Need ideas for outerwear for Caribbean cruise in April

Sheila

Well I am a terrible 'at-sea' person, but my sweet husband has insisted that we try a short 7-day cruise on a very nice big boat. So it will be my first.

What can I wear for outerwear that will get me from cool Seattle to warmer Charleston, SC, where we are spending some time sightseeing, then to even warmer Puerto Rico and finally, back home to chilly Seattle (possibly high 40's to maybe 60) after the cruise?

I have been debating about a lightweight raincoat, a white denim jacket,...and what??! I am hoping to bring just the clothes that I need. (Angie, I know this runs counter to your personal packing strategy.)

Ideas, please?

8 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

How dressy are you expected to be on the cruise? I might look for a cotton cardigan for evenings and in the wind, that could layer under the raincoat as you travel and for the plane.

8 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I like the white denim jacket idea, and maybe a big but lightweight scarf for extra warmth if needed ... It can also double as a pillow and blanket for plane, and an evening wrap.

8 years ago

Anonymous

How cold do you get? Most people on cruise trips seem to be running around without sweaters in the A/C while my DH & I are needing them, and bothered by the Caribbean heat (where there's no A/C) while my DH & I enjoy it. My advice is to pack a jacket anyway. We once went on a cruise to the Bahamas when a cold front came through and the weather was windy and cold. You never know what the weather is going to do.

8 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

Sounds like the raincoat should be nixed in favor of a shorter jacket plus pashmina or other warm scarf. Thanks for the ideas!

8 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I vote lightweight raincoat and layers. Light cardigans to layer work well also. Have fun. Blue sky and warm weather sounds so appealing right now!

8 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

What fun Sheila! I vote for the raincoat. A raincoat can be used for many different weather conditions while other outerwear never does keep you dry enough when you've got a limited wardrobe and getting items to dry can be a problem while travelling.

8 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

So...the Raincoat is coming on strong now! I have one that might work and I also have a White Denim Jacket. Guess I will have to wait until a couple of days before we depart to make this decision.

Thank you to all for your ideas, they have been very helpful.

8 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I like cardigan sweaters for the a/c on the cruise ship. If they're lightweight they don't take up much packing space.

8 years ago

El Cee

Veteran

On tropical vacations I usually bring a packable trench coat (or wear it on the plane), a big pareo that can be worn as both a shawl and a beach wrap, and one or two lightweight cardigans. As others have mentioned, the A/C aboard ship can be downright chilly.

8 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

Oh I really love all these ideas. I will start searching online as I don't see much in the stores along these lines. Not the right season for tropical wear in Seattle!

8 years ago

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