Getting ready for a Caribbean cruise should feel exciting, not stressful. But let's be honest: figuring out what to pack for a week that includes formal dinners, beach days, pool lounging, and island exploration can feel overwhelming.

After years of planning Caribbean cruises for clients, I've learned exactly what makes the difference between travelers who spend their vacation wishing they'd brought something and those who have everything they need without overpacking their already-tight cabin space.

Here are the 10 essentials that will set you up for smooth sailing.

I've been thinking about an uncomfortable truth: the thing meant to relieve stress often creates more of it.

My clients are high-achieving professionals, busy parents coordinating multigenerational trips, and empty nesters finally ready to check off bucket list destinations. They come to me exhausted—not from their last vacation, but from trying to plan the next one.