For a Caribbean sailing trip, you usually need less luggage than you might initially think. Towels and snorkeling gear are available on board, and meals are provided. Therefore, your suitcase should mainly contain lightweight clothing, reliable sunscreen, and the necessary travel documents. Our packing list gives you a clear overview of what you should bring and what you can easily leave behind.
For a quick overview, here are the most important items for a sailing trip during the dry season:
Towels, standard-size snorkeling gear, and a reusable water bottle are already provided on our yachts. The following sections will tell you what other clothing, documents, and personal items you should pack.
The atmosphere on board is casual; most guests go barefoot during the day. It’s often a bit cooler and windier on the water than on land, and the cabins are air-conditioned. So be sure to pack a light jacket or sweater for the evenings. For the festive Captain’s Dinner on the last evening, a smart-casual outfit is recommended.
The season is the same, too. We sail from December through April, during the dry season and outside of hurricane season. You can find more information about the months, wind, and weather in the overview of the best time to travel for a Caribbean sailing trip.
And there’s one more thing that’s the same everywhere: the yacht, the crew, and the cuisine on board.
On the water, the sun’s rays are particularly intense due to reflections off the water’s surface and the bright sails. Reliable sun protection is therefore an absolute must in your luggage. The ideal choice is a sunscreen with a high SPF and ingredients that are as environmentally friendly as possible, minimizing the impact on coral reefs and underwater wildlife.
For mild seasickness, fresh ginger tea can be soothing—the crew is happy to prepare it during the day. If you know from experience that you’re prone to seasickness, you should also bring a suitable seasickness remedy with you.
A first-aid kit is available on board. However, there may be a charge for the use of certain medications or supplies. Therefore, it is best to bring your own personal medications and any medications you need on a regular basis.
To travel to the Caribbean, you’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months after the end of your trip. The currency on board is the euro; on land, depending on the island, you’ll pay with either the Eastern Caribbean dollar or the U.S. dollar. For tipping in the tip box at the end of the cruise and for expenses ashore, cash is convenient.
Storage space on board is limited, and a soft, foldable travel bag is much easier to stow than a hard-shell suitcase. On the CHRONOS and RHEA , you’ll find space for your luggage under one of the beds; on the smaller KAIRÓS , however, there is no such storage space. Foldable bags are particularly useful there. In general, the rule on board is: less is more. About 20 kilograms of luggage is usually more than enough.
You can leave many of the items typically found on traditional sailing packing lists at home when you go on a Caribbean sailing trip with Sailing-Classics. Our yachts are already well-equipped, and during the dry season, you won’t need heavy sailing gear.
Different requirements apply to an Atlantic crossing. For longer voyages, we also recommend warm, windproof, and waterproof clothing.
For a Caribbean sailing trip, you’ll need, above all, lightweight, quick-drying clothing, a sporty yet elegant outfit for the Captain’s Dinner, swimwear, sunscreen, non-slip shoes, a passport valid for at least six months, and cash for tips and expenses ashore.
For the Caribbean, light, quick-drying summer clothing is all you need. You’ll also want to pack swimwear, a UV-protective shirt to prevent sunburn, a light jacket for the evenings and the air-conditioned cabins, and a sporty-elegant outfit for the Captain’s Dinner.
Most guests walk around the ship barefoot. It’s a good idea to bring non-slip boat shoes or athletic shoes with light-colored soles, flip-flops for beach and swimming stops, and sturdier footwear for shore excursions.
No. Towel sets and bath towels are provided on Sailing-Classics yachts, so you don’t need to bring your own. Standard-size snorkeling gear, bedding, and a reusable water bottle are also already on board.
There are Type F outlets on board—the Schuko type with 230 volts. Guests from Switzerland or the United Kingdom should bring a compatible adapter.
About 20 kilograms of luggage in a soft, foldable travel bag is usually enough. A hard-shell suitcase isn’t as easy to stow away on board.
Discover our special offers for solo travelers in the Caribbean:
🎉Christmas & New Year’s Eve without single cabin supplement
🏝️Bis 31.03.2026: half single cabin supplement on all Caribbean voyages
⛵Tip: Combine two weeks and secure a multi-week discount
