Packing for a cruise is its own art form. You need to dress for tropical heat, air-conditioned dining rooms, formal evenings, active shore excursions, and everything in between — all while keeping your luggage manageable. And as Canadians, we're making the transition from parkas to swimsuits, which adds its own complications.
Here are Aquascape's tips on how to pack smart for Caribbean and warm-weather cruises.
The Essentials (Don't Leave Home Without These)
- Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Make a photocopy or store a photo on your phone as backup.
- Travel insurance documents — Print your policy number and emergency contact details. Provincial health plans don't cover you outside Canada.
- Cruise boarding pass and luggage tags — Print these at home. Most cruise lines email them after online check-in.
- Credit card and small amount of USD cash — For tips to porters, small purchases in port, and markets that don't take cards.
- Medications — Pack more than you need in your carry-on (never checked luggage). Bring a copy of prescriptions.
- Phone charger and portable battery pack — Cabin outlets are limited, and you'll use your phone heavily for the cruise app and photos.
Clothing: The Core Wardrobe
The key to cruise packing is versatility. Choose pieces that mix and match, and you'll need far less than you think.
Daytime on the Ship
- 3-4 swimsuits (they don't dry as fast as you'd hope in humid air)
- Cover-ups or sarongs for walking from pool to lunch
- Shorts and lightweight tops
- Sundresses (double as casual evening wear)
- Comfortable sandals or flip-flops
- Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
Shore Excursions
- Lightweight, quick-dry clothing (cotton gets heavy when wet)
- Sturdy walking shoes or sport sandals with good grip — cobblestone streets, rocky beaches, and jungle trails are common
- A small waterproof backpack or day bag
- Water shoes for snorkelling and rocky beach entries
- Light rain jacket — tropical showers are brief but intense
Evening Wear
Most Caribbean cruises have a mix of casual, smart casual, and formal evenings. Here's what you'll need:
- Casual nights (most evenings) — Sundresses, nice shorts with a collared shirt, or resort casual. No swimwear or athletic gear in the main dining room.
- Smart casual nights — Dress pants or chinos, button-down shirts, blouses, cocktail-style dresses. Think "nice restaurant" attire.
- Formal nights (typically 1-2 per 7-night cruise) — This is where Canadians often over-pack. Men: a dark suit or blazer with dress pants is perfect. A tuxedo is welcome but absolutely not required. Women: a cocktail dress, elegant jumpsuit, or dressy separates. If you want to skip formal night, the buffet and casual restaurants remain open.
Pro tip: Choose a colour palette (navy, white, coral, khaki — whatever you like) and pack everything around it. Every top works with every bottom, and you can dress pieces up or down with accessories.
Toiletries and Personal Care
Cruise ship cabins provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and basic toiletries. But if you're particular about your products, bring your own. Here's what the ship won't provide:
- Reef-safe sunscreen — SPF 50+ minimum. Many Caribbean destinations (Bonaire, US Virgin Islands, Key West) have banned non-reef-safe sunscreens. Buy a reef-safe brand before you go.
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera — Caribbean sun is stronger than you think, especially at sea with no shade and reflected light off the water.
- Seasickness remedies — Dramamine, Gravol, or sea bands. Even if you've never been motion-sick, bring them just in case. The ship's medical centre sells them at a premium.
Scopolamine patches — prescription transdermal patches worn behind the ear. The most effective seasickness prevention available; apply 4 hours before sailing for up to 72 hours of relief. Ask your doctor before your trip.
- Insect repellent — Essential for jungle excursions, evening beach walks, and any time you're in port at dusk.
- Basic first-aid supplies — Band-aids, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication. The ship has a medical centre, but a visit costs money.
Tech and Entertainment
- Waterproof phone case — For snorkelling photos, beach days, and excursions near water. Far cheaper than replacing a phone.
- Power bar or multi-plug adapter — Cabins typically have only one or two outlets. A small power bar (without a surge protector — some ships don't allow surge protectors) solves this instantly.
- E-reader — Sea days are perfect for reading, and an e-reader holds an entire library without the weight.
- Headphones — For poolside listening, in-cabin movies, or drowning out corridor noise.
- Compact binoculars — Especially useful for Alaska cruises, but even in the Caribbean, spotting dolphins and distant islands from your balcony is a delight.
The Things First-Timers Always Forget
- A lanyard for your cruise card — Your keycard is your cabin key, onboard credit card, and ID all in one. A lanyard keeps it accessible by the pool.
- Magnetic hooks — Cruise cabin walls are metal. A few magnetic hooks give you hanging space for hats, bags, and wet swimsuits.
- A small collapsible cooler bag — Handy for bringing drinks and snacks to the pool deck or on excursions.
- Formal shoes — People remember the dress but forget they need shoes that aren't flip-flops.
- A light sweater or pashmina — The ship's dining rooms and theatres are aggressively air-conditioned. You'll be glad you packed a layer.
- Cash in small denominations — For tipping tour guides, buying from beach vendors, and ports where cards aren't widely accepted.
What NOT to Pack
- An iron or steamer — Not allowed on cruise ships for safety reasons. Hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom during a hot shower, or use the ship's laundry service.
- Candles or incense — Open flames are prohibited on all cruise ships.
- A hairdryer — Every cabin has one. Save the suitcase space.
- Too many books — Bring an e-reader or swap books at the ship's library.
- Excessive formal wear — One formal outfit is plenty. Two at most for a longer cruise.
