Virgin Voyages 5 Things to Pack: for Men

I had no idea what to what to pack for my Virgin Voyages cruise. I did not think about the impact the weather would have on my clothing choices and I found myself wishing I had brought something specific many times! Also, there were a few surprises regarding what I could bring on the ship. So, I am going to focus on the five things I wish I would’ve known when packing for my cruise:

Something flashy, something red

If you wear something unforgettable, people will talk to you – and about you. You may even become a legend on the ship! My wife and I wore old-school WWE wrestling shirts and got a lot of attention. If you are a social butterfly (and we are), then you should absolutely wear something when boarding that will grab people’s attention! Of course, wear red on Scarlet Night! I never take a cruise without my Scarlet Red Crocs. You cannot be too over-the-top on Scarlet Night, so wear your personality loudly!

Running shorts for everything

Running shorts are so versatile. They are made from a wicking fabric, so you can wear them while taking the 1980’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies – style class, they can be worn in the pool, or when you’re walking on the beach. Also, they have built-in underwear to keep everything in place, so you don’t have to worry about wearing extra layers or having a clothing mishap while attending your Richard Simmons-style workout. And fellas, the best part, they don’t have that annoying mesh that comes with a lot of friction. You know.

Pack drinks for your Virgin Cruise

I am always consuming some sort of beverage and didn’t want to run up my Bar Tab buying sugar-free Red Bulls every morning. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Virgin Voyages allows the following, per their website: “Small quantities of water, protein-based drinks, non-alcoholic beer, or soft drinks in boxes and cans are permitted in hand luggage only. Drinks in bottles (glass or plastic) are not permitted. A small quantity is considered a maximum of twelve (12) sealed, unopened cans/cartons of twelve 12 ounces each or less per person. – If there is a special need for having a specific drink, please contact Sailor Services.” I will be packing my own sugar-free Red Bull next time!

Short sleeves or no sleeves

I run hot. I am always warm and, unfortunately, I packed some long-sleeved button-down shirts and a blazer for evening dinners. Guys – this cruise was in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is hot – even in January. I was so uncomfortable, and when I looked around, there were people on board eating dinner at the fanciest restaurants on board in t-shirts and gym shorts. Virgin Voyages does not enforce any formal dress code. Next time, I will wear short-sleeved shirts and tank tops the whole time!

Backpack

I used my backpack a ton on shore days. My backpack was great for carrying dry clothes to change into after snorkeling with sharks in Bimini. I also used my backpack to cart around all those sweet souvenirs I haggled for in Mexico. At the very least, bring a backpack to use as your carry-on when you embark. Throw in a pair of pool shoes and your running shorts/swim trunks just in case you feel the urge to jump in the pool.

Bonus: Earplugs!

I should probably put this at the top of the post, but I want to reward you, dear reader, for making it this far down the page. Earplugs are an absolute necessity for me when I cruise. I pop in my earplugs as soon as the boarding door shuts on the airplane. Earplugs help block out the loud engines and your fellow passengers. I also loved the earplugs at the dance parties at The Manor. I’m not as young as I used to be, and I enjoyed myself a lot more with earplugs. I’ve never had any issues with cabin noise on a Virgin Voyages cruise, but I imagine earplugs would help with that as well.

Final Thoughts: What to pack for a Virgin Voyages Cruise

Those are the five things I wish I knew. As for what to wear, I found that I was most comfortable being casual. Gym shorts and a tank top were my standard outfit, and I never felt out of place or underdressed. Obviously, do what works for you, but this is what I observed, and will absolutely be more mindful when packing for my next cruise!

Want to know more about this from a woman’s perspective? Check out Kelly’s post: Virgin Voyages 5 Things to Pack: For Women.