Are you looking for the best Bermuda cruise packing list? Then look no further. We were lucky enough to cruise to Bermuda from New York earlier this year. But its location and weather can make it a challenging cruise to pack for. In this guide we will tell you what to wear and what to pack for a Bermuda cruise.
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Considerations for your Bermuda Cruise Packing List
Although many people think packing for a Bermuda cruise is the same as packing for a Caribbean Cruise, there are actually some key differences.
Bermuda is not the Caribbean
Many people mistakenly believe that Bermuda is par tof the Caribbean. But it is not! In fact Bermuda is 900 miles North of the Caribbean.
And although many Caribbean Cruises, particularly those departing from New York, will include Bermuda and Caribbean ports of call, the weather is very different.
Being further North, Bermuda does indeed get four seasons. Our last cruise to Bermuda had an overnight. One day we go perfect weather and the next torrential rain and storms while the rest of itinerary was beautiful sunshine.
Therefore it is important to pack for the weather in Bermuda rather than assuming it will be the same as the Caribbean.
Bermuda Weather by month
As I mentioned above, Bermuda unlike the Caribbean is not a year round good weather vacation. For this reason Bermuda cruises only sail between April and November.
Of these months April is by far the coolest month to cruise with average temperatures of 72°F (22°C). When we went to Bermuda we found one day day pleasant temperatures as above, however on the other day we had torrential rain and it felt much cooler. Therefore it is worth having layers and some waterproof items for cruising to Bermuda in April.
May is when Summer starts to set in in Bermuda when the temperatures starts to rise to an average of 76.7°F (25°C) rising further to 85°F (29°C) in July August and September.
Fall, i.e. October and November sees the temperatures start to drop to around 79°F (26°C) however you will still find the air and water temperatures pleasant and enjoyable.
Like April, November is another rainier month, so having some shoes and clothes that can cope with a down pour is a good idea.
Can I swim on a Bermuda Cruise?
We went on our Bermuda Cruise in April with NCL, which along with November tends to have the coolest waters of the cruise season. However I and my two small children all found the weather pleasant enough to swim in.
Therefore we always recommend packing swimwear both for on your cruise ship and for on your Bermuda shore excursion to places such as Horse Shoe bay.
What to wear on a Bermuda Cruise
What to wear on a Bermuda Cruise for Women
Day to night transition outfit
Embarkation day is certainly a fun day on a cruise ship. However you are unlikely to get your luggage in your stateroom until after your first dinner.
Therefore we recommend packing a day to night transition outfit that is comfortable for day times out on deck in the sun but also is suitable for the main dining room.
My personal favorite Bermuda cruise outfits are usually maxi dresses.
Evening outfits
Personally I would normally pack 1 formal wear outfit no matter the cruise line because I like to dress up at least one night on every cruise. For women this is usually cocktail dresses and for men a combination of chinos and shirt, or even tux if you want to go all out.
On top of this I would pack at least 2 smart casual outfits for evenings otherwise. All items in this category will be interchangeable as a capsule wardrobe and I may partner a top from a dinner with different bottoms for a casual shore excursion look.
For me this usually consists of some smart trousers and some blouses, or a dress or maxi skirt of and top.
Daytime Casual Outfits
Whether you are on the cruise ship or are out in port in Bermuda no matter whether you are in St George, Hamilton or King’s Wharf and Heritage Wharf you are going to need some casual day time outfits.
There are actually very few places in Bermuda where there are dress codes, especially during the day so you will spend most of your time wearing casual clothes.
I tend to pack the below for my casual outfits on a Bermuda cruise:
Maxi Dress
Personally I love wearing a maxi dress for ports and on the ship I like to wear them as a beach cover but they can also be used in the main dining room (MDR) on smart casual evenings.
Click here to shop maxi dresses.
Quick Dry Shorts and T Shirts
If you plan on being more active in Bermuda like we were, then you really can’t go wrong with a pair of quick dry shorts and a tee.
I recommend quick dry shorts as they will dry on your cruise cabin balcony quicker or while you are out, even when on the beach.
Click here to shop quick dry shorts.
Pashmina
And as the dining room can get chilly with the air con we recommend pairing this with a pashmina. I usually pick something in a neutral color to go with all my cruise capsule wardrobe outfits.
Swimwear
Beaches and pools are a huge part of any Bermuda Cruise. We recommending packing at least 2 pieces of swimwear for a Bermuda cruise. I would put one in the carry one bag and one in the packed luggage so you have one to use on embarkation day.
Rash Vest
A rash guard is important to stay sun safe in Bermuda where it is easy to burn while you are in the water doing things like snorkelling.
Note: unless you are serious about scuba diving it is unlikely that you will need a wet suit for a Bermuda cruise.
Beach Cover
Even on a beach in Bermuda it is nice to have a beach cover with you to head to bars and for on ferries etc.
Click here to shop beach covers.
Sun Hat
Useful for those spending lots of time out on the deck and on the beautiful beaches in Bermuda. Shop sun hats here.
Sunglasses
The sun is strong in Bermuda so sunglasses with UV protection are an essential.
Jewelry
Now I don’t like to bring too much jewelry with me on cruises as I don’t wear it on shore excursions even in Bermuda. However if you want to bring some with you for formal nights be sure to take in your carry on and put in your safe once in your stateroom.
Pjs
One set for a week.
Underwear
I will also have underwear enough for the cruise and a few spares.
Gym wear (optional)
You will only need workout wear if you plan to use the gym on board your cruise ship.
