I'll not only tell you everything you need to wear, but what to pack for a cruise in general. I'm a big time planner and I have found that a well-packed suitcase makes for a much more enjoyable cruise vacation!
In my recent 12 Things to Know Before Your First Cruise article, I mentioned that one of the most frequently asked questions I hear about preparing for a cruise is: "What do I wear?"
While my answer was simplified in the interest of brevity for that article, I want to delve a little deeper in today's vacation planning post, which is sponsored by Carnival.
This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure and privacy policy for more information.
Bring activity-appropriate clothing and shoes.
Before you begin packing for your cruise, take a look at the itinerary on the cruise line's website. Where are you going? What shore excursions have you booked? Do you plan on dining in the formal dining room, or only hitting the casual buffet each night?
Formal Attire
For most cruises, you'll want to bring at least one formal outfit for "formal night." For women, this can mean anything from a nice dress to a ball gown. Men will want to wear a collared, button up shirt and tie with trousers and dress shoes. On Carnival cruises, ties aren't required, but many men choose to wear them, as well as sport coats, on Cruise Elegant Dining nights. While men can wear a suit or tuxedo, it is not a requirement on most cruise lines. Think "Sunday Best" at the very least.
Bathing Suits and Cover Ups
Most people take a cruise vacations in the Caribbean because they want to spend time at the pool and on the beach during their shore excursions. Make sure to bring at least two bathing suits, as it can take a while for them to dry out! While you are allowed to wander around in your bathing suit, clothes and shoes are required when entering the restaurants and casinos, so bring along at least a few bathing suit cover-ups, sundresses, or shorts and tee shirts.
I recommend that women wear a bathing suit cover up that looks like a sundress, or actually IS a sundress, when going on shore excursions. You may be going to the beach, but there may be other stops along the way and you'll want to look like you're dressed.
Flip Flops and Close-Toed Shoes
You can wear flip flops or casual shoes in the casual restaurants, but keep in mind the shorts, tank tops and flip flops are NOT allowed in most dining rooms. You'll also need a pair of close-toed shoes if you plan on doing certain shore excursions.
Activities like zip lining and horseback riding require close-toed shoes - and you won't receive a refund if you aren't dressed appropriately!
Don't Forget to Bring a Sweater
While you're cruising to a Caribbean island, you might not think you will get chilly, but it can get downright cold on the open water at night. Restaurants and the casino can also be a bit chilly, and you'll want a lightweight sweater or pashmina to keep you warm.
Bring a Back Pack or Beach Tote
When you leave the ship for a beach-day shore excursion, you'll want something to carry your beach items in. Bring a tote bag or back pack from home so that you aren't stuck juggling towels, sunscreen and your book!
A tote bag also comes in handy if you want to do a little shopping at the cruise port. It's much easier to throw everything you purchase into a tote bag than struggle to carry around several shopping bags.
Bring Sunscreen and After-Sun Lotion
I recommend bringing at least one bottle of sunscreen/sunblock per person in your party. Whether you're spending the day at the pool or laying on the beach during a shore excursion, you'll go through more sunscreen than you can imagine!
Remember to apply sunscreen liberally and often - especially if you are cruising somewhere sun-soaked like the Caribbean, where the heat and humidity cause you to sweat more often that you would elsewhere.
I always bring a bottle of after-sun soothing aloe gel, just in case we get sunburned. If you burn easily, this is a must to help you heal quickly. You don't want to waste your vacation stuck indoors because you're in too much pain to go have fun!
While talking about sunburns, consider packing another important wardrobe article, i-e, a UPF 50+ bandana. When heading off to a beach destination, carry this incredible travel gear for ultimate sun protection and an enjoyable tropical holiday!
You might also want to bring along a sun hat or a visor, especially for children who will spend all day in the sun! It's much easier to prevent a sunburn than it is to deal with one.
Bring Some of Your Own Toiletries
While many cruise lines offer complimentary shampoo and conditioner in stateroom bathrooms, they aren't likely to be the products you use at home. I always bring my own shampoo, conditioner and of course, my hair care products.
I also recommend bringing a travel-sized air freshener for the bathroom - there isn't a lot of ventilation and you can't simply open the window like you would at home.
Don't forget to bring a razor and shaving cream if you're going on a longer cruise!
Bring Medications for Upset Stomach and Motion Sickness
I recommend packing a small first aid-style kit full of your common medications like pain relievers, upset stomach medication, anti-diarrhea, Benedryl (if you suffer from any allergies), and a motion sickness medication.
You can also buy Sea Bands, which you wear on your wrists to help combat motion sickness. Most of these things are sold in the cruise shops, but they're quite expensive compared to what you'd pay at home. Plus, who wants to trudge down to the cruise shops when feeling under the weather?
Bring an Underwater Camera
If you are going on a cruise and plan to go snorkeling, scuba diving, or to a water park, I suggest bringing a waterproof camera (or, if you're cruising with Carnival, you can rent one onboard the ship from the shore excursions desk).
Angeline and I went snorkeling in Grand Cayman once and I was so disappointed when I realized that I had forgotten our waterproof camera at home! It's so much fun to be able to take photos not only under water, but just while you're on the beach or splashing in the waves!
You can also purchase a waterproof phone case or a waterproof camera bag, which will cost you less than a camera.
Bring Cash for Tipping
If you plan on doing shore excursions, it is customary to tip your tour guides, bus drivers, etc. Bring cash so that you aren't left feeling awkward when it's time to go back to the port and the tour guide makes a speech about how much they appreciate tips!
Bring a Portable Back Up Battery Charger
While you are out at sea, I recommend turning your cell phone on airplane mode to avoid incurring roaming charges. I usually use my phone to take a lot of photos while cruising, and my battery tends to die fairly quickly.
Most staterooms only have one US electrical outlet and one European outlet, and taking turns charging your electronic devices means that you won't always have a full charge. Bring along a portable back up battery charger so that you have a back-up plan when that low battery light starts flashing!
You can also bring along an outlet adapter to make using the European outlet easier.
These are the essentials that go into my suitcase whenever I begin to prepare for a cruise vacation. Do you have any additional suggestions?
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Carnival. As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
SOunds good to me. I don't know when I will be on one again, though 🙂
LauraOinAK
Love all these tips! I haven't been on a cruise, but remember a friend saying that they always pack a light jacket.
Jennifer
I wish I'd read this before I went on my first cruise. I didn't know what to pack, so I packed EVERYTHING. It was a lot....
Melissa Pezza
Thanks for these great tips. Packing for a cruise is really tough.
tammileetips
Great list!! I can never seem to be able to pack enough sunscreen. I always seem not pack enough sunscreen when we travel.
Jennifer Sikora
I want to go on a cruise so bad. When I do I am definitely coming back to your blog to get some tips cause you have been on SO many cruises girl!!
Amber Edwards
I dream of going on a cruise vacation with the husband one day! This list is definitely going into my dream vacation list to help me plan for that! Great tips! I never would have known a lot of this.
Shauna
What great tips. Hubby and I were just talking about booking a cruise for next year. Thanks so much.
Lisa Bristol
These are all great tips for packing to go on a cruise. I am hoping to be going on my first cruise in the next few years.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement
I've never personally taken a cruise before and I'm not that interested in one however I know several people who have done many different kinds of cruises and they've had the times of their lives (many are bloggers like you)! I guess to each their own 🙂
Regardless you have one heck of a fantastic list that can essentially be applied to ANY vacation!
Paula
These are great ideas!! I will have to keep this in mind if/when I get to go on a cruise.
Toni
Great list of items to bring. I definitely learned the importance of bringing anti-nausea on my first (and only so far) cruise.
Liz Mays
I haven't been on too many cruises but these tips definitely apply. I'm glad you included the "bring a sweater" tip because I would forget about that.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets
Great list! That underwater camera shot is very neat! Closed toes shoes are probably something I'd forget.
