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10 things to do before you leave on your caribbean cruise

July 18, 2023

Hello friends! Today I am so excited to share with y'all 10 things that you should definitely do before you leave on a Caribbean Cruise!

One of the questions that I receive on a weekly basis is for packing tips and suggestions along with vacation tips! These are great questions and realistic needs as you plan to leave on a trip and before I went on my first Caribbean Cruise back in 2014 I spent a ton of time researching these answers. Since that time nine years ago I have been so blessed to go on 5 additional cruises (nearly one a year) and even a river cruise on the Rhine River (which was incredible!) and am looking forward to some additional cruising adventures in the coming two years! (As a side note if you ever want to see where I am heading next for travel you can find the information HERE!)

I share that to say that along the way there has been lots of different learning curves and so I hope that this list of 10 things to do before you leave on your Caribbean Cruise will help you have a stress-free and fun-filled and memorable vacation!

1. Make a List, Check it Twice

I know that not everyone is a "list-maker" like I am (color-coded and everything for y'all that know me well! *smiles*) but lists for a Caribbean cruise are extremely helpful. If you are like me and over-the-moon excited for your trip, it can be easy to forget something important so I definitely recommend making a list and then checking it several times. Also- consider making a second list of items that you can't pack until the morning that you leave.

I love using fun notepads and paper to make my lists on and THIS ONE from Rifle Paper Co is one of my favorites! You can find it HERE!

Some additional posts to help you with your list making in this step:

// 7 Things to Take With You While In Port //

// 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise //
// Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise //
// 16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise //

2. Pack Medicines, Over-The-Counter Meds, Vitamins, Supplements, Etc.

I share this and many other helpful tips in my post, 10 Tips for Cruising With a Chronic Illness, but make sure that you pick up any medicines and over-the-counter meds you need a few days before your trip.

If you are living with a serious or chronic illness this can take a lot of time to plan and prepare your medications and supplements. Honestly, it can take a bit of maneuvering (and even a lot of patience) to make sure that you have all of our meds before a trip. Try to give your doctors as much advance warning as you can that you will be going on a cruise and that you will need meds (and extra meds depending on your situation) for the duration of your cruise.

I have said this before, but I can't encourage you enough to try to work on this as much of you can ahead of time as some medications can only be purchased with insurance at certain intervals so you will want to work this out with your doctor and insurance company. Also, check with the cruise line as many cruise lines require that your medications are in the original containers not just in random pill containers.

For ease with travel when I was sick I used a carrying case like THIS for all of my pill bottles to keep them in one handy place! It was so simple and easy (and even held some of my oils and supplements too!)

Some additional posts to help you with this step:

// 10 Tips for Cruising With a Chronic Illness //

// 5 Important Tips for Traveling with a Chronic Illness //

3. Purchase Any Specific Caribbean Cruise Items You Need In Advance

Definitely make sure that you have clothes, shoes, and specific items that you need for the Caribbean purchased a couple of weeks before the cruise. Depending on the time of year that you are traveling and where you live, you will also want to make sure that you have plenty of "summer weather" items including suntan lotion, water shoes, sandals, etc.

Looking for a list of "must pack items" for your Caribbean Cruise? Check out my post "13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise" which you can read by clicking HERE.

Don't forget to purchase an underwater camera that you can use for any water activities. Don't want to spend a ton of money on an underwater camera? Consider purchasing THIS underwater camera to use! I purchased one for our Royal Caribbean Cruise and it was wonderful! You can see some pictures that I took with a post about n underwater camera from our Reef Snorkeling and Sandbar Getaway Shore Excursion by clicking HERE!

4. Call Your Bank/Credit Card Companies to let them Know You are Traveling

Make sure to call your bank and credit card companies to let them know that you will be traveling out of the country to the Caribbean. Some people think that because it is just the Caribbean that you don't need to do this but it is definitely so much easier to make a phone call from home than to figure out when you are out at sea why your card was blocked during your cruise!

5. Print off and Make Copies of All Your Documents and Passports

Make sure that you have paper copies of all of your documents and even a copy of your passport for your Caribbean Cruise. While I love the ease and convenience of having everything on my phone, I also understand it is wise to have a "hard copy" of everything that I need, including a copy of my passport in case something gets lost. Looking for a cute passport holder and something to hold your tickets/credit cards/etc in one? Checkout THIS ONE which is less than $14 (with an extra coupon right now!), comes in a variety of colors and has nearly 20,000 positive reviews!!

Wondering what documents you should bring? Check out the post below for some helpful tips:

// 3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise //

6. Give an Emergency Contact All of Your Information

Make sure to let someone know the important information of the dates you are traveling, your flight numbers, hotel names, contact information, and the ship and room number that you will have. This is important in case anyone needs to get a hold of you while you are traveling or if you have an emergency on board. Just a heads up also that most cruise lines require an emergency contact (of someone not traveling with you) to be listed on their forms when you are checking in.

