I Cruised the Caribbean on One of the Most Expensive Ships Ever Built — Here Are 14 Items I’m So Glad I Packed (2024)

I just spent a week on a travel writer’s dream trip: island hopping in the Caribbean on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ brand-new luxury ship Seven Seas Grandeur. It cost more than $517 million, making it one of the most expensive cruise ships ever built. With a $9 million art collection that includes a couple of Picassos and a custom-designed Fabergé egg, and a 4,000 sq. ft. suite that averages $11,000 per night and comes with a personal butler and in-suite caviar service, this super-premium ship is the swankiest vessel I’ve ever boarded. It accommodates only 746 passengers and feels more like sailing on a mega-yacht than a typical cruise. Accommodation is entirely in balcony suites, and even the entry-level suite I stayed in was massive — it had an oversized balcony, a walk-in closet, and a marble bathroom with a separate tub and shower.

As a travel writer who is far from millionaire status, packing for a trip this luxe, with stops at islands like St. Barts and Antigua, was a little intimidating. But with some creativity, I found the perfect travel wardrobe to pack. My trick? I always travel with a few expensive staples, like my Louis Vuitton tote and oversized Versace sunglasses, and then mix in a lot of designer clothing lookalikes from Amazon that cost as little as $15. Here are 14 essentials I packed, all available at Amazon.

Floerns Contrast Lace Plunging V Neck Bikini Cover-Up

I love this stylish cover-up from Florens so much that I own it in three colors. With the way it’s cut, I imagine it’d be flattering for most body types —and it looks way more expensive than it is. Regent offers some unique complimentary shore excursions. I got many compliments when I wore this cover-up for a half-day sail and snorkeling experience on a traditional Thai junk in Bonaire. Although the top half is sheer mesh lace, the bottom has more opaque coverage, so I felt comfortable wearing it to the Grandeur’s ship’s pool grill for lunch. The cover-up is one size fits most. I loved the A-line shape that didn’t hug my thighs too tight and made me feel confident — a compliment that Amazon reviewers also give this cover-up.

“Perfect coverage for looking sexy but 'confident'… at the same time. Has worked well with all my different colored bathing suits. (My) friend and I are on different spectrums of sizes and (it) looked great on us both. Material has held up to salt water, river kayaking, and chlorinated water. Stains seem to come out easy (spilled coffee and got dirty on kayak ride),” one buyer said.

UEU Linen Drawstring Capri Palazzo Pants

You can’t go wrong with a pair of linen pants. They are easy to pack, perfect for breezy evenings exploring a port city, and dressy enough to wear to dinner. I love these high-waist capris with wide palazzo flair legs for their versatility and ability to elongate my short legs. The pockets are perfect for sliding my room key into when I don’t want to carry a purse, and the draw-string waist keeps you comfortable if you tend to gain and lose water weight in hot climates. They are so comfy that I wore them on the flights, allowing me to eliminate my usual leggings and making me feel like I fit right in when my 1K status on United scored me a free upgrade.

I also liked wearing these with a body suit or cropped top. The capri length worked great for my 5-foot frame, allowing me to wear the pants with flats and wedges. I went with black, but these trousers come in seven colors and sizes ranging from S to XXL.

Anrabess A Line Boho Beach Midi Tank Dress

I always pack at least one midi tank dress for warm-weather trips. They are easy to dress up or down depending on the jewelry you accessorize with and if you pair them with sneakers or heels. The form-fitting and sleeveless top also makes it easy to wear this dress with a light jacket or cropped cardigan without looking bulky. This dress comes in 23 colors and patterns, including neutral tones, but I always opt for bold hues.

Because I’m short, I always prefer a midi to a maxi dress, as a midi will never be too long for my body. I also like the A-line shape of this dress, as it offers just the right amount of flare to hide the parts of my hips that make me self-conscious. It felt dressy enough to wear at Regent’s ultra-glamorous signature restaurant, Compass Rose, with its designer plates, elaborate foyer crystal, and metal waterfall sculpture flowing from a backlit onyx skylight.

