Going on a Caribbean cruise is fun and exciting, but knowing what to pack for your cruise can be stressful sometimes. While many cruises are 7 nights, others could be 2-3 nights. Depending on how long your cruise is, it is crucial you pack just enough clothes for your trip.
When you’re traveling, you want pieces that pack easy and transition from activity to activity easily. Here is a list of must have items on a cruise that every woman needs to have in her wardrobe. Every piece is versatile and can be worn on a cruise, vacation or even when you’re out and about during the summer months. Of course, each piece will help you to build a great foundation that allows you to establish a better vacation wardrobe from here.
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Colorful maxi dresses
When you’re out in the Caribbean, you want to wear something free and flowy. Maxi is great for this. Maxis are comfortable and flattering, so age-appropriate and the best part is they come in different designs. This just means you can play around with the different designs based on your taste and choosing a colorful one is great for a cruise.
Opt for dresses that have a defined waist, figure-hugging silhouette, etc. This is going to allow you to play around with different maxi lengths without the dress completely swallowing you up!
Tropical print sundresses
Dresses are generally easy to wear when you are on a trip, being that they’re just one piece (no matching required). Sundresses are cruise wear must. Since you are out on the sea in the Caribbean, this is your best chance to enjoy any bright colors you don’t get many opportunities to wear in your daily life.
When you think about an exciting trip like a cruise, it’s hard to resist a statement-making sundress. Something about the warm weather always has us drawn to bold colors and prints. Sundresses are an opportunity to have a lot of fun with colors, patterns and prints.
The trend of neutral colors have been going on for a long time. While it is true neutrals are easy, tropical prints can actually lighten up our mood.
In the meantime, you will want to make sure the sundresses you are choosing are versatile. There’s nothing worse than having a gorgeous cruise wear dress that can only be worn one way or on one occasion. Focus on colors that mix into your existing wardrobe seamlessly to maximize versatility.
A little white dress
A little white dress is ever so versatile and is definitely a piece you should carry with you on your next Caribbean cruise. These dresses can be dressed up for a date or just worn on a day when the sun’s too hot and you just want to feel pretty while enjoying the cruise.
It’s such an easy way to look cute and since it’s white, you can accessorize with several different pieces you have with you on the cruise such as earrings of different colors, straw hats, to name a few.
Cotton cami dresses
Cami dresses are so feminine considering they let you show off your shoulders and collarbones in such a nice way. Cami dresses are particularly great in warm or hot weather. They’re perfect for a cruise and you can pick them in different lengths. Lace cami dresses look dressier but you can always pick them in other light fabrics.
With these dresses, you don’t have to worry too much about the styling since they are very minimalist at the top, and as long as you get the right fit and pick your favorite design, you’re good to go.
Wide leg jumpsuits
The thing about cruise wear is you want pieces that are really easy. Jumpsuit is another type of one-piece garment that can make your packing so much easier. When you are on the Caribbean cruise, you definitely want to make sure your jumpsuit is comfortable enough for you to move around in it. In the meantime, you want to make sure the jumpsuit is well-fitted.
I want to clarify that being well-fitted does not mean being tight. In fact, the best jumpsuits for cruising are probably the wide-leg ones, which make sure you are comfortable and not too hot during your trip. Those made with linen, cotton, or other lightweight fabrics are perfect for you to wear on the cruise because they are breathable and flowy.
In terms of color, you can never go wrong with a pastel or neutral hue. If you want to up your style one step further, then opt for tropical prints, which will fit the theme of your cruise like no other!
Cotton rompers
If you don’t want to wear a dress every single day on the ship, rompers are a great alternative. One of the things I love about rompers is they really give you the same ease of a dress being just one solid piece. Plus, rompers can easily be transitioned from day to night. Hence why you will definitely want to add a romper into your vacation wardrobe.
Rompers come in all different shapes, styles, etc. but the most flattering are those with a defined waistline. If there is no definition in the waist it’s going to be shapeless and, in turn, won’t be very figure-flattering on your shape. Plus, when there is a defined waistline on a romper it makes the look feel much more put together.
