Packing for a Warm Weather Cruise

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There are many blog posts and youtube videos out there regarding packing for a cruise.  Many will focus on going light when packing for a warm-weather cruise, others will recommend packing 2-3 outfits per day.  So, what is the right way to pack for a warm-weather cruise?

Going on a cruise, especially if it’s your first, is so exciting! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and not only do a ton of shopping…but also really overpack. I still browse online looking for that one new and special thing to pack this time.  Maybe it’s a new cover-up or a cute tee.  One time I found an adorable t-shirt that said Sail-Away on it.  A little corny but I loved it!

Let’s get started so that you too can be set when packing for your warm-weather cruise!

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Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Travel Clothes

Take just a moment and pull together what will be your travel clothes.  If you are traveling in the day before your cruise (please do!), Do you have something for that first day?  What will you be wearing for your journey home?  

Trust me, take 5 minutes to plan it out because the last thing you want is to end the week and the only clean outfit you have is a strappy tank top and cut-off shorts.  Chances are your hometown doesn’t have the same warm sunny climate that you experienced during the week of your cruise.

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Dinner Attire 

Dinner attire is always a topic of conversation.  When my husband and I sailed for our honeymoon many years ago, our luggage didn’t make it. (Always fly in the day before friends!)

We only had shorts and t-shirts on our backs and we were not allowed into the dining room.  Windjammer dining for us for the first 3 days.  Today, the attire rules are a lot less strict and are more “suggestions”.  What I recommend to friends and family is to dress up to your comfort level. I usually pack my dresses in a garment bag because Brian will have a sports coat and dress pants to take as well.

For a seven-night sailing, there are typically two elegant/formal dinners.  For these nights, I  pack a standard, but comfortable little black dress (LBD).  My current LBD favorite was found on clearance at White House Black Market and is dressy enough to wear to a cocktail party but so comfortable I could sleep in it. That’s my idea of a great dress! If we were dining all 7 nights in the main dining room I would pack this dress and one other of similar “fanciness” and that would cover the elegant nights.

For our upcoming cruise, we will be checking out several of the specialty restaurants so I think I will pack my LBD as my only “fancy” dress and re-wear it if I want. The other items I pack to round out dinner for the week are just nice casual summer dresses that I can wear with cute sandals.  I can also re-wear them later in the week over my swimsuit on the islands or for tours.

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Dinner Accessories

Wrap – Another staple on my cruise packing list is a wrap.  I find a good wrap more useful than a little sweater.  I actually take mine on the plane and can use it as a pillow, a blanket, a wrap with dresses or over my legs during a show if it gets chilly.

Evening bag – I used to always pack a fancy clutch to take to dinner.  But, I struggled with it.  Yes, it was beautiful,  but, when I switched to the iPhone Plus it didn’t fit well.  There never seemed to be a good place to keep it during dinner and honestly, I hated always carrying it in my hand. This time, I am going to try a simple cross-body purse just large enough for my phone and a lip gloss, and go hands-free.

Jewelry – Another great way to change up dresses is to change out your accessories.  Try a different statement necklace with that black dress and it’s a new outfit. Unfortunately, I’m not a big jewelry person but I always think statement necklaces look so good on other people.

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Shoes

WARNING:  Do NOT pack new shoes.  You will regret it.  

Story Time: My husband was on a business trip in Vegas and I flew out to meet him.  I bought the most amazing pair of heeled, ankle-strap sandals and was so excited to wear them.  I slipped those adorable shoes on and off we went walking from Mandalay Bay to the Venetian for a show.  Well, by the time we got to the Venetian my right ankle was completely raw and I spent the entire time watching The Jersey Boys in pain and dreading the walk back.  But, you have to know I wasn’t walking back on the streets of Vegas barefoot.  

Friends don’t let friends pack new shoes! You will walk a lot on a cruise.  Don’t be uncomfortable.

For dinner, I pack a pair of nice heels for formal nights and nice sandals for the other nights.  If those can be the same sandals that match all of the dresses bonus for exceptional planning but I don’t lose sleep over it. For all other occasions during the week, I stick to flip-flops and sneakers.

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Workout Gear

If you are the type that boycotts working out on vacation skip ahead.  No judgment here!  Brian and I typically enjoy working out while we are cruising. And being honest…we are a little bit more liberal with our cocktails while on vacation too so we need to balance that out.  We typically work out on sea days but only rarely on port days.  We are usually anxious to go and see the sights and feel like we get plenty of steps in during our port days. I have an Apple Watch so I keep Brian updated on our step count. (He’s thrilled.)

In my workout packing cube,  I pack one pair of athletic pants/capris, one pair of running shorts, 2 sports bras, and 3-4 athletic tops.  The sports bras, pants, and running shorts dry out so quickly that I can re-use them after giving them a quick wash with these handy little laundry sheets.  

On the topic of dirty clothes, I pack a pop-up hamper to use during the week.  It helps me keep the room organized and packing for the return trip is easier.  I keep mine in my cruise cabin prep kit.  I round out my workout gear with sneakers, socks, water bottle, hat, and wireless earbuds.

