How to Pack for a Bermuda Cruise
By Isaiah David
Most tropical islands are extremely informal and laid-back, but Bermuda is an exception. The local dress is descended from British military uniforms designed to balance the desire to look professional with the necessity of conforming to the warm climate. Dress like a local for a more intimate experience of Bermuda.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Put together your passport, tickets and other important documents, such as confirmations for any excursions you plan to take. Keep your documents, along with reservation numbers and travel itineraries in a binder or notebook.
Pack warm clothing for the cruise. Bermuda is quite warm most of the year, but if you are traveling from London, New York or some other northern port city, you may pass through a lot of cold ocean before you hit the warm weather. A windbreaker, a few sweatshirts and sweaters, and warm pants are a good idea.
Include appropriate dinner attire. On most cruises, travelers are required to dress formally for dinner. Light dresses for women and khaki pants with dress shirts for men are usually sufficiently formal, but make sure to check your cruiseline's website for official dress codes.
Buy Bermuda shorts. Bermuda shorts really are the national dress of Bermuda, particularly for men. They can be worn on casual and semi-formal occasions. Wear them with comfortable shoes and T-shirts for casual days at the beach, or with short-sleeve dress shirts or blouses, and loafers (with long black socks) or formal sandals for a dressier look.
Bring a sport jacket and a few ties. Many restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie. Strangely enough, for most occasions this outfit can be paired with Bermuda shorts.
Bring an umbrella if you are traveling in winter. Bermuda has sudden, violent rainfalls in winter. The temperature is also quite a bit cooler, so bring long pants, sweaters and other cold-weather gear.
Bring bathing suits, towels and T-shirts for the beach. Pack sunblock. It's best to bring along all beach essentials instead of relying on the cruise line to provide them. Sunblock, in particular, may be very pricey if you must purchase it onboard at a sundries shop.
Tips & Warnings
Don't go about town in your bathing suit. If you're more than 25 feet from the water, it's appropriate to cover up.
About The Author
Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has nearly five years' experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.
