Are you going on a cruise during hurricane season and wondering what to pack? The Atlantic Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. If you are going on a Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda or Mexico Cruise during that time, you will find this cruise packing list useful. Below are the things to pack on your cruise during hurricane season.
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Clothes to Bring to Your Cruise During Hurricane Season
When packing for a cruise during hurricane season, you should be prepared for different activities in good and bad weather. You also need clothes for a fancy dinner on the cruise or a day at the beach. Here are some suggestions on what to wear on your cruise.
Bathing suits (bring 2-3 extra)
Bathing suits are essential to pack, even if you’re sailing during hurricane season. If you’re lucky and end up with perfect sunny weather, you will spend a lot of time in your bathing suit at the beach, pool, and hot tub. Even if the weather turns south, you will still need your bathing suit for the indoor pool.
Bringing only one bathing suit is never enough because sometimes it takes too long to dry. If you are going on a seven-day cruise, you need at least two bathing suits. I recommend bringing three bathing suits, especially if you cruise with kids. You will be glad to have packed extra bathing suits. Also, bring rash guards because the sun can be intense in the Caribbean.
Swim goggles
Swimming goggles are a must if you’re sensitive to chlorinated pools and salt water. I suggest bringing an extra swim goggle in case you lose one! Otherwise, you will get stuck buying expensive swim goggles at the cruise gift shop.
Swim Cover Up
A swim cover-up is a must-have. You can wear it over your bathing suit when you go to the beach, the pool, or the buffet.
Shorts and shirts
Shorts and short-sleeved shirts are your casual wardrobe staples. You can wear them for daytime activities, such as relaxing on the deck or a day at the beach. Choose light and breathable fabrics, such as cotton and linen. I always pack a few skorts with pockets for phones.
Sweatshirt
Since you’re cruising during hurricane season, a sweatshirt is a must. When the weather turns bad, it will feel chilly, so you’ll want to reach for a cozy, lightweight sweatshirt.
Also, the air-conditioned cruise ship can get cold at times. Therefore, it is a good idea to pack a sweatshirt to layer over your shorts and shirts. It will also come in handy if you are flying and easily get cold on the plane.
Underwear
This is an obvious item to pack, but you should bring more than you think you need since you will spend a lot of time swimming and at the beach. If you are packing for a 7 day cruise, I’d bring 10 pairs of underwear just in case. You should also pack special underwear for the evening, such as shapewear and strapless bra.
Hats or Baseball Caps
Hats or baseball caps are essential for a Caribbean cruise.
Flip flops
Flip flops are a must-have on your cruise. You will need it at the pool and the beach. It will also serve as slippers in your cabin.
Water shoes
Water shoes are a great item to pack. You can wear them for water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, or jet skiing. You can also wear them for walking on the beach in case you are on rocky surfaces.
Eveningwear
Although the dress code is often optional, you might want to dress up for some nights during your cruise. There are always a few dress-up evenings, such as captain’s dinner, the gala night, or the farewell party. Those evenings are when they serve the best food on the cruise (lobster and steak)! You don’t want to miss it just because you don’t have the right clothes!
Shawl or Pashmina
A shawl or pashmina is a handy item to pack on your cruise. You can use it as a wrap for your dress. The cruise ship’s air conditioning can get cold, so it’s nice to have a shawl or pashmina to keep you warm.
Dressy shoes
Remember to pack dressy shoes. You will need them for evening dinners. Also, pack comfortable heels because you will most likely walk around the cruise ship after dinner.
Evening bag or clutch bag
Remember to pack an evening bag or a clutch bag to match your eveningwear. I like evening bags with a wrist strap, so they’re easy to carry around even if you’re at the buffet!
Gym clothes (with sneakers)
Pack comfortable gym clothes for sea days. Even if you’re not planning to work out on the cruise, your gym clothes will come in handy if you’re stuck indoors due to bad weather. It’s nice to have cozy and comfy attire of sweatpants or leggings with a shirt and sweatshirt.
