This week we talk about our upcoming Carnival cruise, and our thoughts on the best cruise packing list to support it. We’re cruising on Carnival Panorama from California to the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, but this packing list works for ANY warm weather cruise.
Today, we’re laying out our cruise packing list. Yep, that’s right, we’re going on a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera, and we’re sharing all our tips and tricks.
Well, we’re actually ON a cruise at the time of recording. If we passed our COVID tests!
How this show is gonna go.
- First a little background.
- What’s different from our last cruise.
- Dive into the packing list.
- You can also search “Carnival packing list” at cruisetipstv.com for a written version
- Listener spotlight!
Check out our Packing with me video
What’s different from our Caribbean packing video?
- We’re taking soda- why? NO drink packages.
- Allowable champagne/prosecco too!
- But those drinks are taking up almost an entire suitcase
- I’m taking a large bag for my clothes- different luggage.
- Packing for theme nights
- Fun fact: we can’t check our luggage when we arrive because our son has to covid test in the terminal. Not sure how that will look?!
- NO flight bag. Instead, our carry on is focused strictly on embarkation day essentials.
- Not going ashore- maybe at all. How does that change our packing? Not much really.
- Liquid IV has a new flavor- we packed lots of yellow cherry, energy and immunity blend. Discount Code: CRUISETIPSTV
- Toiletry differences: Full size sunscreen, hallelujah!
- Accessory differences: A few wall magnets.
- Taking a laptop? Why? LIVE trip reports at cruisetipstv.com
- We become Platinum on this cruise, so we get laundry services.
Packing for a Caribbean Cruise
Stay In Touch
Thanks so much for listening! We hope you’ve enjoyed this podcast and we’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to direct message us on Instagram or Facebook with your thoughts, or just check in to see what we are up to on those platforms. We have lots of fun on Instagram, and we have a wonderful welcoming cruising community on Facebook. Be sure to check those out.
Need a travel agent?
Looking for a good travel agent? Contact our travel agency partner, Montebello Dream Vacations & let them know you were referred by CruiseTipsTV when you call. Wendy will match you with the best agent for your needs. Phone number is on the website.
Join the Academy!
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Here’s what people are saying about the CruiseTipsTV Unplugged Podcast
- My husband is sick of me saying "Sherri said..."
March 27, 2022 by CareenL from United States
I'm so glad to have found Cruise Tips TV! I'm the primary vacation planner in our family and, like Sherri, enjoy planning almost as much as the actual vacation itself. We just went on our first ever cruise [Carnival Sunrise to Half Moon Cay & Nassau] at the end of February & loved it! I binged on Cruise Tips TV for months prior to our trip and found it so helpful. We don't have another cruise booked but I find myself still listening because gosh darn it, I like you guys! I came for the tips, but I'm sticking around for Sherri's sweet voice and Mr. Cruise Tips TV's wisecrackery! Thank you for everything you do!
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March 20, 2022 by Cruiseboomer from United States
I just want to thank you, Sheri and Mr. Cruise Tips TV, for all that you do by keeping me entertained as I do my morning walks.I am a seasoned solo cruiser and still manage to find some information from you that is helpful on every trip I take. Since the European cruising season is now open, could you consider a podcast about tips for cruising in Europe? You have the experience and I’d like to tap in to some of that knowledge for my upcoming trips this summer and in the fall.
- Great pod [maybe a little less on packing, though]
March 12, 2022 by Geneva Mike from United States
I really enjoy the pod and the positive attitude and humor of the hosts. One minor constructive criticism - maybe slightly less time spent on packing and more on cruising. Don’t get me wrong - packing is a totally valid topic in the wider context of a cruise. For example, if you’re talking about a cruise to the Caribbean or Alaska, it’s very helpful to devote a portion of those shows to how to pack for those trips. But to devote an entire show, or several shows, to the subject of packing kind of gets away from what I consider to be the show’s strengths - making us feel like we’re going on a cruise. But that’s a quibble. Overall I enjoy the show very much.
