What to Pack

• [1] Enough [2] light-colored, [3] non-wrinkle clothes. [1] Laundry on the ship is either very expensive (full-service) or very time-consuming (self-service). [2] It gets HOT near the equator. [3] They don't want you using irons in your cabin.
• LOTS of T-shirts. The group will provide one as a souvenir, but I still think I'll pack 11 or 12 to be safe. Your other option is to just buy them on shore or on the ship. They're cheap on shore, not so cheap on the ship.
• Quick-dry bathing suits. Outside is hot and sunny. Inside is air-conditioned. 'Nuff said.
• A variety of shoes. I will pack 4 pairs: dress shoes (for formal dining), dockers (for casual dining), sneakers, and sandals.
• Varying degrees of sunblock. YOU WILL BURN if you don't use any! The Caribbean sun is stronger than you might expect. I recommend high-strength stuff (SPF 30+) initially, then adjust down (or up!) as the week progresses. Don't forget lip sunblock too. If you burn easily, use aloe and other moisturizers frequently. I also suggest a comfortable hat, no matter how much hair you have.
• Motion sickness stuff. The motion of a cruise ship is very different from that of a yacht or sailboat. Even in calm seas there's a slow, subtle motion that you'll most likely notice. Even if smaller boats don't bother you, it's a good idea to be prepared. Apparently, dramamine works wonders, and so do those accupressure wrist bands.
• Eyewear. If you have good vision, at least bring a pair of sunglasses. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair, plus either prescription sunglasses or clip-ons for your normal glasses. (Broken glasses are very tough to repair/replace on the islands.) If you wear contact lenses, bring sunglasses and regular glasses. (Your eyes will dry out more quickly than you might expect.)
• Cash and/or Travelers Checks. Most of your expenses can be placed on credit cards, and your room key serves as your "shipboard account," but it's good to have cash for tips, taxis/tours/food on shore, souvenirs, and the casino.
• Proof of citizenship and Photo ID. Not only do you go through US Customs in Florida, but you also need photo ID and your room key to re-board the ship after a shore excursion. A passport will cover all the bases, otherwise you'll need a birth certificate and driver's license.
• Small backpack or tote bag. Very useful for shore excursions! You might want to have dry clothes, towels, bottled water, cameras, etc. with you on shore. This can also serve as your "overnight bag," which you need for your last morning on the ship, and your carry-on bag for flights.
• Extra space in your luggage. Souvenirs can be big.
• Underwater cameras and extra film. Those single-use underwater cameras are cool for some excursions and expensive on the islands. And in general, I recommend high speed film (400+), particularly since you'll probably have a mix of indoor and outdoor shots on most rolls. Also, if you don't have a scanner or digital camera, I highly recommend "Pictures On Disk" services.
• Night light, if you're in an inside cabin. It is literally pitch black in there, any time of day, if all the cabin's lights are off. You might be able to improvise with some of the smaller cabin lights, but I'm not sure.
• Dressy stuff for evenings. Here's what Holland America recommends (with my translations in italics):

  	Guys	Gals
  Formal (2 nights) "Black Tie Optional"	Tux or business suit. (Jacket and tie required.)	Cocktail dress or gown.
  Informal (1 night) Semi-formal	Jacket required, tie optional.	Suit or dress.
  Casual (4 nights) Business casual	Sport shirt, slacks.	Dress, or blouse and slacks
  Minimum you can get away with for the trip	One dark suit, several shirts and ties, plus 3-4 "casual" outfits.	I have no clue.

  Overall, always avoid jeans, shorts, and sneakers at dinner time.

What NOT to Pack

• Beach towels. Your cabin steward will provide towels for you to use off the ship. Just be sure to return them when you re-board.
• Sporting equipment ...unless you're a major enthusiast. Even then, only pack it if you know you'll use it a lot. One example is snorkeling gear, which is provided on every tour that involves snorkeling. Rentals for snorkeling on your own won't be cheap, but they won't be prohibitive either.

What Else You'll Pay For

• Tips on-board. Holland America's official policy is "tipping not required." Unlike most other cruise lines, staff is not allowed to solicit tips or recommend amounts, and drink prices will not automatically include tips. But it doesn't necessarily mean the staff is not dependent on tips to make a living. Other cruise lines recommend a total of about $75 per passenger, spread among the waiter, busboy, Maitre d', cabin steward, and chief housekeeper.
• Alcohol and soda. Holland America offers iced tea, hot tea, coffee, and water throughout the day for free. In addition, there will be juices available for free at breakfast.
• Shore excursions. Keep in mind that the ship overcharges for many of the tours they offer. Once you're off the boat, you can often purchase the same tour for 30%-50% less, or just explore on your own for even less money. Most tour guides also expect tips.
• Souvenirs. Jewelry and alcohol are relatively cheap on the islands. Many places will haggle, and a lot of the salespeople are aggressive. But it's actually a very good time to buy stuff, particularly if you've been meaning to treat yourself or get someone an expensive gift.
• Other shore expenses. Food, drinks, transportation, etc., is all extra, unless it's part of an excursion or tour.
• Photos. I think the ship photographer is overpriced, but they do a very good job, and you might be tempted.
• Gambling. Many people are tempted to dump a few quarters into the slot machines. A few are tempted to spend a bit more. The casino is very similar to Atlantic City or Vegas, but I think the dealers are a little more friendly and laid back. If you open your shipboard account with a credit card, you can use it to get cash "commission-free" at the casino.