Packable Sun Straw Western Cowboy Hat

Hats are a warm-weather cruise ship essential, but finding one that looks flattering and is easy to pack can be difficult. So, I was excited when I discovered this cowboy-style straw hat for less than $20 on Amazon. It folded up so I could slide it into my tote on the plane, and the drawstring chin strap also came in handy when the wind was blowing hard on a speedboat excursion to swim with sting rays in Antigua.

The lightweight and breathable hat held up well to the elements on the cruise. Although it won’t last forever, the material is relatively sturdy, and I like the ability to shape the brim to suit my head. It also works great for throwing on when your hair is salty and knotted, but you don’t want to shower between swim sessions.

RXRXCO V-Neck One Piece Swimsuit

Swimsuits are my least favorite thing to shop for, so I stick with them when I find one that fits my body. It's even better when they look expensive but are less than $40, like this one-piece V-neck. I like bold colors for swimsuits, so I went with hot pink (but it comes in 28 different colors and patterns). It wins points for its flattering fit with ruching detail that offers a flattering cinched waist as well as a halter, and you’d never guess it came from Amazon. It is also highly versatile. I like that I can wear it like a halter top with shorts or even the linen pants I brought.

Don’t just take my word for it — this suit is also a favorite with Amazon customers, earning more than 14,400 five-star ratings. One reviewer had this to say: “This is probably my favorite bathing suit of all time. I'm well past my prime, and I do not have a Miami Beach model's body.” They continued to say, “However, this bathing suit is still very flattering. It makes me look slim, it's sexy and it is very comfortable. Absolutely love it.”

Costa Del Mar Bimini Square Sunglasses

One thing I never skimp on when it comes to quality is sunglasses. I’ll find dupes for anything else, but a good pair of sunnies is a non-negotiable, especially when traveling somewhere with extra bright sun. It just isn’t worth damaging my eyes to save $100. I am also super into sunglasses, as they can make or break a look, so I usually travel with multiple pairs. But these Bimini frames from Costa Del Mar are a travel staple and easily lend a luxurious vibe to any outfit.

These sunglasses are made with high-tech, polarized lenses with 100 percent UV protection and fantastic color clarity. They are ultra-scratch-resistant, which is another important feature as I’m not the most careful person with my sunglasses. The frames hold up well and can be adjusted to fit your face. Designed for both water and land use, these are also lightweight and designed to stay on your face during active pursuits —perfect for excursions on a Caribbean cruise.

Outdoor Tech Buckshot 2.0 Rugged Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Mini Speaker

One of my favorite cruise activities, especially on sea days, is sitting on my balcony sipping a co*cktail and listening to my favorite tunes on a high-quality speaker. When packing, I usually throw this waterproof wireless Bluetooth speaker from Outdoor Tech in my suitcase. It is small but still delivers superior sound quality. It is also waterproof, shockproof, and resistant to dust. You can strap it onto almost anything, and it pairs effortlessly with my phone. The battery also lasts for nearly a full day. The $30 price point is impressive, considering the immersive sound quality.

BZees Cruise Bright Wedge Sandal Flip-Flop

A pair of BZees wedge sandals are always in my suitcase, and with their sparkle, they fit right in on this luxurious cruise. These are the most comfortable walking shoes in the world (I’ve owned them a few seasons and they’re still going strong), and they are also stylish and add a little height. I’ve worn my BZees sandals on multiple continents, including on a hiking trail in Alaska when I forgot to pack sneakers.

Designed with the brand’s “cloud technology” for superior comfort, the sandals are ultra-lightweight, making them very packable. Even better, they feel like you are walking on air. The sparkles add enough dressiness to get away with wearing them to a fancy dinner, but the flip-flop style also makes them easy to take to the beach. The shoes are also machine washable, which is another serious plus.