Hey Cruisers!
We’re preparing for a warm weather Carnival cruise, and decided to do something we’ve never done! We’re sharing our Carnival Cruise packing list with you [gulp!]. Yep, all the nitty gritty little things we’re packing can be found right here.
And, if you want to see some of these items in action, check out this Cabin Hacks video we filmed onboard.
Weather Conditions & Planning Tips
While this packing list is meant to be used for ANY warm weather destination, I want to share some important details to give you an idea for this particular trip!
We’re headed to the Mexican Riviera for an early fall cruise [September]. The cruise departs from California, which contrary to what some may think, isn’t always warm and sunny! Particularly once you’re onboard the ship, and subject to those ocean breezes! We’ll be headed South, to the cities of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. The weather in these Mexican Riviera ports is quite warm year round, with Cabo San Lucas being typically dry, and Puerto Vallarta, a bit more humid and balmy. Mazatlan falls somewhere in the middle of those two weather patterns, but overall, expect it to be warm and somewhat humid.
Because the cruise leaves from California, you’ll notice that we’ll pack one pair of jeans and a warm hoodie or sweater. I mention this because if we were packing for a Caribbean cruise [a bit of a different packing list!], we’d likely leave the jeans and hoodie HOME. But since California weather can be a bit cool and unpredictable, we want some warmer clothing, just in case.
If you’re cruising the Mexican Riviera during the winter or spring months, PLEASE pack some warm clothes, possibly even a jacket for those sea days going up and down the coast of California. California and the upper Baja Peninsula can remain quite cool and breezy before you reach warm, sunny Cabo San Lucas.
This packing list would be perfectly suitable for a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise too! Really, this Carnival Cruise Packing List can be easily adapted for any warm weather destination.
More Resources
If you’re like me, and you prefer the video version, this Pack with Me video should do the trick. Filmed just before our Carnival Cruise, we show you many of the items listed below, and talk about why we chose to pack them, and how this cruise was different from others we’ve been on. And it WAS different!
Want to see what we packed for our summer Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean? You’ll like this video, and there were LOTS of things that set this trip apart because the Caribbean weather is MUCH warmer, and we were flying to port. Don’t miss that video!
Want to shop this article? We’ve hyperlinked lots of products, but this “as seen in” list covers many of the products listed, and will allow you to save time by shopping in just one place.
Looking for a printable cruise packing list?
If creating your own Carnival cruise packing list sounds like too daunting a task, consider joining the CruiseTipsTV Academy where you’ll have access to printable cruise packing lists and tons of essential cruise tips & tricks to save you time and money. Check it out here*.
*For $5 off the course tuition, use the code ALLABOARD.
Packing Techniques & Tools
If you’ve been around the CTTV community for a while, you know the virtues of packing cubes! Yes, these little beauties come in every print, color and style you can imagine, and let me tell you, they make packing a BREEZE. Needless to say, we’re using them on this trip. One color for each member of the family and they should ABSOLUTELY become a part of your Carnival Cruise packing list!
Suitcases are kind of a personal thing, IMO. Mine are so old and scratched up that I’m not going to show you a close up photo. What you’ll want to know is that we’re taking a combination of carry on suitcases, a camera backpack for my husband’s gear, and one slightly larger suitcases on this trip. Typically, we pack carry-on only, but since we’re driving to port, we’re not going quite as extreme as a cruise where a flight is required. Let’s get to the Carnival Cruise packing list!
If you prefer a printable cruise packing list, our Intro to Cruising Master Class has it all. For $5 off the course, use the code ALLABOARD.
Packing List: Toiletries & Random Items
- Lightweight foldable backpack
- Sunscreen
- Travel Size Shampoo & Conditioner
- Haircare items
- Comb/brush
- Hot tools [curling iron/flat iron]
- Body lotion
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Shaving cream
- LiquidIV – for hydration & immunity [25% off using this link]
- Reusable hot/cold water bottle
- Medications [pain reliever, cold relief, allergy relief, heartburn relief]
- Foam hand soap for stateroom bathroom
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
- Bandaids & butterfly closures
- Antibiotic ointment
- Cosmetics
- Sleep mask
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Baby powder [for beach days -takes sand off your feet!]