Linen palazzo pants
Palazzo pants are also very comfortable especially if you’re going to be out in the heat thanks to the super wide legs. As such, consider packing a pair or a few for your next Caribbean cruise. While you can get them in solid colors, bright ones, and printed palazzo pants are more fun for such a cruise.
Flowy maxi skirts
Another great way to look all dressed up during your Caribbean cruise is by wearing a maxi skirt. They are just as flowy as maxi dresses, except they give you the option of picking a different top in your most preferred style. You can pick warmer colors for your top and the skirt while on the cruise if you prefer a punchier outfit.
Kimonos
As is expected, it’s bound to get very hot when you’re out on a Carribean cruise, which is why a flowy piece such as a kimono works great if you’re looking for a cover-up. Whether you want to wear a pair of flowy pants, a swimsuit, a dress, skirt outfit, you name it, a kimono will work great for the look you pick.
You can wear a pair of shorts with a tank and then add a brown printed kimono to the look. She also went for a pair of sandals to complete the outfit. You will feel more confident in a kimono as it gives you just the right amount of coverage without making you feel too hot.
Kaftans
When you’re out on a Caribbean cruise, you are likely to have those date night moments or just a nice lunch date that will need you to dress up.
A kaftan or a kaftan dress is one of the best pieces for this. They are light, very flattering, and classy, but most of all you can get them in different fun prints for the cruise.
Floral rompers
Rompers are one of the best items to bring to a cruise, because it gives you the functionality of pants, but they are cuter!
You will be walking to explore local excursions and perhaps dance as well. So, bringing rompers will make sure you can enjoy all of those activities while still looking stylish.
Linen shorts set
If you are not a dress kind of girl, shorts will be your best friend on a cruise! The best way, and easiest way, to look put-together when wearing shorts? Wear a matching top!
Tropical jumpsuit
A tropical print jumpsuit is heaven sent when you are going on a cruise! Not only you have the convenience of pants, but also the bold prints will make you look like a goddess from the Caribbean.
Crochet skirt
A crochet skirt will make you look really cute on a cruise trip. Pair with a long sleeve top to make sure you are protected from the sun exposure of the caribbean.
Striped rompers
Nothing gives you more of a vacation vibe than the classic stripes. When you go with a striped romper, you have the convenience same as wearing shorts, but, a romper makes you look more polished than casual shorts.
White eyelet top
A simple white eyelet top is a must-have when you are going on a cruise. Nothing makes you feel more relaxed and comfortable than a cotton eyetlet top when you are enjoying the beautiful ocean of the Caribbean.
White crochet top
Anything crochet will match perfectly the relaxed vibe of the Caribbean cruise. Best part? They go with just about any bottom you have packed for this trip so you can look effortlessly chic.
Floral cube top
A tube top is easy and cute, and you can pair it with any casual bottoms you bring to the cruise. Go with a floral print for the full-on vacation look.
Pastel cotton dress
Pastel hues look great on a cruise trip, and a longer dress will make sure you are ready for those fancy dinners on the ship.
Cropped blouse
A cropped-length blouse will make sure you stay cool throughout the hot sun of the cruise. Go with any of your favorite color and wear a floral bottom for the true vacation look.
Boho long dress
A longer dress always makes you look more relaxed and goes perfectly with the Carribean. The bohemian vibe print work the best with this style dress.
White maxi skirt
You can’t go wrong with a white maxi when you are going to the Caribbean! The light and airy fabrics will make sure you are not overheated under the sun, while the longer length cover you up and protect you from the UV rays.
Floral palazzo pants
Palazzo pants are the perfect bottom you need to bring to a cruise! Because they are light and airy, you can enjoy the functionality of wearing pants but still look well put together.
Off the shoulder top
An off-the-shoulder top is romantic and go with just about any bottom. Bring them on the cruise and they will dress you up instantly, no matter what pants you decide to wear with them.
Matching cami and wide leg
The easiest way to pack for your cruise is to bring some matching sets, because they will instantly make you look intentional without making much effort!
