The Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) predicts that by the end of 2025 more than 37 million people will have taken a cruise. And I’m predicting that at least half of those people will be standing in front of their luggage wondering exactly what they should pack! If your clients are cruising the Caribbean this year (the region is the world’s most popular cruise destination, after all), they should definitely pack what I call the “four S’s”—sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear and shorts. And, because I’ve sailed on more that 40 cruises myself, I know that they’ll also need to pack these ship-specific items, which they may not have considered.
1. A power strip or USB hub will allow them to plug in all their electronics and is especially important if you need a USB-C outlet (if they have an iPhone 16, for example) because most ships only have USB-A sockets.
2. Over-packer? Bring magnetic hooks that can be stuck to the stateroom’s walls (they’re metal!) to hang clothing and accessories that won’t fit in the closet or drawers.
3. In rough seas, I’ve been kept awake at night by the sound of hangers swaying noisily from side to side. But there’s a simple solution: Pack a large binder clip to put over the closet rail to stop them moving! Cruisers can also use one to clip curtains together and keep early-morning sunlight from disturbing a late-morning lie-in.
4. For group travelers, a small magnetic whiteboard or large Post-It notes are handy to stick on cabin doors for leaving meetup messages as they roam around the ship—particularly if they didn’t buy the Wi-Fi package!
5. The cabin key doesn’t just allow room access; it’s the method of payment for everything on board. Attaching it to a lanyard keeps it handy, but cruisers will pay a hefty premium if they buy theirs on board. For the biggest selection and best prices, I recommend buying one on land beforehand.6. On some ships, the volume of announcements on the PA system can be controlled from a console in the cabin. On others announcements blare not only in public areas but also at full volume in the stateroom. Late sleepers or midday nappers who don’t need to know that bingo’s about to start on the Lido Deck should bring a pair of earplugs to protect their peace.
7. The plastic cups at the drink dispensers on the buffet hold between eight and 10 ounces. So all-day sippers and/or cruisers who are serious about meeting their hydration goals should bring a large refillable water bottle from home and save themselves some trips.
Craving more Caribbean Dispatch coverage? Check out The Ultimate Caribbean Soundtrack and Caribbean Cocktails—And the Best Place to Enjoy Them.
