I’m ending 2016 on such a high note after an amazing cruise to the Western Caribbean thanks to Carnival Cruise Line! I can’t even begin to put into words how fabulous this trip was – and the ship was GORGEOUS GORGEOUS! It was my first time traveling on a large cruise, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but walking around the ship to people-watch and participate in all of the boat’s fun activities was one of the highlights of the trip. If you’re like me and you’ve never traveled on a multi-day cruise before, read below for some of my favorite travel essentials to ensure the ultimate cruise vacation.

When you’re going on vacation to somewhere tropical like the Caribbean, you’re number one friend will be sunglasses! Whether you choose to spend your day lounging by the pool or walking around the ship, a good pair of sunnies will save the day. I’m mildly (okay TOTALLY) obsessed with sunglasses so I brought a few pairs for me to wear during my 5-day trip.

Another cruise essential is a bathing suit! I found myself wearing my swimsuit underneath my clothes every single day so find one that is super comfy because you never know when a water adventure awaits! Our cruise had the most fun waterslide and you better believe that I took a lil water slide adventure every morning to get the day going! I also carried a small cooler bag with me almost everywhere I went. For one, cooler bags will keep your drinks cold which is essential in the sunny Caribbean with the hot sunshine. Luckily, my cooler bag has a giant happy face and makes for a cute purse as well. Here I am at our home port destination in Miami with my polka dot swimsuit and happy face cooler bag.

The next thing you have to pack are comfy shoes! I only brought three pairs of shoes: comfy sneakers for my off-ship excursions in Key West and Cozumel, flip-flips for on the ship and one pair of heels for elegant night on the cruise! I would suggest you to the same and not worry about over-packing tons of shoes.

And lastly, if you know me it’s that I LOOOOOVEEE sippy cups! So naturally I brought my pineapple sippy cups for Michael and I to use at the pool.

Come to find out that Carnival has its own sippy cups that they pass out each day with a different cup and drink!! The first day they had the most delicious fruity rum drink in an adorable blue fish sippy cup.

The second day, they had a yummy frozen piña colada in the cutest little orange blowfish cup. I’m so excited to bring both these back as fun keepsakes from the trip!!

Other must-haves that I recommend are: a hat, sunscreen (and lots of it!), a portable phone charger, and headphones to listen to music to while laying by the cruise pool. Now go check out www.carnival.com and see what cruise you want to go on next!!

This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.