Packing lists

What to pack for a Caribbean cruise

A Caribbean cruise in the winter season is warm and sunny almost every day. Afternoons are in the low to mid 80s, the sea is about 80°F, and rain comes in short tropical showers that pass in minutes. The breeze on deck makes it feel cooler than it is, which is exactly when people get sunburned.

So the list is built for three settings: the beach and pool, the ship in the evenings, and the air-conditioned inside of both. Pack swimwear and a cover-up for the days, a dressier outfit or two for dinner, and a light layer for cold dining rooms and theaters. Cabins are small, so bring fewer pieces that all work together.

Checked

The weather

Daytime high
84°F
29°C across most of the eastern and western Caribbean.
Overnight low
73°F
23°C. Evenings on deck are comfortable.
Sea temperature
80°F
27°C. Warm enough to swim all day.
Daylight
11–12 h
Sunset around 6pm. The sun is strong from mid-morning.

The capsule

A week at sea, one traveler, Orchard palette. Olive, ivory and rose, from the pool deck to formal night. A capsule is a few clothes in one palette (a base color, a neutral and an accent) that all go together. The full list below adds what sits outside it.

Orchard palette · 11 pieces · 9 outfits

Tops

  • Linen shirt, doubles as a cover-upLinen shirt, doubles as a cover-up
  • Ribbed tankRibbed tank
  • Peasant blousePeasant blouse

Bottoms

  • Linen shortsLinen shorts
  • Drawstring linen pantsDrawstring linen pants

Dresses

  • Kaftan cover-upKaftan cover-up
  • SundressSundress
  • Slip dress, for formal nightSlip dress, for formal night

Shoes

  • Flat sandalsFlat sandals
  • Water shoesWater shoes
  • Block-heel sandalsBlock-heel sandals

Three days from this capsule

Snorkel stop in port
Shopping on shore
Formal night dinner

Shown for one traveler. Packlier packs a capsule like this for each person on the trip.

The full list

Clothes

  • Two or three swimsuits, so one is always dry
  • Cover-up or kaftan
  • Shorts and light tops for port days
  • Light pants for evenings
  • One or two outfits for formal nights
  • Light sweater or wrap for air conditioning
  • Workout clothes, if you will use the gym
  • Sleepwear

Shoes

  • Flat sandals or flip-flops
  • Water shoes for rocky beaches and snorkeling
  • Dressier sandals or shoes for dinner
  • Sneakers for walking excursions

Beach and sun

  • Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Your own snorkel mask, if you snorkel often

Documents and tech

  • Passport, valid for six months after you sail
  • Cruise documents and luggage tags
  • Travel insurance details
  • Lanyard or card holder for your cabin key
  • A cruise-approved USB charger or outlet adapter (no surge protectors)
  • Some small bills in cash for ports

Health and toiletries

  • Seasickness remedy
  • After-sun lotion
  • Insect repellent for shore days
  • Any prescriptions, in your carry-on

Gear worth the space

  • A lightweight cover-up

    The ship requires something over your swimsuit in indoor areas. A kaftan or linen shirt goes on in seconds and dries fast.

  • Water shoes

    Many port beaches are rocky or full of coral, and some excursions wade in and out of boats. They protect your feet and weigh very little.

  • A dry bag

    It keeps your phone, cards and cabin key dry on tenders, catamarans and wet beach days.

  • Magnetic hooks

    Cabin walls are metal, and a few strong hooks add places to hang hats, bags and swimsuits in a small room.

Beach by day, a dressier dinner, a dining room cold enough for a layer. Packlier packs all three into your bag.

Tell it where, when, why, which bag and which palette, and it packs the capsule, checks it against the bag and adds everything that is not clothing. Launching this year on Android, with iOS to follow.

One email at launch, nothing else.