10 Clothing Items you Will Need on a Carnival Cruise

I feel like I should put a disclaimer on the post and truly tell you my list is developed for those who love clothes and embrace the opportunity to dress up. My cruise packing list is not intended to be literally interpreted to I mean “one”  when I list an item, i.e. when I say Bathing Suit/Swimwear, you understand I don’t mean just one right? I am not sure I have ever gone on a cruise and taken just one of something. Even my hats are in multiples. 10 Clothing Items you need on a cruise in “multiples.

This list is meant strictly to provide guidance to you if you want to embrace the experience

1) Swim wear/bathing suits – now this is a non brainer right, everyone assumes you will need something to paddle around in the water, but this is meant to reassure you that anything goes, really if you want to wear a two piece, embrace it. I do. Cruise Ships are made for swimsuits

2) Cover-up(s) the rule of the day is a cover up is great for anything,  for sea days its prudent to have a cover up so that you can head into the buffet or restaurant without having to head back to the room. Cover Ups are also perfect for in shore activities. You can leave the Cruise ship with only your cover-up on and it is perfectly acceptable.

3) If you plan any excursions then you will need a casual day outfit, sundress, shorts and a tee.and for this particular item a one of actually will do because you are most likely not seeing the same people every day and unless you have excursions planned that involve tours you will not be wearing the outfit everyday.

4) Long dress/Cocktail dress for Cruise Elegant night ( check many cruises actually have two elegant nights so you may want to pack an extra.

Cruise Wear Continued

5) Attire for the other few nights, for me this entails still cocktail dresses but many people do go for a more casual “Day Dressy” look.  For this item my recommendation is, if you plan on eating at the sit down restaurant ( which I highly recommend) it is a great occasion to still dress up

6) Footwear- flip-flops/sandals, a dressy shoe and a sneaker/loafer/tennis shoe ( now if you have planned hiking excursions adjust accordingly but I am on a leisure vacation so just a comfortable walking show

7) Hat (s)– depending on your style a baseball cap/ cowboy hat, floppy brim hat or if you are like me a straw fedora, quick tip, Carnival sells the most awesome straw Fedoras on board the ship for 10.00.

Trust me on this one, I own three White, Natural and Black and I love em all.

9) rain poncho ( dollar store variety that you can just take anywhere.  You never know when a rain shower may hit and why let a little wet dampen the mood, its not like its cold. Plus the poncho can be used to keep your belongings dry.

10) Handbag/crossover bag/tote– remember no-one wants to have to worry about their purse on the beach but a nice beach tote plus a smart wristlet is perfect. The wristlet can pull double duty, holder of key and phone at the beach as well as around the ship.

That’s it 10 essential pieces that I guarantee you will find useful, now if you are like me, try to narrow down which seven swimsuits and coverups you want to take because really two suitcases is the max and honestly one will do.