This might be a good time to mention that I swear by packing cubes.  They keep everything so organized.  And, if you have ever had a security need to get into your bag at the airport you’ll know why packing cubes are a must.  No personal items falling out all over the airport floor.  Embarrassing!

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Swimwear

If you are planning to utilize the pools or hang out on the beaches while in port I recommend 3 swimsuits. I try and pack interchangeable tops and bottoms, too.  You can, and I do, wash my swimsuits out in the sink and hang them to dry.  But, it takes a while and nothing is worse than putting on a damp swimsuit.  EWW.  Also, for times at the beach, the sand loves to dig into the swimsuit material and it can be very difficult to get out.  So, in this case, I don’t enjoy re-wearing them. Swimsuits are not large articles of clothing so I would rather be safe than sorry.

I also pack 2 cover-ups. I take one that is a tank top style and one that is still lightweight but has long sleeves and shoulder coverage for times when I’ve had a little too much sun.  My pool and beach bag will also have my towel clips (trust me on this), reef-safe sunscreen, my trusted Nike flip flops, and this time I will be packing and trying out these water shoes.  I’ve never used water shoes before so I’m curious if they will become a staple in my beach bag.  Some of the beaches in the Caribbean can be quite rocky so, it’s worth trying.

I do not pack a beach towel. I bring a lightweight “pack towel“. They dry so quickly and come in so many colors and patterns. Highly recommend.

 You can use the ones on the ship if you’d like.  Just be advised that you have to check them out.  If you lose them, you’ll be charged an amount beyond what you would want to pay for an ugly beach towel. So, hang onto it.

Beach towels are our souvenirs so if it’s a new island for us, I always purchase a beach towel.  One day we hope to have a home at the beach and we will have a collection of beach towels from our travels! Another favorite souvenir for us is to buy a magnet at each new destination.  They take up so little space and we can use them to decorate our cabin during our trip.

Related Post: Travel Souvenirs Easy to Pack

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Daywear

This is the category where I try to be a little strategic.  To me, there are unknown factors that could come into play.  Frankly, I don’t know what I’m going to want to put on when I wake up.  Maybe I planned to spend the day in my swimsuit and cover-up but it’s starting to rain.  Maybe I was going to wear a little casual dress but it’s extremely windy.  You get my point.

Being able to mix & match is key for me. I pack neutral and comfortable shorts/skorts – khaki, black, and denim and then 7-10 comfortable and varying tops that will go with all of the bottoms.  This gives me the option to change mid-day if the weather warrants and not run out of clothes.  I only pack about 5 pairs of shorts because I can wear them again and I also have all of the casual dress options from my dinner category. For shoes, I keep it simple.  I’m in my flip-flops or sneakers depending on our activity.

Related Post: Packing Light for a Cruise

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Toiletries

Toiletries for a cruise are pretty simple.  You should pack what you would feel comfortable taking for any vacation with just a couple of added notes. Pack your own shampoo & conditioner.  My boys don’t mind the one “liquid that serves all purposes” that is supplied on board but I need my shampoo and conditioner.  They have bar soap for your use too so that is a personal preference if you prefer your own.  But, be aware that it’s not like a hotel where eat day a new mini shampoo, etc. is supplied for you.

I get asked a lot about hair dryers.  To my knowledge, ALL cruise cabins have a hairdryer.  I have really fine hair so the supplied hairdryer works okay for me.  If you have thick hair or curly hair and you use a diffuser, I would suggest you bring one from home.

Also, hot hair tools are allowed on cruise ships but heat elements for clothing (steamers, irons, etc) are NOT allowed.  Your luggage will be sent to the naughty room.

Tip:  Pack your toiletries in a hanging bag like this one.  You can hang it on the robe knob and all of your toiletries are accessible but out of the way.  For families staying in the same stateroom, you may want to consider a shoe organizer to save space and keep everyone’s items handy. Be sure to check out my cabin prep kit for more tips.

Packing for a warm-weather cruise – Other “stuff”

Ok, I did not have a category for personal items – bras, underwear, and pajamas.  I feel like that’s between you and your undergarments. 😉  But here are a couple of tips.  I overpack underwear.  It’s just not something I want to run out of.  I also don’t want to be down to the last day and have a pair of black underwear left and only have a clean pair of white shorts (Did you catch that?  I’m not packing white shorts!)

For pajamas, I love lounge pants and pack a few of those and then I typically just sleep in the t-shirt I wore that day with the lounge pants.

While we are on the topic of other “stuff”.  I always pack slippers (I can’t stand to walk barefoot in hotel rooms, etc), a pair of comfy sweatpants, and a sweatshirt.  Yes, I am packing for a warm-weather cruise but there are just those times when I want a sweatshirt out on our balcony or I want my cozy sweatpants.  Don’t judge.  😉

And that’s it!  The clothes are packed!  I hope this helps you when packing for a warm-weather cruise.  If you want more packing tips, check out my previous posts What’s in My Embarkation Bag and My Cruise Cabin Prep Kit.  Both have free printables for blog subscribers. So, if you haven’t subscribed, you can click the bar below!

Do you have tips for packing for a warm-weather cruise?  Share below.

Subscribers can link to my Free Warm Weather Cruise Packing Printable.

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