Best Shoes for a Bermuda Cruise
Comfortable walking shoes are a must for a Bermuda cruise for using in port and on the ship for me this translates to:
Sneakers
Sneakers are the best type of shoes for walking around Bermuda where you will have a combination of beautiful beaches and historic sites such as the Royal Naval Dockyard.
We recommend packing a lightweight pair that can deal with heat if you are visiting in summer. At the minute my go to hot weather shoe is an All Birds Tree Runner however select the pair you are most comfortable in. I also like a white sneaker as they are the most versatile. My go to at the minute is the Addidas Cloud Foam.
And remember to pack sneaker socks so your sneakers don’t smell in your stateroom at the end of a long day.
Sandals
Of course no Bermuda capsule wardrobe is complete without sandals. Sandals are breathable and are good in the heat. We just recommend you picking one with arch support if oyu plan on touring historical sites as well as visiting the beautiful beaches.
Click here to shop sandals for Bermuda Cruises.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are not good for walking however I always take them for a Bermuda cruise. They take up very little space in your case so don’t really cause overpacking. And they are great on beaches and for using on the pool deck.
Water Shoes (optional)
Water shoes are optional depending on where you are going on your Bermuda cruise and the excursions you plan on doing. If you plan on going snorkelling we recommend packing a water shoe.
Click here to shop water shoes.
What to Pack for a Bermuda Cruise
Now you know what to wear on your Bermuda Cruise we thought it would be worth outlining other cruise essentials to pack for your Bermuda Cruise.
Passport and identification
A Bermuda Cruise is not a closed loop cruise so you will need a passport with you to board and disembark. And remember that this needs to be in your embarkation day carry on bag.
Documentation including Covid 19 related paperwork
Alongside your passport you will also need other cruise required travel documents which can include but is not limited to:
- Travel insurance – an absolute essential for any cruise.
- Covid Related paperwork such as vaccination certificates and PCR/Lateral Flow test results depending on your cruise line and port requirements.
- Cruise Suitcase labels – these are provided by the cruise line but are usually required to be completed and put on your suitcases before you arrive at the cruise terminal.
Medication
You will also need to pack any medications you need in your carry on and be sure to have prescriptions with you too.
As well as prescription medication some other medications you may like to travel with include:
- pain medications such as Advil, paracetamol, Tylenol and Ibuprofen
- Reflux Meds such as Gaviscon, Tums etc.
- Birth Control
- Inhalers
- Sea sickness medication or bands just in case.
Lanyard
Your cruise cabin key is perhaps the most important thing you need to keep with you on any cruise. It is given to at the port on embarkation and acts as your cabin key, payment method and identification onboard. Therefore it is very important to keep with you at all times.
Many people find that a lanyard is the best way to keep their cabin key safe and on them at all times on a cruise. We recommend looking for a lanyard and holder that is waterproof so it can be used on shore excursions and in cruise hot tubs and pools etc.
Click here to shop the best lanyards for cruise travel.
Waterproof Phone Case
As well as the lanyard for your card we also recommend having a waterproof phone case with you. This is an essential for shore excursions where you plan on doing water sports or just enjoying beaches.
We find the best shore excursions in Bermuda are visiting the pink sand beaches such as those at Horse Shoe Bay. But you don’t want to damage your phone in the water or leave it susceptible to theft. The solution to both these problems is to keep them in a waterproof phone case.
Universal Travel Adaptor
Depending on where you are from, who you are sailing with and where you may need to take a travel adaptor with you to ensure that all your electronics will work. Shop universal travel adaptors here.
Charger
Most new ships will have USB charging ports next to the bed however this is by no means on all ships. Don’t get caught out and take a charger with you and a spare cable.
Toiletries
Although most ships provide toiletries I will always pack some on my own as I think they are better quality than those you get on board
For more information on the best toiletries to bring on a cruise check out this post.
Sunscreen
It is important to be sun safe wherever in the world you are cruising but this is especially true for the Bermuda in the summer.
Sunscreen is usually available onboard but will cost you a premium if you wait and buy on board. Therefore you should bring this with you if you can. And given the amount of time you will be spending in the water on shore excursions it is important to protect the reef by wearing reef safe sun screen.
Out favorite reef-safe sunscreen is Sun Bum.
Beach Bag
A beach bag or tote is another essential for a Bermuda cruise. As most excursions you will be doing involve beaches and water based activities you will want a good quality beach bag with you.
Underwater Camera
The best Bermuda shore excursions are all beach and water based in my opinion. If you plan on snorkeling be sure to pack an underwater camera to capture your underwater snorkelling and scuba diving memories.
Snorkel Masks (optional)
The snorkelling is amazing in Bermuda and while you can rent snorkel equipment i you are not guaranteed of the quality. Therefore we will at least travel with a snorkel mask if not a full set with flippers.
FAQs about what to wear on a Bermuda Cruise
How many outfits should I pack for a Bermuda cruise?
All of the above are items that we would include on our Bermuda cruise packing list. However the number you require will depend on how many days your cruise is.
For this reason we have created packing list for specific number of day cruises:
- 3 day cruise packing list
- 4 day cruise packing list
- 5 day cruise packing list
- 7 day cruise packing list
- 10 day cruise packing list
- 14 day cruise packing list.
And it will depend on the dress codes aboard the line you are sailing with as well as whether or not you want to do laundry or pay for the laundry service on your cruise.
Do you have any other questions about what to wear on a Bermuda cruise? Leave us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.
And if you are traveling to other parts of the world on a cruise ship be sure to check out our other cruise destination guides: