WHAT TO PACK ON A CARIBBEAN CRUISE

You're all set: eight glorious days at sea aboard Crystal, cruising to beautiful, sunny island destinations in the Caribbean. But before you dip your toes in those clear, aquamarine waters and warm sands, you'll need to know what to bring on a Caribbean cruise. While it's sometimes hard to think of everything, here are a few tips for what to include from a seasoned travel writer, based on my own "I wish I had thought to bring" moments.

On the Ship

A good place to start is by finding out about the cruise line's dress code. My wife Pam and I traveled on Crystal Serenity, and while our seven night cruise did not feature a formal night, many of longer cruises do. It did feature a "White Night" party, thought, more about that below. So, check your itinerary and pack formal attire accordingly.

So what is a White Night party? As the name suggests, everyone is encouraged to wear white, and we got into the spirit. I wore a white shirt, white pants, and a white sports jacket, while Pam donned a white chiffon cocktail dress. Staged in the ship's atrium, decked out in white regalia for the occasion, it's a night of dancing, cocktails, and fun.

In recent years, packing has become more complicated for guests who are flying to the port of embarkation. Airlines have set a weight limit of 50 pounds per piece of luggage without incurring additional charges. As a result, we both look for how we can lighten the load. In my case, I opt for linen pants vs. jeans, while Pam leans toward lighter fabrics as well. I recommend getting a digital hand scale so you to check your bag's weight before you get a "surprise" at the airport.

While days at sea are generally casual, Crystal's "Evening Resort" dress code is:

• Women: "Can include a blouse, sweater, dressy slacks, skirt or dress."
• Men: "A sport coat, dress shirt, button-down shirt, open collar or collared polo shirt and dress pants or smart trousers (no tie required)."

Pam, who I defer to for all things fashion, offered these tips:

• If there several ports-of-call, toss in mix-n-match, casual, daytime pairings for going ashore. Whether you prefer shorts, slacks, or skirts, pay attention to fabric choices. Surprisingly, blends such as nylon and polyester,pack very well and are quite comfortable. If cotton is a must, select the thinnest. Don’t forget to consider quick-drying microfiber if you envision doing handwashing along the way, but remember that Crystal has laundry services throughout their ships. Also, a kaftan can do double duty as something to wear for the beach or on the ship.

Every accommodation deck has an excellent laundry room where guests can wash and dry their clothes. Crystal provides everything you'll need at no extra charge, while the larger suites have laundry included. It came in handy even though ours was a relatively short cruise. There's also the option of getting items dry cleaned – just consult your stateroom attendant or butler (yes – all the staterooms have their own butler, just another example of Crystal's “exceptional at sea” service).

• When it comes to more elegant evening socializing opportunities, and wearing the poshest ensembles is a must, then bring on the cocktail dress, tux, or tulle. Again, stick to lightweight evening wear. Both the ladies and gents were accessorizing with diaphanous scarves to complete a glamorous look. I tucked a silk scarf into that jacket pocket, and the look was complete.
• Ladies, don’t forget your little black dress, while gents black slacks and a jacket are a fashion must.

While I kept it casual for most daytime activities, I switched to a dress shirt for the ship's Afternoon Tea service. It seemed only fitting: white-gloved penguin-suited waiters serve up finger sandwiches, scones, and petit fours, washed down by a vast choice of hot beverages.

One item Pam considers a “must” when she travels is her headphones. She prefers the headband version, which wraps like a headband around her ears. She loved relaxing in a lounge by Crystal Serenity’s pool, sitting at a table in the Bistro or a swing chair in the Trident Grill and chilling out to her music. By the way, if you have one of the newer iPhones and your headphones are wired, you'll need to buy an adapter since those phones don't have a audio jack plugin.

Off the Ship

Whether you are doing a destination experience, sightseeing or simply sampling the shops at the port, here are some things to keep in mind when you step off the ship:

• Destination experiences run the gamut from sightseeing on a bus, ziplining in the jungle, snorkeling, hiking into the rain forest, or relaxing with a drink on a secluded beach. If you are taking an excursion, make sure you choose the right footwear for whatever activity you'll be doing. That includes a good pair of walking shoes, water shoes or flip-flops.
• By all means, don't underestimate the power of the Caribbean sun. Since the Caribbean is closer to the equator, UV rays are stronger, and nothing ruins a vacation faster than a bad sunburn. For swimwear and water shirts, it's a good idea to consider buying UV-block fabrics that offer the equivalent of 50-plus UPF protection.
• Chances are you can't wait to grab a lounge chair on Crystal Serenity’s pool deck or visit one of the Caribbean's world-class, white-sand beaches. In either case, you'll want to keep the sunscreen handy. Keep in mind when you're in or near the water, you get extra sun exposure due to reflected light. Hats are also recommended - you can protect your face and look stylish at the same time. Of course, sunglasses are a must. I usually throw in an extra pair just in case mine get lost or broken.
• When Crystal's excursion attendants offer bottled water, take it, along with a towel for those beach days. It's important to stay hydrated. Refillable water bottles help the environment, and you can find one that compresses flat when empty. We usually pack a wet washcloth in a plastic bag as well; it's just the ticket for your face and neck when the trade winds aren't blowing. A multi-speed neck fan can also be a godsend.

When you return to the ship, there's a Crystal crew member waiting for you with a much-appreciated cold towel. Whether on or off the ship, prepare to be pampered.

• To keep things organized, take a carry-on bag or knapsack for your sunscreen, water, insect repellent, first aid kit, and other personal items. There are lots of choices here, including crossbody, sling bags with portable USB chargers to bags that feature wet-dry compartments, perfect for storing your swimsuit after a day at the beach. We used the Crystal bag from our stateroom closet; every stateroom has one, and they are perfect to hold towels and other personal items for your excursion.
• To pass through security, you'll need a photo ID and your cruise card. One idea for keeping them handy is on a lanyard around your neck, so you won't have to reach for your billfold or purse.
• Everybody loves to capture those special moments in photos. As you maneuver for that perfect shot, you'll have extra peace of mind if you enclose your smartphone or camera in a waterproof case that clips to your belt or wear around your neck. These are even suited for taking pictures underwater. I hate to think about how many phones are resting right now on the sea bottom, the victim of selfies gone wrong.

One of the best things about cruising with Crystal is their enrichment programs and lectures. On our cruise, we attended a session on how to take better smartphone photos. While I consider myself well-versed in using the iPhone camera, Pam and I both learned a lot we didn't know, including the best places on the ship to take nighttime photos. Check the daily Reflections (the onboard newsletter) for when and where lectures are scheduled.

Speaking of phones, the only thing worse than a sunburn is seeing your smartphone's charging bar go into the red. You should always pack a portable charger for your electronics, especially if you shoot a lot of video, which can drain a battery quickly.

You're in the tropics, and that means you can expect come-and-go rain showers. A small, portable umbrella or rain poncho can come in handy, as it did when we were on an open-air bus tour of Cartagena during a rainstorm. Also, be aware if you're wearing insect repellent, rain can wash it away (that happened to us on a tour of St. Thomas, and the mosquitoes had a feast).

Don’t underestimate the power of a handy first aid kit. We've taken well over 60 cruises, and Pam never starts one without taking something for motion sickness the day before the cruise starts. Another "must" item is Band-Aids, not only for any unexpected cuts but also you'll be glad you did if you develop a blister on your foot. Go ahead and throw in some antiseptic lotion and other over-the-counter medications. Better to have them and not need them than hunt them down on an island (and they'll cost less).

If you do have a medical need onboard, the ship has a Medical center, staffed by a doctor and trained personnel.

Bon voyage!