7. Arrange to Have Your Mail Held or A Neighbor to Pick it Up

Depending on how long your cruise is you will want to make sure that you have your mail held at the post office or that you make arrangements to have your neighbor pick it up. Just a heads up: stopping and holding mail at the post office can take a few days to "kick in" so you will want to give yourself at least 7 days to do this!

8. Organize Your Wallet/Purse

Take a few minutes to re-organize your wallet for your trip and remove anything that you won't need including department store cards, gas credit cards, etc. Put all of these together in an envelope and keep them in a safe and secure place for you to have once you return from your cruise.

Looking for a purse organizer? Get this ONE. Y'all... I swore against these for the longest time and now I can't stop talking about (and gifting it) to everyone I know. They are FANTASTIC. There are tons of different color options and keep everything so organized. I also love that I can easily transfer it from bag to bag with everything in it! I started off just using them for trips and now I use it everyday! I LOVE this one and it is less than $30 and has nearly 30,000 positive reviews! All different colors and sizes are available for whatever size purse or bag you are carrying! Click HERE!

9. Deal with Your Phone

You will want to make sure you understand the fees and roaming charges on your phone with your provider before you get on the ship. If you are wanting to use your phone, social media, etc. while you are in the Caribbean you will want to make sure to call your cell service provider and ask for a package for the countries that you are visiting. You will pay a ton less and be thankful when you get home.

10. 10 More Things to Do the Day Before You Leave/the Day You Leave

(1) Take Pets to be Boarded

(2) Water house plants

(3) Mail Last-Minute Bills

(4) Clean Out Refrigerator

(5) Set timers for any lights for your Home

(6) Adjust the thermostat in Your Home

(7) Turn off water in your Home if there is a Danger of Frozen Pipes while you are Gone

(8) Double Check the Locks in Your Home

(9) Double Check to Make Sure you Have all Important Documents, Including Passport

(10) Fill out Luggage Tags and attach according to the cruise specification

Most of all- get ready to have a blast!! The Caribbean is beautiful and relaxing and I hope you have a wonderful cruise! If you are looking for additional cruising tips (to the Caribbean or other areas of the word) you can find the following posts on my blog:

// 6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise //

// 3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise //

// Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions //

// River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know //

// 5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise //

// 7 Things to Take With You While In Port //

// 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise //

// 10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise //

// 5 Must Pack Items for a Disney Cruise //

// 16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise //

// Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise //

// 10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise //

Want to read about some of our cruising adventures and excursions in the Caribbean? Check out the following posts on my blog:

DISNEY CRUISES:

Disney Dream (2016): // 5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas/ /
//  Disney Dream Ship Review //  Disney Dream 6192 Stateroom Review //
// Spectacular Shows // Port of Nassau //  Castaway Cay Island // Atlantis & Aquaventure //
// Disney Dream Food & Dining Review //  7 Tips for a Perfect Embarkation Experience //
// Boarding the Disney Dream // Boarding Outfit //

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES:

Majesty of the Seas (2016): //  Majesty of the Seas Ship Review // Majesty of the Seas 1540 Stateroom
//  Coco Cay Island //  Seahorse Sailing & Snorkeling // Reef Snorkeling & Sandbar Getaway //

Majesty of the Seas (2014): //  Nassau // Coco Cay Island (2014) // Atlantis (2014) //

NASSAU:

// Port of Nassau (2016) // Atlantis & Aquaventure (2016) //
//Seahorse Sailing & Snorkeling Adventure //

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS:

Castaway Cay (Disney's Private Island): // Castaway Cay Island //

Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean's Island) // Coco Cay Island // Reef Snorkeling & Sandbar Getaway //

I hope that this list of 10 Things to Do before you leave on your Caribbean Cruise have been helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!!

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10 things to do before you leave on your caribbean cruise

top 13 must pack items for a caribbean cruise

January 31, 2023

Packing for cruises to the Caribbean aren't like packing for cruising to cooler weather climates like a cruise to New England or Canada or on a Winter Rhine River Cruise. The Caribbean is gorgeous no matter what time of year you go to visit and brings warm tropical weather in the day and cooler breezes in the evening. A perfect combination for a relaxing getaway! So when it has come to packing for Caribbean cruises I have narrowed it down to the top 13 things that you can't leave home without!

1. Different Bathing Suits and Cute Cover-ups

If you plan to spend time simply laying out in the sun than you probably don't care what type of bathing suit you are choosing, but if you plan to participate in a shore excursion that involves a sporty activity you will want to consider carefully your bathing suit. Since you will spend so much time in swimwear on the cruise, throw in a couple of different options. And don't forget to throw a cute cover-up in! It is the perfect excuse to wear some bright and fun colors on the beach!

2. Cute and Comfy Sandals and Shoes

Y'all know that I love sandals and would wear them every day of the year if I had the opportunity so the Caribbean weather is the perfect time for packing cute sandals. Don't forget to pack Sandals and shoes that are also comfy though. You will be surprised at how much walking you do on the ship and at the ports for different excursions. As a gal who loves shoes it is the perfect opportunity to pack a couple of different pairs. *smiles* Looking for some cute sandals? I love these TKEES Sandals and have mentioned them various times on the blog! So cute with all different outfits and so comfortable! You can find them HERE!

