Sunday, March 31, 2024

12 Cruise Outfits You'll Love to Wear

best cruise outfits

Some cruisers go all out, as if they'd stepped off a luxury liner from the 1920s. If this appeals, you can't go wrong with a tuxedo (black or white) or gown. "Smart casual and above?" "Casual elegance?" Cruises tend to have more styles of dress than your average vacation. It’s definitely a good idea to pack a rain jacket or shell for inclement weather while cruising or on shore. Are you even on a cruise if you’re not wearing nautical stripes? Do so in style with Long Wharf Supply ethically made sweaters.

Best swimwear for cruises

It’s a good idea to pack a clutch or small evening bag to wear to the dining room at night. Pack your cruise card, lipstick, pills and anything else you might need when out of your cabin. If you prefer a little more coverage, this halter top swimdress bathing suit is very flattering. I’ve also included a few bathing suits and cover ups, shawls, tote bags and evening bags – accessories often complete the look, but are also really useful on a cruise. On my first cruise with RCL I did note that Royal Caribbean cruise attire was slightly dressier in my experience than what we observed on our second cruise with Norwegian. As mentioned above, we just went on a Carnival cruise too so I have put together a packing list for that also.

Resort Wear is the Name of the Game

For a casual cruise think about what you’d wear to a resort. Cruise wear should consist of classy casuals that are comfortable and cool (for hot weather cruises), which can be layered for cold nights (and inside where there’s air conditioning). For instance, I bought a couple of stripey nautical tops and a sweatshirt for AUD$24.99 reduced from around AUD$60 which I thought was pretty good.

Swim Suit Cover Ups:

best cruise outfits

If you’re spending the day at the pool, you can also have lunch or dine in casual pool clothes at the Mast Grill located next to the pool deck. If you were looking forward to wearing a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you can absolutely do that as well. There is no such thing as being overdressed on Evening Chic nights.

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Do you need cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more? Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. This casual spaghetti strap sundress is comfortable and cute, and would make a great embarkation day outfit. If you want to pack light for a cruise, you could even wear this dress in the evening with accessories.

What To Wear On A Cruise: Dressing For The Vacation Of Your Dreams

You could wear the shirt with your shorts or as a swimsuit cover-up too. Make sure to have a wide brim sun hat on your Caribbean cruise packing list! Make sure to bring a cute sandal, a closed toe walking or running shoe, and a pair of dress shoes.

So you've booked your dream vacation sailing on the open seas, but you're not sure what to wear on a cruise. Don't worry — cruise vacations take the stress out of travel, and your wardrobe should reflect the laid-back vibes you'll feel as you sail through paradise. The quintessential cruise style is easy to pull off; think vibrant colors, tropical prints and lightweight fabrics. From daytime wear to packing pointers for a more sophisticated night, here is our curated list of tips on what to pack for your first cruise. Casual by day, chic resort wear in evenings to dressy duds on formal nights. If you’re sailing in the Caribbean then chances are that you’re going to the beach.

Casual Cruisin'

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Others enjoy the chance to "clean up" without going crazy; a dark suit and a little black dress will do nicely. If you want to have fun with formal night, pack your favorite cocktail dress, dapper hat or fascinator, playful ties, jewels and cuff links. Cruisers also can rock formal military uniforms or the custom formal attire of other countries -- such as the Barong Tagalog (pictured) or a dress kilt from Scotland. If you feel confused or uninspired about what to pack for your next cruise, we're here to decipher the dress codes with photos of stylish examples of acceptable cruisewear. Keep in mind that cruise ship cabins tend to be far less roomy than hotel rooms. Nisolo’s woven huarache sandals come in numerous neutral shades that make them easy to mix and match with cruise outfits.

best cruise outfits

Excursion bag

The look is still informal in the day in public rooms and casual on deck, slightly formal at restaurants at lunch and  more dressy at dinner. Don't think that the Fashionista Police are on the lookout for violators at every turn — you're on vacation, after all! And some ships are more rigorous about enforcing the dress guidelines than others. But nobody wants to be tapped on the shoulder by a maître d' with a gentle suggestion to slip on a more appropriate sport coat. A maxi dress is an ideal choice for many warm weather destinations. They’re comfortable and cool and perfect for a range of activities, from shopping to dining at a nice restaurant.