7 Day Hurricane Season Cruise Wardrobe
Here is an example of what to pack on a 7 day cruise for women during Hurricane season. 10 pairs of underwear
- 4-7 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of shorts (skorts)
- 4 t-shirts
- 2 polo shirts
- 2 button-down shirts
- 1 pair of jeans
- 1-2 pairs of leggings (for the gym or sea days)
- 1 sweater or cardigan or sweatshirt
- 3 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 blazer or jacket
- 1 dress or suit
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 pair of water shoes
- 4 bathing suits
- 2 swim cover ups
- 1 sun hat or baseball cap
- 1 shawl or pashmina
- 1 evening bag or clutch bag
7 Day Caribbean Cruise Wardrobe for Men
Here is an example of what to pack for a 7 days cruise for men during Hurricane season
- 10 pairs of underwear
- 4-7 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of shorts
- 8 t-shirts/polo shirts/button down shirts
- 2 pairs of jeans/khaki pants
- 1 pair of shorts or sweatpants (for the gym or sea days)
- 1 sweaters or sweatshirts
- 3 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 suits or blazers
- 1 dress pants (match with blazers)
- 2 dress shirts
- 1 tie, belt and cufflinks
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of very comfortable walking shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 pair of water shoes
- 4 bathing suits
- 1 hat or baseball cap
Hurricane Season Cruise Packing List: Accessories
Below are the accessories that you will need for your hurricane season cruise.
Packing Cubes
I always use packing cubes to keep things organized, making it easy to pack and unpack.
Umbrella
Umbrellas are a must when going on a cruise during hurricane season. There is a high chance you will encounter rainy, dreary weather. Or a sudden downpour! Bring one umbrella per person so you don’t have to share.
Ponchos
If you don’t want to bring umbrellas because they’re too bulky, you should at least bring some ponchos to keep you dry if it rains suddenly. I suggest bringing a poncho for everyone in your group and a few umbrellas, just in case.
Anti-Seasickness Medication
Anti-seasickness medication is a must when cruising during hurricane season. Get the less drowsy one. Don’t forget to pack chewable ones for kids. For a natural anti-seasickness solution, try these acupressure bands (wear it every day on the cruise ship!)
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a must when visiting the Caribbean, Mexico or Bermuda since the sun is more intense there. Everyone, even kids, needs sunglasses.
Sunblock
You need to bring sunblock on your cruise. Get a sunscreen with a high SPF (at least 50). If you spend the day by the pool or at the beach, you need to reapply every 2 hours, so bring a lot. Sunblock sticks are great for the face. Don’t forget the chapstick with SPF for your lips!
Mesh laundry bag
I always pack a mesh laundry bag for my dirty clothes. Having a laundry bag for dirty clothes will help keep your cruise cabin organized.
Electronics, Chargers and External Batteries
If you are going on a cruise with many sea days and you are traveling with kids, you will want to keep everyone entertained with iPads, Switch, and Kindles (to read by the pool). You should also bring a charger and external batteries.I suggest downloading movies in advance before you get onboard so you don’t need to subscribe to the cruise internet service.
Power Strip
Remember to pack a power strip for your cruise. Cruise ship cabins are known for having a limited number of outlets, and with all the devices you’ll need to charge, you’ll definitely need more. Make sure to bring a non-surge power strip that’s approved for cruise ships. You’ll be happy you have one!
Snorkeling gear
If you think you will snorkel, bring your own snorkeling gear. It will save you money since you don’t have to rent one at the beach. Of course, only bring your own snorkel gear if you have room in your luggage.
Waterproof Camera
Bring a waterproof camera if you like to take cool underwater videos and pictures. I like using my GoPro to capture underwater videos while I’m snorkeling. Don’t forget to bring extra memory cards, batteries, and waterproof covers/accessories for your camera.
Bug spray
Bring bug spray, especially if you are a mosquito magnet. You don’t have to bring the whole bottle of bug spray; just bring a few of these wipes.