3. Caribbean Inspired Clothes

One of the most fun parts of a Caribbean Cruise is having the opportunity to dress up in cute sundresses, flowing maxi skirts, and sweet tops. Think through what you will be doing on your cruise and plan out some fun outfits for your trip that match your destination.

4. Widebrim Oversized Sunhat

There are so many adorable different hats that can be worn during the summer months and also on a Caribbean Cruise. A tip that a friend gave me was to purchase an elastic fastener that works like a two-sided clothespin. Attach one end to your hat and the other to your shirt- this is a perfect way to keep your hat on your head instead of over the boat! *smiles* I love THIS large one (isn't the writing so cute?) and THIS one is so adorable too!

5. Sunglasses

Don't forget to bring a pair (or two!) of sunglasses for your trip!

I LOVE these sunglasses and for two pairs for under $15 that look designer they are the perfect thing to purchase!

6. Snorkel and Mask

If you love to swim and snorkel (or even scuba dive) consider bringing your own equipment. Rental masks not only cost a lot of money, but they often fit poorly which allows water to come in or your mask to fog up. While snorkels are "one size fits all", if you are a bit of a germ freak like me, you might feel a little disconcerted by how many people have used the snorkel before you. (Ewww....) Throw in your own snorkel and mask and you will be happy you did! If you are looking for a good set- this snorkel and mask set is awesome and costs less than $30 you can find it on Amazon HERE.

7. Sunscreen

This is obviously a "must pack" item for a Caribbean Cruise, and yet so many people forget to throw it into their suitcase. It is extremely easy to get sunburned in the Caribbean so don't forget to throw this in. You will be saving money by bringing your own sunscreen as Cruise ships charge a premium for this essential item. Traveling with a large group or going on a long cruise? Consider taking some travel-size options with you so that you don't have to carry around a huge bottle. And don't forget to toss in a lip balm for your lips!

8. Aloe Vera

Even with sunscreen, the warm climate of the Caribbean can make it easy to get sunburned. Consider taking along some soothing aloe vera with you for your skin. One of my favorites that I use throughout the year is THIS Aloe Vera Gel! I use this often on my skin, even when I don't have a burn after being out in the sun and it is extremely soothing. One of the other things that I love about this is that it is under $20 on Amazon! You can find it HERE! Curious if others like it? There are nearly 64,000 five star reviews of this!

9. Camera (and the extras)

One thing I love about the Caribbean is all the beautiful colors? But you know what? It's not just the experience, it is always about who you are with and you don't want to miss out on remembering these special memories that you are going to make. So don't forget to bring all of the "extras"- like spare batteries, battery charger, extra chips, etc. A great tip that a friend of mine shared with me the last time I went on a cruise was to charge my camera battery every night. This tip was invaluable as one day I accidentally forgot to turn off my camera in all of the fun we were having and would have missed out on some precious picture memories had I not done this!

ALSO because you are going to have opportunities to view beautiful islands with different corals, colorful fish, and lots of fun, you will likely want to document your experience with an underwater or waterproof camera. Don't want to spend a ton of money on an underwater camera? Consider purchasing the THIS ONE to use! I purchased a similar one (no longer made by the company) for our Royal Caribbean Cruise in November and it was wonderful! You can see some pictures that I took with it in my post about our Reef Snorkeling and Sandbar Getaway Shore Excursion HERE!

10. Extension Cord

Okay, so this isn't a particular suggestion only for Caribbean cruises but can be for any cruise! This was a suggestion that someone gave to me on my first cruise and it was a lifesaver! Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise!

11. Purse, Bag, Etc.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love big purses and bags. They are honestly one of my favorite accessories. Taking a big purse and bag with me when I cruise is the perfect way for me to carry everything that I needed for our days off the ship (and adding a cute accessory). Some people like to use a backpack or some different type of item to carry their belongings in, but definitely remember to pack some type of bag. For me a large purse works perfectly as I can fit in everything I need to (including my camera and other things!) into it! I currently love THIS ONE (for under $15!)! If you are looking for a smaller size - THIS ONE is so cute!

12. Journal, Travel Books, Etc.

Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. THIS travel junk journal is the both of best worlds and can be the perfect solution to remembering all of the special details of your cruise!

13. Cruise Documents and Passport

Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS ONE (it comes in all different colors!) or THIS travel organizer (which also comes in different colors!)!

What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a Caribbean Cruise?

Looking for additional cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts:

10 Valentines Day Gift Ideas for the Cruise Lover

6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise

3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise

Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know

5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise

7 Things to Take With You While In Port

10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise

10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise

5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas

16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise

Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise

10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise

You can also read some of the beautiful cruising adventures that I have had over the years by clicking on the links below for inspiration on planning your own special cruise:

HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES: