Packing for a sunny break to the sea should be super fun and whimsical, suitcases can be lighter (not like my big mountain ski trips!) Earlier in the winter we journeyed on a Carnival Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. We were met with sunny skies, turquoise waters and plenty of cruising fun. When I travel, I make sure my clothes and accessories follow a color palette & that they can easily be worn together. There is a seamless flow in between pieces. Thinking about your fashions way ahead of time allows you to shop wisely and pack with the utmost confidence.

For Caribbean vacays I always tend towards embroidery, prints, light layers and flirty fabrics. And comfort is always queen. I prefer when pieces can overlap into day time & night. Often Lido deck cocktails can turn into steak house dinners. You can bring a cashmere wrap for when the evening winds pick up.

For day time, cute bikinis and swimsuits are essential, but so are cover ups for when the sun is too strong or when it ducks behind the clouds. Some thought needs to go into off shore excursions too. We had a blast riding bicycles on Grand Turk, a cute little playsuit was perfect for that. I always pack a crushable straw hat for the sun as well. There are plenty of travel friendly & fashionable hats these days, they are not too expensive and look great on the pool deck.

The key when you cruise is to relax in style. Outfits should easily be mixed and matched. I prefer looser styles to tighter ones when the weather is hot. Dresses, playsuits and rompers are super cute & comfy. I also bring a PJ type lounge set. Makeup should be light and sun kissed. There is nothing worse than makeup that melts all over your face in the heat. Keep colors light and shimmery.

Accessories are important too. I love comfortable pieces that can be worn both day and night. A pop of color here and there is fun too. A day tote bag is essential for my camera, towel, change of clothes (for off ship excursions) sunscreen and magazines. For the evening I pack a small clutch, metallic is always a favorite. It helps to dress up the simplest of outfits.

If you are planning any upcoming cruises be sure to check the Carnival website. They have so many great options!