Cruise lines do ask that you don’t wear bathing suits into the eating areas without covering up, so if you are headed to or from the pool, be sure that you are wearing a shirt and/or a cover-up. If you just want to grab a bite without worrying about what to wear, then head to the buffet or one of the casual restaurants on board. Here it’s perfectly fine to wear flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts and the like.

You’ll notice that all the accessories I’ve picked to go with this cruise dress attire have been repeated throughout the outfits. I’ve included plus-size alternatives to the key basic pieces and of course the accessories are all plus-size friendly. I have also tried to pick affordable pieces with many items coming in under $35. Note that this is all Caribbean cruise attire but almost all these outfits would work for a Mediterranean cruise also. For sea days when traveling in a warmer climate, you'll definitely want a swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of the onboard water park.

A pair of white sneakers go with everything and are comfortable to put on after wearing sandals for so many days. These are great to have for strenuous activities, adventurous excursions, and exploring ports of call. You can bring heels, but keep in mind that you’ll be doing plenty of walking on cruise ships, and most of the time they are carpeted. If your heels are uncomfortable on land, they will be uncomfortable at sea. I find that a lot more cruises are ditching formal dinners and instead have an “evening chic” dress code which can mean dressing elegant and sophisticated in your way.

The wide brim offers extra coverage and gives the hat a cool and classic look. I pack at least one pretty blouse and a button down shirt and this red blouse is fabulous for evenings. I also ove these ponte pant styled trousers in the image below. I love ponte pants and I’ve written a whole post explaining what they are and how to wear ponte pants, here. I’d also be thinking about packing a black pair of pants for more formal evenings, and a more funky pair for casual evenings, as well as cut-offs or capri pants for on shore excursions.

What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation 2024 Update

best cruise outfits

Read my full post about sleeves for dresses for more hints and tips. Nordstrom and Joseph Ribkoff (see stockist links at the end of this post) have some great cruise evening wear. The blouse above would be perfectly suitable with these quirky patterned slacks (or block black or white pants) for a meal in the formal dining room. Overall, don’t rely on buying clothes onboard because they might not be to your style, but do see them as an added extra to top up your wardrobe if necessary.

What kind of shoes should you wear on a cruise?

On Lifestyle Fifty I share style inspiration and ways to look good, feel good, do good and have adventures. It’s all about The Art of Ageing, Living the Good Life and Looking Fashionable everyday. Read What to Wear on a Cruise, Insider Packing Hacks – It contains a What to Pack for a Cruise Checklist and it can be adapted for any length of cruise. Moving away from dresses, here are some of my fave separates fit for a cruise to any destination.

What to Wear on a Caribbean Cruise (Complete Guide)

Head to the main dining room with the white tablecloths and well-dressed waitstaff and you might think you need to wear a tux to be served. If you’re wanting to hit the pool after boarding, you can pack swimwear in your carry-on and change once in your room. Just remember that while walking from your stateroom to the pool and vice versa, you’ll need to wear a swim cover up.

Casual Dresses – Sundresses &  Maxi Dresses

When planning what to wear on a cruise, consider if your excursion takes you off the beaten path. If so, you may opt for a pair of lightweight pants, joggers or shorts. This means you’ll be on board the ship all day while you sail to the next port. Whether you're sailing the Mediterranean or floating around the Caribbean, if you're walking around the cruise deck, you'll often need an extra layer or two with that cool ocean breeze. Lean into your minimalistic style era by pairing a crisp white sweater with lightweight trousers and neutral accesories. So while you will see people dressed up around the ship, don’t feel obligated to do so if you’re eating somewhere else.

