What to Pack for a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise

Clothes for seven days without seven separate outfits

Choose pieces you can wear more than once. This example assumes you will rewear some outfits; bring more if you prefer fresh clothing daily or will not do laundry.

• 5–7 lightweight tops and 3–4 shorts, skirts or casual trousers that work together.
• 2 swimsuits and 1–2 cover-ups so one swimsuit can dry while you wear the other.
• 1–2 dinner outfits suited to your cruise line’s dress code; check whether your sailing has dressier or themed evenings.
• Underwear for each day, sleepwear and socks for the shoes you plan to wear.
• A light sweater or jacket and a packable rain layer.
• Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals; water shoes only if your excursion calls for them.
• A sun hat and sunglasses.

Keep these with you on embarkation day

Your larger bag may not reach your cabin immediately. Pack what you need for boarding and the first part of the day in your personal bag.

• Cruise boarding information, required original identification and travel documents. Verify passport, visa and entry requirements for your nationality, sailing and every destination; do not assume a round-trip cruise removes those requirements.
• Daily medications in original labeled packaging, plus any essential medical supplies. Confirm cruise-line and destination rules for your medicines before travel.
• A phone, its charging cable, wallet, emergency contacts and travel-insurance details if you have coverage.
• A swimsuit or change of clothes, sunscreen and a few personal toiletries.

Sun, water and port-day essentials

Pack a small bag for each shore visit instead of carrying your entire cabin’s worth of gear. Check your excursion’s instructions and the local forecast the evening before.

• Sunscreen, SPF lip balm, hat and sunglasses. Follow product directions and check local sunscreen restrictions rather than relying on a ‘reef-safe’ label alone.
• A reusable water bottle, insect repellent where appropriate and a small first-aid selection.
• A waterproof phone pouch for splash protection. Check its instructions, seal and depth limits before trusting it around water.
• Walking shoes or swimwear appropriate to the excursion and a towel if your ship or operator does not provide one.
• The identification and ship card your cruise line requires ashore, a payment method and the ship’s local contact details. Confirm all-aboard time and which time zone the ship uses.

Health and personal care

Bring the personal-care products you actually use: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant and any skin or hair care you need. Check what your cabin provides before packing duplicates. If you are considering motion-sickness relief or another OTC medicine, read its label and ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional whether it is suitable for you, especially for children or alongside other medicines. Medication is a personal choice, not a cruise requirement.

OTC medications supplied in EveryTripMatters kits ship in their original packaging with Drug Facts labels. A kit does not replace your prescribed medicines or medical advice.

Charging gear — and what to leave at home

Bring charging cables compatible with your devices and check the ship’s outlets before choosing an adapter. Cruise lines have their own electrical and prohibited-item policies; a device allowed on one ship may be refused on another. Verify the current list for your sailing before packing power strips, extension cords or multi-plug adapters. Do not assume ‘non-surge’ means permitted.

Leave irons, steamers and other prohibited heating appliances at home. Check rules for drones, alcohol and other restricted items directly with your cruise line. If you are flying to the port, separately review your airline’s battery and liquids requirements; ship rules and airline rules are not interchangeable.

Turn the essentials list into your cruise kit

Start with the Cruise Travel Kit or build a personalized selection for your sailing. The Cruise Travel Kit focuses on motion-sickness relief, water protection, power and first aid; review its current contents before buying. Your clothing, travel documents, prescriptions and every item in this guide are not automatically included.

The cruise builder below starts with Cruise and seven days selected. Add your departure date and personal preferences, then review the items you want. One of each selected item is the starting quantity regardless of traveler count; extra units are optional. For a printable companion, download the Cruise Packing Checklist from Resources.

A final check before you leave

• Confirm travel documents, your boarding appointment and transport to the port.
• Review the cruise line’s dress code, prohibited items and excursion packing instructions.
• Check the forecast for each stop and adjust your layers and rain gear.
• Keep medications and boarding essentials with you, not in luggage handed over at the port.
• Compare this list with what you already own and your kit contents to avoid duplicates.