Thread: White Skin Caribbean Sun

So some of us from the North that cruise don't get to see the sun on our bodies very much. What do you do about this when you cruise in the Caribbean?
Do you tan first or just live in sunblock?

Use LOTS of sunblock and make sure you cover all exposed skin. Bonnie and I never burn, but in Grand Cayman we did ... pretty bad. It can ruin a cruise. Brian only covered what he could reach on his back and you could sure see where he did not have sun block. It was a distinct contrast. I recommend using a high number. Be sure to reapply after a couple of hours.

Our routine the last few years has been to do tanning sessions for a few weeks before leaving, then use an 8 or 15 lotion on the cruise. No matter how long you tan, that southern sun is still much stronger than we're used to even in summer, so some protection is just good sense.

That is what my kids do, through the summer they work on a good tan and bring sunblock.The best they have ever got was coppertone for babies!!

I have an olive complection and tan great but my wife....well...she might as well just wear jeans all day....LOL

Chuck, I have one daughter that hates sun and is white!! Really white, and burns wicked easy. When we go to FT Myers beach for a weekend or on a cruise, we use the babies on her, and she tans, but doesn't burn, though we do apply often!!

Originally Posted by sue miller

Chuck, I have one daughter that hates sun and is white!! Really white, and burns wicked easy. When we go to FT Myers beach for a weekend or on a cruise, we use the babies on her, and she tans, but doesn't burn, though we do apply often!!

Yea I'm bring a butter knife for my wife....LOL Lay it on thick....LOL

I always tan in the high pressure beds for about a week before I cruise in the Caribbean. I do use some lotion, #6 or #8 when out by pool or at the beach. I don't use any lotion when walking around the ports. This has worked for me and has kept me from burning.

Carol

I haven't cruised yet, but I have started to do this for summer vacations. I'm very fair skinned - Irish, Scottish, etc. - with blonde hair and blue eyes (no, this is not an advertisement for a date.)

Several years ago, we planned an early summer week at the beach (actually, it was still late spring.) Knowing how miserable I could be if I got sunburn at the beginning of the week, I decided to be proactive about it.

So, about two months before the vacation, I began going to the tanning salon. At first, about every three days or so, at very short session times (4 to 5 minutes at a time.) If I didn't burn in those sessions, I'd up the amount of time at my next session. If I did burn, I'd just keep the same amount of time at the next session. About the week before my trip, I was able to go to the salon every other day.

Then, I'd still wear SPF 15 (or higher) at the beach. Worked for me. Because it did work, I did the same thing again last year before we left for Florida. This year, I'll probably head back in late March/early April for my late May cruise.

What works best for me is to apply BEFORE I dress so it gets everyplace and has time to soak in.