Waterproof Tote Bag or Beach Bag
You will need a good size tote bag or beach bag to take with you when you go to the pool or when you go ashore. When you go ashore, you will need to carry everything you need for a day at the beach, such as towels, sunscreen, water, extra clothes, snacks and accessories. It’s also a good idea to have waterproof beach bags if it rains. I like this beach bag because it is waterproof and has a zipper closure. This is an easy, packable beach bag with zipper that I always keep in my luggage, just in case!
Refillable water bottles
Refillable water bottles will come in handy during your Caribbean cruise. Most cruise ships don’t provide free water in your cabin unless you purchase bottled water from the cruise line or get water from the buffet. I like to fill up my water bottles with water and ice and take them to my cabin. I also do the same when I go ashore.
Don’t bring water bottles with straws since it’s a hassle to wash. I like these insulated water bottles without straws. When I’m out and about on the cruise ship, I don’t trust myself to carry around my water bottle because I end up losing it! So, I always have this crossbody bag that is made to hold water bottles!
Resealable plastic bags
I always bring a few resealable plastic bags or Ziplocs and keep them in my beach bag. They come in handy when you are at the beach to store snacks and keep things dry.
Beach Towels
Even though the cruise ship provides beach towels, you may want to bring your own if you have room in your luggage. The cruise ship will charge a fee if you lose their beach towels!
Beach Chair Towel Clips
I always bring my own beach chair towel clips to secure my towel to the beach chair so it doesn’t fall off or get blown away. It’s a pet peeve of mine to lie down on a beach chair where the towel has slipped off. I like these fun beach chair towel clips. I also always have these towel bands because they are compact and easy to pack in my luggage.
Wet Bag
You’ll also want to wear a wet bag to keep your sunblock inside, as well as AirPods and phone. It has a wristlet for portability and a zipper to keep things secure.
Lanyard
You will need your cruise card for everything- to get into your cabin to pay for purchases, and to get in and out of the ship. It’s a hassle to look for, so I suggest bringing a lanyard to keep your cruise card.
Waterproof phone case
To protect your phone from water and sand, use a waterproof phone case with a touch screen. It will come in handy when you spend the day at the beach.
Walkie talkie
If you are traveling with family or a big group, it’s nice to have a way to communicate to each other onboard. Cellphone service is poor and internet service is expensive. Bringing a long range walkie talkie is an easy way to stay in touch and it can be a lot of fun for kids to use.
Binoculars
I always pack binoculars when I go on cruises. It’s fun to use when your balcony. Definitely get one that is compact, lightweight and with a strap.
What to Pack in Your Caribbean Cruise Overnight Bag
You will need an overnight bag for your Caribbean Cruise, which you will carry on board (don’t check it in). I recommend using a small roller luggage (the fits the overhead compartment on airplanes). You need a bag that you carry with you because on the first day you board the ship, your luggage will not arrive in your stateroom immediately. It can take them a few hours before they deliver your luggage to your room. That’s why I recommend packing first day essentials in your overnight bag. This is what I recommend you pack in your overnight bag.
Bathing Suit
Pack your bathing suit in your overnight bag in case you want to swim the first day. Even if it’s raining, you might still want to swim in the indoor pool. I know my kids usually want to jump in the pool on the first day, so I always pack their bathing suits.
Swim Goggles
Don’t forget the swim goggles!
Sunblock
You will need sunblock if you plan to swim on the first day.
Change of Clothes
Bring a change of clothes in case you get in the pool that first day. Sometimes they don’t deliver your luggage to your cabin until almost dinner time. You will want a change of clothes after swimming at the pool.
Medication
Definitely bring your medication in your overnight bag. Don’t pack them in your check-in luggage! My son is allergic to peanuts and I always pack his EpiPen and allergy medication in the overnight bag.
Book, Electronics and Toys
There will be some downtime on the first day. If you are cruising with kids, you will need electronics and toys to keep them entertained. I like to bring my book, so I have it when I’m lounging by the pool.
Hurricane Season Cruise Packing List- Free Printable
Get your free Hurricane Season cruise packing list printable. It will come in handy if you are cruising to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, or Bahamas from June 1 to November 30. Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it as a checklist to help you pack for your Hurricane season cruise! I hope you like it!
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