Dawn
My husband and I are going on a cruise in January. Since this is our first cruise, this post was very helpful.
Stacey- Travel Blogger
I have never been on a cruise sadly. After reading this post, I really want to and wouldn't mind leaving tomorrow LOL!
Lauren
This is an amazing list. I would have never thought to pack after burn products. So smart.
Margot C
An underwater camera! It seems like of course but I wouldn't have thought of it and what fun that would be !
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
Great post! I agree that a good beach tote is a must, I have a couple that I love!
Brandy
I have never been on a cruise, but if I do ever go these are great tips. I am sure I would need something for motion sickness. I remember my Mom going on a cruise, it was a long one and when she came back it took her forever to get her land feet back!
Ann Bacciaglia
Thanks for sharing such great tips. I have not been on a cruise before. I would have no idea what to pack. I am hoping to go on my first cruise in the next year or two.
Rosey
I love the tip to bring a sweater. It can get chilly on the water at night, but that's definitely not the first thing you think of when you're packing for a tropical cruise. 🙂
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations
Oh, we love cruising, this is a great packing list. Bookmarking this for later!
Amy
I would love to go on a cruise! These tips are so helpful too!
Remy
Thank you for this great reminder and insights. I will surely take a note of them.
Kristen Volpei
What's the price for cruise which I dearly want go on I am deaf I want go on with my long relationship to be special on cruise and may get married . We been tog almost 9 yrs
bobbie
I always bring a small power strip , also at the dollar store I bought plastic hooks to go over the closet doors. That I can hang my hats on or a wet bathing suit they come in handy. A dry eraser board to leave notes for cabin steward or for the family
John M.
Bring cash for tips: baggage handlers, bus drivers, tour guides etc. bring $5's, $10's as well. Binoculars, bandana, extension cord. Bring a store courtesy card as the newer ships need a card, any card, in the inside door area to keep lights on. The cruise line tells you to use your ship card but if you do that you run the risk of leaving the room without it. Power up your devices at night. Wash your hands with HOT water and soap in your room before meals. Hand sanitizer is second best at fighting bugs on ship. Before you go get reservations for the hot places to eat. Otherwise you will be looking in at those folks who did so....hungry.
Skip Everitt
Your idea about the store card for the key slot in your stateroom is super!
Susan
Bring a night light if you are on a lower inside deck. Getting up in the middle of the night and having to navigate the room in pitch black can leave you with skinned knees and stubbed toes. A night light helps!
Dina
And don't forget a small umbrella.
Betty
I also always take an attractive lanyard. They can usually punch a hole in your seacard (ID card) at one of the onboard gift shops, and I just attach the card on the lanyard and wear it around my neck. That way you don't have to dig it out when exiting the ship, buying drinks or entering your room. An added bonus for ladies, no need to carry a purse!
Arreguina
I would also take a walkie talkie set to keep in contact with family members at other locations on the ship.
Jenn
Awesome idea! We did this a few years ago when my daughter was younger, it was a great way to keep track of her while still giving her a little freedom!
Patricia Hyde
Those are all great ideas-- and I have used them all. BUT -- don't forget - bring snacks/drinks to have in your room or to take with you on the excursions. A can of mixed nuts -- granola bars - pringles - cookies - a bag of snack size chocolate candy all come in handy when you are back in your room and feel a little munchy and do not want to go all the way to the Lido deck to get something to eat and it is too early for dinner. And please, don't forget to bring something to drink, bottled water, gatoraid, poweraid, or soda if you like. On Carnival each person can bring up to 12 16oz drinks.
Arnetha
Thanks for the help. We are going on our first cruise and didn't know how to pack.
Valerie Hogan
Thanks for the tips! I always relay on packing more casual clothes and for the night more special items. I like to be prepared for what is coming, not to be surprised by accidents, so I know exactly what to pack.