Maxi Dresses & 2 Piece Outfits

Since the ship won’t leave until the afternoon, those in cooler ports won’t see the warmth of the Caribbean until the next day. No need to dress up, casual is the order of the day all around the ship. On a cruise you don’t have the luxury of your complete wardrobe and closet to pick from. Instead, you only can choose from what you’ve brought with you. That means you’ve got to pack for what to wear in a variety of different situations that you’ll find while on the ship. If for whatever reason you choose to skip Evening Chic nights, you can always dine in one of the specialty restaurants (in smart casual attire) or at the snack bar located next to the pool deck.

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You’re getting accustomed to your new home at sea with lots of exploring and finding a delicious cocktail. Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. While the items are past season, they should still give you some inspiration if you are thinking about what to wear on a cruise.

I took a cooking class in St. Kitts on a cruise excursion. I wore a casual top and shorts and everyone else wore something similar. Before showtime at the onboard theater, change into a skirt or trousers, dress shoes and an airy scarf for a polished look. Be ready for all of the fun cruise ship adventures, from the skydive simulator to the waterpark. Swap flip-flops for dressy sandals or closed-toed shoes before heading to the onboard restaurant. The quintessential cruise style consists of chic but relaxed pieces.

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Tamera @tamerabeardsley above (read her style interview here) chooses an all-white outfit, and a wide-brimmed hat to shade her face from the sun. Nikki @midlifechic above shows how you could wear flat sandals with your evening dress. You may find that some excursions require more walking than others. Perhaps you are hiking to a waterfall, or walking up steps to get to a fabulous view. I’d pack either some comfortable canvas slip-ons or walking shoes.

best cruise outfits

Some people like to bring more and some people less, so adjust quantities of your favorite items accordingly. Please keep in mind that you should always wear what makes you look and feel good. It just happens that I’m turning 50 this summer, but I would wear these cruise outfits at 40 and at 60, and every age in between. Cruise ship dinner attire for formal dining evenings doesn’t have to be a cocktail dress or evening gown.

However, a lot of cruises are dropping the mandatory “formal” night where you had to dress to the nines in black tie attire. Instead, you’ll find smart casual, or evening chic dress codes in place for dinner. A little black dress is always appropriate for cruise formal nights, however the lace detail on this dress just adds an extra touch of elegance. Like most of the other dresses in this list of cruise outfit ideas, it’s very affordable. Remember that you can pack lighter by wearing outfits more than once on a cruise. A good tip is to pair a daytime outfit with dressier shoes and some jewelry, and wear it in the evening for a whole new look.

A pair of sandals that you can easily slip on and off are a must. Ideally, bring a pair that you don’t mind getting wet– especially if you plan on going to the resort pool deck or any water excursion. For embarkation day I would plan on wearing a casual outfit with lighter materials with layers- or even your airplane outfit.

If cooler climes and rugged mountains call to you, consider a cruise to Canada. Of course, British Columbia requires a different packing strategy than a trip to The Bahamas or the Mediterranean. Even when cruising in the summer months, be sure to dress for the destination, not the season — layers are your friend here. Pack some thin thermals you can layer under your clothes if necessary, so you can spend the day comfortably strolling along the Inner Harbour and checking out Victoria's most notable landmarks. Don't forget a hat and gloves and some wool socks to keep your toes warm, too! When you're hanging out onboard, a thin, packable windbreaker or jacket will come in handy, so you can sit out on the deck with a cup of coffee, admiring the breathtaking scenery.

Thankfully for us ladies, I can usually wear the same dress to dinner without a problem. I like to wear cute sets, or shorts and a cute top that’s easy to throw on when heading to the breakfast buffet. This is the least formal part of your cruise, but I would avoid walking around in your pajamas. So whether this is your first cruise or if you are a seasoned cruiser, I hope you find some new inspiration for your upcoming cruise with these new cruise outfits.

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