A little note about toiletries: this is personal stuff. The list above just contains examples of what works for us. We don’t always pack ALL of this either, but for the sake of being thorough, we outlined a pretty exhaustive list.
What’s in my embarkation day bag:
- Passports – tucked into a neck wallet or combo vaccine card pouch
- Pen [keep near passports]
- COVID Vaccine Cards in waterproof protectant pouch
- COVID test results [staff prefer them printed out!]
- Boarding documents [boarding passes, luggage tags, cruise contract, etc]
- If flying, boarding passes, face masks for airport flight, and other flight documentation
- Phone, chargers, cables, earbuds [kept in this handy bag]
- USB Charging hub
- $1 and $5 bills for tipping porters and bartenders
- Wallet, car keys
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries [we elaborate on those above]
- Medications
- Lanyards [so you can go “hands free” with your cruise card]
- Swimwear for the family [goggles for junior]
- Hand sanitizing wipes
- Clorox wipes for a quick cabin wipe down
- 1 change of clothes for each member of the family [in the event of luggage delays]
- Camera & camera equipment
- Laptop & laptop sleeve [if working]
- Soda & allowable champagne or wine
- Champagne stopper [keeps the bubbles longer!]
- All of the above is packed into this backpack or a rolling carry-on size suitcase [with our soda]
Health & Safety Items
- Clorox or similar disinfecting wipes [for cabin surfaces & door handles]
- Face masks [disposable or washable]
- Hand sanitizing wipes
- Medications [we recommend packing extra prescription medication in the event of travel delays]
Clothing & Accessories
- Hat
- Shoes [flip flops, athletic shoes or sneakers, formal pumps, wedges for dinner]
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Swimwear
- Swim cover ups
- Sun protective clothing [like rash guards for beach days]
- Underwear/bras
- Formal wear [2 nights]
- Casual dinners [5 nights]. For me, this means 5 casual dresses. For my husband, 5 casual pants & 5 collared “surf” style shirts.
- Shorts
- T-Shirts
- Workout clothes [also nice for Skyride, Skyzone, etc]
- Jeans [1 pair only- this is a warm weather cruise]
- Hoodie or light jacket [just 1]
- Jewelry [nothing fancy]
- Small travel purse for evenings [to carry lipstick, phone/camera & cruise card to dinner]
Stateroom Essentials
- Wall mount itinerary – here’s a sample you can customize
- Binder to hold paperwork, reservations, etc [optional] – here’s how to make one
- Wall mount magnets [use one to hold up itinerary on wall for easy reference]
- Sticky notes
- Highlighter pen
- Pop up hamper
- Mesh pouch to hold all of the above!
- And… Cruising ducks!
That’s a wrap! Your turn!
We hope this Carnival Cruise Packing List helped you to get started on your cruise planning! Do you have any packing challenges you still need help with? Check out how we used some of these items in our latest Stateroom Organization video.
We’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to direct message us on Instagram or Facebook with your thoughts, or just check in to see what we are up to on those platforms. We have lots of fun on Instagram, and we have a wonderful welcoming cruising community on Facebook. Be sure to check those out.
Want to shop this article?
We’ve hyperlinked lots of products from our Carnival Cruise packing list, but this “as seen in” list covers so much, and will get you started!
Cruise like a PRO!
Download our shore day bag checklist, and more cruise packing and planning checklists & videos by joining the CruiseTipsTV Academy. We have a special discount code for our readers on this Intro to Cruising Master Class.
To redeem the $5.00 discount on our master class enter code ALLABOARD here, and, welcome to the Academy!
Need a Travel Advisor?
Contact our travel agency partner, Montebello Dream Vacations: Let Wendy know you were referred by CruiseTipsTV when you call. Wendy will match you with the best agent for your needs, and an agent will give you a call back! Phone number is on the website.