How to Pack a Capsule Wardrobe for a Hot Climate on a Cruise

There is an art to packing for a cruise and here is how to pack a capsule wardrobe for a hot climate.

Whether that be for a Caribbean cruise, a Mediterranean cruise, a Panama Canal cruise, a Hawaiian cruise or a French Polynesia cruise, here is how to pack for your cruise step by step.

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So, you have booked the cruise and are so excited to go on vacation, but then you have the dreaded task of packing for it!

What do you pack for a cruise? Here I am going to walk you through it as there is an art to it.

And does anyone really like packing? I don’t! I really do not enjoy it, but I do it a lot so I have become a very good packer, especially for cruising.

How to Pack a Capsule Wardrobe for a Hot Climate

I pack for cruising most of the time, so I am going to share with you a travel capsule wardrobe.

With all the cruise essentials you should bring and the unnecessary items that you can leave at home.

Make the most of your luggage space, and pack a well-curated capsule wardrobe, with versatile pieces so you are covered for casual looks to formal nights.

Most women bring way too much with them when they vacation, and then they end up wearing the same old things or what they feel comfortable in.

How many times have you shopped for loads of clothes, shoes and accessories before you went on vacation?

And then either not packed them as you didn’t have room in your luggage or you didn’t feel comfortable in the new dress you bought? Any hands up?

When you travel it’s best to pack a capsule wardrobe if you are cruising, staying in a resort or even backpacking.

It is better to bring less than more so you have space to bring back a souvenir or two.

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How to Pack a Capsule Wardrobe Step-By-Step Guide

1. Luggage for the Cruise

First, get the right luggage – Make the most of your luggage space, but that does not mean get a really big suitcase.

If you start with a big heavy case then you already taking less with you!

Also, cruise ships do not have a lot of space in the cabin to store your luggage.

So, get a lightweight case with wheels and one that you cannot go over the airline weight restrictions. (Always check your airline website to see what their weight restriction is, as they do differ).

My suggestion is to buy a lightweight, wheeled, medium-sized case. My favourite brand that I personally use is Eastpak.

2. Use Packing Cubes

Invest in packing cubes they are a game changer when it comes to packing.

I have used them for years and would never go back!

They come in all different sizes so you can organise all your clothes, which makes it a lot easier when you get to your destination.

Also, I like to use them to organise my clothes in the drawers in the cabin/hotel room.

Then you can pack your underwear together, tops, dresses, jeans, etc. If your luggage is opened at the airport or cruise terminal it looks neat and tidy.

3. Check the Weather Forecast at the Cruise Ports

Always check the weather forecast before you go.

Does it get cold at night? Is there any chance of rain? How hot does it get?

Are you going to any sites that require a certain way to dress?

Some countries require to cover up in temples, churches, and cathedrals and sometimes it is a custom that women do not show their shoulders and knees.

It is always best to check first so you are not surprised.

Even for warm weather I always pack an umbrella just in case!

4. Choose Your Color Scheme

Think of the color palette you like, then pick out the colors you like to wear.

Do you like a bright color? Do you like neutral colors? 

Once you have an idea of what you like and wear most, then narrow it down to four or five colours.

You do not want to bring lots of different colors, as it will make it harder to mix and match and create outfits.

For example black, navy, white, beige and coral.

Always select colours that can be mixed and matched to make different outfits.

Don’t bring items of clothing that do not go with anything else unless it is a dress for a formal night.

You are going to need outfits for; joining the ship, breakfast and dinner, formal nights, tours/beach/walking around the city/town and the last day – leaving the ship.

