12 Jun 2024

Packing Essentials for your Caribbean Yacht Cruise

WORDS by Samantha Coomber

Terre De Haut, Guadeloupe, France Terre De Haut, Guadeloupe, France

Yacht Cruising

Caribbean & Central America

Get ready for a tropical paradise of picture-perfect beaches, crystalline waters brimming with vivid marine life and reefs, lush and wildly beautiful landscapes and diverse cultural legacies.

Now’s the time to start planning what to pack for your cruise of a lifetime. Here are our top recommendations for packing essentials to help you get the most from your time in the dreamy Caribbean.

Prepare for paradise

Even though you’re aboard a luxury yacht, you’ll experience a relaxed and informal setting. As a general guideline, keep it comfortable and cool during the day and smart casual for the evening. However, you may wish to dress-up a little, especially for special occasions like our Welcome and Farewell Receptions or romantic dinners à deux at signature restaurant, La Cucina Dining.

A cruising highlight is soaking-up the balmy weather and laid-back outdoor lifestyle. As the Caribbean is blessed with a year-round, tropical climate, for the most part, you’ll be treated to wonderfully warm weather with abundant sunshine. Pack light, summery clothes, especially fabrics such as cotton or linen to keep you cool and comfortable. A sun hat or cap is also recommended.

Although our Caribbean voyages take advantage of the dry season - from December to March - you may still experience occasional rainfall. You’ll find an umbrella provided in your Suite or Stateroom, but a lightweight waterproof jacket or raincoat may come in handy if you plan to join any of the activities on shore.

On deck, you’ll experience refreshing ocean breezes in the afternoon. A light jacket, shawl or pashmina is ideal for keeping the breezes at bay, especially while enjoying a memorable Caribbean sunset from the Sky Bar with a complimentary rum cocktail in hand. As the evening progresses, temperatures tend to cool to the early 20 degrees Celsius, so you might find packing a cardigan or jacket handy for savouring moonlit ocean views off the Observation Deck, or an al fresco dinner on La Cucina Terrace.

Packing List

Footwear

  • Casual slip-ons or sneakers: for casual lunches and walking around town
  • Water shoes: to explore the rocky areas on the shore line as you snorkel
  • Flip-flops: for easy slip on/off for the beachy terrain
  • Stylish sandals or flats: for dinners and events on board

Cruise Attire & Accessories

  • Sunglasses and a hat: for additional sun protection
  • High SPF Sunscreen and insect repellent 
  • Daytime outfits: comfortable, light summery clothes in linen or cotton, and quick dry layers for kayaking adventures
  • Evening outfits: smart casual
  • Special events: evening dress attire
  • Lightweight sweater, cardigan, or jacket: for evenings when temperature cools
  • Swimsuits, UV top and cover up for beachwear
  • Shawl or pashmina for breezy weather and sun protection

You’ll relish the many opportunities to swim in the Caribbean Sea’s warm, turquoise waters and of course, on board. Anchored most days in picturesque bays, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Sky Deck’s spa pool, or infinity-style Aqua Pool, while admiring wondrous coastal backdrops, including St. Lucia's iconic lava spires.

You can also plunge off the yacht’s innovative Marina Platform into a fun watersports playground, enjoying the complimentary aquatic toys such as Seabob’s, stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks. Swimming and snorkeling off white sand beaches is another option; don’t forget to bring the high SPF-factor sunscreen (we provide the snorkeling gear).
Additionally, consider packing practical and casual daytime wear – anything from shorts and linen trousers or skirts – for our included shore excursions, extending to the EmeraldPLUS cultural immersions and EmeraldACTIVE experiences. Among the highlights, our super-popular beach barbecues on secluded spots only accessible by private yacht, complete with live steelpan band and crew-manned floating bar. Or guided snorkeling forays in aquamarine waters teeming with sea turtles and rays. For water-based activities, consider packing a UV top for extra protection.

Guided tours explore compelling historical sites, while guided hikes and nature trails take you through lava beds, hidden caves, lush forests and more. At additional cost, our DiscoverMORE experiences - curated to special interests - extend to moonlit kayaking excursions on a bioluminescent bay, therapeutic mud baths within a volcano crater and more. A small, secure day bag and comfortable, light walking shoes or sandals, flat-soled with a good grip, are recommended; so too, are water shoes for exploring rocky shores.
Kayaking in St. Lucia Kayaking in St. Lucia
Kayaking in St. Lucia

Additional conveniences

Consider bringing casual exercise gear for fitness sessions in the state-of-the-art gym and early morning yoga on deck, or island explorations on our Gocycle electric bicycles, all of which are complimentary. Your luxury Suite or Stateroom comes fully stocked with indulgent ESPA toiletries, along with a bathrobe, slippers and hairdryer. Should you need anything further, shopping options range from bustling local markets to chic designer stores and our in-house boutique. For extra convenience, there’s a self-service laundry on board.

However you choose to spend your Caribbean voyage, the beauty of yacht cruising is that even though you’re island hopping, you only need to unpack once.

Group of people doing yoga on the beach Group of people doing yoga on the beach
Marigot to Bridgetown

8 Days

SEASON: 2024/2025

Eastern Caribbean with St. Barths

Island hop through the Caribbean by luxury yacht

From
NZD
$6,445*
Bridgetown to Marigot

15 Days

SEASON: 2025/2026

Discover the Pearls of the Caribbean

Island hop through the Caribbean by luxury yacht

From
NZD
$16,600*
Bridgetown

8 Days

SEASON: 2025/2026

Grenadines & Windwards yachting

Island hop through the Caribbean by luxury yacht

From
NZD
$6,895*
Marigot

8 Days

SEASON: 2025/2026

Cruising the Leeward Islands

Island hop through the Caribbean by luxury yacht

From
NZD
$7,295*
San Juan to St Thomas

8 Days

SEASON: 2026/2027

Quintessential Caribbean

Island hop through the Caribbean by luxury yacht

From
NZD
$7,045*
A luxury yacht cruise brochure cover, featuring a yacht sailing the seas off the coast of an island
A luxury yacht cruise brochure cover, featuring a yacht sailing the seas off the coast of an island

Your guide to luxury yacht cruising

Download your free luxury yacht cruise brochure to start planning your journey.

Cookies help us improve your website experience.
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.