Caribbean Cruise Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on
A Caribbean cruise is hot, humid and built around beaches and water. Pack light, breathable clothing, plenty of quick-dry swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen (required at some ports), water shoes for rocky beaches, and a light rain layer for the quick tropical showers. Add one dressy outfit for formal night. Everything else you need is in the full checklist below.
Caribbean Cruise essentials at a glance
- Swimwear (3), quick-dry
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+
- Cover-ups and light, breathable clothes
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Water shoes
- A light rain layer for tropical showers
- One dressy outfit for formal night
- After-sun and aloe
The Caribbean is warm water, white sand and strong sun, with a short sharp shower most afternoons. This is a complete checklist: the Caribbean sun-and-water specifics first, then everything else you need on board.
Caribbean snorkelling and beach
- Snorkel gear · or rent on site, sizes and quality vary
- A dry bag for the boat and beach
- A beach bag
- A packable umbrella · quick tropical showers roll through
Swim, sun and beach
- Swimwear ×2 to 3 · one is always drying
- Rash guard
- Cover-up
- Flip-flops for the pool deck
- Goggles
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+ · some ports and reefs require it
- After-sun and aloe
- Sandals
- Water shoes · rocky beaches and wet excursions
Documents and money
- Passport or ID
- Cruise boarding pass or SetSail documents · printed or in the app
- Printed luggage tags
- Cash in small notes · crew tips, port taxis, bar staff
- Credit and debit cards
- Travel insurance details and copies of documents
- Printed excursion tickets
Cabin
- Magnetic hooks ×6 · walls are steel, this triples your storage
- Over-the-door shoe organiser
- A power strip or USB hub · check your line first: Royal Caribbean bans all strips, most others allow non-surge, a USB-only hub is always safe
- Highlighter for the daily program
- Small nightlight
- Command strips and clips
- Pop-up laundry hamper
- A small clip fan · inside cabins get warm
Clothing
- Tops ×1 per day
- Trousers or jeans ×2
- Casual outfits or dresses ×2 to 3
- A versatile layer or cardigan · everywhere on board is air-conditioned
- Activewear for the gym
- Comfortable loungewear and sleepwear
Formal and evening
- One dressy outfit per formal night
- Dress shoes
- A blazer or wrap
- Accessories or jewellery
Shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes for ports
- A second comfortable pair for the ship
Toiletries and health
- Travel-size toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant and skincare
- Lip balm with SPF
- Any medication · original packaging, in your carry-on
- Motion-sickness remedy and bands
- Hand sanitiser · norovirus is the enemy at sea
- Basic first-aid: plasters, painkillers, antacids
Electronics
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Travel adapter for ports abroad
- Headphones or earbuds
- E-reader or tablet with downloads
- Camera and spare memory card
- Spare charging cables
Day bag and excursions
- A packable day backpack
- Refillable water bottle
- Cash and a copy of your ID
- Snacks
- A light rain jacket
Entertainment and laundry
- Books or an e-reader
- Playing cards or a travel game
- Wrinkle-release spray
- A stain-remover pen
- Zip-lock bags · for wet swimwear
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Reef-safe sunscreen is not optional
Several Caribbean destinations restrict or ban sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect the reefs. Bring a reef-safe mineral sunscreen and you are covered everywhere.
It rains, briefly, most days
Tropical showers roll through fast and warm. A packable rain jacket or small umbrella means a shower does not end your afternoon ashore.
The things people forget
- A dry bag for wet tender boats and the beach
- Motion-sickness remedy for tender and catamaran trips
- Cash in small notes for beach bars and taxis
- A light rain layer for the afternoon shower
What travelers wish they had brought
- A second and third swimsuit so one is always dry
- Snorkel gear so you are ready at any beach
- A refillable water bottle for the heat
Frequently asked questions
What should you wear on a Caribbean cruise?
Light, breathable clothing, plenty of quick-dry swimwear, cover-ups, a sun hat and sunglasses by day, and one dressy outfit for formal night. Add water shoes and a light rain layer.
Do you need reef-safe sunscreen for the Caribbean?
Yes at several destinations. Islands like Bonaire and some marine parks restrict sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, so a reef-safe mineral sunscreen is the safe choice throughout.