5. Pick Out Your Clothing for the Cruise

Here are the items of clothing you need for your cruise packing list for a 7/10 day cruise:

• 3 Pairs of trousers (e.g. jeans denim/white & smart black trousers)
• 2 Pairs of shorts/2 skirts (e.g. beige/navy/white)
• 1 Casual dress/maxi dress (e.g. navy/coral one that goes with scarf or cardigan)
• 7 Casual tops (e.g. navy/white/coral)
• 5 Smart tops (e.g. black/coral/white)
• 1 Smart dress (e.g. navy/coral)
• 1 Long-sleeve shirt (e.g. lightweight in white)
• 2 Formal Dresses/Cocktail dresses (e.g. black/colour and easy to pack)
• 2 Vest Tops/tank tops (e.g. white/nude/navy)
• Light sweater/Cardigan (e.g. navy)
• Gym Tee and leggings (if you use the gym)
• Bikini/Bathing Suit
• Over up
• Sleepwear
• Flip Flops
• Hat
• Beach bag/day pack 
• 1 Pair of Heels (Nude)
• 1 Pair of Ballet Pumps (nude)
• 1 Pair of Trainers/Walking Shoes
• 1 Pair Sandals (Flat)
• Formal clutch bag
• Scarves
• Handbag
• Backpack
• Knickers
• Bras
• Sports Bra
• Socks
• Tights
• Trainers socks
• Lightweight Jacket/Rain jacket
• Umbrella
• Jewellery (that goes with everything)
• Watch
• Belt
• Sunglasses & Case
• Plastic bag – good for laundry/ or a travel laundry bag

6. The Art of Packing for a Cruise: Efficient Packing

Once your capsule wardrobe is selected, roll all tops and small items of clothing and place them into the packing cubes.

It is amazing how much more you can squeeze in. Fold all dresses and trousers and lay them below the packing cubes.

One thing to remember when cruising there are washing machines and laundry service onboard, so if you are doing a longer trip or want to wash some of your clothes, you can.

Stick to a colour theme so you can mix and match, for example, my colours are black, navy, white, beige, and coral.

This makes it so much easier to make lots of outfits and takes the hard work out of dressing when on vacation.

7. How Many Pairs of Shoes?

I love shoes, but I am not taking my whole collection!

So, my advice is to choose a colour that goes with every outfit.

I wear nude patent shoes, high heels and flats (dress shoes) and I have a matching clutch bag that goes with everything.

Pack lightweight trainers or walking shoes. Leave the wooden wedges at home!

A pair of sandals and flip-flops.

8. Jewellery and Accessories

Only take jewellery that goes with all of your outfits, but a necklace can change the look of an outfit as does a scarf.

Speaking of scarves, they are very handy to put over your shoulders, as in some parts of the ship it is freezing.

Also, a light sweater or cardigan does the trick if you get cold in the air conditioning on board.

As it can be really hot outside on deck and then very cold inside the ship.

9. Hair Styling

There are hairdryers in the staterooms on most cruise lines.

But if you would like to bring your own hairdryer, straightening irons or curlers, take travel-size or lightweight ones and remember your brush, comb and clips.

10. Travel Beauty Products and Make-up

Do not bring full-size beauty products unless you are going to use all of them like sunscreen and after-sun lotion.

Always buy travel-sized products or decant them into 50 ml or 100 ml bottles or jars.

There are so many empty bottles you can buy in all shapes and sizes now it is easy to decant and label.

But always remember to label before you wash your hair with your face cream!

Take products that have multi-uses.

On most cruise lines there are shampoo and shower gel in bathrooms.

For make-up take just what you normally use, and empty your make-up bag of all the make-up that you only use occasionally as you will probably wear less.

11. Electronics

Remember your camera and charger, tablet and charger, phone and charger, earphones and travel plug adapters.

12. Final Luggage Tips

A tip for getting more in your suitcase is to pack it, then stand it upright and leave it to settle for at least a few hours. Then open it and squeeze in more.

Label your luggage with a luggage tag and also put a copy of your tag inside your luggage just in case it comes off.

Also, the cruise luggage tag for when you embark on the cruise ship that will have your name and cabin number on it.

Use TSA-approved locks if travelling to the USA.

Weigh your luggage with luggage scales. and bring them with you for your return journey if flying home.

Get your Free Packing Checklist below to make packing easier.

CRUISE ESSENTIALS

Here are some cruising products from Amazon you may find useful on your next cruise. To see more, have a look at my Amazon shop page and click here.

If you enjoyed reading this article you may enjoy Top 23 Packing Tips for Colder Cruise 

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Happy Cruising!