary dresses, and skirts, paired with tops or blouses. Blazers, sports coats and jackets are also allowed.

Most cruise lines will also have formal nights.

And, you need to dress accordingly if you want to participate in such nights or if you want to dine in one of the specialty dining rooms on board.

Accordingly, women should pack formal pants suits, evening gowns or cocktail dresses.

Gents, on the other hand, should pack tuxedos, suits and ties, a collared shirt and some slacks.

Some cruise lines will also have fun theme nights. These can range from 70s and 80s nights, White Party, Motown Theme Party, Mega Deck, Backyard Bash, Mardi Gras and Tiki Fest, just to name a few.

Your cruise ship will indicate whether there will be such theme nights during the trip and what you can expect. With this information, you can then bring along some clothing, if you plan to participate in the event.

Fabrics and Colors 

When choosing the clothes to pack, it will be recommended to go for breathable, lightweight fabrics like bamboo and cotton for the hot Caribbean weather

Stay away from nylon and polyester fabrics, since they don’t breathe well in heat and humidity, meaning they may leave you feeling damp and uncomfortable.

Also, choose lighter colors instead of darker ones. 

Darker colors tend to attract and trap heat. Lighter colors, on the other hand, don’t have such issues, meaning you will be feeling much more comfortable and cooler during your vacation.

Footwear to Pack for a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise 

You will need to pack different types of shoes for your trip. Generally, you should pack at least a pair of water shoes for swimming and beach days.

Also, pack sneakers for walking or exercising, as well as formal shoes for formal evenings. For shoes should have:

Flip Flops, Sandals or Pool-Side Shoes 

As you may expect, you will spend quite a lot of time walking on the beach or swimming. To this end, you must pack at least a pair of flip-flops, sandals or pool-side shoes. 

You will also wear these sandals during the day when you spend time on the ship.

Walking Shoes or Sneakers 

There’s a high chance that your cruise line will have several excursions lined up during the trip. You will need a pair of closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers for such excursions.

Your walking shoes can also double up as hiking or workout shoes.

Formal Shoes 

As we mentioned earlier, you may sometimes be required to dress formally when you are on the ship. In light of this, you must also bring some formal shoes. 

Men can pack oxfords, Clarks, loafers, or any other type of dress shoe. 

Ladies can bring along loafers, Chelsea boots, ankle-strap sandals, white trainers, ballet flats or any other type of smart-casual shoe.

Shoes can consume quite a considerable amount of space. So, you shouldn’t carry more than four pairs. 

A single pair of flip-flops or waterproof sandals, formal or smart-casual shoes and walking shoes should be enough for your weeklong Caribbean Cruise.

Gear and Gadgets for a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise 

Camera 

There’s a high chance that you will want to capture some videos and photos during your trip. To this end, you will need to pack a camera.

While you can use your smartphone for photos and videos, it will be advisable to invest in a standard camera such as a GoPro.

During the trip, you will be spending the majority of your time around water. Unfortunately, most smartphones are not waterproof. 

A GoPro, on the other hand, is waterproof up to a depth of around 33 feet. 

Also, a GoPro offers more convenience when it comes to recording videos or shooting photos at various angles.

Phone Charger 

Your smartphone, camera or other electronics that you may have will run low on battery at some point. Therefore, you can’t afford to leave a phone charger behind. 

You should also consider packing a portable phone charger or power bank.

This power bank will ensure your devices remain powered up all the time, meaning you don’t have to keep running back to your room to recharge them.  

Waterproof Watch 

You also need to pack a waterproof watch. Such a watch will come in handy during port visits. You will need to return punctually to the ship before it leaves for the next destination. 

And since it’s waterproof, you will be able to enjoy various water-based activities, without worrying about it getting damaged.  

Adapters 

Most cruise ships come with standard electrical outlets or plugs. The problem is that these outlets may not be compatible with your smartphone or camera charger. 

Consequently, you may not be able to charge your electronics with the standard configuration on the ship. So, it will be in your best interests to pack an adapter.

Power Strip 

In most cruise ships, there’s only a single electric per room. 

Therefore, if you are traveling with several devices, charging them all at once won’t be possible with a single outlet. And this is where a power strip comes in. 

A power strip features several electrical outlets, connected to a single power cord. 

With it, you can charge all your electronics at the same time.  

Miscellaneous Items to Pack for a 7-Day Cruise Caribbean 

Sunglasses and Sunhat 

The Caribbean sun shines hot and bright. And, it’s even brighter when it strikes the water and reflects off. 

Therefore, ensure you pack a pair of polarized sunglasses to help reduce the intensity of the sunshine on your eyes.

It will also be a good idea to pack a wide-brimmed hat. It will help to shield your shoulders and face from the intense Caribbean sun. Any sunhat can do the job. 

But, if you will be spending most of your time around the pool or in the ocean, then you should carry a waterproof one.

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Daypack 

There’s a high chance you’ll be moving around with a couple of items whenever you are off the ship. 

They can include things like your ID or passport, water bottle, money camera, medication, comfort items and phone.

And, a carry-on bag will be perfect for this type of work.

First Aid and Medication Kit 

Also, it would be best if you remembered to pack a first-aid and medication kit, containing any medication that you take. 

Also, if you usually suffer from seasickness or have never been on a cruise ship, you should consider packing some remedies. (I personally use Bonine when I go offshore fishing as a preventative. I find it works much better than any other solution I have tried. It is a chewable tablet.)

As much as most cruise ships offer such medications, don’t assume they will be there. Instead, you should buy them at your local drugstore. 

Your first aid and medication kit should also have upset stomach medications, anti-itch cream, eye drops, pain relievers, cold medicine, band-aids, bug spray and anti-bacterial ointments.

Toiletries 

Most cruise ships provide basic toiletries. 

But, it’s always advisable to pack your favorite ones. So, don’t forget to bring your favorite conditioner, shampoo, lotion, face and body wash, toothbrush, makeup, hairbrush, deodorant, styling brushes, mouthwash, and hair spray.

Key Takeaways 

• Packing  for a 7-day cruise requires careful planning
• Remember to pack daytime and evening wear
• You should pack different types of footwear
• Only pack what you need