Although I really love cruises, the part I absolutely don’t like is the packing and unpacking.
I would like my closet to magically move on the ship, but that’s not possible; we have to make an effort to fit everything into a suitcase.
I know it may seem like a difficult thing, especially for long cruises, but I assure you that if you follow a few tips, you can easily do it.
In this article, we will go over what is best to wear for a Caribbean cruise during the day and at night, some outfit examples, and we will take a look at the most common mistakes to avoid.
Daytime and excursions
In my opinion, the first thing you should consider is that cruise ships are casual environments during the day.
You’ll probably just go to the pool, sunbathe, and enjoy the activities that you can usually do on a cruise ship.
For this reason, you should mostly pack casual clothes like T-shirts, tank tops, and shorts. Prefer breathable and comfy fabrics like cotton, rayon, linen, or other lightweight synthetics.
Obviously, you should also include 2 or 3 swimsuits, depending on the length of your cruise.
A one-piece can double as a top with shorts or a sarong, so it might be an interesting thing to consider.
However, also keep in mind that you need to cover yourself when you go to eat, especially in restaurants. So don’t forget to bring some lightweight cover-ups.
Excursions
The Caribbean itinerary is a somewhat special one in terms of excursions.
You can have two main types of choices: classic beach outings or more adventurous kinds of activities.
For the first type, you should just bring a swimsuit, a cover-up, and sandals.
Of course, don’t forget also a sun hat, a reef-safe sunscreen, and a refillable bottle.
On the other hand, if you go on a more adventurous hike, always opt for athletic wear and sneakers.
If your tour includes a visit to cultural or religious sites, also bring something to cover your shoulders.
CRUISE PRO TIP: Some excursions in the Caribbean may require specific clothing or equipment. When you book, there should be guidelines for recommended clothing. If you can’t find them, ask the tour supervisor for more information.
Outfits Examples
Now, let’s go through some examples of outfits that can give you some good ideas for packing your suitcase.
Let’s start with a very classic beach set. This is a blue and white floral bikini paired with a matching sarong.
In this case, the pattern is quite simple, but you certainly can play around a lot with prints and brighter colors.
Speaking of brighter colors, below you can see a bold fuchsia wrap set. This type of outfit is very versatile and is suitable for both daytime and evenings.
In this case, we have a one-shoulder crop top, but if you prefer, you can recreate the same outfit with the top part of a swimsuit.
Even if you are older, remember that the Caribbean is a colorful and fun destination, so avoid black and opt for colorful items in your wardrobe.
Below you can see an example of outfits for more senior cruise passengers.
Another interesting option for the beach is this sheer white two-piece set.
As you can see, it’s sheer but not vulgar. Overall, it’s a very chic outfit, perfect if you want to have a drink at the beach or pool bar.
On the other hand, for the evening, opt for more elegant outfits that show off your tan but are still suitable for a fancy dinner.
White, green, coral, and beige look wonderful on tanned skin. Below, you can see a white cut-out maxi dress that would be perfect for a night of sailing in the Caribbean Sea.
Evenings on the Ship
Evening wear varies a lot on the cruise ships, depending on the type of dinner or event. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that many passengers dress casually in the evening as well, and fewer and fewer people adhere to the dress code of formal nights.
However, even if you are a person who does not like to dress up, I still recommend that you bring some slightly more elaborate outfits.
A cocktail dress or elegant jumpsuit will be perfect for a woman, while for a man, a summer blazer paired with dress pants will be fine. In the end, it’s less about black-tie attire and more about looking polished.
I don’t know if you like theme nights, but some cruise lines have several of them. You can check them in these articles:
The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs between 1 June and 30 November. If you travel during these months, remember to bring quick-drying clothing and water-resistant footwear.
Most Common Mistakes
I have also noticed that many cruisers tend to make the same mistakes when it comes to Caribbean cruises, many of which could easily be avoided.
You probably already know that one of the biggest errors is overpacking.
People tend to bring far more clothes than they’ll ever wear, forgetting that cruise life is mostly casual. A few swimsuits, light outfits, and mix-and-match pieces are usually all you need.
However, another common mistake is forgetting a dressier outfit for the formal nights. As I was saying above, remember that even the most relaxed Caribbean cruises have special dinners where T-shirts and flip-flops just don’t fit in.
Don’t start with the usual comments: “everyone can wear what they want,” “it’s not mandatory”… I know that!
But still, bring at least one elegant outfit. Let’s not let this classic cruise night disappear. I think it’s one of the most charming traditions onboard.
Another issue is bringing too many shoes; they take up precious suitcase space, and you’ll probably use only two or three pairs.
Many cruisers also forget to pack for excursions, leaving behind essentials like hats, water shoes, cover-ups, or a small backpack that make shore days easier.
I won’t list everything here, but you can find the complete list in the article with the things people always forget to pack for a cruise.
Final Packing Tip
Just a final thing. The weather in the Caribbean is warm year-round, but there may still be rainy days or days when it is colder than usual.
Always pack a raincoat and a jacket to cover yourself if needed. It will also be useful for areas of the ship where the air conditioning is particularly strong.
Also, have a look at the 20 cruise essentials that I always bring on a cruise.