The Caribbean Cruise Packing List I Send Every Client

By Keith Wallace · Royal Caribbean Master

Packing for a Caribbean cruise means preparing for three settings: the ship, your ports, and dinner in the evenings. The list below covers all three, plus the small things that are easy to forget. You do not need to pack your whole house. A little planning will help you feel ready from embarkation to your trip home.

START WITH YOUR DOCUMENTS AND CARRY-ON

Keep your passport or other required travel documents, medications, wallet, phone, and valuables with you. Checked luggage can take hours to reach your cabin, so pack a carry-on with your documents, any medicines you may need, a swimsuit, and a change of clothes.

For some U.S. citizens taking a closed-loop cruise, one that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, a government-issued photo ID and an original or certified birth certificate may be accepted instead of a passport. Rules depend on your citizenship, itinerary, and cruise line. A passport is still the safer choice if an emergency means you need to fly home. Check the U.S. State Department’s cruise travel guidance and the cruise line’s travel document requirements before you leave.

Download your cruise line’s app and complete check-in ahead of time. Keep your boarding pass available in the app, and bring any original documents the cruise line requires. A lanyard can make your ship card easy to find, though it is optional.

PACK FOR DAYS AT SEA

Bring two swimsuits per person so one can dry while you wear the other. Add a cover-up, sunglasses, a sun hat, and reef-safe sunscreen. For children, rash guards make long pool and beach days more comfortable. Water shoes can be useful on rocky beaches or excursions where the shore is not soft sand.

If you are prone to seasickness, pack medication or motion bands and take medication according to its directions, before you feel unwell. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure what is appropriate for you. I also suggest a refillable water bottle for keeping hydrated around the ship.

KEEP PORT DAYS LIGHT AND PRACTICAL

A small daypack is usually enough for a shore excursion. Add a dry bag if your plans include a boat ride, beach day, or other activity where your phone and valuables could get wet. A waterproof phone pouch is useful, but test it at home before relying on it.

Carry some cash for small vendors, tips, or places that may not take cards. Keep it separate from your main wallet. A refillable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and a light layer round out the basics. If you are booking an excursion, check its details in advance so you know whether you will need closed-toe shoes, swimwear, or anything specific.

PLAN FOR EVENINGS WITHOUT OVERPACKING

Most evenings call for resort-casual clothes: a sundress, skirt, slacks, a polo, or a comfortable shirt. Add one dress-up outfit if you would enjoy wearing it. Main dining room expectations can vary by cruise line, ship, venue, and night, so check your sailing’s guidance rather than assuming every evening is formal.

My advisor’s tip: check your specific ship’s dress-code nights before you pack. I cover that in the pre-cruise briefing I give my clients, so they can choose what they actually want to wear instead of packing extra outfits just in case.

MAKE YOUR CABIN EASIER TO LIVE IN

Cruise cabins can be short on convenient storage. Magnetic hooks can help organize hats, lanyards, or light bags because many cabin walls are metal. Bring a small night light if you do not want to navigate an unfamiliar cabin in the dark.

Check your cruise line’s rules before packing anything that plugs in. Do not bring a power strip, especially one with surge protection; Royal Caribbean specifically lists power strips among its prohibited onboard items. A compact first-aid kit can include seasickness tablets, band-aids, antidiarrheal medicine, painkillers, and earplugs.

For families, I recommend thinking in terms of one bag per person whenever possible. That is a practical way to keep a shared cabin from getting crowded. Soft-sided luggage can be easier to tuck beneath the beds once it is empty.

DO NOT FORGET THESE SMALL THINGS

Socks for the gym or walking around the deck are easy to overlook. So is a light layer: ship air-conditioning can feel chilly after a sunny day outside. Add sunscreen lip balm and aloe for after-sun care, especially if your skin is sensitive.

LEAVE THESE AT HOME

You do not need to bring beach towels; ships provide them. Skip the iron, which is prohibited onboard, and leave candles and heating appliances at home. If you want a wrinkle-free shirt, ask about the ship’s pressing or laundry service.

Full-size toiletries take up space; pack travel sizes or use what your ship provides if that suits you. Keep shoes to a few useful pairs. Do not pack weapons or knives, even small ones, without checking the cruise line’s current rules. Alcohol allowances also vary, so review your cruise line’s policy before bringing any onboard.

THE CARIBBEAN CRUISE MASTER CHECKLIST

• Passport or required original travel documents
• Government-issued photo ID, if required
• Boarding pass and cruise line app
• Medications and travel insurance details
• Carry-on with documents, medications, swimsuit, and a change of clothes
• Two swimsuits, cover-up, and sun hat
• Reef-safe sunscreen, sunscreen lip balm, and aloe
• Rash guards for kids and water shoes if useful
• Light daypack, dry bag, and waterproof phone pouch
• Cash for small purchases and a refillable water bottle
• Resort-casual outfits and one dinner outfit
• Light layer and gym or deck socks
• Magnetic hooks, night light, and small first-aid kit
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals

COMMON CRUISE PACKING QUESTIONS

What should I pack for a 7-day Caribbean cruise?

Pack enough casual outfits for the week, two swimsuits, a few dinner options, comfortable walking shoes, and sun protection. Add a light daypack and a small first-aid kit. You can rewear items, and many ships offer laundry services, so there is rarely a need to pack a separate outfit for every possible occasion.

Do cruise rooms have irons?

Cruise cabins generally do not have irons, and personal irons are prohibited onboard. If you need a shirt pressed, check whether your ship offers pressing or laundry service.

Can I bring a power strip on a cruise?

Check your cruise line’s current policy, but do not assume an ordinary power strip is allowed. Royal Caribbean prohibits power strips, including surge-protected ones. Pack your regular device chargers instead.

How many outfits do I need for a cruise?

For a seven-night trip, plan on comfortable daytime clothes, two swimsuits, and enough evening options to suit your plans. Rewearing casual pieces is normal. Check the dress guidance for your ship and sailing before adding extra formal outfits.

Do I need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

It depends on your citizenship and itinerary. Some U.S. citizens on eligible closed-loop cruises may be able to travel with a government-issued photo ID and an original or certified birth certificate. A passport is still the more flexible option, especially if you need to fly home unexpectedly. Confirm your exact requirements with the cruise line before departure.

My clients get a personalized pre-cruise briefing and packing list, so the details match their ship, itinerary, and plans ashore. If you would like help planning your sailing, I can help with your cruise vacation. You can also read my Royal Caribbean cruise tips for first-time cruisers as a companion guide.