Plus Size Cruise Packing List
My boyfriend and I are very different but travel is one thing that we have in common. When he surprised me back in August by booking us a Western Caribbean cruise, I was beyond excited and immediately started planning my plus size cruise packing list.
As excited as I was, I didn’t know quite what to expect from the entire cruise experience. I have had motion sickness my whole life and I always shied away from cruises because I assumed I would be miserable. Ironically, I was the only one in our group of ten who didn’t end up getting sick which I credit to wearing the entire time! GET SEA BANDS even if you aren’t sure you’ll get sick – you can’t buy much on the boat. Also bring motion sickness patches.
A girl in our group got a small cut and finding her a band-aid on board was a big ordeal. I suggest packing a travel first aid kit and any medications you might need. Remember the food may upset your stomach so wouldn’t be a bad idea to have on hand.
I also really didn’t know what to pack. I knew I needed a dedicated plus size cruise packing list. At my size, I wouldn’t be able to grab something at the ports or borrow from any of the people in my group (I didn’t know them).
I consider myself to usually be a pretty efficient packer but since we didn’t pick out any excursions in advance, I just didn’t know how to plan accordingly for activities. I honestly could’ve packed an entire suitcase just of shoes but since I didn’t know how far I would be walking or how easy it would be to walk while on the ship, I tried to think somewhat practical.
As much as my anxiety tried to imagine every possible possible scenario, of course, I wasn’t prepared for everything. I definitely learned a few things I would do differently next time while other situations seemed to work out so perfectly, I couldn’t recreate them if I tried.
Here are my tips for creating your plus size cruise packing list.
1. Spread Wisely
It didn’t matter how many of you told me in advance to be wise about my sunscreen, I still managed to burn on my very first day at sea. I put on spray screen but I didn’t rub it in so my arms, legs and face were totally streaked while my stomach and chest were just plain red. There was really nothing I could do to hide the streaks on my arms so I just worked with it even on cruise formal night.
The rest of the week, I skipped the spray sunscreen completely and went with a more traditional lotion sunscreen which was much more effective. I took a good amount of time to rub it and re-applied it often. Burning, especially on the first day of a trip, is the worst so I swear I’m going to be better about sunscreen in the future, I promise!
2. Accessorize With Shades
I used to pack a ton of accessories for trips only to find myself wearing the same pair of earrings the whole time. For this trip, I mainly wore the same pair of gold hoops with everything. I focused my accessory space to sunglasses and wore each of the five different pairs of (all from Ready to Stare) that I brought.
3. Never Let Go Of A Good Look
I found this jumpsuit in the plus size section a local discount store but it was actually a size large. I tried it on based on the urging of my best friend and much to my surprise, it fit my 3X body. It’s no longer available online anywhere that I can find. I made my boyfriend take my photo in three different locations before we nailed it with this spot.
Also, I wore the Ashley Stewart plus size strapless bra with this jumpsuit due to mesh top and it was a life-saver for most of my evening outfits. It was actually comfortable and supportive to wear as a strapless bra. As someone who has hated every other strapless bra I’ve ever worn, I highly recommend this one!
4. Pack For Adventure
I really wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to zip line but I packed something to wear for it just in case I did. I wrote more extensively about my experience zipling while fat. One thing I will say is that I am glad that I wasn’t wearing just a bikini because the harness wasn’t rubbing against my skin anywhere. As much as I resented yoga pants for taking up space in my suitcase, I’m sure glad I had them for this.
5. Chaffree Is For Me
I got the opportunity to try out Chaffree bike shorts and I knew I wanted to put them to the test on my cruise. I wore a sheer skirt that I designed (and might make available for Ready to Stare). I wear chub rub shorts often so these underwear did the job that those usually do but with a much thinner and breathable fabric. Based on their size chart, I got the XL/2XL and they fit perfectly. In this look, I’m also wearing Ready to Stare and the five layer chain necklace.
I really fell in love with the Chaffree high-waisted brief. They are high-waisted and super stretchy. The fabric is thin but not-so-thin that the briefs are see-thru. Wearing them felt like a second skin and I think I took the most selfies when I wore these under shorts with a Society Plus caged crop top. I get asked a lot about what I do to prevent chub rub and I’ll definitely be adding Chaffree to my anti-chaffing arsenal.
6. Always Selfie When There’s A Monkey On Your Shoulder
The days leading up to this trip along with the ones that followed were some of the most challenging of my life but I look at these images and I see pure happiness. I’m so glad I had this opportunity.
On a lighter note, like sunglasses, I’m glad I packed a lot of lipstick. This one was K’AOIR “Show Stopper.”
7. Don’t Fear Flats
Y’all know I love wearing wedges, but for this trip, I needed flats I could count on. I brought a few pairs but I love these slides for a casual look. They are pretty cheap and perfect for a wide foot. I also paired it with a coverup I wore both to the pool and to the animal sanctuary because it totally works for both. Sunglasses are Ready to Stare.
8. Take A Beach Shot
The island of Roatan was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. You know I had to take a shot on the beach. This bikini is an older style from Swimsuitsforall. I always because you can get some good deals!
9. Maximize With Separates
Although it looks like a dress, this is a crop top and a maxi skirt. I brought a minimal amount of tops so that I could mix and match and pairing it with this skirt dressed up a more casual look. I borrowed the skirt from my best friend but here’s a similar and the acid wash crop top is from Charlotte Russe.
10. You Can Never Have Too Many Fatkinis on your Plus Size Cruise Packing List
When I asked my boyfriend how many swimsuits to bring, he said one. I brought four and I wore all of them at least once. You can never have too many bathing suits on a cruise because relaxing by the pool is probably the most exciting thing you can do during a day at sea. Don’t play the bingo, it’s a rip-off!
But back to swimwear: this suit was my favorite of the whole trip because I love the colors. It’s my first and just like the first I wore back in December, trying a new style worked for me. As someone with a smaller bust than bottom, the halter-style fit me better than a lot of the underwire styles I have tried. And the were high-waist dream.
11. Wear Wedges With Caution
I bought these hot pint striped wedges for a gaudy nautical look that I was only able to achieve for one evening because the boat really did feel like it was moving most of the time and I wasn’t about to twist my ankle on the ship. But this night, I was really feeling myself in this bardot-style dress. The fit was amazing. I will definitely be wearing this look again soon on solid ground.
12. Always Take A Chance
I’m used to being a fashion risk-taker and I try to take the same approach to travel. But I was afraid about how I would fare on a cruise. I’m glad that I conquered that fear, wore four different fatkinis, ate a bite of iguana, tried zip lining, and so much more. is not always a given and each time I sit on a plane, I do not take it for granted. This trip was one that I will not forget!
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XO