Lightweight Linen Beach Gauze Shawl Wrap

It is hot in the Caribbean, but I get chilly when dining in air-conditioned restaurants, so I pack a pashmina or shawl to wrap around my shoulders. I love this one on Amazon for its versatility, quality, and price —it instantly dresses up any look. The shawl is oversized so that it can serve multiple purposes. Besides doubling as a light sweater, it can also be worn long to provide sun protection or as a cover-up when you hit the buffet. It can also be worn as a scarf or head covering. I also throw it into my tote and use it as a towel for beach excursions.

Freie Liebe Woven Tote Bag

I love this high-quality woven straw tote, which looks a lot more expensive than it is. It was perfect for taking to the pool and on the shore excursions. It is lightweight, durable, and has enough space to hold a book, tablet, sunscreen, shorts, shawl, and flip-flops. It also has a zipper closure to keep valuables safe. It packs down easily, so you can slide it into your suitcase or use it as your personal item on the plane if you don’t want to bring extra bags. It comes in five different colors. I like beige because I wear a lot of bright colors, but if you wear neutral hues, the rose red adds an extra pop to your outfits.

Kizik Irvine Canvas Slip-On Sneaker

Since I discovered Kizik sneakers 4 years ago, I haven’t traveled with any other sneaker brand. I love these slip-on shoes because I can slip in and out of them in airport security lines, on flights, and after hikes without touching the shoe or worrying about tying the laces, thanks to the brand’s rebound technology. They are also stylish and ultra-comfy, and I can wear them on long walking days without foot fatigue.

I own half a dozen pairs of Kiziks but brought the white Irvine style on this cruise. They went well with many of my outfits and felt perfect for the Caribbean. Best of all, when you are finished with a trip, if your shoes are dirty and need a refresh, you can throw them in the washing machine without issues.

Anker Portable Charger

A portable battery charger is another essential for cruise packing. Many excursions have you off the ship for a full day, and I’m always terrified of running out of battery power, whether shooting on my Google Pixel 8 Pro or my beloved GoPro Hero 11 (another device I never leave home without when I know I’ll be snorkeling, diving, zip-lining, or biking).

I bought this Anker charger after many of my travel writer friends recommended it for its reliability, ability to charge two devices simultaneously, and number of total charges before it recharges. It also charges my devices quite quickly, taking under two hours to fully charge either the GoPro or my phone. Note that it does take a whole day to charge this charger, so you will want to make sure you plan correctly.

Supergoop! Broad Spectrum Body & Face Sunscreen

My mom’s side of the family is Sicilian, and my olive skin tans more than it burns. Still, I always slather on sunscreen to be safe and choose a broad-spectrum cream that tackles UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. I love this Supergoop! product because it is lightweight and loaded with skin-hydrating, natural compounds. It absorbs quickly, not adding a white cast to my skin or feeling sticky after applying. It is excellent for swimming as it is water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Other reasons I choose this brand? It is reef-safe, so you don’t have to worry about harming the environment when snorkeling, and it is cruelty-free.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-On Luggage

My suite on the Seven Seas Grandeur came with a giant walk-in closet that was big enough for two people to unpack a multi-week wardrobe in — there is seemingly endless, cleverly designed storage. The beds are also designed to hide a large hard shell roller suitcase under. However, I was going to the Caribbean and prefer to pack light, so I just brought my July Carry-On with me. I love Australia-based luggage brand July’s suitcases because they are lightweight, stylish, easy to maneuver, and durable. The Carry On is their classic option, easily fitting a week’s worth of clothes inside.

At $295 July is a pricey option, but this Samsonite suitcase has a similar hardshell look and is one of Amazon’s bestselling carry-on spinner suitcases, with 9,000-plus five-star reviews. It gets high praise for being lightweight without feeling flimsy and being durable. The four multi-directional oversized spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver, which is a plus when rolling down cruise ship carpets.

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